My first and only Marine Corps Ball was in Malta, during a 1967 Mediterranean Sea Cruise aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42. Due to the FDR being almost 1000 Ft. long we had to anchor out at every port of call. At one point we were anchored out in Malta, and a big storm came up causing the FDR to depart, stranding the lucky people on liberty. I was one of the two Marines on liberty that day, myself and Sgt. David McAnall. It was like a vacation, we stayed in a hotel for five days while the ship was gone. We were lucky to meet an American girl whose father was an oil worker in North Africa. She had two friends that were Maltese. I still have the cuff links one of them gave me, I don't remember his name. The other one was a beautiful young school teacher named Sally Moreno. She was 23, I was 20 at the time. The Maltese people are Italian by ancestry, so they speak Italian, and English. Malta was a former British Colony.
Category: Other USMC
Leather Carving
I served with 3/4 in Nam in '65-'66. For a long time I have wanted to create a leather carving of our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. I began this project in early September of this year.
Thank You,
Vann, M.L. Sgt.
S/F
No Bayonet For The Carbine
I would like to point out a flaw in our beloved Iwo Jima Monument, the Marine with the shouldered M1 Carbine clearly shows the Carbine with a bayonet attachment, The WWII issued carbine did not have a provision to attach a bayonet to the barrel; no bayonet for the carbine existed during WWII. The bayonet attachment device at the barrel was an improvement as well as an adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation, there was also a modification to the stock and a new magazine release button to hold the heavier 30 round magazine from falling out of the trigger housing and a bayonet was designed for the Carbine.
Pumpkin Carving For New Marine
Grit,
My GRANDSON will be graduating on 10 /18. His sister carved a Pumpkin for him. Thought maybe some people might enjoy. His Mother, brother, Grandparents are VERY proud of our new Marine: Eric Baldree . PLATOON 2084, 2nd BN, E CO. Following in Grandpa’s Footsteps (USMC 69-71) .
First Day On The Job
It was Friday and mid-April of 1961 when this newly minted PFC and recent graduate of Sea School, MCRD San Diego, arrived dockside at North Island in San Diego to report for duty aboard the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14.
I don't recall a lot of specific details about my boarding the ship. Nor do I remember any specific introduction to the way I was to live on the Ticonderoga for the next two and a half years. However, I do remember the scent of the ship's fuel, the salty perfume of the bay waters, and my astonishment at how large the ship was. Remarkably I was quickly integrated into traditional shipboard life for seagoing Marines.
Looking For Fellow Marines
I just viewed the posted picture of the Lima Company Reunion. I was attached (81 mortars) to Lima Company during Mead River and Operation Taylor Common (1969) and would like to get in touch with fellow Marines that I served with at the time. Could someone please contact me with info as to how I can find out about futureLima Company reunions.
Dressed Up Our Buggy
I want to thank Lynn Lam and everyone at Sgt. Grit for all their great help and assistance with ordering the custom stickers for our light covers on our buggy. My husband is very pleased with how well the USMC Marine Corps stickers have dressed up our buggy. Once I cut them out and put them on they look awesome! Here are some pictures.
TBS 4-67
On October 10, 1966, over 700 Officer Candidates stepped off the buses at Quantico, VA into the welcoming arms of the equivalent of Boot Camp Drill Instructors to begin the 42nd Officer Candidate's Course. Ten weeks later, approximately 500 were commissioned 2nd Lieutenants. Because of the "needs of the Marine Corps", 144 of those Lieutenants were sent directly to Pensacola for flight training vice The Basic School where all Lieutenants are supposed to be trained to be infantry Platoon commanders. The remainder were divided into the three companies, Golf, Hotel and India of The Basic School Class of 4-67.
Trigger Puller
I was in Washington D.C. the weekend of August 3, 2013, for my niece's wedding. I went to the various memorials with my son and his wife. At the Iwo Jima memorial we were there at the right time. A bunch of Marines of all ranks and grades showed up to promote a Staff Sergeant to Gunny. I introduced myself as a 1966 Vietnam, E5, 0311 Marine. They called me a "Trigger Puller". I liked that. They then requested that I participate in the promotion ceremony. What an honor. Once a Marine, Always a Marine.
Marines Won’t Change
There will be no attempt whatsoever to make the Marine Corps a more congenial and comfortable organization to work for, its Commandant said yesterday.
"Negative," General Leonard F. Chapman Jr. replied with brisk, professional economy when asked about the prospects.