Category: Marine Corps Stories

From the CACO

Reflection from the Casualty Officer I wish there were something I could do, To help you make it through. I wish there were something I could say, To help you make it through the day. I was the one who knocked on the door, I was the one who watched you fall to the floor. As we lay your loved one to rest, I want you to know I did my best. Now it’s time for me to leave, I only hope you will always believe, That even though your loved one is no longer here, They will always and forever be so very near. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN! For the Families and in memory of: WO1 Charles Wells Jr Sgt Kenneth Conde Jr LCpl Antoine Smith LCpl Jason Burnett “Rest easy Marines. Mission complete, job well done” Timothy Ellenbecker MSgt (Ret.) USMC read more

Drum and Bugle Corps, Information Department

In the July 28, 2011 issue of the Sgt Grit newsletter (email) there was a letter from GySgt Retired Jim Ogilvie with picture of the 13 member D&B that he was in charge of.    That brought back a flood of memories from my days in the Corps. Being a 5591, Duty Field Music.   Attended Field Music School at MCRD, San Diego 1961/1962, transferred to 1st Marine Division D&B Corps Camp Pendleton 1962/1963, then transferred to Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot Hawthorne, Nevada for the remainder of my enlistment 1963/1964.    While stationed at MB, NAD, Hawthorne, NV FirstSgt Lewis informed me to form a small D&B for a Retirement Parade for SSgt Paul Chaltry, February 29, 1964. SSgt Chaltry was in charge of the Mess hall.   Going to the two Guard Platoons I did manage to get a Drum and Bugle Corps of five together, three drummers and two bugles. I don’t recall the names of the drummers but I do remember that Pvt Arthur J. Foss was the other “horn blower” he also was a 5591. The picture enclosed shows the D&B at the far end of the parade deck.   Semper Fidelis, JIM

Twin Devil Pups and Sgt Grit’s Catalog

Dear Sgt Grit Staff,   I wanted to share this picture with you. My 2 year old twins found my husband’s copy of a Sgt Grit’s catalog on 4th of July this year. They had a blast flipping through the pages and I was able to take a few pictures. I’ve attached the best one. Jennifer Miller Wife of LCpl Donald Miller

Platoon 181 – MCRD Parris Island, October 27th 1948

Yo Grit — I'd like to send a shout-out to all the jar-heads in the above photo. If any of you are still alive and remember me, Arnie Hansen, in  the fourth row on the extreme left, I wouldn't mind hearing from you. Also, as a collage artist I'm working on piece about the Inchon landing and the Frozen Chosin, and I need any action photos. No posed stuff please. Thanks and Semper Fidelis!   Arnold (Arnie) Hansen 1088948 1948-52 S/Sgt bigarnie1@optonline.net

Another tribute to 1STSGT Tandy Wells

I got to Paris Island the same weekend as Woodstock. I don't remember the date, but as it happens it was late at night. Anyone who was lucky enough to get to Paris Island knows the rest of the story. However, this is about then Sgt. Tandy Wells. He was a junior Drill Instructor Platoon 1038. I was 20 years old when I went there in 1969 and I bet the then Sgt. Wells was about the same age. He was pretty short for a Marine I thought, about 5'-6" at the most, young enough looking to be perceived as baby-faced, I was 5-3 or so, shortest recruit in the platoon. A size  6 1/2 or 7 set of boots was not to be had for me at the time, and as it turned out, never. So I did everything with what was available. Well, we know what large ill-fitting boots can do to a pair of feet! It was hard to do anything with bad feet and of course that gets the wrong type of attention from the Drills. When I explained to Sgt. Wells what the problem was, he gave me even more hell for not letting them know. Then he went to the Drill Instructors office and came out with a set of the  shiniest  boots I had ever seen. He told me to see if they fit, they did, and fit great. He said,"they're yours", and that may have been followed by some derogetory expletives as only a Marine Drill Instructor could spout  out.   His next words were  "I expect you to be the best G_ _ D_ _ _ recruit here now. Those are my best boots". I took home the "Blues". Of course I was grateful but didn't have a full grasp of what I was experiencing. I didn't need any special treatment, tutoring or favor to earn the honor of being the best recruit in my platoon, I simply needed the right "tools" of the trade. Sgt Wells made sure I had the right "tools" and the right training to become a Marine. I am certain I am not the only "lower than plant life scum " that he went that extra step for. I know some will enjoy this and some not, but I hope his family gets to see it, every word true to fact. Whenever I think of "Courage, Honor and Commitment" I think of Tandy Wells. Thanks again, Semper Fi read more

My Burial Escort Duty

Following is a narrative  of the duty I performed prior to my 13 month tour in Vietnam with Charlie Co. 1st Recon Bn.

April 1966

For my first duty station, I was assigned to Philadelphia Marine Barracks for guard duty. I served as a gate guard and later as a brig guard. But during 1966, a burial escort section was formed out of personnel form Marine Barracks and I was chosen to be included in this newly needed detail.
Individual escorts were assigned the duty of traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and there receiving custody of the remains from the graves registration of a Marine who had been killed in action back to his family for burial. The protocol at the time specified that the rank of the individual to whom you were assigned would be of your rank or lesser. Being a private first class at the time, this meant that the rank and age of what turned out to be a total of seven Marines was the same as mine in both categories. read more

Devil Dog – Saturn Sky-Redline

Sgt. Grit,

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet Guenter (Gint) Reider of Ilion, NY and his “Devil Dog” 2007 Saturn Sky-Redline.  Gint became a Marine in 1965, served in Vietnam 1966/67 and was honorably discharged in 1968.  I’m not sure of the facts, but he said he lost (a street race?) to a girl in a Chevy Cobalt, and that second wasn’t going to cut it.  The idea for the car came with the purchase of a Devil Dog tee shirt, and the ball started rolling.  Gint’s Devil Dog has a number of Sgt. Grit accessories—some seen in the attached pictures.  He takes his pride and joy to several car shows each year and has won “Best In Show” twice and “People’s Choice” once. read more