Author: SgtGrit

Number 6 on the flight line at Phu Bai

I read the story in the Jan. 13 issue about the UH34D resupply of the Rock Pile in Oct. of 1966. The number on the tail looks like number 6. I was flight crew on the number 6 during Oct. of 1966 with HMM161 based at Hue Phu Bai. That might be me in the door of the plane sense there were only two us who flew with the number 6 and we were both on the plane. I can remember several times resupplying the Rock Pile. We could only get one wheel on a small platform with our tail sticking over the side of the mountain, and the wind blowing over the top made it difficult to stay there very long. Here is a picture of the number 6 on the flight line at Phu Bai.    Thanks, T L Smith

Not the “K-bay” of old

I can commiserate with SSG Mike England about his attempts to visit K-Bay last November.  I was assigned to the Station Operations and Maintenance Squadron (SOMS) from 74-77 and finally made it back to Hawaii and K-Bay while on a business trip in 2008.  I retired in '93 so I was able to show my ID and gain access to the Base.  The Base has changed so much – new streets build, old street gone – that I literally got lost trying to find our old buildings, which by the way, once located were now a pile of rubble.  New streets, new barracks, all new housing, gorgeous PX and Commissary complex (Hey Mike, remember the old Quonset hut Commissary that was down near the airfield?  It's history now).    Of course, all my beloved F-4 Phantoms were long gone, replaced by rows of parked Navy P3s left over from when NAS Barbers Point closed.  Sorry Mike, you shoulda clicked your heels together earlier.  There's no place like home, there's no place like home.  Here's a couple of "wuz" and "is" shots of K-Bay for you from an old "Winger".   Jeff Howards Sgt, SOMS/MCAS K-Bay 74-77

Tie Tac

Sgt. Grit,   Just wanted to submit this pic of my latest creation. I purchased this Tie Tac in the PX at Parris Island in 1967. My mother passed away and she gave me her diamond Ring that she wore for years. I got the idea of using the Diamond for a better purpose. I drilled out the Globe of our Beloved Emblem and glued in the diamond. It sure turns some heads as it glows like it’s on fire. The picture doesn’t do it justice. I am really proud of it. Everyone wants to buy one and my reply is that, This is one of a kind just like the Corps. Civilians don’t get it and they never will.   “Semper Fidelis”   MSgt. Dicik Bowers, USMC Ret’d.

Trip back to San Diego

I must be getting old, for the life of me I cannot understand why I did not post this when I came home from California in October 2010.   After many years my wife decided we were going to visit my sister and her husband in Anaheim, California. I had not been to California since I got back from Nam in 1966 on my way to Quantico, VA. She also planned all the spots we were gong to visit and asked me if there was one place I wanted to see. I told her in no uncertain terms if we were going to Southern California we had go a little further south to San Diego and visit MCRD and watch a Recruit Graduation. The only one I ever saw, I was in and did not get to see much as I, along with all the other recruits were a little busy that day.   The Quonset Huts that I remember in 1963 were for the most part gone and new shiny two story barracks were there. The Grinder was newly prepared for this graduation and was as spotless as I can remember. Other than that all of the area around that area has not changed in 47 years. Told the "BOSS" (wife) we will be going back in 2013 for my 50th anniversary of graduation from Basic Training.   I realized that I was old when I saw the Drill Instructors, (Sgt.'s, Staff Sgt.'s & Gunnery Sgt.'s ) looking so young, Even the Sgt. Majors I saw had to be in their mid to late 30's and looked so young.   I did get to talk to a couple of Drill Instructors and really do not remember them to be that friendly. LOL   "Semper Fi" Paw