Category: Marine Corps Stories

Platoon 3008 MCRD June 1956

this one from the old school. platoon 3008 mcrd june 1956. even after 55 years i can still hear sgt aldridge. he was one of the best .my marine corps years has governed my whole life.   more then likely any marine will say the same thing. would like to hesr from any one that was part of platoon 3008 my e mail. lyndafisher@sbcglobal.net semper fi   jimmy fisher   sgt 1585873

Old Sailor

This is a pic of myself and Lorton Berry. Lorton lives in Lutts, TN. He is 88 10-13. Met him last New Year's. He was in the Navy, WWII. Attached to 1st MarDiv, and maybe other units. Communications. From Guadalcanal to Okinawa. He told me stories about Guadalcanal,, Tinian and Peleliu.   When I first met him, I told him that his generation, were heroes to Marines of my generation. He looked me in the eye and said "the heroes are still there."   His daughter said, she had never heard the stories he told me.    She told me he wanted a medal he didn't have. All she knew it was purple.    I got in touch with Marsha Blackburn, Rep from TN. Took a while, but her office is helping. Records were lost.   Can't remember which island, but said when Chesty was hit, he told Corpsman to attend to others.   Anybody know how we could get him on that list to go see the WWII memorial? 

USMC ~ Marine Berets

Aloha,    In 1951, while stationed at the Marine Corps Clothing Factory, 100 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, the clothing board was experimenting with the possible use of  berets for the Marine Corps.  They had tan, green, white and blue berets.  Some senior officer had come up with this Army idea for Marines to start wearing berets. Below is a photograph of my SSGT self and four other Marines.  I've long since forgotten the names of most, but the lieutenant on the left, next to me, I believe, is now Colonel (Ret.) Robert Parrot.  He had also been at the Chosin Reservoir.  I believe he was the adjutant here. Few Marines today know that the Corps once had its own clothing factory. Six floors. with all the sewing machines, cutting machines, shrinking machines, etc, needed to make the uniforms.  They were manned by civilian workers. My job was to process for payment, invoices for a million or a million and a half yards of kersey green cloth, herring bone twill (utilities) and blue cloth. etc. The Marine on the right is wearing the herring bone twill utility uniform. After the Korean War, the Corps had grown so in numbers, that the clothing factory could not keep up with the demand, and it went out of business, I believe, sometime in the 1960s.  Delighted to say that the bombshell beret idea died in its infancy.   Aloha and Semper Fidelis…Bob Talmadge

First Annual Wounded Warrior Open

Sgt Grit   This was taken on the 1st Tee (Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas) at the first annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament.  Along with President Bush and myself is Army Sgt. Peter Richert.  I had the very distinct honor and privilege of being Pete’s caddy for the 3 day event.  Pete lost his right leg and has 160 pieces of shrapnel in his body from an IED explosion while serving in Iraq.  This is without a doubt one on the most inspirational experiences of my life.   I will treasure the experience and Pete’s friendship forever.  The event was organized by Former President George W. Bush  (43) to honor and bring awareness of our fighting men and women who have been wounded in combat.   Semper Fi   Carl “Snake” Fite Sgt. of the Marines 2266963 66-69  RTO Pappa Battery 3/12  3rd Mar. Div.

Climbing assault Nets onto the LPG 8 – Valley Forge

In May of 1962 our company, Bravo 1/3, were traing in the Philippines, ambush and jungle tactics.  We were training in H34's from the Valley Forge.   The choppers took us to some LZ where we off loaded and they left.   The weather was the beginning if a monson or nearing the end, but had the elements of hard wind and rain that was not conducive for flying..  We were subsequenty order to board peter boats from the APA Navarjo that would take us back to the Valley Forge.  The seas were rough and we were somewhat skeptically once we made the Valley Forge as just how we were going to climb landing nets that had no wooden spacers, especially in rough seas..  read more