Category: Marine Corps Stories

George Batten – re: Newsletter 16 Oct 2014

George's grave marker was highlighted in the Sgt Grit Newsletter – 16 OCT 2014

George B. Batten enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 16, 1914. He was accepted into the service at Philadelphia, and went through recruit training as a member of Company D, Recruit Depot, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia. After recruit training, he served with the Marine Detachment aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey. While aboard the New Jersey, he visited ports along the East Coast and Carribean, including Navy Yard Boston; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Guacanayabo Bay, Cuba; Culebra, Puerto Rico; Navy Yard, Philadelphia; Newport, Rhode Island; Provincetown, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. In August 1916, Private Battan joined the 45th Company in the Dominican Republic, serving in La Cumbre and Canada Bonita. On November 8, 1916 George was promoted to Corporal. On June 8, 1917 the 45th Company became part of the 3rd Battallion, 5th Marines, and were assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). The company sailed the Atlantic for duty in France in June, 1917. On April 5, 1918 George was sent to the Army Candidates School in France. On July 31, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutentant, and assigned to Marine Corps Reserve Class 4. He then was assigned to the 1st Corps Artillery Brigade in Hosieres, France, where he participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. On November 16, 1918, he assumed command of 1st Platoon, 45th Company (Company "L") and participated in the march of the allied armies towards the Rhine River via Belgium and Luxembourg, following the evacuation of the German Army. He then marched to Waldbreitbach, Germany. On April 7, 1919 he took the oath of office as a 1st Lietentant, with a date of rank of August 18, 1918. He served in 20th Company (Company "K") as part of the Army of the Occupation at Stopperich, Germany. On June 6, 1919, he returned to the 45th Company (Company "L") as a Platoon Commander. On July 25, 1919, they embarked on the U.S.S George Washington at Brest, France for the return trip home. The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines were deactivated on August 13, 1919. read more

Proudest Marine Moment

It's been 31 years since I first stepped onto the yellow footprints. My 4 years in the Corps were great. My greateset moment actually came 20 years after I earned the title. I am a 2nd generation Marine. My father, my hero growing up, was a career Marine. The grandson of one of my dad's friends had a grandson in boot camp. He didn't live to see his grandson graduate, so my dad decided to go in his place. He asked if I'd like to go. I jumped at the chance to road trip with my dad and visit the shrine of Parris Island. read more

Letters From Home

After reading some of the stories about letters boots received in boot camp it brought back some memories for me, the dad of my best friend had a sick since of humor, the first time he sent me a letter, on the back he put please DI have TONY do 10 extra push ups before he gets to watch TV tonight. On another he put Sarg, make sure Tony gets his exercise today. On a few others he had written things that actually gave my drill instructor a chuckle but not me as you can guess I did a fair amount of extra push ups during mail call, I think after the first two letters the DI's looked for a letter to me first just so I could do push ups the whole time mail call was going on. I also had an uncle who earned me some extra push ups because he put his rank on the letters he sent (CAPT, USN) and I was accused of having political influence. I look back and laugh now at all the games and the imagination DI's have. My friends dad always put a $20.00 in his letters but that did not stop me from getting back at him in the years that followed. He was even with my mom and girlfriend at the airport when I went home on boot leave, the first thing he did was touch my brass, I told him to keep his d-ck strokers to himself and not to finger f-ck my brass, he laughed his azz off.  read more

Marine Football Program

I bought this program at an antique store a few months ago. It is a very professionally done 88 page program. In addition to rosters of both teams it also includes photos of the players, coaches, base commanders as well as the Commandant and others. This looks like it is from the hayday of Marine football. If anyone wants more information let me know. read more

1st. Lt. George B. Batten

While visiting a friends grave at the Wenonah, New Jersey cemetery recently, I happened upon this most amazing life size memorial statue on the grave of a long forgotten Marine of WWI. 1st. Lt. George B. Batten. Born in 1898, died 1926. He was a young man when he died. Was his death caused by his war experiences? Gassing or other wounds? Did he fight at Belleau Wood or The Somme? However or whatever the circumstances, his likeness on this memorial shows his pride in the Corps. He got my salute and will again next time I visit New Jersey. All of you South Jersey Marines, please visit Lt. Batten on the birthday, give him a proper salute, and lay a flower on his grave. read more

Whiskey 2/12 Four Deuce Mortars Vietnam 67,68 & 69 Reunion

This was our first reunion held in Woodbridge Virginia visted the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico Virginia and The Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC and the the Other War Memorials. 15 Marines came to our first reunion and some of the wives joined the reunion. Planned 2015 reunion in Las Vegas/Henderson, NV October 18th 2015. read more

Platoon 1019

Came across my  Boot Camp  platoon 1019 picture 1968 era. noticed the photo with red x's on several Marines, I remember the three… Pvt  Greeno, former Army soldier… Pvt Gana from L.A. and the house mouse (forgot name) from San Antonio, TX standing to my right… Pvt Valle seated far left was the platoon high scorer at the rifle range. and pvt Raul Zeppeda seated far right.   read more