Category: Old Corps

CO’s Demands

I've written before about my tour in Korea but I didn't mention much about my job as Base Photographer.

I took some photo's of damaged and ruined equipment for the Ordnance Officer. The pictures came out so good the CO asked me to be the base Photographer (We had none at the time). I was issued a Graphic, complete in the box with all the accessories. I had to beg, borrow or steal film, Developer and Paper, never having enough for the CO's demands. We finally got a Marine Corps Photog, an Old Hand with WWII experience. I was kept on the job until the Photog was ready to let me go (meaning I had all the cr-p jobs). Here's a photo of me with one of the Interpreters down town looking for stuff to shoot and supplies. "Note the Herring Bone Twill Dungarees" and Sergeant Stripes painted on sleeves. read more

69 Year Coma And A Wake Up

San Diego

An American Marine injured during the Second World War and stuck in a deep coma ever since, has finally regained consciousness this Monday at the Naval Medical Center (NMCSD). James Hill, a 95-year old former Sergeant who is decorated with two purple heart medals and a Navy Cross, was severely injured by the explosion of an artillery shell during the battle of Iwo Jima, on the 27th of February 1945. Doctors had been able to miraculously save his life, but the shock was so violent and the brain damage was so severe, that they thought he was condemned to remain inert for the rest of his life. read more

Littlest Marine

Being short was never a big concern for me because I had never considered it as a disadvantage. I had always been husky and solidly built in my youth and able to handle any physical confrontations that arose. That didn’t change when I entered the military. In fact, I flourished in that environment. Prior to joining the Marines I had spent a short hitch in the Army and dazzled my drill sergeants with high scores on their boot camp physical fitness tests. I did the same in the Marines. However, Marine Corps training differed from the Army. It was more intense and disciplined. 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

Me Looking Important

During the Korean War, damaged equipment (Tanks, Truck, Weapons Carriers and such) had to be taken to Combat Service Group about a hundred Miles behind the lines. But just getting on the lines was the only pleasant part of the deal. Tent with heat, bunk beds and Fresh hot Chow. Sometimes stopping enroute and getting a meal at an Army or Air Force Post where the food was served at tables with checkered table cloths and Pretty Korean Maidens. Of course the terrible part of the ordeal was the dirt, smoke and dust that covered you. But as you can see at the bottom of the locomotive is a pipe where steam comes out. So you put your "C" rations in an expeditionary can, pull the can up the steam pipe and have the engineer turn on the steam for just a moment or two… VOILA… Hot Chow. 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

Battle For Okinawa

During the Battle for Okinawa most Marines are aware that the Japanese used Suicide (Hari Kari) planes against us. But there was more, they used Suicide Boats against us also. Inclosed is a picture of the suicide boats. Some boats had Ford and Chevrolet engines in them. They were not effective for lots of reasons, we had PT Boats and other types of patrol craft that kept them from being very effective, as soon as they began their run the PT boats were on them. There were problems with this idea on stopping the Hari Kari Boats also, some were armed with two depth charges, which went off at shallow depths which could cause damage to nearby ships and serious injury and death to American and Allied Personel. read more