Category: Era

Images From Gazette

I am trying to obtain some info on pictures from WWII Illustrators John Clymer & Tom Lovell who worked for the Marine Corps Gazette Magazine. They had done covers for the magazine in 1944-45 that were in turn available as prints to the magazine readers as a set of 8. (I have 6 of them) The set cost $1 at the time and were available "until the supply is exhausted". They included — the Korean incident, the Florida war, the Boxer Rebellion, apprehending seal poachers, the flag goes up on Mt. Suribachi. I am wondering if you are familiar with these. read more

Old WWI Vet

Some years ago I was visiting an Old WWI Vet. We talked about our wars and he said, one of the biggest problems of WWI was the "COOTIE's" which were lice. He showed me the outfit he made to help remove cooties which was much like the one I have shown here, the date on this cartridge head is 1917. When they were relieved from the front lines and moved to the rear area they started big fires and got great pots of water boiling. They took their clothes off and dropped them in the boiling water, while the clothes were boiling they bathed usually like I did in my three wars, in a small basin (helmet) of water. The clothes were taken out dried and put on again free of "Cooties". The VFW even had a "COOTIE" Club after the war for the guys that served in the trenches and suffered "COOTIE's". The club was phased out after some of the other wars we had to fight. I would imagine that Iran and Iraq have some dandy bugs. read more

Dedicated To 1/9

First photo is Mt. Whitney ascent in September 2014, 705 ft. short of reaching the summit elevation due to one in our party getting altitude sickness. Hike dedicated to 1/9.

Second photo is in 2013 on sub dome before going up the cables of Half Dome in Yosemite with the colors dedicated to the Marines of 1/9, and I ran into some young active duty current era Marines of the 23rd Marines with their colors. read more

Commandant’s Christmas Card

Earlier this year, I inherited the personal items of my paternal grandfather Sgt Oscar S. King, so I sent a few of the photos to you. Here is another set from his collection. Both of the men pictured served with my grandfather in the 78th Co. 2/6.

The photo of the Marine sitting is Cpl. Haas, and the second is Sgt. D.B. Hill, from Crowley, Texas. This man and my grandfather were good friends and remained in touch many years after the war. If there is anyone out there who knew these men, let me know. read more

“Ike” Jackets versus “Battle” Jackets

Daniel Flynn indicated that the term "Battle" Jacket was utilized by Marines, and soldiers wore "Ike" Jackets.

I obtained my Marine "Ike" jacket sometime in late 1953 and being somewhere near 80, I do not remember exactly how I came to own it.  The only name on the inside of the upper right sleeve is mine.  I have photos where I am wearing it as a PFC; Cpl; and Sergeant (E-4)  Since the jacket has the stripes of a Sergeant (E-4), I must have stopped wearing it by the time I was promoted to Sergeant E-5) in March of 1961.  I remember how proud I was to earn Sergeant (E-5) and if that jacket could still be worn, it would have had Sergeant (E-5) stripes sewn on. read more

Looking For My Marine Mother and Father

First, let me express my utmost appreciation to all the men and women of the Marine Corps for your service.

I hope it isn't inappropriate to post this here, but I have been reading so many stories on the Sgt. Grit site and just feel something in my gut telling me to give it a try. read more