Author: SgtGrit

My son graduated from Mcrd San Diego on May 22,2009 as Pfc. Castilleja and Meritorious Honors. I can’t think of anything that could make me prouder!

Thank you,
Angel Castilleja

Sgt. Grit,

On behalf of myself and the members of graduating Platoon 2030 from Parris Island in 1959, we all say a big thanks to you and your wonderful staff for our succesful 50th reunion on May 7th and 8th /09 in Beaufort S.C. and the great time we had together. read more

Sgt.Grit,

Here's some picture from Platoon 395 at PI circa 1964. Thank You Sgt. Morgan,Corporal Viola,and Corporal French. I hope you guys are well and still with us. Also my Dress Blues picture and one at ITR at Camp Geiger.

"Semper Fi"
Mike
"Death before Dishonor" read more

Thank you for all of the great letters and stories, especially from the "old timers" from WW11. I joined the Corps in 1940 to "see the world"!

I had planned to make a career of it, but after Iwo, with a disability from wounds received, was not able to stay in. I did get in a lot of travel and experience. 1940-43 sea duty on two cruisers in the Pacific and the Battle of the North Atlantic. Nov. 1942 initial landing at Safi, Morocco, N.Africa. 1943 Marine Parachute School Instructor, Camp Lejune. 1944-45 training the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendelton for Iwo and Japan. Never made it to Japan. read more

Hello…

This shot taken at P.I. and worth thousands of words, appeared in a Look Magazine story called "THE MARINE MACHINE" published on August 12, 1969. I sized it so it will fit on your desktop.

Jon Rodgers

Plt. 3137 "Eye" Co. 3rd Battalion RTR San Diego 7-24-69 to 9-30-69. read more

Sgt. Grit
here is a platoon picture of my platoon made just before we shipped out to Iwo. sign says 1944, and I am in next to top row, 6th from the left. (see name). I went with 4th division, 24th Marines, Regimental communications.
Ray
24th Marines – 4th Marine Div & FMF, Pac
Iwo Jima survivor WW2 read more

My son's name is Logan Thompson, Grad Date 11-22-2002, Platoon 2119. Proud Mother of a US Marine, my son is still serving he has done 2 tours to Iraq, and will be leaving to Afghanistan AUG 2009 for a year, I knew that there was something special about him the day he was borm, I am so proud of him. God Bless our soldiers, Semper Fi. read more

Sgt Grit I have enjoyed your web site for a few years now. I thought I would send you a couple of pictures of my boot camp time. From boot camp I went to amtrac school at Camp Delmar at Oceanside. Then to 3rd Mar Div at Camp Gifu in Japan, where I was put into a Anglico plt as a radio operator and forward observer, and we went to Iwo Jima but this was Feb 56 Then the 3rd Mar Div moved to Okinawa in March of that year. When I returned to the states I spent my last 14 months in the PX at Parris Island S. C. Met a bunch great men in the Corps and have been able to find a few of them that I served with. Cpl. Bernie Caldwell. P.S. That was before crossed rifles were on the checron read more

Sgt Grit

Here is a photo of our platoon 252. My brother and I are at each end of the third row up.

L/CPL Dale Landon 2008036

Well Good Evening…

Thought you might like to see a couple of pictures of 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, "Eye" Company, Platoon 3137 at MCRD San Diego. Formed 7-24-69, First Training Day, 8-4-69, Graduated 9-30-69.

Platoon Commander: SSGT. David L. Noakes (Ret. SGT. MAJOR)
Drill Instructor: SGT. Curtis A. Kauffman
Drill Instructor: SGT. Alfred W. Schultz (we were his first platoon and he loved making us do PT!) read more