Your comment about Canadians serving in Vietnam:
"I know we have a lot of customers in Canada. This is just my own guess, but I imagine more Canadians crossed the border and enlisted in the Marine Corps during Vietnam, than cowardly Americans who escaped across the border the other way."
Sgt Grit
Yes, a great many Canadians served in the American military during the Vietnam War. I knew a number of them… dating from my enlistment physical in the Marine Corps in early 1968 to fellow instructor in the Young Marine Program in my later years. (He came down from Canada in 1967 to enlist in the Corps and served for 30 years…)
Some joined the Marine Corps because they had anti-communist sentiments… some because they were looking for adventure rather than "square bashing…" others because they simply wanted to be Marines.
Those who served were in for many years of grief from their own government. For decades measures both major and petty were inflicted upon them after their return to Canada. It was not until the late 1990s that the Canadian government eased up.
There was a big stink in early 1968 when Canadian press got hold of a photo of a bunker at Khe Sanh inhabited by a Marine from Canada… Canadian flag flew over the bunker. Political pressure caused it to be taken down. I have attached a photo of my Canadian Vietnam Supporter's patch. Any of your readers who are interested in more information about Canadian Viet Vets can Google the info re: their organization…
Still on the subject of Canada… Re: the item about the Johnson Light Machine Gun… The Marines traded many of theirs to the 1st Special Service Force (The Devil's Brigade), a joint force of Americans and Canadians… for explosives. The Johnson LMG was used by this proud outfit during their campaigns in WWII and became one of their trademarks.
James F. Owings
USMC 0311
1968-70