Category: Marine Corps Stories

12 Marine 3rd MARDIV

In 1969 I was with the 2bn 12th Marines in Vietnam our unit supported the 9th Marines with direct artillery support along with other support activities. I remember one time being out on post at the rock pile. We had a dirt hole with a dig out on the side of the hole that two men could lay inside and sleep while a third man stood watch (4hrs) with an M60 machine gun and a detonator attached to Claymore mines. Here is a picture of the group that I was with in hooch 11 in Dong-Ha. read more

My Marine

As I lay me down to sleep,
For 54 hours your soul will weep.
Be strong my son, the end is near,
And this is when, you’ll have no fear.
The pain you feel, it will not last,
You’ve become a man and grown up fast.
My heart is full, so proud and serene,
The next time we meet you will be my MARINE!!
When you were a baby, I could not believe,
I’d created a person, so perfect to me,
And now my creation protects everyone,
I’m so proud to call you my baby, my son.
No matter where you go, where you march, where you fly,
You’ll ALWAYS be with me my son….SEMPER FI! read more

VMFA-334

I'm an ageing F-4 enthusiast resident in the UK who is currently researching the history of VMFA-334 (F-4J Era '67/'71 at El Toro/Da Nang/Chu Lai/Iwakuni). I've attached a couple of pictures from some 1969 cruise books. They show the wreckage of F4J 155744 WU-12 which was recovered from Da Nang Bay – it crashed in 1968 but happily both crew ejected and were rescued. Why would it have been recovered? Who would have salvaged it? Does anyone have a photo of it in one piece? read more

Last Patrol

Sgt. Grit,

I am wearing my 70th birthday gifts purchased from your catalog (Corpsman Cover and polo shirt). The picture is of me standing on the seawall overlooking Clearwater Bay in Clearwater, FL. The event was Veterans Day tribute 2012, held at Coachman Park along the bay and under the Oak trees. The weather was perfect, partly cloudy, a slight breeze with the gulf water lapping the seawall ever so gently. read more

FOB Geronimo, Afghanistan MWR

These are some photos from the MWR facility aboard Forward Operating Base Geronimo in Afghanistan. Sgt Grit was contacted by Jeffrey Arnold, who is in charge of maintaining the facility, about a donation of Sgt Grit decor to help boost morale on the base. As you can see in the photos, Sgt Grit items have been prominently displayed on their bulkheads and worn by the deployed Marines.   Semper Fi

Christmas Cookie

Sgt Grit,   Just thought I would pass on a picture of a Christmas cookie I was given by a student at the vocational school where I am the discipline supervisor. She wanted to thank me for some help I gave her on a project.  BTW, she is dating a young lad currently at Parris Island, due to graduate just before Christmas. I also referred her to Sgt. Grit for a welcome home present for her soon to be Marine.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!   Fred Ellsesser USMC 1977-1990 Tanker and MP

Oldest Living Marine In United States

Oak Crest Celebrates the 237th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps

Resident Acknowledged as Oldest Former Marine in United States
Participates in Cake Cutting Tradition

Baltimore, MD – In 2010, former Marines who live and work at Oak Crest retirement community in Baltimore, Maryland, decided to celebrate the 235th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. They did it by carrying forth the tradition of the cake-cutting ceremony in which the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present. The custom symbolizes the experienced Marines passing their knowledge to a new generation. read more