Category: Old Corps

Marines On The U.S.S. Indiana

Here's a picture of the Marines on the U. S. S. Indiana in 1911. Note the Sailors (I guess) sleeping on the right foreground. Interesting and note the belt, looks like the same belt I was issued in the 1940's and wore until I retired. As you can see the picture has a couple small problems BUT the sleeping figures always threw me. read more

Photos From World War I

I have been given the honor of maintaining the personal items that belonged to my paternal grandfather, Oscar Steiner King, USMC 1917 – 1919. Among them are a number of photos from WWI and what appear to be some official U.S. Marine Corps photo post cards taken during boot camp. My grandfather was with the 78th Company, 2nd Marines, 6th Battalion. He was part of the 2nd Replacement Battalion which replenished the 2/6 after the Battle of Belleau Woods. read more

1953 Dodge M37

This is a frame-off restoration of my 1953 Dodge M37 that took 2-1/2 years. All components of the vehicle have been restored and overhauled to new Mil Spec or better condition. All old paint and trust was removed down to bare metal and repainted. The hard top was removed and converted to the current soft top now in place. In addition specific depot installed items found on USMC vehicles were fabricated and installed. With the exception of some welding and the machine work on the engine, all work was done in my garage. Just shows what a stubborn old Marine and some wrenches can do. read more

Cool Kids And Salty

The green field scarf was part of our uniform issue at MCRD San Diego in the summer of 1962. We were never instructed on what to wear it with, how to wear it or when to wear it. I remember it being kind of silky. Is that my Alzheimer's starting to kick in? Still had it until several years ago or maybe I still do. I recall being shocked that we were required to pay for our sea bag issue and our bucket issue. Sure put a hole in my meager paycheck.  read more

Camp Pendleton Mounted Color Guard

I had the distinct honor of having served as a Corporal of Marines and a Right Guard Rider on the Camp Pendleton Mounted Color Guard 1978-1979 while serving with the 2nd Bn, 5th Marines and HQ Co, 5th Marines (Col Anthony Lukeman was CO).  I saw a picture of the color guard here, but can't seem to find a "category" to go with it.  Seeing pictures of El Noche, Echo Bar and Columbian (aka: Fat Man) brought back so many proud memories of the parades and ceremonies we had the honor of participating in.  Not since the 1900's can many Marines say they were "Horse Marines"! read more

A Bougainville Hunting Knife

I still have a "hunting knife" my father fashioned from a cut down 1905 bayonet with an interesting story attached.

While on Bougainville in November, 1943, my father was with the 3rd Special Weapons Battalion, 9th Regiment, 3rd Marines. When they were dug in, a Japanese plane (I don't remember him saying what type) flew over low and fast. The word was passed to not fire as it was probably a recon plane and they didn't want to give away their positions. The plane flew over the second time, slower and lower. No one fired. On the third pass, the plane flew over very slow and low. Dad said one could almost hear the camera whirring away, filming the Marine positions. At that moment two P-39 Bell Airacobras appeared and came in a vertical dive from above and opened fire on the Japanese plane with their 37MM cannons. Dad said the Japanese plane exploded and came down in "little-bitty pieces". Later, Dad retrieved some small pieces of the fuselage and fastened them onto an old K-Bar knife sheath. For a knife, he cut down an M1905 bayonet so it fit. Along with an EGA on the tip, he engraved "Eugene Wise", "Bougainville" and a small engraved palm tree. As you see from the photo, it is not a work of art, but a project no doubt borne of boredom when not in combat. read more