Category: Marine Corps Stories

Short Graduation Party

In April of 1971 I finished Ground Radio Repair School at 29 Palms. I believe my class was the first to graduate after the school moved to the Palms. There were 9 of us. LCPL Britt received a meritorious promotion to Corporal and remained at the school as an instructor. The graduates got to pick their next duty station in order of class standing. There was not much choice. There were 3 sets of orders for Camp Lejeune and the rest were for, you guessed it 29 Palms. read more

Distributed To Veterans and Needy Families

On December 21st, 2013, Central Wisconsin Detachment 350 met at Trigs Grocery in Stevens Point, WI to load and distribute Food Baskets For Needy Veterans and Families. More than 40 food baskets were purchased to carry out our mission. Needed items were distributed to Veterans, Operation Boot Strap and needy families in Central Wisconsin. Marines assisting with food baskets for the Needy Mission included L-R front: Dan Johnson, Bob Wnuk, Rollie Johnson, Hank Hughlett, Julian /Sonnentag,Back: Ron Borski, Stan Potocki, Stan Olejniczak, Jim Olejniczak, Tom Lepkowski, Bob Pallen, and Store Director Randy Roosa Semper Fi, Det. Adjutant Rollie Johnson read more

Christmas N. of Quang Tri City

N. of Quang Tri City, 12/67 w/ 1st Eng. attached to 1/1 running the waterpoint/shower unit, watching the Christmas celebratory fireworks from all the OPs along the Z. Didn't realize how close to the Z –  I was until then.

New Years '68: same light show except I "found" a case of pop flares for us engineers to set off at midnight. I had to instruct the new guys how to operate/fire them but, true to form, some guy missed the sandbag, firing the flare in the horiz. pos rather than the vert. So we watched it shoot straight down the company street. We ran back in the tent, and sat around like nothin'. Soon some yelling was heard and an SNCO ran in asking about this flare. He said no one was hurt, but the flare shot between the 1st Sgt and someone else (C.O.?) while they were talking on the street. We just looked at each other and said we didn't know nothin'. read more

Christmas

N. of Quang Tri City, 12/67;

w/ 1st Eng. attached to 1/1 running the waterpoint/shower unit, watching the Christmas celebratory fireworks from all the OPs along the Z. Didn't realize how close to the Z I was until then.

New Years '68: same light show except I "found" a case of pop flares for us engineers to set off at midnight. I had to instruct the new guys how to operate/fire them but, true to form, some guy missed the sandbag, firing the flare in the horiz. pos rather than the vert. So we watch it shoot straight down the company street. We ran back in the tent, and sat around like nothin'. Soon some yelling was heard and an SNCO ran in asking about this flare. He said no one was hurt, but the flare shot between the 1st Sgt and someone else (C.O.?) while they were talking on the street. We just looked at each other and said we didn't know nothin'. read more

Right Shoulder Rake

While practing for the final PFT with Plt 2019 San Diego April '71, I got into an argument with another recruit over a rake used to rake the sand pit after each recruit would jump for the broad jump.  Our D.I. came over & commented about how much I seemed to like the rake.  For the next 2 days the rake never left my side.  It slept with me, showered with me ect. Had to put deoderant on it after showering.  Nothing like hearing Right Shoulder Arms followed by Right Shoulder Rake.  Still have a visual of marching on the parade deck  2 days before graduation with my rake.  Most embarrassing then, but a fond memory now.  Semper Rake read more

PI and Nam

Only 1 person per platoon received dress blues at graduation, and he also got 1 stripe.  Now a days I see where several men per platoon get 1 stripe.  Left PI 8/'64 for Camp Gieger for 6 weeks the 7 days leave and off the Hawaii supposedly 2 year stay with I-3-12.  Only got to stay 5 mos because everything was pulled out and we landed in Nam 8Mar'65.  Never got to see any shows or movies up north in Phu Bai, Hue or Quang Tri.  Made it back to the world after 18 mos. read more