Category: Other USMC

Vietnam Service Ribbon Knife

Sgt Grit,

I want to show you what a guy in Southern Missouri did for me. I sent a
plain Jane Kershaw Leek to him and this is what I got back. The handles
are Culpepper dyed bone and I'm sorry, I don't know how he applied them
to the knife other than the obvious screws. The Viet Nam Service Ribbon
design for the custom handles was inspired by some SFO (Special Factory
Order) Case knives Shepherd Hills Cutlery was selling. read more

Marine Corps Scuba Divers

I was wondering why I can not find any information related to the USMC scuba divers that were in C- company 3rd or 1st MP Battalion Viet Nam 1967 to 1970. We helped in guarding the bridges from China Beach to Da Nang. Attached are a few pictures of me and some of the other divers. Would love to hear from anyone who was part of the team. Thanks! read more

Proud Dad

As a 44 year old man that was too scared to face his call as a teenager, it is so nice to hear someone explain the real truth about the USMC. Like everyone else, all I knew was the hype I had been told all my life as this last year my 9 year old son told me he wanted to join because he saw his future as a United States Marine. I started doing research for him and showing him the real side of the USMC. He has met a lot of USMC Veterans and now has a better understanding of what he is to face and so do I. I regret everyday that I didn't join out of high school. I wonder where I would be today. If I could have made a difference in the world. I know now that the Corps will not change the person you are inside but tweak the good that is in each and everyone of the Marines. I have learned the true meaning of Semper Fi this last year. The local Marine Corps league has taken my son in and are giving him guidance that I never had. I like to think I would have made a good Marine, but I will never know now i am old and broken down man with the life GOD has given me. I strive to improve on it for my children. I thank GOD everyday for the USMC because of them I have the greatest country in the world as my home. I thank each and everyone of you for all you do! Happy New Year and hhhhhhhhhhhooooooorrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaa! read more

VMFA 334

Regarding VMFA 334, MAG 13, 1st MAW information request

Name: Richard Augustine Deleidi
Branch/Rank: United States Marine Corps/O3
Unit: VFMA 334 MAG 13
Date of Birth: 30 January 1945
Home City of Record: El Cajon, CA
Date of Loss: 07 February 1969
Country of Loss: South Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates: 155450 North 1082411 East
Status (in 1973): Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered
Category: 5
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4J #155762
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Charles W. Maxwell, 1st.LT, RIO; rescued
Refno: 1373
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following:
raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with
POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews and CACCF (Combined
Action Combat Casualty File). Updated 2004 with information from John
Pagel.
REMARKS: No further information available at this time.  read more

VMFA-334

I'm an ageing F-4 enthusiast resident in the UK who is currently researching the history of VMFA-334 (F-4J Era '67/'71 at El Toro/Da Nang/Chu Lai/Iwakuni). I've attached a couple of pictures from some 1969 cruise books. They show the wreckage of F4J 155744 WU-12 which was recovered from Da Nang Bay – it crashed in 1968 but happily both crew ejected and were rescued. Why would it have been recovered? Who would have salvaged it? Does anyone have a photo of it in one piece? read more

Last Patrol

Sgt. Grit,

I am wearing my 70th birthday gifts purchased from your catalog (Corpsman Cover and polo shirt). The picture is of me standing on the seawall overlooking Clearwater Bay in Clearwater, FL. The event was Veterans Day tribute 2012, held at Coachman Park along the bay and under the Oak trees. The weather was perfect, partly cloudy, a slight breeze with the gulf water lapping the seawall ever so gently. read more