Category: Old Corps

Intended To Be Funny

I enlisted in the Marine Corps for four years the week I turned 18, in 1965. I served in Okinawa, Phu Bai, 29 Palms, and at the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Seattle, Washington, where I was part of an Officer Selection Office (OSO) team. I was honorably discharged as a Sergeant, went to college, was a computer programmer, went to law school, and have practiced law for 32 years. The Marine Corps gave me discipline and determination, and I am proud to be a Marine. read more

Guadalcanal Heroes

I read with interest Gunny Rousseau's letter on "Guadalcanal Heroes". Not everyone has forgotten about Guadalcanal. Not many of them (all heroes in my opinion) are left. Had the Marines failed there, the results of WWII would have been significantly different. Guadalcanal does not get the attention of campaigns like Iwo, but it was a victory of greater historical significance. read more

My Heart Is With Them

The brothers memories are alive and well in my home and on my ranger. On a daily basis I salute them all… especially the ones we left behind who are still waiting to come home like they were promised. I was a peace time Marine, but my heart is with them. Salute to all who served and are serving… read more

Upper Berth

Sgt. Grunt,

When I went on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, out of Jacksonville, Florida. (All in one day). I could not resist having my picture taken at our USMC Memorial Statue (since I am an IWO JIMA survivor) and paying tribute with a salute. I also have a miniature of said statue on a shelf above my desk at home. Once a Marine, always a Marine. On another subject which has taken up space in your newsletter lately is my being sent to USMCRD San Diego, despite the fact that I enlisted in New York City which of course is definitely east of the Mississippi. read more

A Bit Faded

Sgt. Mike Alu, Platoon 2048, PISC

I believe SSgt. F.X. Muldowney is the Drill Instructor at the left in your platoon portrait. Senior Drill Instructors wore the garrison belt instead of the cartridge belt. Check it out, he was my Senior D.I., Platoon 2003, probably just before picking up your platoon. I was the platoon artist and given the task of painting Guantanamo Bay as seen from the sky. I guess Moe, as other Drill Instructors called him, was pleased with the painting, since I wasn't supplied anything to work with except a sheet, Q-Tips, mud, yellow Magic Markers, etc. It's a bit faded, but to the left it reads, First In The Air, On Land And Sea. I always regretted not doing a better job, but I had to improvise with what I could dig up. Note the trophies on the stacked rifles and streamers on the guidon. SSgt. Muldowney wouldn't have it any other way, but to be the BEST in the series. read more

Iwo Jima

Hello,

First off, I want to thank you for all you do for all of us Marines. I appreciate every newsletter and catalog I get from you. Even my wife enjoys them!

I received an email from my co-worker whose uncle was at Iwo Jima and took a picture of the famous moment when the flag was raised with his own camera. He attached a copy of the photo and supplied some details to go with it. I attached his email (below) and the photo. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. read more

SD vs PI

I recently had the pleasure of watching my 17 year old son graduate from MCRD P.I. I am a Hollywood Marine. I went to San Diego from the Detroit area 30 years ago, Now they are going to P.I. from here. He had the choice to go to San Diego since I went there but chose P.I. because he signed up with a buddy who HAD to go to P.I. My SDI was SSgt Mance, assisted by SSgt Perez and Sgt Augustine, who by the way really had it out for me once he found out my MOS was 5811(MP) and he was always getting tickets for speeding in his hot rod. read more

Flashy Elton John

Dear Sgt Grit,   Marines are Marines… no matter where they trained.  Back in the pre-WWI "Old Corps", Marines had been trained at various Naval bases like Puget Sound.  In WWII a unit of Samoans sworn in (USMCR) and trained in American Samoa.   As a "Hollywood Marine", I thought that I would settle this issue once and for all.  This petty bickering must come to an end. The accident of geography and weather should mean nothing.  The fact that San Diego has a Mediterranean climate and lacks surrounding swamps and swarms of sand fleas is a mere detail.  It is the training that makes boys into  Marines that counts.   First of all, when we arrived at MCRD in June of 1968, we were not "issued dress blues and sent on liberty into San Diego…"  This would have been irresponsible and injurious to the reputation of the Marine Corps.  First we had to go to the recruit barbershop to get a light trim so that we would present a military appearance when we went on liberty that night.   We were not issued "flashy Elton John" type sunglasses.  That is a cheap rumor.  We were issued basic aviator type sunglasses in high polished gold.  We were required to wear these day or night when on liberty.   We were not "bussed to Hollywood for dates with Hollywood starlets…"They were flown into Lindbergh Field in a charter jet.   Above all, we were not given 30 days leave immediately upon arrival. No matter what day of the week we arrived, we had to return from our first liberty in time for hard core Marine training… 1400, Monday.   I know that my brothers who graduated from P.I. are also faced with rumors by loose-mouthed people.  There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that "Hollywood Marines" are better looking than P.I. Marines. There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about the quality of Marine produced in either Recruit Depot.  There is probably no truth to the rumor that "Hollywood Marines" are smarter than Marine from P.I.   I hope that I have laid this matter to rest.   J.F. Owings 0311  1968-70

Lost and Found Newsletter 03 Mar 2013

Arrived at MCRDSD by bus on Aug-31-1966 and we all know what happened then, six days later I ended up with Platoon 2207 (pic attached) 2nd Battalion and graduated Oct-31-1966. Our Sr. DI was S/Sgt W. Salmond our other two DI's were Sgt. C.F. Hillinski and Sgt. R.B. Wallis.   I ended up being one of the House Mouses (this alone is another story) and would like to know if there's anyone out there who was also in the same Platoon.   Semper Fi to all my brothers and sisters Nam '67-'68 Torres R F