The attached photo is the original sign that was placed at the entrance to 2/4 in 1965-66 at Chu Lai. I recently received it from a 1st Division friend who also served during the same period and brought it home with him when he returned to CONUS. During the period this sign greeted all who entered 2/4's TAOR, the commanding officer was Lt. Col P. X. Kelly who later became the Commandant. Just want to share it with all who might remember, and remember the legacy of 2/4, second to none, the Magnificent Bast-rds.
Category: Other USMC
Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi
A decorated Marine and former 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Combat Veteran, has been held in Mexican prisons since 31 March 2014 for accidentally making a wrong turn that led him to the Mexican border. Recently re-locating from his home in Florida to San Diego, CA, for treatment for PTSD – Sgt Tahmooressi had his belongings in his POV to include his personal firearms. With no way to turn around, once he arrived at the border he informed the Mexican border patrol of the situation and that he had his personal firearms in his possession. He was then arrested on weapons charges and was taken to Tijuana La Mesa Penitentiary. After many verbal and physical threats, abuse, and being subjected to poor living conditions – Sgt Tahmooressi was moved to El Hongo Prison in Tecate. His trial is ongoing.
Brown Side Out, Green Side Out
This is how you do it. On August 8th, the US Marine Corps Uniform Board released a survey seeking input about three proposed uniform changes for active duty and reserve Marines. The three changes are:
Altering the color of enlisted rank insignia from black to brushed brass for Woodland MARPAT utilities.
Under Water And Under Motar Fire
About the UWSS reunion in the 14 August Sgt. Grit Newsletter, I went through underwater swimmers school in Key West in August 1964, then served in Force Recon '67-'68 and Recon Bn. '68-'69 and various Force billets after that. I can't make it to the reunion but I just wanted to brag a little.
The Stoner
Sgt. Grit,
In Vietnam, a friend and fellow Ordnance Man was the Ordnance Chief of the 1st Marine Division. Hanging on his wall was a Stoner Rifle left over from the test of the Stoner Rifle in Vietnam. I asked him to come with me on a Recon Mission. The Division Ordnance Officer okay'd the Recon so we left touring the OP's. He took the Stoner rifle as his personal weapon while I carried my M14. At each OP he would allow any one that wanted to fire the Stoner, to fire it. Here is a picture I took at one of the OP's and a Marine Firing it. Don't remember his name or the name of the Ordnance Chief, sorry.
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
In reading some of the past articles concerning Marines making various modifications to equipment to suit their needs, I recalled a couple of small things my Dad told me when I was a teen-ager. Dad was a Pfc. with the 3rd Special Weapons Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
1950s Ka-Bar, Springfield 1911A1, and Remington 1911R1 BB Pistol
Thought you may be interested in these items; Ka-bar from 1950s, Korean era; Springfield Armory 1911A1 w/USMC grips; lower pistol Remington 1911R1 (actually a CO2 powered BB automatic, fires full magazine of 18 BBs as fast as you can pull the trigger).
Devil Pup Max On Patrol
Two photos of my grandson:
1. Maxwell Austin Charette ("Max", born 4/2/14, Boston MA) shows off his Sgt Grit gear.
2. Max on patrol (at 2 wks. old), prevents enemy activity 2014.
Ray Burrington
Cpl USMC '68-'70
Get the pictured Devil Pup gear at:
Old Corps WWI Photos
I have attached some pages from a Marine Corps Manual from WW I era. It was given to me from a friend of mine (who happens to be a Captain USMC who no longer serves) and it was given to him by a neighbor whose father was in the Marines Corps long ago. Maybe you could pick a few pages to show. I know Ddick and Gunny Rousseau might still have theirs!
Elegant Tailor
A lot of Marines bought clothes, mostly suits and sport coats at a place like this around Da Nang. I got four. Three suits and a sport coat. Measured and tailored to my fit. They were made in Hong Kong. I had mine sent directly home. They fit perfectly and I wore them for years, all gone now as I've put a few pounds on. But my wife still remembers one of them and to this day kids me about the blue plaid suit. She didn't like it. She's probably right but I will never admit it.