While attending the 237th Birthday dinner at a NAvy Vets club called Port 5 in Bridgeport Ct a question arose as to the origins of the nicknames for a Garrison cap Our table consisted of 2 NAvy CPOs ret. a Gunny ret. my self anE6 ret. we all agreed the nicknames were universal, asking throughout the room of vets from the NAvy and USMC ranging from a Pearl Harbor survivor to a devil dog just back from Iraq no one could answer this question I know that my Father and uncles who served in WWII used the same nicknames. So if any one out there knows the origin of Pi**Cutter or C*** CAp please let the world know Thanks . Semper FI George True USMC 1964-1968.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
not much has changed
Attended my grandsons graduation 10/2012 & also stayed at MCRD in family billeting. Not much has changed except the Grandstands & recruits barracks on the south side of the parade field (grinder) since my time 10/1964 Plt 194. it was an amazing experience to be on the outside looking in & seeing myself through my grandson as I had no one attend my graduation. I am truly blessed to be a United States Marine. Cpl William(Bill) Allen 2066463 6/64-12/68
Blt 1/5
Was with 1/5 from 6/65-11/66.Blt from 3/66-5/66 aboard the USS Princeton LPH-5,which was dismantled in my home of Portland, Or. Our Battalion outpost upon landing was hill 35 about halfway? between Chu Lai & Danang. Participated in Operations Jackstay,Osage,Colorado but cannot remember the others, if someone could help me out. Veterans day tomorrow & the 3/4 size traveling replica of the Vietnam war memorial is here in Portland, Or. Was here also in 5/2006. Happy birthday USMC today, Semper Fi Cpl Allen 6/64
One Hard Charger
In keeping with the highest standards and traditions. The new licence plates on my Charger RT. Semperfi!!
Marine Corps Birthday Celebrated in Da Nang
Happy Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day.
It was a perfect, warm day with a cloudless blue sky in Da Nang, Vietnam The Marine Vietnam Vets now living in Da Nang celebrated the 237th birthday of the Corps today on China Beach. We had a good turnout of Marines, Navy and Army as well as a number of civilian friends. On this occasion, our friend Mr. Hoa from Tam Hoa, Dai Loc, Quang Nam, home of CAG C-2-2-4 was meritoriously promoted to Corporal. Hoa has maintained the memory of those Marines who protected his village and continuously expresses loyalty, honor and devotion for all Marines in what could be described as extremely hostile territory for the past 45 years. If you were not in the Marines, this message was not sent to you by error. Although this was the MCB, we are honored to be joined by members of our allied brothers in arms for this Veterans Day, Nov 11 2012. Semper Fi Dick "Charlie" Brown VMFA-115 Ordnance RVN Service 69-70Platoon 1020, MCRD San Diego, CA 1956
I enlisted at age 17, on 20 July 1956. Following
boot camp and 2nd ITR Camp, San Onofre, came Base Communications, Communications Section 2nd ITR, Communications Section HQ Btry, 11th Marines, all aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. Follow release from active duty in 1956, I served in the Organized Marine Corps Reserve until retiring in 1986 as a M/Sgt.
Combat Air Crew
with regards to CPL Joe "MRMOLOTOV" Thompson
'82 – '86 story about Combat Air Crew wings….
I don't know when they were first approved, but the current Air Crew wings were and are only recieved in or from combat missions, and I recieved mine in VietNam 1968.
Marines Make Good Chaplains
I was an active duty Marine from 65-69 including service in Nam 66-67 and ready reserves from76-78. I eventualy became an ordained United Methodist Pastor and was endorsed to serve as an Army Chaplain from 1985-89. In Chaplain School we had the largest class since WWII including 7 former Marines. While serving as a Chaplain I met at least five other former Marines. Several commanders told me that they loved to get Chaplains who were former Marines. They told me they were always out there with their soldiers no matter what the soldiers were doing or where they were (in the field or the greese pit at Motor T. Former Marines who served in combat were allowed to wear Marine division camo patches on the battle drress uniform. In Germany I met two former Marines, one had been an officer. We posed for a picture in the post newspaper showing the First, Second, and Third Marine Division patches on our shoulders. What a hoot.
Birthday Ball with General Gray 1987
I was a Marine from 65-69 active duty including Vietnam (66-67) and active reserves 76-78. I eventually became a United Methodist Pastor and endorsed to serve as an Army Chaplain. I was commissioned a 1stLt and promoted to Capt in 1985 and assigned to Ft Lee, Virginia. I was assigned as Chaplain to an Army battalion and as the Main Post Chapel pastor. The Marine detatchment (500 Marines) heard of my background and ask if I would serve as their chaplain and I said yes. I did pt with them and did my best to serve them attending most of their functions. When Gen Gray became Commandant, the detatchment invited him to their birthday ball and he concented. Since I was their Chaplain and Chaplain of the Main Post Chaplain, I was invited to a cocktail party with he and several Army general officers and colonels. I was the lowest ranking officer there. I remember thinking: damn, I was a corporal in the Corps and here I am hobnobbing with CMC and several three and four star generals who were trying to make me feel comfortable. The commander of the Marine detatchment requested that they be allowed to dress me in a Marine officer's uniform but the Army Post Commander, a two star declined. However, I was seated with Gen Gray and all of those Army generals and one other special guest. I was seated beside a Marine Medal of Honor winner who had served in WWII and Korea. Wow, what an honor. In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined this honor. Theodore D. Higby
newsletter of Oct 24 2012 reply
This a reply to a Nick Dazios' post in the Sgt Grit newsletter of Oct 25, 2012 – titled Chesty Pullers grave site.
Nick, did you actually serve on the Super Squad in 64' the won the event, ot were you one of the stand by picks that did not actually compete?? I am just curious as I served on both of those squads. Under Sgt. Dooley in 63' and Sgt White in 64' and I do not remember you. You may contact me @ dwight_t_lang[at]yahoo.com to leave me phone number s oI could call you.