Category: Other USMC

I Was Honored

I recently joined the Patriot Guard Riders. Had a mission in Tulsa, OK.  Flag Line and Escort to Memorial Park, from a church. A deceased Marine of the Korean War Era. I understand it was unusual, that the family asked the Guard to transport the ashes to cemetery. For the service, a Prior Service Marine and two other riders carried the urn into the chapel and we escorted. After service, same guys carried it out and we escorted. Being a Prior Service Marine myself, I was honored, to be asked to escort the urn in a PGR's truck, with a daughter and great-grandson, who held folded flag. read more

Camp Hauge

In response to an article in Aug. 7th, 2013 newsletter from Gy/Sgt. F.L. Rousseau… USMC… My name is Howard W. Kennedy and I served as a Cannoncocker on the 155 howitzer with Kilo Btry, 4th Batt., 12th Marines 3rd Mar. Div. in 1957/58 at Camp Hauge. I am attaching a photo of the front gate and the correct spelling of the name Hauge. To my understanding the name came from Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Louis James Hauge who was KIA in May 1945 during the battle for Okinawa. After I left Camp Hauge it was used as a staging area for Marines going to Vietnam. Once it was closed, I have no idea what became of the base or if it's under a different name now. I would welcome any information someone might have about the old base and what's there now, and if anyone remembers Gy/Sgt Richard R. "Big Red" Ebert from Headquarters Battalion, 12th Marines… read more

Mark of the Beast

I was in a bar recently when in walked a young man (to me, anyway; he was in his mid to late 30s, I'd say) who had a Marine Corps tattoo on his left bicep. I was across the bar from him but it jumped right out at me. I told the bartender that I would buy him a beer and when she relayed my offer to him he looked up in surprise, smiled and said he didn't drink. I was a bit annoyed because, after all, that wasn't the point; and never mind that he was bellied up to a bar. WTF? So I told him, patiently, that I'd buy him one of whatever he was drinking and "Semper Fi". He said thanks and "Ooh rah," which I guess is what Marines say today, God only knows why. And he kept calling me "sir," which was disconcerting to a former Sergeant. Do I – perish the thought – look like an officer? Or was it merely the deference that youth owes to experience? I don't know. read more

They Called Him “Clutch”

Not all life-threatening situations in a combat zone involve being shot at.  Some happen just because of the crazy, non-sensical, unpredictable ways that you live under those circumstances.  I was assigned to Naval Security Group, attached to 3rd MarDiv in Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province, I Corps, Vietnam, in '68-'69.   read more

Worst and Best Posts

Sgt. Grit,

Your letters have been about food, Doctors and Dentists, Posts served at, and aircraft flown. I would like to tell you about the Worse and Best Posts that I have Served. 

The Worst was U.S. Naval Prison Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. The Naval Prison had 3 huge cellblocks. One post was inside a cell in the cellblock, inside along the wall of each cellblock was the cat walk where a guard could walk and see what was going on inside each cell in the cellblock. The cellblock guard was inside with at least 50 prisoners, he carried a night stick by the way. His job was to prevent any illegal activities like fighting or escapes. The Guard reported in every 15 minutes and the Guard Sergeant checked from time to time, not scheduled. In 1949 the U.S. Government took control of the prison and the Military personnel stationed there were to escort Military prisoners to Prisons closest to their homes. read more

Naval Doctors, Dentists, and Corpsmen

Sgt Grit,

Most Marines today haven't seen the Dental drill used by the Dentist's working the Islands during World War II, and the Dentist's working the Korean War specially during the beginning of the War. The Dentist's drill was pump actuated by the Dentist while he ground on your teeth as can be seen in the picture. My first Dentist after I retired had been an Army Dentist, he told me about getting out of Dental College and going in the Army, then he was set up with several other Dentists and they worked from dawn to dusk on Soldiers going overseas, getting experience. Then he was supplied with a Jeep and trailer and a driver. He landed at Normandy on "D" plus 5, then followed units of his Division across France and Germany. He would go to the unit selected by Hdqtrs. set up his pump actuated Dental Drill and go to work. He told me how good he got with the pump machine, nothing like a powered Dental drill but it worked good. read more

Nearly Choked to Death

First off, wanted to say to Jim (the Ole Gunny) McCallum thanks for the great story about AV-8-ers. I was sucking on some pogey-bait at the time and nearly choked to death laughing. At first I was really into the history lesson because it's one of my favorite subjects, and I've read a few books about Genghis Kahn. About 2/3rd's of the way through I caught on. I realized I've flown with quite a few Phu Khen AV-8-ers and even one Phuc Dup AV-8-er (he broke the skid on a Huey one day landing a bit too hard). Love your stuff Gunny. Keep 'em coming, please! read more

Main Gate at Camp Hague, Okinawa

This is the main gate to Camp Hague, Okinawa in 1957… While serving with K/4/12th Marines 3rd Marine Div. in a 155 Btry. I passed through that gate many times coming from and going to BC Koza…The best I can remember bus fare to BC was 7 yen, and cab fare not much more…. read more

1st Radio Battalion Reunion

Hey Sgt Grit,

We had our 2013 USMC 1st Radio Battalion Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida, this past May… the economy stifled a bunch of our West Coast and Midwestern guys from joining us, but we gained a few more East Coasters, and a great time was had by all… former Sgt Lee Ahr and Linda Reinhart once again led the group by organizing this annual get-together, and their plans were excellent again. read more