Another FNG story, I reported in country and was picked up by 7th Comm. when we arrived I reported in and the gunny showed me an area to rack out and stow my gear and that it was late so after a quick orientation on what to do in the event of Rockets etc. he told me to go to the E club for a beer and we would finish checkin the next AM. So after I got my gear in line I went up to the club (pic attached) ordered a Bud and no sooner opened the can and started to take a big swig the 175's on the next hill started firing. needless to say i covered my clean utilities with beer and just about soiled my skivies, not realizing it was outgoing not incoming. everyone in the club got a good laugh out of the FNG. speaking of the club it was nice, Story goes it was paid for with insurance $ by a L/Cpl's mother. he was with a tank Co at an earlier time and was killed on that hill. Officers tried to take it over but she made sure it stayed enlisted because her son was not an officer. If anyone knows the story and the name maybe they can fill in the blanks. my memory isn't the best . Ron Preuss Sgt 2233915 RVN 68-69
Category: Marine Corps Stories
Lao Marine Paris Island Bootcamp early 90’s PLT2045 Nov or Dec.
Looking for Lao Marine from New England area. Went to Paris Island in the early 90's that was in my platoon. 2034 or 2045. I believe his last name was Sitharath. One night he had an incident at the barrack and I helped him with the translation to help him get through the night. If this is you please contact me at aengkham@yahoo.com
My Filmmaking Dream
Garrett Harrington is an aspiring filmmaker and son of a United States Marine. He is currently working on a film about the effects of PTSD on Vietnam Veterans through a campaign he calls the Indiegogo campaign. While he has never seen the likes of war he has seen the first hand plight of survivors through his father.
Patrol the Persian Gulf
Dear Sgt Grit:
The "Horns of Hormuz" are in the news again. It appears that the Iranian government are once again threatening to close this critical waterway to shipping. However, also according to the latest news reports, there are two carrier strike groups currently assigned to patrol the Persian Gulf. One of their missions, and the Unites States Navy's mission, is to keep the sea lanes open in defense of freedom of the seas. Another of their tasks is to support ground operations in the southwest Asia theater of operations. That means he'll be supporting the Marines.
This will be my son's second deployment to SWA aboard ship. Some of his friends from high school and college have already served or are currently serving tours in-country; you can be sure that many of the crew also have friends and relatives on the ground in Afghanistan. They're all there to support each other. It seems to me that we have as fine a fighting force as can be assembled out there protecting the rights and freedoms of the Afghan people. It is an honor to know more than a few of them.
Sometimes news editorials make us wonder what business our sons and daughters have more than six time zones away, performing tasks that seem to have little or nothing to do with the average American's personal liberties. This may be so, but it seems to me that preventing terrorism and oppressive political ideologies from denying such things as universal suffrage and education for women and minorities is a worthwhile endeavor.
It's probably true that people in the Persian Gulf region have known little peace or freedom lately, but the Code of Hammurabi from antiquity, and the story of Esther from the Bible, illustrate that regardless of recent History, the people there have been trying to get it right for thousands of years. Just maybe, with our help, they can get it right this time. I believe our Marines have what it takes to help make it happen.
K. Brown
"Ah! The good old time–the good old time. Youth and the sea. Glamour and the sea! The good, strong sea, the salt, bitter sea, that could whisper to you and roar at you and knock your breath
out of you." –Joseph Conrad, "Youth".
D.L. Hampton World War II Dog Tags
I have been reading the letters from other Marines that have attached WWII dog tags. Just thought that I would send my dad's. I carry his along with mine on my key chain. He wore these in WWII and Korea. I lost my dad back in 2003, and know that there are fewer and fewer of the WWII Marines around, but I would like to hear from anyone that may have known my Dad. My Dad, Don L. Hampton, was from Sweetwater, Texas.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Huts
Sgt Grit : I went through Boot camp in 1966 Plt 138 MCRD then off to Vietnam with M. co 3/26 and later A.co 1/9. Now about the ?? as to the location of the Huts here is a photo from my boot camp album it may help.
Ray Ybarra
Los Angeles Ca.
Corpsman’s Mustang
IN THE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2001 MUSTANG GT! SEMPER FI, "DOC" STARK 58-64
Military Family – Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force
Last summer my employer wanted to honor our Veteran’s for the 4th of July. The asked for a summary of our military service. My current employer is “New Breed”: Logistics.
The following was my submission:
Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller once said,
"Old breed. New Breed. There's not a bit of difference as long as it's the Marine breed!"
Marines volunteering for brig guard duty
Sgt Grit
I think you should publish the letters from your Newsletter into book form. I will probably be several volumes but put me down for the first five.
Enclosed is why maybe sometimes you should volunteer. The accomadations about a troop ship were somewhat crowded.
Marines on Navy ships
Grit,
To answer the question by Short Rounds, When the General Quarters Alarm is sounded on Naval Ships "where do the Marines Go?"
There are Marines on all Navy ships in the U.S. Fleet that are assigned to duty on that ship. From Military Police Guarding the ships, Captain and Brigg (jail) to Communications and Air, these people are called "Ships Company" they report to their combat assigned area, all other Marines are called "Embarked Troops" they report to their assigned birthing quarters or equipment bay.