Category: Marine Corps Stories

Eagle, Globe and Anchor

Robert A. Rainey
A/GSO
U.S. Embassy San Jose

No offense taken.  I have worn the USMC uniform with pride. I did so for almost 4 years.  I took care of MY marines and they took care of me.  I have been in fights with Navy personnel because of their disparaging me and MY Marine corps Uniform.  I have also been cussed and spat on because of MY Marine Corps Uniform(this happened in that lovely city by the bay).  Unlike you, I did not have a choice but I am PROUD of my Marine uniform, and will be buried in it.  I was authorized by the Department of the Navy, United Stated Marine Corps to wear the uniform.  It was Issued to me at USMCB Camp Lejeune, NC in Oct, 1968.  I last wore my Marine uniform in Apr, 1972
Semper Fi
Doc Davis read more

My Brothers

It started with two brother wanting to know what happen to eachother. It only took 20 years and facebook to help bring us back together. We ate the same sand together, laughed together, cryed together, and loved and hated each other together.

On May 12th, 2011 we stood together once more. Older and wiser but still the same. We rented a house in Surf City, NC and it was there that we realized we are more than brothers of a unit or division. We realized we were brothers for life and that our children have many many uncles. Those that couldn't make were there by pictures posted on facebook and phone calls being made. We ate, we drank, we talked, we relaxed, we slept, and we listened. read more

Guadalcanal Marine

I would like to share something that happened today that was a first for me except when I was in the USMC.  While in the Corps, 65 to 69, I met a few Guadalcanal vets but none since.  Today while taking my wife for a radiation treatment I noticed an elderly gentleman leaving the hospital in a wheelchair boarding a nursing care center bus with the help of a young lady, probably a granddaughter, great-granddaughter or a nursing care employee.  He was wearing a hat and all I could read on it was WWII.  I went over to shake his hand and before I could say anything he said Semper Fi; I had on a hat with USMC on it.  Then I saw the Eagle Globe and Anchor on his  hat with the First Marine Division patch and Guadalcanal under the patch.  He told me he landed with the First Marines on August 7, 1942.  As he was in process of boarding the bus I didn't get his name but he smiled when he said Semper Fi and I am not ashamed to tell you all it put tears in my eyes.  He is certainly one of the very few left that served on that hell hole island and it was an honor and a treasured moment for me that I will not soon forget. read more

Wake Island Hero

Sgt. Grit,

In June of 1956 I was fortunate to join the Avionic shop of MAG-35 MCAS Cherry Point, NC. The group consisted of two squadrons, VMR-153 and VMR-252 of R3Q-2 “flying boxcars.” My shop supervisor was then Capt. Robert O. Arthur of Wake Island VMF-211 fame. He was the spitting image of “Smiling Jack” the cartoon character with the pencil thin mustache. The Captain was a big man full of  good humor and a great C.O. He drove a small Renault which was way too small for his large frame. When he wasn’t flying he always joined us at the noon time card game. We all knew the Capt. had spent most of WWll in a Japanese prison camp after the capture of Wake Island but none of us knew of his heroism. He never bragged nor did he talk much about his prison camp experience. One day we were visited by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Gen. Randolph McCall Pate. I was standing on top of an aircraft  in our hanger when the Commandant entered. I heard the Commandant yell “Bob” and the two walked swiftly toward each other and sharing greetings they embraced. I knew then there must be something special about our Capt. read more