Category: 3rd Marine Division

Camp Hansen

Sgt Grit!

I had to back up Sgt E-4 C.J.Oudendyk story about Camp Hansen, 3rd Marine Divison in 1956. When the Marines transferred me from Japan to Okinawa. They put me at Camp Hansen, I was Cpl Myers, cook/baker but no place to work. The only thing left was the boiler in a quonset hut. There will be some pictures to let anyone know what I mean. In one of the pictures I'm setting there with you guessed it, C-rations, but the troops could not tell the difference, we would doctor the stuff up. read more

Blood and Whiskey

After reading a couple of recent stories about donating blood on Okinawa, I was reminded of an experience of my own. I was serving with the 3rdMarDiv Band in 1964. We rated house girls because we went through several uniforms a day, mostly due to the Godawful humidity. One of our girls was killed in an accident and her family was having trouble paying the hospital bill. We learned that if a bunch of us went to the Okinawan hospital and donated blood it would help to reduce the bill. We wanted to help and also knew we would be given whiskey afterwards. I was lying on the table hooked up to a bag and taking life easy when I happened to look over and there was a big pool of my blood on the floor! There was a big hole in the bag and I yelled "Aksamio" at the top of my lungs. An Okinawan nurse came running and nonchalantly hooked me to another bag. Needless to say, I was given many shots of Suntory whiskey to sooth my fevered brow and ruffled feathers. Just another day on the Rock!                                                                                                    read more

A Late Lunch

On October 23, 2013, I'll celebrate the 50th anniversary of my arrival at MCRD San Diego. In October 1963 I walked from my home in Hillsdale, MI, to City Hall with an idea to enlist in either the Air Force or the Navy. Those two recruiters had taken a late lunch, but the Marine recruiter, a Corporal, invited me to wait for them in his office and have a cup of coffee. While waiting I noticed all the brochures, posters, etc., and asked him about the Marines. I remember him telling me, "Oh no. You came here to see the Air Force and Navy. I'm not going to steal you away from them."  I responded that I wasn't under any obligation to those guys and just wondered what the Marines had to offer. To make a long story short, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and it was, by far, one of the best decisions I've made during my life. read more

3rd 155, 175mm Gun Btry

The 3rd 155/175mm Gun Btry (SP) held its 3rd reunion in Branson, MO this October. Our first time to Branson and we were not disappointed! By far the most military friendly place around. We met up with friends we haven't seen in 45 years. The highlight of the reunion was our unit Banquet and the fun of raffling off the gifts you sent us for our reunion. Thanks for your support and the great products you sell and your great newsletter. I look forward to reading it every week. Keep up the great work! read more