Category: Marine Corps Stories

WW2 Era Uniform

Here is a picture of my Grandson in a WW2 era Uniform. It was passed down to me by my Aunt Ruth Hummel (Cpl. USMC) and her husband Paul Hummel (Pfc. USMC) who fought on Guadalcanal. When I enlisted in the Corps in 1966 they were very proud of me. At that time I didn't understand why they made a big deal of my enlistment. When I came home after 2 tours in Vietnam I understood!   My grandson likes seeing me in my Marine Corps League uniform. And likes to salute the American flag and say the pledge of allegiance when we raise it in the morning!   He makes me Proud!   Happy 238th Birthday!   Cpl Dave Franz '66-'72

VMA 225

I just finished reading some of the stories in your newsletter. They brought back many memories of my tour in Vietnam. I was in country in 1969-1970, Da Nang with VMA 225, A6 Intruder Squadron. I served as a member of the ordnance crew. It was hard work but a great bunch of guys, and lots of good memories. Here is a picture of the crew if you wish to share. I am the one 4th from the left. read more

REUNION

GOT TO VIET NAM ON MAY 12TH 1967. LANDED AT DONG HA AND CHOPPERED OUT TO THE USS OKINAWA WHERE B/1/3 WAS STATIONED.

GOT MY WEAPON AND AMMO AND CHOPPERED TO THE BEACH WHERE I WAS ASSIGNED TO CPL. DANIEL SQUAD.

SPENT THE NEXT 7 WEEKS IN THE JUNGLE WITH THE SAME CLOTHES ON AND HAD ONLY ONE HOT MEAL. NEVER SLEPT IN A BED…ONLY THE GROUND AS MY BUNK. read more

Thanksgiving In Vietnam

Grit:

Every Thanksgiving, I think about the Thanksgiving I spent in Vietnam.  One of the few I spent away from my family during my life. 

For some reason, this year made me think about the meal we had on Thanksgiving Day, 1970 at Force Logistics Command just north of Danang.  So after the confusion of dinner yesterday,  I pulled out my old boxes of Corps keepsakes and found the Thanksgiving Day Menu.  read more

WW2 & Korea Era Patches for 95th Birthday

Dear Sgt. Grit Staff,

Attached are a couple of photos then and now of my dad Lonnie M. Massey that I would like to share with you.  The badges and devices yo supplied were a big surprise for his birthday.  Thank you for your help.

In the recent photographs taken on his 95th birthsay, he is wearing the devices and patches that you shipped.   He was extremely pleased to recieve the patch of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Corps that you located and sent.  That was the first patch to be sewn on to his jacket for his birthday.  He had been a Gunner in WW2 with the 3rd throughout the South Pacific.  read more

My Future Marine… Most Beautiful Picture…. True Love of the Corps

This was taken at my sons MCJROTC Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This is one of the most Beautiful and memoriable moments of my life. My son bowing his head during the Marine Corps Prayer, I am so very proud of my future Marine, who will be signing his enlistment papers in May of 2014… read more

We Were Never Attacked Again

In the early 60's, MAG 13, consisting of two A4D squadrons, one F8U squadron, and a helo squadron of H-34s plus support squadrons was part of the First Marine Brigade at Kaneohe Bay on Oahu. I was a Plane Captain in VMA 212, one of the A4 squadrons, from '61 to '63. The First Brigade had two distinct factions, The Air Wing and the Grunts. Each had its own part of the base and had little or no interaction. We didn't mix well. Even though we wore the same uniform, utilities, you could tell at a glance the difference because grunts bloused their boots and air wingers didn't. You might say there was a bit of animosity between the two groups. Grunts thought air wingers had it easy and wingers thought grunts were, well, grunts. read more

Oldest Marine At 105

Marine Corps League Detachment 1198, Harford County Maryland celebrated the 238th Marine Corps Birthday with Marines living at Oakcrest Village in Parkville, MD. Richard Rhinehart is the oldest Marine at 105. Richard served as an aviator in Nicaragua during the Banana wars. He served with Major Smedley Butler.  read more