Category: Other USMC

Leadership and Reflection

I am a Former recruiter out of OkSouth/Norman and have been back in the Fleet Marine Force for over a year now since leaving Oklahoma. If there is one thing you could ask me that I have missed about Oklahoma I'd say it would be Oklahoma Football and the Sgt Grit Staff… Nowhere in my career have I met such a wonderful extended family, whom are so dedicated to taking care of the Marines and our Beloved Corps values. I have been on deployment overseas now for 5 months and just received a package from Sgt Grit… It was not only packed absolutely perfectly, but filled with shirts, coins and a few other things that have been passed out to the locals in the country and our Marines. The package has boosted Morale and the Marines have enjoyed the things you have sent to us all. The package not only proved how much the Sgt Grit crew cares about the Corps and it's Marines, it proved that the spirit of being a Marine is alive and well in Sgt "Don" Grit himself. We like to say that Marines are a direct reflection of their Leadership… Well, the Sgt Grit Family has obviously gotten Leadership and reflection right the first time. I will follow Sgt Grit to the end! Thank you all for the wonderful packages that you have provided to the ones that Serve you! read more

Parris Island,SC

I was their in P.I., S.C. from Mar 1959 until June 1959, and then sent to HQMC Henderson Hall. I was selected to be in the Red Marine Corps Guide Book Seventh Edition 1960. I went to Cherry Point N.C. from 1960 to 1961 and then went to Keflavik, Iceland from 1961 to 1962. I then went to Monfort Point,N.C. where I got out in 1963. I wish that I had stayed in and Retired. read more

Marine Brothers

I am Sgt. Robert McCallum. I served during the Vietnam War from 1962 thru 1966. I really have 4 brothers of my own and my younger brother Daniel McCallum was also a Marine who served in Vietnam as a Machine Gunner, nickname (Tubby Guns) I served in Washington, D.C. in the Arlington Annex, attached to "A" Company, HQBN, Headquarters Marine Corps. I had a boring job although I did see & speak with the Commandant of the Marine 'Corps several times. My brother Dan, was shipped to Vietnam and always said it was always meant for him to go so I did not have to. I always felt bad hearing that. I felt even worse when I had a message delivered to me that he had been wounded in a skirmesh with overwhelming odds. His machine gun M-60 was shot out from under him, sharpnel went through his forearm, yet he picked up the weapon, and ran through the line of VC attacking them, killing many and leading his platoon out of harms way. Dan was awarded a SILVER STAR, and did not accept it until 24 years later. He proclaimed he was not a hero, only wanted to save he & his brothers. I wish I could have been there to back him up. You can't imagine how many times I wished that. Dan made it home alive, thank God, & his Marine brothers & his training. My blood brother had issues for years and passed away at an early age from a massive heart attack. I still think of him often, like the good times of us fishing and camping, and being in the boy scouts, becoming Eagle scouts together. He was a great man, a really great brother & Marine. He is sure missed, by his real BROTHER Bob! read more

Lost and Found Newsletter 02 May 2013

Sgt Grit,

This photo was probably taken in 1943. My uncle, John McQuade (with the salty seabend) had just returned from Guadalcanal. That's me (180xxxx) at age seven with my Mother.

Uncle John's gone now. He would never speak about Guadalcanal. As I got older, I sort of kept an eye on him, as he had a serious drinking problem. When drinking, he would tell me that he didn't deserve to be alive with so many "good friends" dead… read more

Back On The Island

Hey Marines 🙂

After almost 50 yrs my feet were back on the Island! MasterSgt Taylor "wanted" pics with me for his blackberry. My church, St. Michaels, bought me a new uniform – one I could fit in! Ya'll ever get the chance, go back for a visit. These young Marines (just look at them) are ALL ABOUT having the chance to live the Corps with us old guys. You will be treated with so much respect you won't believe it! Ya can see they got a ton of "I been there" ribbons. read more

1958 Lebanon

In the April 25 issue of Sgt. Grit News, Joel McHoul asked if anyone else remembered that operation? Well I certainly do. I was with the 3/6 Headquarters Company attached to H Company as a wire man. When we went ashore I had so much cr-p on my pack board that I slipped coming off the landing craft and darn near drowned. With the help of my partner, I righted myself just in time to get my picture in the July 28, 1958 issue of Time magazine. I'm the one soaking wet without a helmet. A somewhat inglorious, but no less famous event in my Marine Corps career. BTW that is my partner in front carrying my helmet. read more

Kadena Airman’s Club Lighter

Sgt. Grit,

Enclosed are a couple of my lighters from the days on Okinawa. The Kadena Airmans Club lighter was given when you paid two dollar dues for a month. They would give you something. You can wind it up and it plays China Night. I have had it 54 years! The other lighter is my zippo. I had it engraved with places we had been. I also had that lighter for 54 years. The zippo lit a lot of Camels and Pall Mall. A carton of Camels costed 80 cents a carton on the rock in 1960. read more

Paying Tribute With A Salute

Sgt. Grit,

When I went on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. out of Jacksonville, Florida (All in one day), I could not resist having my picture taken at our USMC Memorial Statue (since I am an IWO JIMA survivor) and paying tribute with a salute. I also have a miniature of said statue on a shelf above my desk at home. Once a Marine, always a Marine. read more