Category: Other USMC

US vs. THEM

Sgt,
Here's a couple things. No rant this time. I was in the LRS (logistics readiness squadron—-vehicle maintenance) shop today. I was waiting around for service and I noticed something. Us (USMC) vs THEM (AIR FORCE) I read a report (again) the other day about HMLA 367 Scarface in Marble Mountain Vietnam (my squadron) as how in a COMBAT zone at one time they had 100% AIR CRAFT up and flying. That's US. We strive to attain 100 percent efficiency in everything we do. read more

Corporal Kenny

   Sgt Grit – I have been looking at my dress greens hanging in my closet for many years now and it just doesn’t seem right. They are there because they mean too much to me but no one, and rarely myself will ever see them. I tried them on recently and apparently they used some weird material (51 years ago) because the uniform has really shrunk! I can’t even get the coat on over my shoulders and I’d have to use bungee cords to fasten the front if I did get it on. I’m certain the muscle in my body didn’t expand THAT much! I recently saw a thing on TV showing a very kind person that made teddy bears from military uniforms. My sister-in-law (Deb) is a schoolteacher (elementary grades) and an expert with a sewing machine. After very little begging and pleading, she offered to make a teddy bear for me, which I have labeled “Corporal Kenny.” Rather than make the teddy bear from the uniform, she made the teddy bear from suede leather because it somewhat resembled fur. Then she cut the uniform down to size to fit the teddy bear. While reducing the size of the uniform, she was careful to retain the original shoulder patches and belt. The belt and hat both still have my original name stamp on the inside. I’ve attached some pictures to show the final product. One picture is with me so you can get an idea of the size of the teddy bear (not me). Others shows a closer look the bear, the detail on the arm and pocket, and the dress shoes and shoe laces. The only problem now is finding just the right spot in the house to display Corporal Kenny, and it will be out in the open because I think it is really neat. Deb said it was labor intensive but she would be maybe willing to make a few more if somebody else wanted one. She is not looking for a career on the sewing machine however and it would be on her schedule. You can email me if interested. Maybe this would be an opportunity for somebody else that has experience with making teddy bears to jump in here to offer their services. I just know that I’m very pleased with Corporal Kenny and glad to see my uniform come back to life. read more

Lt. Presely Obannon

Sgt. Grit

While driving through Franfort Kentucky i saw a historical marker that said Daniel Boones grave is there in the local cemetary so i stopped to see it,it also had union and confederate grave sites. While looking through the area i spotted the sign with the Marine Corps emblem and walked over to see who was buried there and saw the grave site of Lt. Presley Obannon and have enclosed two photos i took that day. I am passing them on to you so all the Marines that receive your letter will know where it is at and if they should be traveling through Frankfort to stop and see for themselves. read more

Marine Malachy Murphy

Sgt Grit:

I am trying to locate and/or get any available information about a Marine, Malachy Murphy, that I grew up with as a youngster, and later served briefly with when we were "young" Marines. I thought perhaps one (or more) of your Newsletter subscribers may have known or even served with Malachy. I am writing a story about Malachy and would really like to talk with anyone who may have known him in or out of the Corps. He may be deceased, as all efforts to locate him and his family (and I have written many letters) have not produced any results. You have no idea how many "Malachy Murphy's" there are out there, I have found many in my search efforts, including on Ancestsry.com and other similar sites. Some have written and given me a Malachy Murphy they thought was him; even though the date of birth was different, I checked that lead out and it was not him. read more

Race across the USA

MGYSGT Charles (Chunks) Padilla on your left in the attached photo is a member of the Gumpathon Team who will run/bike/walk across the USA, starting in New York and ending in Santa Monica, California.

The Gumpathon is a charity run for the “Injured Marine Fund” and all donations to help the wounded warriors will be appreciated. read more