Category: Marine Corps Stories

Vision 2 Victory

Sgt Grit and Staff were recently honored with a visit by Marine Veteran Derek Hendershot. Derek is on the Board of Directors for the Vision 2 Victory program. This program is led and operated by military veterans. Following the completion of the Wall of Remembrance by Marine Veteran David Brown, which bares the names of all servicemen and women that have been KIA since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism, Derek was tasked with touring the 2nd generation Wall all over the country. read more

Clever NVA Devils

Those of us of certain ages, and who were mostly, somewhat, or just occasionally 'in the rear with the gear and the beer and the Generals in Viet Nam' may recall, along with the Stars and Stripes, and Navy Times, a freebie 'newspaper' entitled 'The Sea Tiger'… didn't think about it at the time, but the 'Sea' may have been some PAO's cutesy idea for 'South East Asia'. (Marine Corps Times, as a separate entity, didn't come along until later… I'm guessing in the 1980's or later…) This publication was of the same size and format as the others, and covered mostly items for and about IIIMAF (Third Marine Amphibious Force). In any field of endeavor, there are those who 'know'… and those who THINK they know… To the point, in July of '66, we (K/3/5) along with a whole bunch of otherunits, were involved in Operation Hastings. History buffs will recognize the tie to the (English) Battle of Hastings… some 900 years earlier… and either from unintentional irony, or cleverness on some G-3's part, the name was chosen… maybe because the Commanding General of the forces involved was General English… read more

Reunited With Three Of My Vietnam Marine Brothers

Last month on August 14th I had the honor and privilege to reunite with three of my Vietnam Marine brothers in Tomball, Texas. We had not seen each other in 46 years! We traveled from Connecticut, Michigan, California, and Texas. After a few tears and mighty bear hugs we started jowl jacking like it had only been a week since we last met. We laughed and told stories about the funny stuff and practical jokes we did to each other in Chu Lai in 1967 and 1968. read more

Showing Off Sgt Grit Swag

I bought the "get off my asz" sticker so I wouldn't have to worry about other drivers tailgating us. It makes me nervous when I have my girls in the truck. Sometimes it works. But I bought the pole holder off amazon. When I went to Home Depot. I met a young man with autism. It was his idea to not cut the 10 foot pipe. I agreed. He said two flags are more to see. When he saw the flags I put up. He gave me a hug. I will fly the flags I bought from you proudly. Thank you. I will send photos in November they go up with a new Autism awareness flag. Thank you again. read more

VMA(AW)533 Reunion

VMA(AW)533 celebrated a 45 year reunion, celebrating the last combat mission flown by VMA(AW)533, September 27,1969, out of Chu Lai. It was a tremendous reunion held at Cherry Point, that included a base tour sponsored by the base, a wonderful steak fry sponsored by VFW Post 7315 and banquet held at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center. read more

Edson’s Raiders

While reading the last newsletter, I noted several book recommendations by readers. One about Carlson's Raiders and another about Iwo.

I would like to add one more, which I consider one of the best narratives of the exploits (Guadalcanal, Tulai, Savo, etc.) of Edson's 1st Raider Battalion. The book is: Edson's Raiders: The 1st Marine Raider Battalion in World War II. read more