Author: SgtGrit

Dress Blues Marine Monument

Dear Sgt Grit,

My name is Harry J. Daigle. I joined the Marine Corps in 1953 at the age of 17.  Feb 28 1954, was when I graduated from MCRD.  I stayed in the Corps 8 years, 8 days, and 8 hours.  I got out as Cpl. E-4 like you did.  I would have enlisted for another 6 years if they have given Sgt. E-5 I left the corps Dec 8, 1961, and after 58 years I still love the corps. As you see by the monument in my front yard, next to my American flag and the Marine Corps flag I bought from you.  I just want to share my monument with all other Marines, celebrating the Fourth of July. read more

Vietnam 1968 Thanksgiving Menu

Thought you might like a copy of this since everyone talks about chow.  I agree Hill 55 had the best mess hall.

Commanding General’s Thanksgiving Day Message (inside of menu)

Thanksgiving is an American holiday in every sense of the word. It is a traditional family affair and each of us will be missed this year as our loved ones gather for the occassion. read more

Gunny Sgt. Barbosa

Sgt. Grit a few years back I sent you a comment about my Gunny Sgt. Barbosa and it was about the time we were out in the field (1958) and climbing a monster of a hill at Camp Pendleton. Well I was in great shape for I had just finished playing football for the First Marines and was feeling my oats when I grabbed the tripod and 30 light and humped up the hill passing everyone in my path. When we got to the top of the hill Gunny Barbosa came over to me and said "Don't be a Smart A-z Conners" I remembered that and will never forget his comment as long as I live and never did it again… read more

Rolling Thunder Independence

Sgt,

Almost finished with our trip.
As I said, Many people will never get a chance to visit Washington, D.C and see the monuments there relating to the various wars our service men and women have fought in.
And seeing the professional staged photos in Magazines and on the web, I feel don't give the real life of being there experience that the photographs you take personally does.
So in that vein, I hope these are acceptable substitutes.
Any one that wants to download save and share you're more than welcome to do so. I only ask one thing, don't claim them as your own. read more

LVTR-7 on a trailer

The kind of truck the expensive driver drove……this one was on the maintenance ramp at Camp Schwab over a weekend, probably in the spring of 1977……the vehicle on the trailer is a LVTR-7, the Recovery version of the P-7 family, later called AAVs……..R&E, if visible, stands for Replace and Evacuate, which is a Depot overhaul program intended to remove vehicles from the FMF while overhaul is still economically repairable….a one-for one exhcange. The truck likely belonged to Truck Company, H&S Bn, 3rd FSR…….they moved 128 tracked vehicles from Schwab to Naha Port that year….all between midnight and sunrise, which is when the Japanese permitted wide loads on their roads. read more