Sgt. Grit,
Last month my brother-in-law, retired Navy CPO Don DiRienzo, passed away. Before he passed, he mentioned that his father was a Marine back in the 20's and 30's, and had fought in the Banana Wars in Nicaragua and elsewhere. After his discharge he became very active in the Marine Corps League. The enclosed picture of his MCL detachment, the Theodore Roosevelt Detachment in Boston, taken in the 1930's, shows some Old-Old Corps Marines. Sgt. Michael DiRienzo is second from left, front row. Note the man on his left wears the fourragere over the arm, signifying that he was actually at Belleau Wood when the French awarded it. The rule is, over the arm, you were there. Under the arm, you are authorized to wear it, but were not there. I have been trying to research Sgt. DiRienzo, but have been unsuccessful. I was informed that the detachment does not exist any more. Anyone knowing anything about him or the detachment is asked to contact me here, through Sgt. Grit. Semper Fi Paul Lindner Cpl. 1959-1963Author: SgtGrit
John and Joe at Hill 327
This is one of my buds and me who got to Hill 327 when I was a two digit midget! And John was also with the Comm. Unit. I look a little different now but only 2inches more on the waist line.
Semper Fi
Joe
PFC Shikany’s new tattoo
Sgt. Grit, I love receiving your newsletter each month. My son graduated from bootcamp in September, and is now at school in Pensacola, while he was home over the holidays we got some tattoos together, thought I would share what the artist (Loni Troupe in Phoenix AZ) came up with. Thanks for all the great stories/memories that you provide each month. Proud USMC Father of PFC Nick Shikany 6/2010 –
Best Marine Corps Tattoo Ever!!!
Iwo Jima flag raising / Battle of Belleau Woods / EGA
Honor Vietnam Vets With Jane Fonda and Anti-War Protestors?!
Geeezzzzzzzzz these people never let up. I got back 40 years ago and they still try to gig us every chance they get.
Sgt Grit
Fayetteville, North Carolina, home of Fort Bragg, is planning a 10-day celebration and homecoming this November to honor Vietnam Vets. Its a honor well deserved. These soldiers, marines, and other vets served our nation honorably. It’s not their fault that we had lousy leadership in Washington that lost the war.
Targeting the Taliban? There’s an iPhone App For That
An iPhone app that tracks down the Taliban has been developed by a U.S. soldier — who put $26,000 of his own money into the project.
The idea for a smartphone application to assist soldiers in combat came to Capt. Jonathan J. Springer in a dream last July, he said Monday. The 31-year-old, from Fort Wayne, Ind., has worked with programmers ever since to make the idea a reality.
This day in history, USMC
Jan. 27, 1837: U.S. soldiers and Marines under the command of Col. Archibald Henderson – a serving Marine Corps commandant – defeat a force of Seminole Indians in the running battle of Hatchee-Lustee Creek (Florida). For his actions, Henderson will receive a brevet promotion to brigadier general, becoming the Corps’ first general officer.
Blue Angels, Then and now
Good stuff!
Man Lied About Medals, Won Trip
After being struck in the face and head by shrapnel while on patrol in Iraq in 2005, Aaron Joshua Lawless performed first aid on a fellow injured Soldier and returned fire to the enemy from a damaged gun before being struck by an improvised explosive device, later winning a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his bravery.
Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock
Sean Swartz
There once was a young man, dark and tan,
That grew up and lived in this United States land.
He had a dream, indeed a dream,
To be a United States Marine.
He grew up fast and grew up clean,
Now he’s finally seventeen,