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I just read in The Purple Heart magazine that a Marine Vietnam Vet had received a Silver Star for action while serving with “D” Co. 1st Bat.3rd Marines He was given the award at a ceremony hosted by the National Museum of The Marine Corps.The award was presented to L/Cpl Raymond Kelley on 18-May-2018 exactly 51 years after the action.On 18-May-1967 Kelley was a machine gun team leader when his unit was tasked with to provide relief to a pinned down unit.His team began to receive heavy fire and took multiple casualties.Disregarding his own safety he repeatedly placed himself in the open to assist the wounded Marines and help them to the platoon command post where they could receive medical attention and while ignoring his own wounds continued to fight until the enemy disengaged.It did not say where this took place maybe someone reading this has more detail.Anyway congrats LCpl Kelley wherever you are and,as always well done and SEMPER FI!! Harry read more

I was on PI during August 1960. Plt 248 one month out of high school. We cut the grass with nail scissors. Quick story: Charging in from PT to shower and get ready for chow. Unknown by the DI(#1), No.2 DI had allowed the rack of the house mouse to be taken to the next barracks as a proper display for the newbies there. When the mouse saw the empty spot on the deck where his rack should have been, he ran to DI #1 and shouted out, “Sir, My rack is missing!” In in own gravely, guttural, growl, The DI replied, “Well, You’d better #### one!” After serving 30 years and almost another 30 after that, I still laugh at that often used phrase. read more

During 1st phase platoon 1056 Paris island we were issued these uncomfortable skivies That in no way would contain our morning desire for head call out DI making his inspection came across me with my pecker sticking out desperately needing to take a leak looked at me in utter disgust I could feel panic setting in I have to piss like a race horse and I thought I have a 100 mountain climbers coming my way when he looked at me with a half ass grin and said PUT IT AWAY—put it away i i sir and with that he said for head call – we answered and I ran in those shower shoes in no time flat and relieved my self thinking to myself this is only the 1st 5 minuets of a long day read more

Why don’t i read any stories about Marine Aviation. I went to Jacksonville Fla. for aviation fundamentals 1957 then to Memphis Tenn. for helicopter maintenance school spent 4 years fixing & flying in those recip helicopters remember doing auto rotations & when pilot pulled up on the collective I would bend over & kiss my — goodbye in the hope we would pull out of the auto rotation loved working & flying around on the helicopters it gave me experience that i spent 30+years as a licensed airline mechanic @ SFO went to school after i was discharged March 1962 for my federal A & P License. My biggest disappointment with the USMC is when i went from Corporal E3 to Corporal E4 instead of Sargent E4 but my discharge papers said i was recommended for promotion to Sargent E5. Missed Vietnam couldn’t believe my squadron went over there in those decrepit recip helicopters HMR 462 before that HMR 163 “cheap Opama [Japan] Marines” Semper Fi troops keep them flying! read more

I attended the University of Parris Island in October of 1963. Unlike several, I beat the draft by enlisting!! Boot Camp restrictions are something ONLY a Marine would understand. Among them was a restriction of movement in the barracks after lights out. Unfortunately, natures movement are about the ONLY thing that ignored Drill Instructors! In the middle of ONE night, nature took command and I sneaked into the head around two A.M. It was pitch black and I had to feel my way to the closest relief station. I was in the middle of my mission when I heard the station a couple down from me release it’s cargo. I was frozen and no further relief was possible. As I listened, the other visitor completed his mission and I heard him walk across the floor. THEN, the lights came on! There was one of my Drill Instructors! Let’s just say it didn’t take me long to finish my business! The rest is a blur of memory! Bill Kidd, SSgt, USMC, 1st Battalion, Platoon 185 read more

Hey, SgtGRIT readers and contributors! I need some help. You and SgtGRIT helped me out before with my first book. Now I’m looking for more funny, true boot camp stories that you either experienced yourself or witnessed. I would love to hear from some Women Marines as well this time. Also, I’m sure there are some ex-Drill Instructors among you that could share some pretty funny stories. If you’re willing to contribute stories (yes, more than one can be used) please include your date of enlistment, duty station (PI or SD) and your bootcamp picture if available. read more

my story is more of a question. all your products just motivate the hell out of me! In 1982 I took a picture of mount suribachi from a CH-53 flying off the deck of the USS Peleliu. Our hop was to pick up mail being dropped off by a C-130 on Iwo Jima. I believe it to be divine providence that I took that picture. There is no other picture in existence like this one, as time and vegetation has slowly hiddened it’s scars. I believe this photo had to taken. I believe it compliments joe Rosenthal’s famous photo to a T! I would love to show it to sgt. gritz as you are my brothers. And let me know what you think. I don’t know how to upload a picture but can email. If you do not reply no problem. But I do believe this picture should be kept in prosperity for all time to honor all who battled there. read more