In reading some of the past articles concerning Marines making various modifications to equipment to suit their needs, I recalled a couple of small things my Dad told me when I was a teen-ager. Dad was a Pfc. with the 3rd Special Weapons Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
1950s Ka-Bar, Springfield 1911A1, and Remington 1911R1 BB Pistol
Thought you may be interested in these items; Ka-bar from 1950s, Korean era; Springfield Armory 1911A1 w/USMC grips; lower pistol Remington 1911R1 (actually a CO2 powered BB automatic, fires full magazine of 18 BBs as fast as you can pull the trigger).
Treasure The Legacy
Navajo Code Talkers Day
The Navajo Code Talkers whose ranks exceeded 400 during the course of World War II in the Pacific Theater took part in every assault the United States Marines conducted from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language — a code that the Japanese never broke. The Navajo Code Talkers served in the United States Marine Corps for America and for the world with integrity.
General James “Mad Dog” Mattis
This quote by Gen. James Mattis reads: "When I was a young officer in 1979, I toured what was known as "The Killing Fields" in Cambodia. This is the area where the Khmer Rouge killed off nearly a quarter of the Cambodian population, something like 1.9 million people in just a few years. My guide told me that they started by rounding up all of the teachers. They wanted to extinguish free thought, and the spark of questioning and dissent. Because, to a Totalitarian dictator, an open and inquisitive mind is more dangerous even than a Marine with a rifle."
All-Terrain Chair
I have an 11th Marines Nam buddy who was just 'given' an All-Terrain Chair. The picture show Cpl Jerry Hodge, his wife, Beth and Chuck and Annette Lee who delivered the vehicle to him. Jerry heard about them, applied and in a fairly short time got his chairvehicle. He can now go hunting with his grandkids and other outdoor activities.
War Souvenirs
We all save some remnants of our service whether War Souvenir's or pictures of Past Duty we are Proud of. Because I served for 27 years I have lots of Remnants (souvenirs) and have been trying to put it all together on one wall in our home office.
Devil Pup Max On Patrol
Two photos of my grandson:
1. Maxwell Austin Charette ("Max", born 4/2/14, Boston MA) shows off his Sgt Grit gear.
2. Max on patrol (at 2 wks. old), prevents enemy activity 2014.
Ray Burrington
Cpl USMC '68-'70
Get the pictured Devil Pup gear at:
Old Corps WWI Photos
I have attached some pages from a Marine Corps Manual from WW I era. It was given to me from a friend of mine (who happens to be a Captain USMC who no longer serves) and it was given to him by a neighbor whose father was in the Marines Corps long ago. Maybe you could pick a few pages to show. I know Ddick and Gunny Rousseau might still have theirs!
American and Marine Pride
The attached photo is at the 4th of July Parade, Centerville, OH and shows myself, wearing my Sgt Grit Black USMC Hoodie (I've purchased five of these this week from you) shaking the hand of Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Semper Fi,
Bill Hamon
Elegant Tailor
A lot of Marines bought clothes, mostly suits and sport coats at a place like this around Da Nang. I got four. Three suits and a sport coat. Measured and tailored to my fit. They were made in Hong Kong. I had mine sent directly home. They fit perfectly and I wore them for years, all gone now as I've put a few pounds on. But my wife still remembers one of them and to this day kids me about the blue plaid suit. She didn't like it. She's probably right but I will never admit it.