Category: Marine Corps Stories

A Little Biblical Help

My brother graduated from West Point back in 1971.  He never made it to Vietnam.  My son is a 10 year Marine veteran with a tour in Iraq for Uncle Sam and 1 tour in Iraq for Honeywell.  My brothers graduating class at West Point were given shirt pocket sized bibles to take with them to wherever they were to be assigned.  The nice thing about those bibles were that they had a steel front cover.  So by putting that bible in your fatigue shirt breast pocket you were reinforcing the power of the bible and helping to protects yourself at the same time.  Couldn't something similar be done for all our grunts who are sent into harms way? read more

The Peace Time Marines

Just today, I read a post where a peace time Marine reservist came forward to air out his issues with not be called or refereed to as a Veteran.   Let's put this issue to bed – once and for all. Marines who served our country in peace time have my utmost respect.    When duty called – they answered. When integrity, loyalty and honor were hangingin the balance both then and now – they fulfilled their oath of office.   We can't pick or chose our battles – we must support and defend our country – when and if we can and without any preference or indecision.   You Marines are brothers to us and never allow for one day —anyone come between us.   Thank you for your service to our country.   Gene T. Spanos U.S. Marines Sgt 66-71 2322547 West Pack ground forces RVN – DMZ 11th Engineer Bn – Squad Leader 2/68-2/69

Initial Phase 1

Dear Sgt Grit,   Enclosed is my Initial Phase I copy. I kept the original all these many years.  I joined on 15 Sept 1953.  Arrived at PISC MCRD the following day.  Check out those prices!   Within seven months me and my ‘band of brothers’ were in Korea. The armistice was in effect and we faced stragglers, houldouts, die hards and plain old bandits.  After spending a swell 13 month tour of duty in Frozen Chosen we boarded the ‘Go Home Boat’ and 18 days later we were back in the US of A. No one flew home in those days. I arrived in Vietnam in Jan of 1966, pulled 13 months of duty and left in Feb of 1967. That was my first tour there. From your catalog page it appears I was in country about three years before you. (you didn’t miss much: white tee shirts and spit shined boots etc etc”   Back in the day I was in Plt 343 Company I Second Bn. We had eleven battalions but that was paired down to nine when my platoon graduated 6 Dec 1953.  I still keep in touch with my DI who lives in Jacksonville NC he’s in his 80’s.  Upon retiring I can compare all the rifles I fired in combat: The M-1, M-14, M-16, M16A1.   Enjoy the list.   Bob Hughes USMC (53-79) 6511/8061/8511/9999   Santa Ana Ca 92706-3049