Category: Marine Corps Stories

Army Liberty Card from WWI

Sgt Grit,

Semper Fi, Devil Dog!

Thank you for the excellent news letter. I've thoroughly enjoyed the letters and comments from everyone.
I've been involver in research for my families genealogy for many years. While searching my personal archive of information I came across a liberty card for one of my great uncles that served with the Army in WWI. I'm sure some of your loyal Marines would enjoy viewing it even if it is Army. We all may not have had the pleasure of serving in the Marine Corps, but we each in our own way contributed to the freedoms we all enjoy today. read more

Liberty Card 1960

While reading your newsletter, I enjoyed pictures of the old Liberty Cards.  So I looked through my old papers and found one dated Dec 1st 1950.  Prior to hitting Incheon beach on Septermber 15th 1950, we were docked in Kobe, Japan.  One night a loud sound came out of the speakers. "NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS! ANY MARINE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE REPORT TO YOUR PLT LEADER! IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO YOU'LL BE AN OLD MAN BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF THE BRIG!" It ended up with about 50 or us being sent to an old Jap base in Otsu, Japan where we were known as Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.  I was sent to Sasebo, Japan to guard the main gate until I could be sent back to my copmany in November. read more

My Fishing Machine

Hi Grit,   I have a couple of photos on (My fishing Machine) that you might like to put in your next news letter.  Remember "Gy/Sgts" are the back bone of the Corps – ask any body. I have been told this for 0ver 20 years 1956-1976.   "Semper-Fi" Grit, you're doing a Outstanding job for the Marines…..   Her they are:    Thanks, Gy/Sgt. Lew Souder, USMC/Ret.

My Old Cannoncocker Days

Sgt. Grit

I am trying to locate men from my old Cannoncocker days on Okinawa….I served with the 12 th Marines Kilo Btry. 4th Battalion at Camp Hauge Okinawa in 1957 & 1958 on the 155 Howitzer…I was hoping you could print this letter and photograph in your newsletter to help me maybe find some of these men I had the honor of serving with….Time is fast slipping away from us and I'd like to locate as many as possible…I can be reached at Facebook at Howard W. Kennedy or by email at h.kennedy@comcast.net Thank you Sgt.Grit for the platform you provide to help us find long lost friends… read more

USMC ~ I.D.Card. 1947

Aloha Sgt Grit,

My I.D. card does not match that one from 1942, but up a few on the 1954 one mentioned. Mine was issued to me in the third week of boot
camp at Parris Island in December of 1947. The back has nothing on it except my platoon number and series, 119-32. The day it expired I was on my way to the Chosin Reservoir and no one was checking I.D. cards. Senior Platoon Instructor-SSgt Waldo J. Aleshire, if you remember what Oliver Hardy looked like, Laurel & Hardy films, that was Waldo J. Aleshire. Had think about smiling and laughing when you saw him, but better not. Junior drill instructor-Sgt. Aaron W. Spikes. Spikes is retired CWO-4, living now in Florida. Instructor Cpl (first name unknown) Caggiano, New York City left us after three weeks due to discharge. Assistant D.I. SSGT (FNU) Deloach left us to pick up his own platoon. All great people, no abusers or sadists. Did their job without physical ill treatment.
Bob Talmadge, MGySgt, USMC (Retired)
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Memorial

I wanted to share with you something that my sister and I thought up about a year ago. Kym and I wanted to honor our fallen troops in some way and this is what we came up with. This memorial represents our fallen troops from Michigan, our home state. Each cross bears the rank, name, hometown and DOD of each soldier. We support our Troops in all that they do!!! Sad to say, one of our neighbors is now protesting, calling it a "graveyard". We will fight this. read more

Genoa, Italy, 1959 or 1960

Hey Sarge,   I found this on the “Marine” Facebook site and thought maybe you would publish it and see if we can’t reunite these folks.   In this photo: , Rinaldo Mattarini, Ornella Mattarini   Italy, city of Genoa,1959 or 1960. I'm Ornella Mattarini with my father. The day which this snap was released, there was a great ship of USA Navy in Genoa harbour. A group of Marines find me so pretty, that want to have a snap with me. Now that boys are over '70. Someone has seen a picture with this girl?   Semper Fi