Author: SgtGrit

MARINE OF THE WEEK

“They were so close you could see their hands throwing grenades”

Lance Cpl. Thomas Adametz
Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines – The Professionals, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom
April 26, 2004
Award: Silver Star

Following the seizure of two key buildings along a vital avenue of approach into the company’s sector, Lance Corporal Adametz and his squad moved into the northern most building and provided security for his platoon’s position. The enemy’s fierce attack of rocket-propelled and hand-thrown grenades onto his platoon’s position resulted in four serious and numerous minor casualties. With disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Adametz exposed himself to grenade and small arms fire in order to provide suppressive fire facilitating the evacuation of the wounded Marines. Picking up a squad automatic weapon from a wounded Marine, he delivered withering fire on enemy forces 25 meters away. Lance Corporal Adametz’ aggressive actions and devastating fire were critical in repelling the enemy’s attack. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Adametz reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. read more

Wish-I-Were’s

It’s interesting to read the stories about how different wanna- be’s suggest or pretend to desire the name Marine. When I was a young 2nd Lt in flight training in Pensacola in the 70’s, I still remember several Navy Ensigns (even one or two Annapolis Grads) quietly murmuring how they wish they were Marines. It was evident to them that with only a few months of military service under our belts and not much experience at anything, Marines are something different and special. read more

How serving in the Marine Corps helped prepare Rob Riggle for Hollywood

Rob Riggle is known for his roles in “The Hangover,” “Step Brothers,” “Dumb & Dumber,” and countless of other characters in movies and TV shows.

But before the 47-year-old made his mark in Hollywood, Riggle served in the Marine Corps for 23 years. read more

5TH MARINE DIVISION VETERANS VISIT THE POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA

U.S. Marine veterans of the 5th Marine Division visited the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, Oct. 20, 2017.

The veterans came to PTA as part of the 68th Annual Reunion of the 5th Marine Division Association. During their stay they had the chance to see displays of the current weapons and equipment used by U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. read more

MARINE OF THE WEEK “I heard screams that the enemy was advancing toward us”

MARINE OF THE WEEK // “I heard screams that the enemy was advancing toward us”

Lance Cpl. Jeffery Cole III
Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, RCT-1,1st Marine Division.
August 17, 2010
Award: Silver Star

While conducting a partnered patrol in the F4 sector of Marjah, then-Lance Corporal Cole’s squad came under heavy and accurate machinegun and small arms fire from two enemy positions. The initial burst wounded four members of the squad. When another Marine was wounded and could no longer operate the M240B medium machine gun, without orders or regard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Cole took control of the machine gun and began suppressing the enemy positions with effective fire. Though shot in the left arm and despite heavy arterial bleeding, he continued engaging the enemy as a fellow Marine applied a tourniquet and pressure bandage to his arm. Despite his painful wound, he continued to provide suppressive fire until all of his wounded squad mates were moved to a covered position. He was then struck by additional enemy fire in his front small arms protective insert plate but still continued to return accurate fire with his M240B. Only after confirming that all wounded personnel were safely behind cover did he cease his fires and join the remainder of the squad. His actions directly enabled his fellow squad members to maneuver the wounded personnel to safety. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Cole reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. read more

DaNang Ammo Dump, April 27, 1969

On April 27, 1969, I was the OIC of a small communications detachment assigned to 1st MAW in DaNang. One day, while working in the office, there was a huge BOOM and the fluorescent lights in our small working spaces came tumbling down. One hit the Gunny in the left shoulder, more of a surprise than an actual injury. Then, there were a series of smaller, but just as dangerous, explosions. We stepped outside the spaces, actually a small hut surrounded by a sandbag revetment, to see what was going on. We could see a lot of smoke in the direction of 11:00 o’clock. Then, all of a sudden, we could see this shock wave heading towards our area. Finally, after an hour of this, I had no choice but to shut down our comm link with III MAF across the DaNang river. In the meantime, in accordance with our standing procedures, all the rest of the detachment reported in for duty. “All present and accounted for, Sir.” It must have been about 10:00 the next morning when the all-clear was sounded. read more