Category: Marine Corps Stories

Did I Do Enough

Just completed writing my memoir of 33 years in the good old USMC (May 41-May 74), service in WW II (Guadalcanal & Tarawa), Korea and Vietnam.  Enlisted as 16 year old out of Fair Park Hi in Shreveport, La., was a MSgt at outbreak of Korea and commissioned a 2ndLt in summer 1950, retired as a Colonel in 1974. A great career, lucky all the way, would do it again in a heartbeat.  Doubt they could use an 87 year old, however!  Memoir entitled "Did I Do Enough?" and available through lulu.com/spotlight/dididoenough.  Had an e-mail recently from one Chuck Bell, who was a Corporal under me at Camp Pendleton in 1951 when I was a First Lieutenant (Radio Platoon Commander).  He had obtained my memoir and located me through my book.  Would enjoy hearing from other Marines I have served with over the years.     Regards  Colonel Elwin B. Hart USMC Retired  (I held all enlisted ranks (Pvt to MSgt 1941-1950) before commission in 1950.)

M-37 truck

Sgt Grit, In your 2Feb2012 newsletter, T. Stewart asked about a truck he called a “weapons carrier”.  I believe the truck his referring to is a M-37.  I’ve attached a couple of pictures I found.  When I first arrived in Vietnam, Sept 1966, several of us were told we would spend the next 2 weeks providing security for a LAAM  Battery atop hill 327.  Our ‘hooch was at the base of 327 so we were trucked day and night in the back of a M-37, called just a PC if I remember correctly, up and down the hill.  I definitely remember that after 2-3 days of up and down the road, more like a path, in the back of the ‘PC’ I was more concern with surviving the ride than I was of the possible VC attack.   Rick Leach CWO3 – Retired

Early 1950’s Personnel Carrier Redux

I read with interest the letter from Sgt T. Stewart, USMC 1952-55, concerning the USMC Personnel Carrier. I wonder if the persistence and insidiousness of time haven't messed with his memories. I know it happens to me, all the time. Things I would swear to are no more than a warped shadow of the true past. That may be why he's having such a difficult time finding the vehicle he remembers.   Anyway, what we called a Personnel Carrier (PC) during the early '60s was an M37 3/4 ton 4X4 Dodge pickup truck. Mostly used by our unit to transport the Guard Mount. I have to wonder if the vehicle Sgt. Stewart's Corpsman drove to the field might have been a M43 3/4 ton 4×4 ambulance. Produced January 1951 to July 1954, they were fairly common in the Marine Corps from that time forward.   Just offering an alternate reality for your consideration.   Forged on the anvil of discipline. The Few. The Proud. Jerry D.

Sgt Stewart’s 6X6

Probably a WC-63 1 1/4 Ton. Used everywhere in ETO served in The Corps from July 1952 to July 1955. Everywhere we went there were four wheeled vehicles called Weapons Carriers. They were almost as common as jeeps. When we were going through training at Camp Pendleton the FMF Corpsman used to drive a real neat six wheeled vehicle when we went out into the field. We called it a Personnel Carrier. One might say it was like a miniature deuce and a half 6×6. I seldom ever saw any more of those vehicles. When I Google USMC PERSONNEL CARRIER it returns a more modern and amphibious vehicle. Does anyone remember the proper name or nomenclature for the vehicle I'm referring to? read more

3rd Cbt Engr Bn

Sgt Grit

I was with Support company 3rd Cbt Engr Bn at Camp Hansen Okinawa 1977-1978. Our Motor Transport platoon was called the Wacky Racers. I don't know when the platoon got its name. It was way before I arrived. The name and modified deuce and half was embroidered on our guidon. We marched to the motor pool everyday. I'm enclosing a photo of a jacket that I had made before I left Okinawa. I found the shop in kinville that actually did the embroidery work for our guidon. I couldn't believe it. Would you enclose this in your weekly newsletter? I would like to see how many other Motor T Marines stationed at 3rd Cbt Engr bn remember this. Thanks Sgt Grit read more

Bucket Issue and Transplacement Bn

Sgt Grit,

I recently acquired my uncle's boot camp book (Platoon 171, graduation Dec 1959) and was browsing it to see how different MCRD SD looked back then from when I was there (1983). I noticed a picture titled "Bucket Issue" and recall him talking about buckets and sand to me when I came home from boot camp. We never had buckets, so I wonder if any old salts out there could elaborate on uses for your bucket. I'd ask my uncle but he's gone to that final duty station. Attached are a couple of the pictures from his graduation book that show the buckets. read more

Marines aboard Naval Vessels

I’ve noticed in the past several issues, articles or notes about Marines on Ships. Attached are some pictures of VMA (AW) 121 when we were stationed aboard the USS Ranger CV-61 from Dec 84 – Sept 89. We flew A-6E Intruders and were part of the Carrier Air Wing, CVW-2. During General Quarters, all the Marines in my unit had General Quarters stations, Hanger Deck, Flight Deck, Ready Room, or their respective shops. read more