As a former Marine ('62-'66) and aviation nut, I was thrilled to read the 1 May SGT GRIT article about WW II Marine pilot and ace Joe Foss. To follow up on the article, Joe was not only the highest scoring Marine ace in WW II (26 enemy aircraft shot down), but as your article indicated he was also a Medal of Honor recipient, as well being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. And if that wasn't enough for one lifetime he went on to become the Governor of South Dakota, the first Commissioner of the American Football League, an Air Force General, as well as serving two terms as the President of the National Rifle Association; and it was during his time with the NRA that I had the privilege of meeting Joe.
Category: Old Corps
She Knows Better
Only the older Marines will know what a M-1 thumb is, and most were coordinated enough to not experience one.
I should have known to stop, but I didn't. Two weeks ago in the local gun shop (LGS) somebody started talking to me just as I let the bolt go home. At least it wasn't a full stroke. Wasn't my rifle, either. My Garand was at home and she knows better, besides.
Roi Namur, WWII
Many times things didn't go as planned during Invasions of the Islands in the South Pacific for the Marines. One such incident was at Roi Namur in the Kwajalein Island group. Roi Namur was the target of the 4th Marine Division in the Battle for Kwajalein. There isn't many references to this so you'll just have to rely on the memory of an Old Marine who got the story from one of the Marines who landed on Roi Namur, later information of this was given reference to in articles and stories of the Invasion.
Marine Corps Engineer Monument Dedication
On May 14, 2014, active duty, former, reserve and retired Marines will gather at Semper Fidelis Memorial Park at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC), located just south of the main gate to Marine Corps Base, Quantico on US 1. Their mission will be to dedicate a monument that will serve as a tribute and memorial for all past and present USMC engineers and related occupational specialties. It is fitting to dedicate the monument because Marine Corps engineers have been serving for over 100 years since establishing our first organization, Company H, 1st Regiment, 1st Advance Base Brigade, formed in 1913. Marine engineers have served well and faithfully from then, up to and including recent service in Iraq, Afghanistan and recent disaster relief operations in the Philippines.
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 Pilots On Guadalcanal
Recently I found some photos from WWII that need identifying. Here are two Marine pilots on Guadalcanal. I don't recognize them, but some of your newsletter readers might. I would appreciate any
help.
WO Robert Woodworth
Only Thing With Wings
Several weeks ago I read an article about mustaches and it reminded me of when I was a Sgt (E4) in 2nd Bn, 3dMar in 1958, we were stationed at Camp Kindser across the road from Camp Hague On Okinawa. At the time I was the radio chief for 2Bn/3d Mar, there was no SSgt in Comm at that time. I worked for a 1st Lieutenant and I do not remember his name. I was very proud of my mustache and the handle bars. I usually wore them turned up on the ends. Our Bn Commander put out the word no handle bars were allowed, so during work time they were not waxed, but on liberty I waxed them. This particular evening about 7:00 pm I was walking from my tent area to the main gate about a half mile, at that time Camp Kindser consisted of mostly tents with wood floor and Quantic huts, the sidewalks were made of wood and every time it rained they floated and you could never walk any place without getting into the muddy water.
A More Salty Appearance
About two weeks ago while cruising the internet I stumbled on an ad for a "Vietnam era" green utility cover so I bought one (right photo). I still have one that I was issued in 1963 and it has long since passed the stage of being unserviceable (left photo). My wife is a wonderful companion but she is like a First Shirt when it comes to cleaning house. Once I caught her just in time, my old utility cover in hand, heading towards the sh-t can with obvious intentions of throwing it out. When I tried to explain why I couldn't part with it, she only stared at me blankly. Suffice it to say, I just explained you don't sh-t can old warriors, you stow them away. My new cover has the "first day of Boot Camp" look to it, but that doesn't matter; it will gradually take on a more salty appearance.
Theodore S. Williams
He was a great hitter for Boston Red Soxs. He was also a Marine Aviator in WWII and Korea… Ted Williams.
Represent The Marine Corps Well
For the last fifteen years or so I have been a collector of military history. Now the "organized mess" has over a hundred uniforms on display.
So far included in the mess here are seven US Marine uniforms. The following pictures show five on temporary display at the Cherokee Military Museum located here in Toccsa, Georgia. Your catalogs always mention General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, and one of his Brigadiier General uniforms is included. The Mess Dress uniform is that of a Colonel and dates to the late 1940's. The white dress uniform is of a Lt. Colonel, and dates to the late 1960's. These uniforms I believe represent the US Marine Corps well.