Category: Marine Corps Stories

USMC Mud Run for Blake

Sgt. Grit,

The Marine Corps Mud Run in Columbia, SC honors Marines and their families, with generated funds going to the Marine Corps Foundation. This was my 3rd year doing the course, this year in a limited way due to recent knee surgery (no obstacles), but we were all committed to doing it in honor and memory of Navy SCPO Blake McLendon. While we've done the course in Sgt. Grit purchased Marine Corps t-shirts, we ran it this year with shirts made to commemorate Blake. Next year we'll be back with your t-shirts! read more

HOW-6

Sgt Grit   The last two newsletters have had a few articles about the How-6's and if they were used in Viet-Nam.  I was in the first HOW-6 Platoon that was formed in November of 1965 and was part of 3rd Amtrac's outside of  Danang and transferred to 1st Marine div in late 66.  There is not much history of us being there because we were always attached to and in support of other outfits during Operations and river patrols. They were worn out by the time we were replaced by a company of How-6s in December of 1966 and that appears to be the start of the history of the HOW-6s in Viet Nam.  I was a field radio operator (2531).  I don't remember many names but myself ,Mike Lentini, who I still have contact with, and Don Brown, who was killed when the track he was on hit a land mine(DOW-11nov 1966) arrived together  and met Tim Gott ( I believe He received 2 Purple Hearts) there. We were all from 2/8 at Camp Lejeune.   Don Lariviere 1963-1967

A Day In November

On a day in November, which we never forget The 2nd Continental Congress laid down a bet. For liberty and freedom were being put to the test King George sent Cornwallis – one of his best.   Soon to discover, Marines are quite savage We beat back his tyranny through undying courage.   Many years hence and We haven’t changed, Sending millions of rounds flying downrange. All for freedom’s sake.  This is our way of life! God help those who put up a fight.   So “Semper Fidelis” to Marines past and present Our sacrifice has made many lives quite pleasant.   One last thing on our special day Let’s remember those who have paved the way They gave the ultimate for your sake and mine, Unselfish love – like the sweet fruit from the vine.   America is free! But where would she be? Without the Marines like you and like me!   Happy Birthday Marines!   James E. Smith Sgt. USMCR 1985-1991 10 November 2010

Be careful for what you say or wish. It may be true.

Sgt. Grit,

I’ve contemplated writing you about this for several months after I had received some genealogy information from my cousin. I served in the Corps from 1976-1996, my first duty station was at 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. I was a Field Radio Operator 2531 with H&S Company then. I was assigned to Fox Company and Golf Company as their Battalion Radio Operator. I also worked in the Battalion S-3 for a short time after I picked up Corporal. While I was working in the S-3 at that time myself and a fellow Marine were looking at pictures of our past Regimental Commanders. When I was spied Col. Puller's picture. I remember commenting to my fellow Marine and said to him “Man Col. Puller is one ugly man, I would not want to be related to him”. Something I learned after many years of service to now, be careful for what you say or wish it may come true. Man did it come true. read more

WMs learning to march

Although i am not a wm, this story is totally about one particular wm platoon learning to march, more specifically " halt their forward progress when marching ". 

Most marines seldom forget their senior drill instructor.  I like all marines remember mine, SSGT Capirci, platoon 3006, parris island, in the summer heat of 1967.  I have seen this marine run circles around our platoon while on runs, shoot the ten ring consistently with an M-14 offhand at the five hundred yard line when a recruit would complain his rifle was inaccurate.  I truly didn't think any thing could shock, stupify, confuse, or leave him at a loss for words, but i saw it happen one blazing hot afternoon while we were out on the grinder in preparation for our graduation.  Since we were close to graduation, our senior DI was treating us with a small measure of " respect " and as we were drilling, a very "raw" wm platoon joined us on the grinder.  we were already at parade rest, the DI allowing us to watch the new " wm " platoon going through their initial drill training.  The female DI had directed her recruits in our general direction and while she was very easily within earshot, she hollered "HALT".  Instead of the unified sound of all heels coming together in the final halt, there was the stacatto of an inexperienced platoon.  With that, the female DI screamed at the top of her lungs, " When i hollar halt, i want to hear 46 pV$$!&$ slapping together and sucking in air ".  The look on our very senior and experienced DI was worth the price of admission.  He had absolutely nothing to say, just shook his head and allowed the WM platoon to readjust themselves and march away.  He never said another word about it, but , the female DI's action and our senior DI's reaction made it a priceless moment worthy of hanging onto.   now here it is 44 years later and i still remember it as if it happened yesterday.  read more

My introduction to the Corps

As a young man, I attended Auburn University on an NROTC scholarship.  The unit Gunny at that time was Gysgt. Nolan G. Henry. Gunny Henry had come to Auburn right from the P.I. Drill field, and is the one credited with creating the "Sand Pile" for the motivation platoon. My first or second day there, I was in the unit office trying to find info. about something or another on the bullitin board.  The Gunny was standing behind me.   I turned and asked "Hey sarge wh……" and that was all I got out.  I then received a sterling lecture informing me that dog ass soldiers were called "sarge" and that he would be referred to as "Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny".  read more