Against all odds 23 marines fighting hand to hand and in a fierce firefight with 300 nva, were able to beat them back killing over 100 VC , Marines lost 10. But not before a dear friend of mine lost his life, but he took 4 with him in hand to hand combat. Rest in peace Lester. I wear a tattoo in his memory. Mike Company 3/7 was the most decorated marine company in the Vietnam war.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
USMC Chow
I entered the Corps on 8 AUG 66, Being a skinny body (127 lbs) I had to eat every meal twice. Upon graduation I weighed 165 lbs, and was in the best shape of my life.
After reading about bad food in your news letter I was reminded of the poor food at my unit in Phu Bai, 3rd motors in march of 1967. I decided that I would rather eat C rations rather than risk eating there. One of the worst meals was the green liver that you needed a K-bar to cut. One of my fellow marines placed a potato on the 2×4 over the entrance to the mess hall that remained there until it was torn down months latter. I did 2 tours with 3 motors and weighed 127 lbs when I went back to the world.
Marine helicopter
Hi Skip,
I looked through some of my collection of HMR-161 memorabilia and found the attached photo.
A few weeks ago some one mentioned some barrels of something hanging under one of the Choppers in Korea. His memory was pretty darn good.
I have the picture because a Marine Photographer gave it to me after I told him that it was nice to see that my work was suitable. I sewed the sling holding the drums of fuel oil in the photo. My MOS was either 6413 or 6419 as I remember it. (Flight Equipment) Semper Fi, Oltopper ( Russ McCrimmon)
T.A. Airsoft at the 9th Annual Gritogether
T.A. Airsoft will be attending our Gritogether this year. They will be setting up a shooting range and they will bring weapons from different eras to choose from. They stopped by this week to show us some of the weapons they will be using. These are a 1:1 scaled ratio. Pictured above is LCpl Andrew Wilson (left) Field and Marketing Mgr at T.A. Airsoft (middle is Sgt Grit and in second picture is Sgt James Williams,) and (right) Daniel Turner Airsoft Technician. We are really looking forward to having these guys come out that day and allowing Marines and friends to shoot these weapons and have a lot of fun!
29 Palms Chopper Crash and Mess Duty
Sgt Grit,
Regarding the question submitted by LCpl Wilson of the 1960-61 chopper photo, I know that it's been identified by your knowledgeable readers so no need to go there.
However, I wanted to share some photos as they may bring back so memories and/or commentary from the troops. When I was a brand new Redleg with India Battery, 11th Marines, I had the displeasure of pulling mess duty at 29 Palms. While my buds were off firing the 4.2's and I was taking a break my scullery duties, I saw one of the type fly overhead and I started snapping pics of it as it was landing. Just as it touched down, for what I thought was a normal landing, it nosed over and landed on it's side with lots of dust and blades flying everywhere. The crew walked away. I know nothing else; I was not authorized to be where I was…
MCRD Parris Island Platoon 55, October 10 1949
I hopeyou can use this as I have been looking for it for about fifteen years, just didnt look in the right place. Maybe someone will recognize themselves from long ago,at least I hope so as I would like to hear from them.I am in the first row at bottom fourth from the right. old corps. Really enjoy the news letter and stories,had a few laughs.
HOK 195 – USMC utility and ambulance helicopter
I hope this answers Lclp Wilson's question. Remember Helicopters do not fly they beat the air into submission. And if you've never had a malfunction in a chopper you're about to.
HOK 195? = USMC utility and ambulance. 600hp P&W R-1340-48; rotor: 47'0" length: 25'0" load: range: 220 ceiling: 18,000' (hover) 9,000'. Triple tails, twin intermeshing rotors
Platoon 1019, 1968
USMCRD – San Diego Recruit Platoon 1019, 44 years ago. It doesn’t seem that long ago.
The dates: 17 June 1968 to 14 August 1968. As a note, this platoon was a part of the 1017 Series.
In the front row, the Staff, from left to right, SSgt. J. T. Cuff, Drill Instructor; SSgt. R. K. U. Publico, Platoon Commander; SSgt. A.W. Bennewitz, Drill Instructor.
Of the recruits pictured, PFC Daniel Gauna, Jr. was killed in Viet Nam. He was a rifle expert and was assigned 0311 (rifleman) as his MOS, scout sniper. I first heard of his falling from former Marine Raul S. Valle who is in the front row to the right of D.I. SSgt. Cuff as you view the picture.
War stories
Our Corpsman was killed back when I was still in the Corps, he was the funniest squid you would ever meet. To this day, I'll never forget the man. He was one of us, well as close as a sailor can get anyways. R.I.P. Petty officer Brian.
UA Smoking
As I remember it, it was a beautiful sunny day at MCRD San Diego 1977 when all hell broke loose! I was called front and center and all I could think, what now, what now. You see I went in on a buddy plan with my brother and cousin. My brother and I were in 2039 while my cousin was in 2040, but he was supposed to be in 2039 with us. He raised enough stink, that he got his wish and was moved into 2039. Note: never ever stir up the bees! Well these two jokers smoked, I didn't just never did like it. Well on that beautiful sunny day my blood thought they could get away with grabbing a smoke while doing some laundry and were caught. I was called to the front of the squad bay to do push ups until my DI got tired, which he was sitting in his office with his feet up on the desk. I never thought I could do so many push ups and had a pool of sweat around me. I turned 54 three days ago and I still do 30 push ups a day, most people think that I am a lot younger than what I look and it all comes back to that beautiful sunny day in MCRD San Diego. Semper Fi