Category: Other USMC

Sgt Grit,

Regarding the question submitted by LCpl Wilson of the 1960-61 chopper photo, I know that it's been identified by your knowledgeable readers so no need to go there.

However, I wanted to share some photos as they may bring back so memories and/or commentary from the troops. When I was a brand new Redleg with India Battery, 11th Marines, I had the displeasure of pulling mess duty at 29 Palms. While my buds were off firing the 4.2's and I was taking a break my scullery duties, I saw one of the type fly overhead and I started snapping pics of it as it was landing. Just as it touched down, for what I thought was a normal landing, it nosed over and landed on it's side with lots of dust and blades flying everywhere. The crew walked away. I know nothing else; I was not authorized to be where I was… read more

I hope this answers Lclp Wilson's question. Remember Helicopters do not fly they beat the air into submission. And if you've never had a malfunction in a chopper you're about to.

HOK 195? = USMC utility and ambulance. 600hp P&W R-1340-48; rotor: 47'0" length: 25'0" load: range: 220 ceiling: 18,000' (hover) 9,000'. Triple tails, twin intermeshing rotors read more

This is a picture of a chopper taken in Okinawa around 1960 – 1961. Anyone know anything about it?

OOHRAH!

I must say that the uniforms look much better these days! 🙂 and this picture looks like it maybe an early re-enlistment oath in the early 1920s based of the fact that the females depicted consist of at least 2 Corporals and 3 have already been awarded the national defense ribbon meaning they had already served at least 30 days or more during a time of war not to include training. read more

Sgt Grit,

Recent comments regarding mess halls and food brought back related memories.

My first day as a "Junior PLC" officer candidate at old Camp Upshur aboard MCB Quantico, in July of '63, we have just exited the vehicle (a cattle car) and are in formation in front the messhall. In charge, is a very tall, very stern, very loud gunnery sergeant (our platoon staff has not taken over, yet). read more

In regards to "name withheld" and his observations regarding the "lack" of Esprit de Corps… I've worked as a civilian construction contractor at the nearby VA hospital, and the brotherhood was alive and well there, amongst all the Marines who were no longer wearing uniform. One of the former Marines working in the Maintenance Dept. gifted me with a small USMC sticker to wear on my hard hat… guess where he bought those? read more

Sgt Grit,

Thought I would send you the Company Sign that we had at Kaneohe Hi. in late 1953 or early 54 . The WW-2 guys were the 1st to use Sub’s and rubber Boats and did beach surveys and scouting , while UDT did the under water mine deactivation up to the , I believe one fathom mark ? read more

Sgt Grit:

A few years ago I was in 9th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Hansen Okinawa. We had a MGYSGT named Ron Griffin who was not much older than I was. (Meaning he should still be around) He rotated back to the states and he left his Warrior Book in his desk. I found it and decided I would send it to him but I rotated soon after and just never did. Now I have been retired for 17 years and I am organizing my footlocker so that it will have all of my old military uniforms and photo's and everything I have from when I was in and I came across this book of the MGYSGT's. If anyone knows this Marine or how I might get a hold of him I would truly like the opportunity to return it to him. I have enclosed three pictures. The first is the MGYSGT when he was a SGT on the Drill Field. The Next picture is of the book. The third is from inside the book of a young marine going through Motivation. I have seen some things in your news letter lately about that wonderful place. read more

No name on the item "Get Him A Coke" but I wanted to comment back to the writer of that article. I also joined as soon as I turned 17 in 1956 only I arrived at MCRD the last week of June and due to the overcrowding we had to wait a few weeks before going on schedule of our actual "Boot" Oh, we were able to receive some advance instruction at the grinder and privileged to be allowed to exercise and double time everywhere until the day our D.I. arrived and our schedule began. Our Sr. D.I. was Sgt Essex but the real driving force and true Marine was not SSgt but Sgt D. Herbertson read more