Author: SgtGrit

Iwo Reunion

Reference Candas Konop’s FIL in the Wing during WWII

Roy O. Hawthorne, Navajo Code Talker visits Sgt Grit

Reference Candas Konop’s FIL in the Wing during WWII

Candas,

My Father AND Mother both served in the Air Wing during WWII, both stationed with Air Base Group -2 out of NAS North Island and MCAS El Toro. Both graduated from Boot Camp in 1944, Father from MCRD San Diego and Mother from Camp Lejeune. Yes, during WWII, WMs trained at Camp Lejeune and not Parris Island. My Mother is still active in the Women Marine Association and attends Squadron reunions annually. If you would like, you can contact me at jhowards [at] yahoo.com and I can provide contact information for her to you. Me, yep, another old Marine. read more

A Guadalcanal Marine

This is my Senior Drill Instructor, S/Sgt (in 1962) William Way and his two Marine brothers. He is on the right, the shorter of the three. He retired as a GySgt in 1968. The picture was taken on the Marine Corps Birthday in 1989.

On the left is his older brother, Ernest Way. Ernest served in the Corps in WWII and received a purple heart. read more

A Guadalcanal Marine

John,

As I told you Ted Hetland and I, from Rhode Island were in Boot Camp in 1957 together.We were also honorary members of the WWII, DI’s. Our friend Mike Portella, is one of the few members left. His old uniform is on display at the DI school, as you can see in this picture. Mike is a veteran of Guadalcanal, and wanted Ted to take him back to PI one more time to visit what he calls, “his room.” So Ted volunteered to take him back. They were there last week. read more

I Don’t Remember

In Apr07 I visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps and on the wall of the WWII area was the sign bearing the quote. I’ve attached a pix. In mid Jun45 I was rotated to CONUSA, along w/ other Marines from, what was known as MAGS ZAMBOANGA, based at Moret Airstrip on Mindinao, PI We arrived at Camp Miramar, San Diego on 24Jul45 and left on 28Jul45 for our 30 day leaves. before boarding the train. we painted the windows, w/ Bon Ami (anyone remember Bon Ami?), w/ a quote, “With the help of God and these few Marines MacArthur retook the Philippines”. I don’t remember who came up w/ this version, which I like better, but we were cheered mightily at every stop we made between San Diego and Chicago where we split up and went our separate ways. Last month I had the pleasure to revisit the Museum and the sign is still there, of course. After my visit in ’07 I called the Museum and was connected with the Curator of Uniforms and Heraldry and questioned the accuracy of the quote and he advised me that the history of the Corps has the quote as it is on the sign. Below the sign is a Jeep with MAG-24 markings. I was in MAG-32 the other Group in MAGSZAM. read more

Navy at Tarawa

I am attaching a picture which is a piece of history. Most Marines (me included) do not know that the Navy Seabee Frogmen hit the beach before we made our landing. This is a picture of my cousins (also a Marine) father-n-law (Navy) who was on the beach at Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) before we landed. This was the beginning of what the Navy calls the Seals. read more

Once a Marine

Sgt. Grit:

Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Here is a picture of ret. S/Sgt Mike Portella, 303040, taken July 2008. Mike became a Drill Instructor in 1946, after serving on Guadalcanal, in 1941. Mike was a member of the WWII DI?s, until it disbanded several years ago. Mike?s old DI uniform is on display at the DI school on Parris Island, which didn?t even exist when Mike was a DI. Mike wants? all Marines everywhere to know our young Marines are as good, and up to the task as Marines have always been His message is we can all be proud of the DI?s and officers training these young men and woman. And that we should not forget the job being done by our Marine recruiters, who do such a great job finding young men and woman who will carry on the great tradition of our Marine Corps Honor and Values, and great fighting spirit I was honored to tour the base, with this WWII Marine. read more

Wounded on the fifth day

Sgt Grit,

I’ve been reading the various articles concerning families of Marines and Marines that served on Iwo Jima. They have inspired me to write to you and share with you some stories of my father, Bill Leverence, who was the flamethrower for the Assault Squad, Co. F, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines, 5th MarDiv.
He was drafted in 1942 and went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego. He then went to Raider school and was with Carlson’s Raiders in the 2nd Raider Bn. When the Raiders disbanded he went to the newly forming 5th Marine Division. He spent some time at Pendleton and then to Hawaii and Camp Tarawa for training. He was their assault squad’s sole flamethrower. When the time came, they left for this mysterious secret island and he landed in the first wave on February 19th. read more

Iwo Jima

Sgt Grit,
In February of 2004 myself and 15 of my fellow Marines were selected, from 2/6 Wpns Co. 81’s Plt. currently on deployment in Okinawa, to go on a six week training opp in the Philippines, we were joined by Fox Co. and all there to help the “new” helicopter pilots with live fire operations. All went well and we were sent back to Okinawa. read more