Sgt. Grit,
I was reading a letter submitted by Gunny Brownmiller, and couldn't agree more with his statement. "I am guessing that "our yellow footprints" is something that only we can understand and when used in the outdoor world, they have no clue as to their hallowed meaning for many of us." It brought a nice memory of a post I made on FB.
Author: SgtGrit
Corpsman Cyclist – Improvise, Adapt, Overcome
I'm a 67 year old Marine Corpsman and I just finished a 50 mile ride for cancer. Did it on a 35 year old bike as well. Thought you guys might be interested in a picture. The motto I taped to my handlebars was "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome"
Battery K, 4th Battalion, 13th Marines Reunion
From May 2-6, the Battery K, 4th Battalion 13th Marines Reunion association held our third reunion at Wilmington/Camp Lejeune, NC.
On 3 May we visited Camp Lejeune and the 10th Marines where we were hosted by the Regimental Commander, Col Hall, the Regimental Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Zhorne, the Regimental Artillery Chief, Master Gunnery Sergeant Martin, and a number of Marines from the Regiment. The 10th Marines put on a static display of current Marine Artillery at the Legacy Artillery Park, including the M777 155MM howitzer, and the 120MM Expeditionary Fire Support System. After lunch at Ball Hall, we visited the Camp Lejeune War Memorial. On 4 May, we visited MCAS New River, where we were hosted by VMMT-204, the V-22 Osprey training squadron. We were given a through tour and briefing of the capabilities of the Osprey. In the afternoon, we visited the battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington. After our banquet and raffle on 5 May, we all headed home. Planning is already in the works for a reunion at Ft. Sill, OK in 2014. Battery K, 4th Battalion 13th Marines was a 155MM Sell-propelled Howitzer Battery, and was activated in 1966 as part of the 5th Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, CA. The battery went to Okinawa, and then into the Republic of Viet Nam and provided artillery fire support for both the 1st, and 3rd Marine Divisions from the DMZ to Southern I Corps. In addition, the battery served with 1st Field Artillery Group, where it provided fire support for units of the U. S. Army, in particular the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. The battery was de-activated in 1970 as part of the Viet Nam drawdown. The reunion association is made up of those Marines who served with the battery during its time in before and while in Viet Nam and their families. Semper Fi, Tom GaffordMSgt. Thomas A. Gafford USMC (Ret.)
Sgt. Swenson, Thomas J Jr
EGA I got 2 years after I got out. 2005-2010/ 0311/ 1st Battalion 8th Marines/ Bravo Co. OIF
Updated Tattoo
Got 27 years after entering Corps. Didn’t like original, had upgraded to add lettering top/bottom and shading. Decided to keep black & white for “older” Corps look. Semper Fi.
Memorial Tattoo – All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Scariest moment in bootcamp
Left NAS Dallas in Sept 1966 with a Cpl who was taking us
to Dallas Love Field for a flight to L A and a bus to San diego.
He said to us "Gentlemen you are in for a rude awakening.
1.Keep your mouth shut
2.Do what you are told
3. Don't volunteer for anything"
Parries Island in 1966
Looking for any marines who may have graduated bootcamp in 3rd bat 1966. Also if anyone knew Cpl./Sgt. Mastropole on the drill field between 1968-1969. I would love to hear stories about him. He was my father, and I never knew much about his life in the marines. If anyone ever served with him please let me know.
Capt. Lonnie Massey, WW2 & Korea
Sgt. Grit and Staff,
Thank you for your help and assistance with my recent order for replacement ribbons and the Gunner bursting bombs device for my father, Lonnie Massey.
He is a Marine and a veteran of the campaigns in the Pacific and one of the Chosin Few. In the Pacific he was with the 3rd Marinie Amphib Corps and handled the radio repair and communications for the divisions. He has some intersting stories about Guacalcanal and Boughanville, etc. and the radio relay and carrier platoons. He was even one of the instructors for the original 29 Navajo Codetalkers
Need help finding a store
I am trying to find more information on the below story. I will give you as many details as I can in hopes that someone can clarify for me. I have tried to find the story online and I have been unsuccessful. Here we go.
In 2002, I was told a story from an old Marine. I being a Marine myself, was very interested in the story and eager to hear more. The old Marine told me that he tells his story on Parris Island to recruits of what happened to him in Vietnam. This is what I remember.