The Gun Club, assembled in the gulch. (Actually, 106RR or "BAT" Platoon (Battalion Anti-Tank) and Flame Platoon, combined)… H&S 2/1/9 in the Northern Training Area of Okinawa, 1959). Since our recoilless rifles and Jeeps had not caught up with us yet, we were used as the Bn Aggressor Force. The rifle companies would come up to the NTA one at a time from Sukiran to find/engage us… and, since the boondocks were our 'home court', the second and later companies really didn't have a chance… This is kinda old Corps… M-1's, M1919A4 air-cooled .30 Cal Brownings, herringbone utilities, and in this picture, the old green woolen shirts, as aggressor uniform. Since no blanks had been invented for the Flame Thrower (M2), the Flame guys usually got to be machine gun crew… most of either team having the M1911A1 .45cal pistol as sidearms. We were camping out up there for multiple weeks… got hot chow once most days, and some kick-back time when between companies… I recall an all-NCO grabasstic patrol up a creek… or maybe it should have been called 'swim call'?, as we were all buck nekkid, doing the Tarzan bit with vines, etc… until one of us realized that if somebody got seriously hurt, we were all in deep kimchi… In this picture, over half a century later, I can identify, among other trades, a surgeon, a feddle gubmint landscape architect, a mortgage broker, several law enforcement officers, and more than one career Marine… (buncha dumb-ss grunts, anyway…)
Category: Era
Other Ranks Are But Jobs
In 1944 when I went to Boot Camp we were informed that in the Old Days there were Wooden Ships and Iron Men, now all they had were Iron Ships and wooden Men. I don't remember being on any wooden ships but some Wooden boats that took us to shore, course those wooden boats had slabs of steel in critical places to help stop bullets, you couldn't do any thing about the Mortar shells raining down or the Artillery shells exploding here and there. Life is hazardous in war in all kinds of places, ship or shore.
Celebration Of Life
This was on the table at a Celebration of life for a Marine from the 49th Marines of Mission, British Columbia. Home of the 49th Marines. All those that live above the 49th Parallel, in Canada. Of course, this would include every Navy Corpsman that served with the Marines… our DOC's.
Marine Football Program
I bought this program at an antique store a few months ago. It is a very professionally done 88 page program. In addition to rosters of both teams it also includes photos of the players, coaches, base commanders as well as the Commandant and others. This looks like it is from the hayday of Marine football. If anyone wants more information let me know.
1st. Lt. George B. Batten
While visiting a friends grave at the Wenonah, New Jersey cemetery recently, I happened upon this most amazing life size memorial statue on the grave of a long forgotten Marine of WWI. 1st. Lt. George B. Batten. Born in 1898, died 1926. He was a young man when he died. Was his death caused by his war experiences? Gassing or other wounds? Did he fight at Belleau Wood or The Somme? However or whatever the circumstances, his likeness on this memorial shows his pride in the Corps. He got my salute and will again next time I visit New Jersey. All of you South Jersey Marines, please visit Lt. Batten on the birthday, give him a proper salute, and lay a flower on his grave.
Sands of Iwo Jima Cast
I bought a fixer upper 7 years ago and was in the market to buy a front door. I ran into the proprietor Arthur who I noticed was wearing a USMC ring proudly. We shared sea stories. He not only gave me a great deal on a door, he gave me a copy this photo… to boot! He was proud and I made him mark where he was in the photo and sign the back of it. Stated that soon afterwards his unit was sent to Korea… I currently have it on top of my mantel at home.
The Black Rifle
Sgt Grit,
Several stories have been posted recently about the Stoner rifles. Here's a little more info:
Eugene Stoner developed this rifle, and it had several variations. Most notably, the M16. He was the father of the M16. To fully understand the development and Vietnam problems with the M16, read the book "The Black Rifle", it's very informative. I met him once while working for Colt Firearms in the early 90's. He was also a WWII USMC Veteran.
Crossed Rifles
In reply to Brown Side Out, Green Side Out.
When I went into the Marines (Sept. 1959) the new rank structure was just getting started.
We had the M1 and BAR, hence the crossed rifles on the new chevrons. Since then we have gone through the M14 (I was on the Troop Test Program for this), the M16 (that got a lot of Marines killed in Vietnam), and a lot of new shooting irons since then that I can't keep up with. And there will be more to come.
War Souvenirs
We all save some remnants of our service whether War Souvenir's or pictures of Past Duty we are Proud of. Because I served for 27 years I have lots of Remnants (souvenirs) and have been trying to put it all together on one wall in our home office.
Old Corps WWI Photos
I have attached some pages from a Marine Corps Manual from WW I era. It was given to me from a friend of mine (who happens to be a Captain USMC who no longer serves) and it was given to him by a neighbor whose father was in the Marines Corps long ago. Maybe you could pick a few pages to show. I know Ddick and Gunny Rousseau might still have theirs!