Category: Marine Vehicles

Deep Sixed

Ddick: Once again Ddick has become my Muse regarding Amtrack operations off an LST. The one part of the launch he doesn't mention (because it's not apparent to those riding inside is the "deep six" portion which involves the tractor accelerating down the ramp and actually going 5 or 6 feet under water before bobbing to the surface (hopefully) and heading for the rendezvous circle. This is a little intimidating the first couple of times its done, but being Marines we would see how deep we could go. I think I've related this story before but here it is again. A second LT. platoon leader pulled me aside and asked where the driest place was inside when we launched because the cargo doors on top of the tractor weren't water tight and became a torrent while getting off the ship. I assured him that the driest place would be sitting on the machine gun platform in the front. Just above the platform was the machine gun turret with the gun taken out, it was rotated to the rear and a redwood plug was inserted where the barrel went. I told my crewman to rotate the turret to the front and remove the plug. As we "deep sixed" off the ramp a solid stream of cold seawater shot from the hole into the chest of the 2nd. LT. I kept my eyes glued to my vision block but snuck a peep to see how it went. He was staring at me with fire in his eyes but I'm sure he never asked to be kept dry while part of his platoon was getting wet. Ya gotta love 'em! read more

Operation DeckHouse I, 1966

My good friend Ken, seated on the mine plow of an LVT E-1, which was the engineer version of the LVT P-5 family.  This one was sited on a bluff as a museum piece at 21 Area, also known as Del Mar area at Camp Pendleton. Ken and I had gone there for a 1st Marine Division Anniversary observation… probably 2005.  This is most likely the tractor that Ken was assigned to when in 5th Amphibian Tractor Bn, circa 1969.  Even though it is ahhh… 'secured'? we were able to somehow (and we ain't telling how) get inside the thing… bits and pieces have disappeared over the years, including the driver's 'joystick'… most likely to have been made into a plaque for some old salt's retirement.  The mine plow is folded in the picture… there are 'wings' on each flank that fold out for plowing up mines on the beach.  From memory, this thing has a fuel-injected, twin supercharger, liquid-cooled gasoline V-12, 1,790 cubic inches… 1,080 HP at the flywheel.  Crew used to snuggle down on top of the line charges ('bout a ton of C-4, linked on a rope) to catch some Zs…   Ddick

Never Had A Swabby

Read Cpl Schweim's letter re landings: I was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 12th Marines, during 1961- 62, we made many amphibious landings training with the Republic of Vietnam and other Units, off-loading from the APA Pickaway in the South China Sea to Thailand we climbed the ropes to the landing craft. The South China Sea was seldom calm, so the LST would bounce up and down sometimes hitting the side of the ship. Marines in full gear would climb the ropes while Marines on the landing craft would try to hold the ropes. However we never had a swabby directing us. One incident I recall a Marine did not have his helmet chin strap buckled and it fell from the APA's deck to the landing craft fortunately missing us, we listened to orders and had our steel pots on and secured. I have attached some photos of the operation. read more

A Tribute

Your tire cover looks great on my Marine Corps scarlet '31 Model A. I'm building the car as a tribute to all my Marine brothers and sisters. It also has your remote control Marines' Hymn horn. Thanks for all the great products.    P.S. Check out the license plate!    Once a Sergeant, Always a Marine Rock Hornbuckle 'Nam '69 – '70   Get the highlighted tire cover at:

Marine Corps Tire Cover

Marine Corps Tire Cover

Army PC

The rain in Hawaii can be very intense; maybe that's why everything is so green. We invaded the island of Maui in '62, the first time the Marines had been there since WWII. Maui was in the middle of a drought (well by Hawaiian standards) but the day we landed it started to pour and kept on raining for the next two weeks we were there. The locals were happy, but we were miserable and soggy. read more