Category: Other USMC

Brother You Have One Now

I was touched by Henry Hisel's story. He like I, was a reservist 1962–1968. I wonder what boot camp he was in? I was in 1st BN, Plt. 118, MCRD SD.

The thing I wanted to tell was, during a recent static display of uniforms and memorabilia from our time in duty, I set up a clothes rack with my Dress Blues blouse and EGA NCO Guard Belt along with some other items with my Marine buddy Steve Goodman (we were in boot camp together back then…) anyway we have a senior (older than us LOL) Marine who was a corporal (buck Sgt.) in the 6th Marines who was in the fight on several islands of the Pacific in WWII, and one of them was Okinawa. In his collection was a Samurai Sword he took off a Japanese Soldier who when I asked our friend about it, I was told "well, he didn't need it anymore". Jack is about 5'6" tall and weighs about that much, but he is the "real deal" and is a great friend. read more

Don’t Disrespect the Dress Blue Uniform

About a year ago (Jan 2013) I stop at a truck stop in northern Illinois and was having dinnerwith a few other truckers. Two fellows came in and sat down to get some dinner. (they were not truckers). One was dressed in the Army’s dress green coat and the chevrons were placed upside down. The other was wearing the Marine Corps Dress Blue Coat and his Sgt chevron’s were also on upside down. I was wearing my Marine Corps Ball cap and a few others were wearing their colors. I asked the fellow with the Dress Blue Coat if he was a Marine? He replied no but my brother was. I asked the other fellow if he had been in the Army? He said “no I got this from a Military Surplus Store”. As I got up from my seat and started toward those two I told them that they were going to have to remove those jackets. We don’t play that kind of sh!t here. I told them that “I’m a proud Veteran of the Marine Corps and You’re disrespecting and that's offending me… now you can take off that Coat or I’ll do it for you.” A few of the other truckers stood up too along with both of the boys. The one with the Dress Blue Coat got right in my face and said I’m not taking it off and you better not touch me or you’re going to jail.. As he started to turn toward the door he lost his balance I caught his fall by grabbing the leather neck collar he was wearing and the side of the coat. He spun around as he continued to fall and his arm came out of the coat. I pulled a little harder to try to help him regain his balance and the other arm came out. Thus I had the coat in my hand and his asz was on the floor. I tossed the coat to a chair nearby and then turned and looked at the boy with the Army Coat on. I paused and just looked at him; it didn’t take 2 seconds for him to get that coat off. The fellow behind him said to the boys “I think it’s time for you two to go before this gets ugly”. Now that’s what we all told the police when they arrived. The Coats got misplaced somehow because they were missing. After the two boys left the cops stood there for a few seconds and reminded us that regardless of our intensions they had the right to wear those coats if they choose. I told the cop just because it’s legal don’t make it right. He stood there for awhile until those boys were gone. Look at me smiled and said “Semper fi!” shook my hand and then left. If we as Marines don’t make a stand when disrespected then we were never Marines to start with. But make sure you CYA. read more

A Great Marine

I came across a picture of me taken 1 Sept 1967 at S-2, 2/5, An Hoa SVN. The S-2 tent is in the background and I believe it is MGYSGT Bill Wolf in the doorway. He was the 1st Marines S-2 Chief and we and the 5th Marines were involved in Operation Union. I was assigned to S-2 Hq Co, 1st Marines and worked for Top Wolf. I rotated about 29 Sept 1967 and Top Wolf stayed on for the move to Hue. read more

I Forgot To Thank Her

In reference to Sgt. John Clary's post about the Bob Hope show, here's a picture of Ann-Margret leaving the venue after the show.

As you can see Sarge, I got pretty close to her. A few years ago, I got even closer. She did a show at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino where I was a Security Officer. It was my pleasure to be her escort after the show; taking her through the back hallways to the service elevators and up to her room. Let me assure you that she was just as beautiful and sexy as ever and as nice as can be. My only regret is that I was so busy doing my job; guiding her around hazards and spills and making sure she wasn't accosted, that I forgot to thank her for Da Nang. read more

Being The Oldest Marine

I served from June of 1956 through September 1959. I had the distinct pleasure of serving directly for Commandant General Randolph McCall Pate. My office was directly across from the Commandant's and four doors down from the first Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Wilbur Bestwick. I have an album that contains many pictures, letters, and Christmas cards from Generals, Colonels, etc. What a duty for a Corporal! I would have reenlisted and been a career Marine, but unfortunately my wife and I had a son that the good Lord decided to take home two days after his birth 28 days before my discharge date. read more

It Was The Dress Blues

In response to Mike Benfield's statement that Dress Blues are too ostentatious, I guess to some that may be true. Personally, I've always thought Blues are snazzier than any uniform in existence, even when you see Army and Navy personnel in their dress uni's with a chest full of medals they got for things like cleaning the head, completing a course in Underwater Basket-weaving, etc. Dress Greens look good, as does any uniform a Marine wears because they are always squared away. But, if you show anyone in the world a picture of a U.S. Marine in Greens or Cammies, chances are they'll think it's a Dogface. If you show them an individual wearing Dress Blues, they know it's a United States Marine. It is the one uniform that sets us apart from armies all over the world. read more

What is a Hero

What is a Hero?

I would like to take a minute of your time, and just throw in my two-cents in here concerning an issue on one of the other groups here.

I spent twenty-years of my life serving the United States Marine Corps, (1974-1994); there has been nothing in my life of 58 years that can come close to even matching that day on the Parade Deck of MCRD San Diego on a November day in 1974, when I earned the title Marine! read more