To all my Marine Corps, fellows in arms, I wish you all a Happy 234th Marine Corps Birthday. Semper Fidelis. To all Veterans I wish you an enjoyable and hearty Armistice Day.
The Old Gunny, Gordy
Author: SgtGrit
1966 BirthDay Picture
In Oct. 1966 I arrived on Hill 327 DaNang Viet Nam. When November 10 came around, it turned out I was the youngest Marine in our outfit. First Marine Air Wing, Hawk Missile Battery. Included is a picture of me receiving the second piece if cake. Now I go to Cookies Bar in South Philly every Nov 10 to salute the US Marine Corp. I especialy salute the 68 Marines I took home for their final journey while stationed at the Philly Navy Yard.
233RD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Sgt. Grit:
Just sharing: At our annual 233rd Celebration of the Birthday of the Corps (over 200 in attendance) one of our guests from the Phoenix Valley, an active duty recruiter, Sgt. Allen Casanova, stepped forward on the dance floor, got down on bended knee, proposed to his date, she accepted and we all stood and applauded to the playing of the Marine Corps Hymn.
Major General Livingston
Major General Livingston Congressional Medal of Honor Winner, 1968..Vietnam War, then a Captain, and me at the 2008 Marine Corps Commandant's Birthday Ball
Dean Smith
11 Engineer Bn Marine Corps Birthday 1967
On Marine Corps Birthday November 10th 1967 the 11th Engineer Bn had its newly built Bn Chapel dedicated to all members of the Battalion. In attendance were (24) Marine Engineers who were awarded Purple Hearts. One Bronze Star was also issued along with the Battaltion's unit award – the Meritorious Commendation. Also they had a cake cutting ceremony and all Marines in attendance were allowed 2 beers or sodas.
San Diego Marine Corps Ball 2007
Sgt. Grit, I am enclosing a photo of the Marine Corps Ball November 2007. I attended this year in San Diego CA, with my son in law and my youngest son. This is the one and only time we will all attend as Sgt's. L to R, Sgt. Alexander Jones ( 11th Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA ), Sgt. Joshua Carlson ( MWCS 48, Bravo Co., Miramar, CA ), and Sgt. Ralph Jones (HMM-362, Vietnam 66'-68'). I have another son who couldn't make it former, Marine Andrew Jones ( MCES, MCB Camp Lejune, NC). What a wonderful legacy a father has to have his family join him in the brotherhood, and speak the same language, my daughter made the right choice marrying her Marine.
10 Nov 2007
Sgt Grit,
Here's a couple of snapshots from a small Birthday gathering at my house on 10 Nov. Those pictured served from the WWII through theVietnam eras.
We read the Commandant's Message, had a cake Cutting Ceremony and sang the Marines' Hymn.
I'm the guy kneeling with my wonderful wife of thirty six years in front of me.
Oldest Marine in an Army Uniform
SGT Grit:
I just celebrated my 40th Marine Corps Birthday at Camp Victory, Iraq.
To make a long story short, I served as an enlisted Marine 1967-1973 and after an eight year break joined the National Guard to get a commission and have been in every since. I've had several active tours since 9/11 and most recently with the Army Operations Center at the Pentagon and I came to Iraq as HQDA LNO to MNC-I.
Celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday
Sgt Grit,
Just wanted to send a photo of our impromptu USMC Birthday Celebration.
We were sailing on the Norwegian Spirit on its 15 day repositioning cruise from New York to New Orleans. I had asked the Hotel Director for a 20 person cake and the Cruise Director if he could schedule a Veterans get together. We had the get together on Nov 9th, 2007 and had over 70 veterans show up to include 8 Marines. After we all had a BS session, the Cruise Director says he has my cake over in the corner.
Camp J. J. Carroll
Sgt. Grit, In your last letter, Gysgt John D. Foster wrote:
"In late 1967, our platoon (Echo 2/9) was returning to Camp Carroll after a long op in the bush."
I don't know if the Gunny, knows where Camp J.J. Carroll got it's name, but the timing of his letter could not be better. (Happy Birthday Marines) The hill was know to us who operated out of there earlier as The Artillery Plateau. It was renamed and dedicated to Captain Carroll on the Marine Corps Birthday in 1966 following Operation Prairie. The attached photo may be hard to read, so I'll type it so all can know the history.