Bound and Determined
It was in the late summer or early fall of 1963, when at the age of 17, I got my parents to sign the consent form needed to enlist in the Marine Corps. With the consent form and pocket full of promises from the local recruiter I went down to Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan, NY to join up.
During my physical exam the Army doctor, who looked like he was about 80 years old, mixed up my paper work with the poor guy standing next to me. This guy had rheumatic fever as a child and should have been classified 4-F.Unfortunately he got my 1-A classification and I got the 4-F classification.
I was not a happy camper! To let everyone know they made a big mistake I shouted, cursed and threatened everyone around me until I was given the “bum’s rush” and escorted out the door.
Not willing to give up my quest to join the Marine Corps, I waited about two months and went to a different recruiter and started the process all over again. Remember this was the pre-computer days and you could get away with it.
On the day of my physical exam I had a different doctor. I passed the exam without a problem. As I was mentally congratulating myself I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and was stating at a chest full of ribbons. I’m 6”1” but I had to look up about six inches to see a face that belonged to a very large MP. Behind him was an even larger MP. I was informed that I was about to be arrested for fraudulent enlistment. Of course I denied I was ever there before and tried to convince them they were mistaking me for someone else. One of the MP’s laughed and said that I made such a big stink he actually put a photo of me on his wall in the MP office.
After some desperate negotiations on my part the OIC at Whitehall Street told me to come back at 7:30 AM the next morning with an overnight bag. He told me I was going to be shipped over to Governor’s Island for a series of exams to see if I would pass a more stringent physical exam.
The next morning I boarded a ferry boat to Governor’s Island. There were twelve passengers going for physicals. Eleven of them were trying to get out of the Army and I was trying to get into the Marine Corps. I never regretted getting on that ferry boat.
Fast forward from that point on….I went to Parris Island in the first week of January 1964….made PFC out of Boot Camp…..and was attached to the one of the first combat units into Vietnam- 1st Battalion 3rd Marines in 1965.
To the Marine who was with 1/3 in 1965, I was with A/1/3 also. He can contact me at my email chucknshell@gmail.com for further correspondence. Charles Bonner, SgtMaj USMC Ret.
I was with 2/3 Bravo Co. when we landed 10/Apr/1965 at Red Beach 2 DaNang V.N. We were greeted by signs made up by members of 1/3 saying “Welcome to VietNam Boot” It took a while for the sting to go away!
I enlisted at 17 and went through the Whitehall Street ordeal about 4 years earlier. I was sworn in on the 30th of January 1960. Abunch of us were bussed to Newark Airport, flown to SC and bussed to Parris Island Recruit Receiving. I spent four of the best years of my life in the Corps. I did not see any duty overseas however. I was sent to Virginia. Spent one and a half years at Quantico and two and a half at Henderson Hall/Navy Annex in Arlington. Had 2 little girls to raise so I chose to end my tour in March of 1964. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. OoRah. Semper Fi !!!!! (until we die)
I enlisted in December of 1963, and was also 17 years old. I was at Parris Island January 1964 platoon 315.
I was also in Vietnam 1965 & 1966 B Co, 1/7 3rd. Marine Div. Participated in Operation Starlite, first major Marine offensive battle in Vietnam. Semper Fi!!
Sgt. David M. Ventura
Hey, Sgt. Ventura: Slight error. 1/7 was 1st MarDiv, not 3rd.
At that time 1, 5 and 7 Marines were 1st MarDiv and 3, 4 and 9 Marines were 3rd MarDiv. 2, 6 and 8 Marines were 2nd MarDiv
Hey Gary, The Sgt Ventura is correct. When they landed in 65 they were 3rd Div. They went 1st Div. around March 66 . Harry 1371
Hi Harry,
I stand corrected. You and David are right. I was wrong.
That’s cool brother, things were a bit confusing at times over there. Semper Fi! Harry1371
I was in the “old Corps” when I arrived in RVN in May of ’67. Sgt. Ventura was in the REALLY old Corps–as were you!
No way man, May 67 I was still in High School! Did not go in until Oct 67 and arrived in Vietnam Apr 68. Harry 1371
I was a Corpsman with Delta 1/3 and arrived in Da Nang in January 1965.
Have you been to the reunions?
jharri1.marinedoc@gmail.comm
We may have crossed tracks on the grinder of 3rd Bn Parris Island. I enlisted two days after Kennedy was shot and sent Thanksgiving on PI. A warm and cordial welcome indeed by the DI’s. They wanted no more Lee Harveys coming through.
Platoon was 300, I think. SSgt Nelson and ? DI’s. A good time was had by all. Then, on to 2nd MarDiv, LeJeune.
Gotta’ LOVE those Marines! Nothing, but nothing, keeps those Jarheads down!!
I miss LCol. Ritchey. We were in the same Marine Corps League together in AZ.
SEMPER FI…. ’til I die…OOHRAH!
An ex-wife of a Marine, a daughter of a ww2 Marine and me, a Lady Leatherneck from 1960