Category: Other USMC

Parris Island 1943

Parris Island 1943


I, with a small group of WWII Marines visited Parris Island, October 25, 1999. I asked around, where was the 5th Bn. located? No such thing now-never was according to present day Marines. No one even heard of the P/B huts (Post Barracks). The rough wood one story sheds that were our barracks. They had no idea what an old dog tag looked like. I said that I was discharged November 1945 in Second Pay Grade- “Oh PFC?” – No, Tech Sgt. I did notice there is an Engebi Street. I was involved in the landing on Engebi Feb. ’44. I don’t know if any records exist of my Parris Island. It seem that over the years many old records were destroyed. I was in Plt 191, 5th Bn. March/April 1943. We drilled on sand. We were out in east no place. The head was a big wooden place. The “toilets” were long troughs covered with boards which had seats cut out, maybe 20-25 side by side. Running water passed under you carrying away deposits. You watched very carefully at the end where the water came from. A group collected there? WATCH OUT! A large mess of flaming toilet would be passing under your rear end. It is not the Parris Island I remember. read more

Washing The Wall

Washing The Wall

I went in to DC this AM to visit a few old friends at the Wall and found a group from the Silver Springs MD Vietnam Veterans of America washing the Wall. It turns out that different local Chapters from Virginia and Maryland take turns with the duty each Saturday morning starting at 6:30AM. I plan on returning soon to participate. Attached are a few pictures I took today with the digital camera. read more

The Quietest, Strongest Marine Hero I knew

The Quietest, Strongest Marine Hero I knew

Read and enjoy all your News Digests about our outstanding Marines, their families and friends. I would just like to mention another great Marine, an unsung hero of mine and many others, TSgt Donald J. Lupo, formerly of Detroit, MI. Perhaps other subscribers to your News Digest knew him as well, whether from World War II or Korea, and I’d like to hear from them. Especially if they are aware of any surviving members of Lupo’s family (I don’t think he was married), as I have several pictures of Lupo I’d love to share with them. I first met Don in May 1952 when, also a TSgt, I joined him as one of the three ATA Section Leaders in Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Korea. (The third section leader was TSgt Glenn Corbett, and our Platoon Leader was Lt. Hammond). read more

A Marine Family

A Marine Family

I have 5 albums with all Marine Corps pictures at www.webshot.com. The user name is grannyelge. The first one is of our 100 year Marine Corp family. Our grandfather SgtMajor John Evans, served in The Spanish-American War, Samoa Insurrection, Chinese Boxer Rebellion, Philippine Insurrection, Nicaragua Campaign, WWI and the Cuban Insurrection. That was quite a record. Our great uncle, Msgt. Greag E. Meriwether, enlisted in 1911. He was a bugler with field music and was only 15 years old. He knew many illustrious Marines personally including Chesty Puller. I am including a couple more pictures of these too men. The 1st pic. is my grandfather and the “Champion Wall Scaling Team” Mare Island, CA 1913. Photo #2 is Greag E. Meriwether in 1915 and the last one is Msgt Meriwether again as the oldest Marine. I think this one was taken in either 1951 or 54. If it was in Barstow then the Commanding General was named Cloud or McCloud. I am not sure. read more