Category: Marine Corps Stories

Easiest time spent in the Corps

I went to Boot Camp Jan 1957. MCRD Plt 307. Dis were SSgt Fisk, Sgt Nichols and Cpl. Tracey. These marines were tough but nothing like my dad. My dad was a WW2 hero in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was one mean SOB. So when I got to Boot camp all the yelling abasing and physical treatment was blah. I was always in trouble and was called s__t bird regularly. Usually they sent guys like me back for retraining. However I got perfect scores on the 3rd week and 11th week written exams. I knew my general orders before anyone else and I could answer any question presented to me. I also fired a 237 out of 250 on the rifle range earning a expert Rifleman's badge. I was selected as the Honor man from my platoon and competed for Series Honor man of which I won and was promoted to PFC. The award for Honor man was a set of Dress Blues from leatherneck magazine. When I went to supply to get the Blues they gave me the cash $33.64. The DI asked to see the blues and I told him I took the money. You got it another ass kicking and sent back for the Blues. I had to wear them on graduation day and I was a little embarassed to draw any attention to my self. But as my title suggests when you are in boot camp all your thinging is done for you. You know when to get up,eat ,what to wear and just follow orders. You are conditioned not to make any decisions, that doesn't happen after you are in a unit. read more

III MAF Press Center

Beginning July 1969 I served at the Press Center across the river from III MAF HQ.  Lived in the compound until Mach 70. Served with a S/Sgt named Dale Dye who is now a big time technical advisor and actor in many recent big screen movies. I reunited with Dale (Big Daddy DA) again in about 1985 in Malibu at a friend of ours Gary Sheppard's home, who was working for ABC in LA. LIke DA would say it was  ablast  from the past. Lots of good memories when I was "one of his kids". Thats how he referred to us rookies. He always treated us with respect and I will never forget. read more

answer to bucket at MCRD SD

In response to Cpl. Mike Winnie, about the use of buckets at MCRD SD.  I wen through SD in 1956, and our buckets came in very handy.  First of all it was used as a punishment over your head and th DI would hammer on it.  It was also used to soak our T shirts and skivvies in bleach water.  Then we used it to move this gigantic pile of sand across the little grinder, when we go theret the DI said he liked it better wher it was, so we had to move it back, of course we moved it with our buckets.  I guess this covers most of it.  Oh! yes we also used it to sit on.  read more

11th Marines bar girls

Sgt Grit,

How awesome that you actually had the photos some of the girls who worked there. I believe there were 5/6 of them. Lan, Nancy, My, i forgot the rest. They were nice and pleasant.

I was on my 3rd extension when i was asked to escort Nancy back to the states via Saigon. Sgt Kelly I think who was in Comm had already left was to meet me in California. Never got to escort Nancy, b'coz my 4th extension was approved and was sent to 13th Marines. The shows "Tiny" the manager put on were great. read more

Bucket Issue

Mike Winnie asks about the "bucket issue".  His question is based on an uncle's "boot camp book".  (I went through boot camp in 1952 – Platoon 445 – and we didn't have a "boot camp book".)  We did get a "bucket issue", very early during boot camp – probably the first or second day.  We were marched to the PX, and were issued a bucket, to be used during "field days", filled with essential items such as the GUIDEBOOK FOR MARINES (I still have mine), toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, razor, razor blades, towels, washcloths, etc.  This was paid for out of our first pay, which then amounted to $20.  I don't remember what happened to the bucket when I left San Diego, it was probably "recycled" – I don't think any of us were particularly eager to take them on boot leave with us! read more

The Boys of Quantico

Sgt. Grit,

Here is a poem that I wrote one night after having been contacted by some of my old OCS and TBS classmates (42nd OCC & TBS 4-67) who were planning our first reunion to clebrate the 40 year anniversary of our graduation. I read the poem at a memorial service at the Wall when we held our reunion at DC and Quantico in 2007 and have recited it at our subsequent reunions since then. read more

Beirut Vets In Massachusetts for Daryll Bradley

For daryll Bradley, Hey Marine. We must have crossed paths over there I was a track commander with 3/8. Anyway most of us went to the State Police. Steve Godfrey is still on the job and chapter president of the mass. chapter of Beirut Vets. He could find some guys for you if you want.  Semper Fi read more