Category: Marine Corps Stories

KOZA, B.C. 1957

How many old 1950's Marines remember this scene… It's Koza BC in 1957… About two buildings down on the right where you can see three Marines standing was the Yen exchange, notice the young boy running toward them, they were always there hoping for a handout as Marines exchanged their money… Down where the taxi's are sitting on the right is where I bought my first 35mm camera… The tall building on the right was a Theater… I took one of the girls there to see the premier showing of the movie "Sayonara" with Marlon Brando and Red Buttons. From what I understand now it's called Okinawa City and that street is called Chuo Park Ave. It is now a tourist attraction with nice shops and restrauants from what I've been told. Some fond memories from a long time ago… read more

Camp Hansen Chapel 1957

While serving with K/4/12th Marines at Camp Hauge in 1957 we qualified with the M1 on the range at Camp Hansen… At that time everything was tents… including the Chapel. For entertainment we would sneak off at night to Kim Village, which at that time was probably not a good idea. In the wee hours on our way back to Camp Hansen we always tried to trade the locals for some fresh eggs, since all we had were powdered eggs for breakfast. I just wonder how much Camp Hansen has changed in the past 56 years? read more

They Called Him “Clutch”

Not all life-threatening situations in a combat zone involve being shot at.  Some happen just because of the crazy, non-sensical, unpredictable ways that you live under those circumstances.  I was assigned to Naval Security Group, attached to 3rd MarDiv in Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province, I Corps, Vietnam, in '68-'69.   read more

Worst and Best Posts

Sgt. Grit,

Your letters have been about food, Doctors and Dentists, Posts served at, and aircraft flown. I would like to tell you about the Worse and Best Posts that I have Served. 

The Worst was U.S. Naval Prison Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. The Naval Prison had 3 huge cellblocks. One post was inside a cell in the cellblock, inside along the wall of each cellblock was the cat walk where a guard could walk and see what was going on inside each cell in the cellblock. The cellblock guard was inside with at least 50 prisoners, he carried a night stick by the way. His job was to prevent any illegal activities like fighting or escapes. The Guard reported in every 15 minutes and the Guard Sergeant checked from time to time, not scheduled. In 1949 the U.S. Government took control of the prison and the Military personnel stationed there were to escort Military prisoners to Prisons closest to their homes. read more

Naval Doctors, Dentists, and Corpsmen

Sgt Grit,

Most Marines today haven't seen the Dental drill used by the Dentist's working the Islands during World War II, and the Dentist's working the Korean War specially during the beginning of the War. The Dentist's drill was pump actuated by the Dentist while he ground on your teeth as can be seen in the picture. My first Dentist after I retired had been an Army Dentist, he told me about getting out of Dental College and going in the Army, then he was set up with several other Dentists and they worked from dawn to dusk on Soldiers going overseas, getting experience. Then he was supplied with a Jeep and trailer and a driver. He landed at Normandy on "D" plus 5, then followed units of his Division across France and Germany. He would go to the unit selected by Hdqtrs. set up his pump actuated Dental Drill and go to work. He told me how good he got with the pump machine, nothing like a powered Dental drill but it worked good. read more

Nearly Choked to Death

First off, wanted to say to Jim (the Ole Gunny) McCallum thanks for the great story about AV-8-ers. I was sucking on some pogey-bait at the time and nearly choked to death laughing. At first I was really into the history lesson because it's one of my favorite subjects, and I've read a few books about Genghis Kahn. About 2/3rd's of the way through I caught on. I realized I've flown with quite a few Phu Khen AV-8-ers and even one Phuc Dup AV-8-er (he broke the skid on a Huey one day landing a bit too hard). Love your stuff Gunny. Keep 'em coming, please! read more

Disney characters at MCB Camp Pendleton

In 1980 I re-enlisted after being out of the Corps for 13 years.  As a police officer, during most of the 13 years, I took a lot of surveillance and suspect photos.  Some Disney characters toured the housing areas aboard Camp Pendleton, promoting Military Night at Disneyland.  An MP SNCO escorted them and he asked me, an MP Pfc, to go along and take photos.  We had lunch at the San Luis Rey Officer's Club and this is where I took the photo of Mickey & Goofy assuming "the position". read more

Main Gate at Camp Hague, Okinawa

This is the main gate to Camp Hague, Okinawa in 1957… While serving with K/4/12th Marines 3rd Marine Div. in a 155 Btry. I passed through that gate many times coming from and going to BC Koza…The best I can remember bus fare to BC was 7 yen, and cab fare not much more…. read more