From about July 68 to Apr. 69 I had the pleasure of being assigned to the ferry crossing of the Song-Tu-Bon located at “Liberty Bridge” about halfway between An-Hoa and Hill 37. From time to time,not often,we would venture into the Ville of Dai-Loc ,located near Hill 37 to purchase some services and other items. The Locals made a beverage made from bananas we called it banana rum, don’t know what they called it, but it was one of those drinks that you never really knew what the alcohol content was. It was like drinking Sloe Gin went down smooth but after a few drinks POW! Sit down,drink,but don,t get up to fast or you might fall. Banana Rum, the original Jungle Juice. What reminded me is that one of my buddies is making his version of Jungle Juice for the Super Bowl. Harry 1371
Category: Main
Manual of Rakes
After completion of 5 months Special Communications Training at Pensacola NCTC in 1968, I had two weeks to wait for my overseas orders. My instructions were to “just stay out of trouble”.
While hanging out in the barracks one day the 1st Sgt picked me out and told me to round up 6 other Marines and go to Special Services, check out some rakes, and proceed to the Base Chapel and rake the leaves. Having done so we were on our way to the chapel when we encountered and officer. He stopped us and asked who was in charge here. I saluted and told him I was. (at the time Lance Corporal.) He said we were a disgrace and should march where we were going in an orderly fashion. So, I had everyone line up, snap to attention, present rakes, right shoulder rakes, and march in a column of twos, calling cadence all the while. When we arrived at the Chapel, the Chaplain was thoroughly impressed. After that I quit hanging around the barracks and went to Pensacola Beach every day to work on my tan. Lesson learned.
Rifle Range-Camp Lejuene
Summer 1960, two week summer camp for Reserves. Had to re-qualify and on qualification day it started pouring rain just as we were on the 500 yard line and using M-1 Garands. Score wasn’t the good and with the rain It wasn’t going to be a good time. The rear sight was filled with the rain and had to blow it out to be able to see the target. Those in the butts must have wanted to finish and get out of the rain because I shot all bullseyes on the 500 and I know that it was bullshit. But, hey, they marked and I wasn’t going to complain. Shot expert that day.
Mess Duty
I was on mess duty at Matthews in October 63 and yes the DT’S was going around there one night ad yes I remember Little Agony and Big Agony on to well with the duck walking..That alone probably messed up more knee’s than anything…One memory was when we pulled butt’s for the Navy and you would have been safer in front of the butt’s rather than behind…Ha…I was an Old 6413 Air Winger..
BOOT CAMP MESS HALL
WHILE AT THE RIFLE RANGE (CAMP MATHEW), I WAS HAND PICKED FOR MESS DUTY…
THE 2ND DAY ON DUTY I WAS ASSIGNED TO THE TRAYS CONVEYER WASH…SOME OF US DECIDED TO SKIP THE SECOND HOT WATER SOAK AND INSTED GO OUTSIDE FOR A BREAK…
DAMN NEAR THE WHOLE PLATOON CAME UP WITH THE DT’S… NOT ENOUGH HEADS TO GO AROUND SO SOME HADE TO IMPROVISE…WE KEPT QUIET ABOUT THAT BUT THE DI KNEW..
WHO WAS AT FAULT….BOY WERE THEY PISSED….(WILLY 258).
Sergeant
Although not as bad but after I came back from Vietnam I was drinking in the Tun Tavern down in downtown Jacksonville and a young lady I knew sat down at my table. I being a gentleman ordered two beers . We were speaking when I put my two fingers on my beer to pick it up. Well the glass beer bottle shot out between my fingers and landed up against the young lady’s dress drench her in Budweiser from head to foot. I felt like a heel and of course very embarrassed. She said don’t worry about, but I did and payed to have her dress cleaned. We remained friends for along time. Until I got out and left for home in 1969.
3rd FSR
Okinawa, 3rd FSR, 1969.
Time for requalification at the rifle range. They bussed us there and dropped us off. As the day wore on, we were informed that when it was over, we were to walk a few miles to a given location where we would be picked up.
As we clomped along, no formation, no cadence, just clomping, guy next to me and I started shooting the bull. For some reason we remembered that movie: Bridge over the River Kwai. So we were trying to remember that whisted song. One of us came up with it so we both started whistling it. Then a couple other guys joined in. Then more and more and eventually, we all fell into formation, whistling that song. You remember when ya had it right how it felt like two gigantic boots marching?
Yeah, it was that. Plus 30 or 40 guys whistling that song. People we passed stopped and looked and a few even saluted. (We had no officers with us). Cool experience. And by the way, I shot Sharp Shooter that day…
DIEGO AND YENKIE: THE FUTURE OF DOD LAW ENFORCEMENT
Across the Department of Defense, military working dogs serve many purposes. K-9’s are utilized to subdue suspects, find specific items, and people. Most are only capable of one or two of these functions; Diego and Yenkie, residents of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Provost Marshal’s Office kennels, are a bit different.
Duck part 2
I went to PI in October 67 and had the same duck….My version was “Duck in and Duck our ladies ( or sometime we were called ladies or maggots). I always eat dessert ? first, this way I had it ?♂️ The good old days of Uncle Sams Misguided Children semper fi.
Yellow Foot Prints -San Diego MCRD
I was in Boot Camp in August of 1953, and could not remember if there were yellow foot prints there at my arrival…others during the same area couldn’t remember if they were there either. I called MCRD and talked to a nice young lady in the Museum there. She confirmed that the first they could establish that the Yellow Foot Prints were there was in 1963, in fact JFK visited the base and stood in the foot prints. Also she told me that in 1953 the first recruit graduation books came out. Thought others would be interested …. guess we are now ready to report to the museum at 84 years old….