Category: Marine Corps Stories

The Grunts Came Running

While I was in VietNam (1967-1968) I experienced the true meaning of SemperFi and how Marines take care of Marines.

I was a dump truck driver with the 7th Engineer Battalion, Service Co. I was in a large convoy leaving the AnHue Combat Base with my friend Tyrone Jones heading for Hill 55, then on to DaNang. Tyrone had a new guy with him in his dump truck. I also had a new guy riding with me.(I can't remember the new guys names) The convoy had two tanks with it. One in the front, the other in the rear. About halfway to PhuLoc 6 the rear tank hit a command detonated land mine(I.E.D.) The convoy stopped,the front tank went back to help the blown up tank. We all jumped into the ditches and started shooting into the treeline. We received a few sniper rounds. The undamaged tank blew-up a hootch and the grunt next to me blew-up a small cement structure with a LAW. We got the all clear from the convoy commander and headed for Hill 55. Little did Tyrone and I know that what just happened was only the beginning of a very scary and exciting day. read more

Treasure Island

After boot camp,itr at Geiger, and scool at Memphis i had orders to Okinawa. First stop was Treasure is. to wait on a flight on a MATS to Japan. This was in june of 1962. i I n transit barrackks there wasn't much to do but wait for your flight. You're right the food was bad but i was a boot and did'nt know any better. One night we got woken up and told to go on gaurd duty. It seemed some prisoners had escaped Alcatrz and we were to guard the shoreline of T.I. The CPL, of the guard gave us M1s full clip and told to lock and load. He said if we saw anyone come out of the water to shoot them.Now it was cold and foggy and S.f. bay was choppy it was the only time i ever wore my horse blanket. Now i'm thinking if these guys can swim all the way to T.I. they deserve a medal not a bullet. Anyway as you all know they were never seen again,and I was called to Travis AFB to the land of milk and honey. read more

Platoon 253, MCRD, Parris Island, Aug. 18-Dec. 20, 1957

Any platoon members out there? Some fond memories: !st night field day, a recruit urinating out the 2nd floor window onto a passing DI; falling out by scrambling out the 2nd floor fire exit, breaking the railing and half the platoon jumping to the ground; Brasso, getting the lacquer off your belt buckle; rifle issue: #5113166, a brand-new, out- of- the crate International Harvester Garand (I requested that I be transferred with my rifle three times, OK'ed every time. I now have a match M1 but the IH was "my" rifle.) scraping the stock with my bayonet to get the tool marks out, and ready for the endless linseed oil treatment; rough-side out boots and boondockers, working up to a spit shine with polish and  the base of the little bottle that held black lacquer to paint anything that wasn't shined brass (like brass fittings on 782 gear); C rations with Lucky Strikes in the khaki green WWII packaging; light one and you had a flare going; (What is the idea of dated canned goods? Marines from the 50s and 60s know they're good for at least 15-20 years); ham and limas, canned spaghetti (which I grew to love, much to my wife's dismay). Thank you, Chef Boyardee, for continuing a great tradition of fine dining; mutton in the messhall, the smell would gag a maggot (or at least remind you of a wet dog); Tons of memories and some of the proudest moments of my life. read more

Junk on the Bunk

When I was in bootcamp in 1957, we were required to use iron-on tape and the sew around the edges on our brown socks for junk on the bunk.  You should have seen those boot's asses puckering as they tried to master the needle and thread.  Thanks to my Mom she had taught me a little sewing (e.g., buttons, darn socks, etc.)  I even made money after boot camp helping other guys! read more

My First Encounter with the Law

Let me first start off by saying that I am not a Marine, but I was raised to treat them with the utmost of respect and appreciation.

Being a child of two Marines I LOVED my childhood and will forever tell the stories of my encounters as a kid with the MP's on base (I was once pulled over on my bike and made to walk all the way back home because I did not have a helmet on). read more

Sea Duty CV 19 USS Hancock

I served in the Marine Detachment and came aboard at N.A.S. Alameda Feb 1975- Went on that Westpac – then departed to another carrier in Jan 1976.

While On-board HANCOCK, I was a Brig Chaser and also on the 5 inch 38 gun crew, starboard bow. Matter-of fact, that is where(in the Gun Tub) Craig Tenney and I were hanging-out watching the UNREP when we had an Emergency Breakaway. I never would have thought an aircraft carrier could heel over that far trying to avoid collision. We could see the bow of the USS Kawishiwi coming toward the side of Hancock,we scrambled up out of the gun tub onto the flight deck.  I do not know the exact degree of list to the portside as we veered away, but looking at the flight deck, I think anything that was not secured or holding on would have gone over the side. Thinking back, I seem to remember a horn or Klaxon ??? and the 1MC shouting "Collision Eminent Take a Brace! Take a Brace – Collision Eminent". But as you well know memory is not always exact science. During Operation Frequent Wind, I was on the Flight Deck (with my M-14) as security; but looking back now, I think "People Herder" might be a better description. You could read the fear and disorientation in their expressions. read more

Life was grand

Sergeant Grit,

After returning from Vietnam in May 1966 my orders were to report to MCRD San Diego Ca. Upon my arrival I met with a SSGT who decides where to assign you. Looking at my paper work he informed me that I would be assigned to MP Company. Well, I wasn't that excited about the MP's so said to him I'll go but I will ask immediately for a transfer. He asked why and I said you don't want to put me on the gate with a loaded 45. read more

What They Do Best

In regards to "name withheld" and his observations regarding the "lack" of Esprit de Corps… I've worked as a civilian construction contractor at the nearby VA hospital, and the brotherhood was alive and well there, amongst all the Marines who were no longer wearing uniform. One of the former Marines working in the Maintenance Dept. gifted me with a small USMC sticker to wear on my hard hat… guess where he bought those? read more