Me and Bill C. at the Dirty Name, the first obstacle on the Parris Island confidence course on the day we graduated from platoon 374 in the Fall of 1960. Hard to believe that was 56 years ago. In my mind we haven’t changed much since then. Don’t know if we can still do 20 pull ups, but we can still lock and load and put them in the black at 500 yards.
Ship me over Sergeant Major!
Semper Fi
Norm Spilleth
Cpl. E-4
1960-1964
Love this! My daughter is currently at Bootcamp in Paris island. Thank you for posting this and thank you for your service. Ooh rah
good memories,I graduated platoon 350 in the summer of 1960.
I graduated plt 349 1960
Glad you have those great memories Marine! I have great memories of the “Stairway to Heaven” too as our Series Guns, GySgt Tim Phillips was near the top when one of the rungs gave way! Gunny came crashing down taking out one rung after another and finally stopped after 4 or 5. Shaken (but not stirred), he climbed the rest of the way down, looked up and said we wouldn’t be climbing that ladder today and waved us around taking the lead as he always did through the rest of the course. That was 1980, Plt 2033. They replaced the rungs with square cut railroad tie type lumber.
But Cpl. Spilleth, I’m going to have to send you to the Quarter Deck and make you spilleth some sweat for poor mathmanship! You say this was 1960, the year the good Lord blessed this earth with ME! Then you say it was 66 years ago! Well I’m only 55 and will turn 56 this year! I may be getting old but let’s not rush things! OLD SCHOOL MATH PLEASE! Leave the Common Core crap out of here!
Ooh-RAH Brother! Semper Fi!
I ran that course in the Spring of 1959. PLT 306.
Cpl. Conley. I was at P.I. from late May ’68 to July ’68. Kilo 3/9 3rd. Mar. Div. V.N. 1969. I remember that particular obstacle and it was a proper name. I too can still shoot but can’t run anymore.
Was at MCRD San Diego from Sept -Dec 1960 Plt. 286. (66years??) has it been that long ago?
I was in platoon 152 at MCRD in July of 1960 . I turned 18 in boot camp of that year! And yes it was that long ago SEMPERFI
Cpl. Talbot,
You are the closest to a “Platoon Mate” that I have come across in all these years. I was in Plt. 285 at MCRD, San Diego. I’m sure that our paths have crossed many times at the wash rack, rifle range showers, mess hall, etc. Would like to communicate more if possible.
Cpl. W.L. Kuhn
I went through boot camp at PI in Jul 1951 and retired from the Marine Corps in August 1974. I’m now 88
and still lift weights 5 times a day, 7 days a week!!! Semper Fi to all Marines.
George Goodson, Lt Col, USMC Retired.
I went through PI June 1960 platoon 250. I was in the glorious corp from June 1960 June 1964.I was with 2nd Anglico at a courthouse bay . Semper Fi to all my brother marines. Cpl. E-4 Ken Reposa
Parris Island, the land that God forgot… The sand is fourteen inches deep and the sun is blazing hot! And when we get heaven, St. Peter I shall tell, another Marine reporting, sir – I served my time in hell….
Joe Matlock, Platoon 3098 – 1971
An Wahn, 4 Combined Actions Group, 1972
I went through P.I. boot camp August to October 1962 in platoon 358 and would like to hear from my fellow Marines that went thought with me.
Cpl. Kenneth R. Webster
!962 – 1966
MCRD San Diego August – November 1960 Plt. 175. Long long ago. Semper-Fi…
Looks like we spent some time together back in 1960. I was in Plt. 285 at MCRD San Diego. Graduated December 1960. If I remember right, it was Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day.
I looked at the picture and did a double take because Bill looks like my late buddy, George Scot. We were both in Plt. 152 at PI, arriving 19 June 1960. Sadly Scotti passed a couple of years ago from brain cancer. I spent a lot of time at his side at the end, even though he slept most of the time. When he would wake briefly he saw me at his side and I hope that it gave him comfort. He was a very decent faithful guy. We had a smaller obstacle course near the grinder in the 1st BN area. Our entire company went to it one day and our senior DI, Sgt Davis told me I was running for our platoon. He said if you don’t win you’ll have this size10 (boot) up your butt. The first leg consisted of a log you had to walk, or run, down and it wasn’t very wide. I was a lean 150 lbs at 5′ 9″ or so and I took off like a flash and immediately fell off the log. With 300 recruits screaming it was hard to think straight, but I hadn’t forgotten what Sgt Davis said. I quickly jumped back onto the log and ran like hell down it. By the 3rd obstacle I passed pass one of the other 3 guys. By obstacle 8 or so I passed the another guy and in the next few seconds i was off the obstacles and running like wind for the rope climb. I knew if I used my legs I’d lose so I leaped at in a ‘Tarzan’ type swing and just climbed hand over hand with only the top heavy metal ring in sight. Once I glanced over at the last recruit I had to pass and I was equal with him about 3/4 of the way up. I humped because all I could think of was that size ’10’. I then looked away from the other recruit at the top and I was i realized I was an arm’s length from the ring. I flung my right arm up in a full extension and slapped the ring. I started right down sliding and stopping on that rather thick rope and hit the ground. My DI said I was damn lucky I won. All I could say was, “Yes, Sir!” as I glanced down at that size 10.
In 1965 I was on a weekend drill at the reserve center. I was walking up the hall toward the glass double doors and the sun was in my eyes so all I could see was the silhouette of the man walking toward me. In a split second I knew that I recognized that silhouette as Sgt. McCall, one of my junior DI and the best drill instructor a man could ask for. When we were just feet apart I stepped in front of him and identified myself, the platoon and the year. He looked at the 3 stripes on my fatigue collar and said, “Well Sgt, you’ve done pretty well for yourself.” He was still a buck sergeant like me and I felt guilty and just said, “Sir, I’ve been lucky.” We hit it off just great as though those 5 years between the last time we saw each other never happened. In another year I had finished my tour of duty and sadly lost track of Mac.
In June of 1993 I wrote the Commandant, asking if he would forward a letter to Sgt Jimmy E. McCall. They said yes and on 19June, 1993 I sent the letter off to the general for forwarding. It was a letter of deep gratitude for the training he gave me and for the grit he put in my gut. I had a terrible habit of laughing when they screamed at me. It reminded of my old man who screamed if a feather dropped from the sky. I thought it was stupid because I was a respectful kid and did whatever he asked of me and I wasn’t into dope or in trouble with the police. I drove Mac nuts and I got my share of lumps for it, but I never complained and he taught me so much about being a man that I could never really thank him.enough Right after graduation he came looking for me to tell me that he gave me that ‘special attention’ because he felt I would make a good Marine. It sure made me feel good. I never heard back from him and a Marine friend of mine who I met through the Sgt. Grit newsletter located the information about Mac on “Together We Serve” website and informed me that Mac had passed a few years ago, but as a captain. He had been in Viet Nam. However, my buddy got the names and addresses of his son and daughter and I am in the process of writing to them to tell them what a fine Marine their dad was and that he was a great patriot. The Marine Corps was the best thing I ever did in my life and I owe the Corps a great deal. I wish all of you Marines good health because we get older we sure need it.
SEMPER FI …..BROTHER….
Robert were you at PI in June 1960? Be happy hear from you. My email is keelerbarracks@yahoo.com.
Semper Fi to you,
buzz
That Photo reminds Me of Me at PI April 20 through July of 1962, Platoon 223, Sir. SSgt. G. H. (G. H. Did not stand for “Good Hearted”) was My Senior DI, and Cpl. Taylor (KIA Vietnam, MOH Winner) was My Jr. DI.) I didn’t have a smoke the whole time, but graduation day my Parents brought me a pack, and I took it up again. I would love to hear from anyone from Platoon 223. 1 2 3 4, I Still Love the Marine Corps!
Got to send you to the quarterdeck, for your math. The new math sucks. 56 years Marine. Please don’t make me older than what I am.
Can’t do pull ups anymore but push-ups, running, weights, etc, and hitting the black at 500 yards is no problem.
Cpl. E-4 Laurie Salliotte
i was 9-67 9-60 i went to san digo i was pfc went i got out iturned 18 in boot camp anyone rember me larry foulk i am now 76 yrs. old at teddy39@mtcnow.net i live tennessee Il. 311east bushnell st. 62374
i was 9-57 9-60 i went to san digo i was pfc went i got out iturned 18 in boot camp anyone rember me larry foulk i am now 76 yrs. old at teddy39@mtcnow.net i live tennessee Il. 311east bushnell st. 62374
I was at P I in 1968’platoon 173 May 30 ,I also turned 18 there the on to school 1371.
Then on to V N 1st MAW MABS 36.