March 17, 1955-1st stage to bring division home San Diego, 5th Regiment and supporting units after danny boy was sang to us as we marched to balboa park Then on trucks to las pulgas tent camps Will try to meet you june 11 Thanks, Johnny Speake
Category: Marine Corps Stories
SHIELD OF BLT 3/26
I was looking through you magazine that I just received and found a patch for 3/26, since I was with BLT 3/26 when it was formed in Dec 1968 at the Rock Crusher on the backside of Danang the reverse side of the hill that the 3RD MARDIV Headquarters was located and then we went afloat until July or Aug 1969 I am not sure of the month. One of the GySgt from the battalion rotated to Okie and had this shield made up for those of us that wanted one. He told me he took it from the old 5th Marine Div logo. I have attached some pictures of the shield that he had made I got from him when I went through Okie on my back to the states. Compare it with yours and let me know if you can tell me if my shield is close to the original. Thanks for your email and catalog.
Re: III Marine Amphibious Force by Jack Stanfill
Jack, I was assigned to 3rd MP's later from Nov 67 to May 68. The NVN prisoners were still there and a Brig was added as were a detachment of Scout and Sentry Dogs. I left in May 68 to FLC over at Red Beach. Not long after that the compound was destroyed when the Ammo Dump went bye bye.
Re: Backside of Hill Three Two Seven
I was stationed at 3rd MP Bn at the bottom of Hill 327 on the south from Nov 67 to May 68. We use to run patrols that began from the top proceeded west and circled back to our perimeter. Those were HAWK missiles and as far as I know never fired as the NVA and VC never had aircraft in that area.
Bataan Death March Survivor
My dad Donald Clay Gibson – USMC 1935-1948 Platoon Sgt, Lima Co (75 men),3rd Bn,4th Marines. As a Platoon Sgt,he was wounded on 23 April 1942 on the Island of Corregidor.When the Island fell to the Japanese on April 27,1942 Sgt Gibson was captured and endured the Bataan Death March.He was later imprisoned as a POW at Cabanatuan,Palawan in the Philippine Ialands. At a later date he was move to Hastachi and Ashio on the Japanese Mainland,and forced to serve as a laborer in the coal mines. Sgt Gibson served a POW for 40 months. Only 13 men for Lima Co. came back. He was awarded the Purple Heart with star as he was wounded twice.(Gunnery Sgt). Bronze Star and POW medal and other medals. He came up through the ranks. He was promoted to Master Gunnery Sgt, January 1946. He Retired as a WO2 on November 1st 1948. He was proud of me when I joined the Marines. He was a good Man, Marine and Father. I sure miss him Semper Fi
Liberty Card
I served in the Corps 1942-1949. I read about Liberty Cards being issued. I don't remember ever being issued a Liberty Card. At 86 years of age I may have forgotten, but I just don't remember. Are there anymore old Marines out there who were never issued Liberty Cards?
Semper Fi – Steel Dragon by Vance Soares
Hi Sgt Grit,
My name is Richard J Soares 1845705 USMC Retired. Enclosed are pictures of a dragon mounted on my roof top. His name is Semper Fi, and was made out of steel by my son Vance A.J. Soares to honor all who have served, are serving now, and those who will serve our illustrious corps.
Old Liberty Card
Liberty card issued 12 May, 1949
Liberty
Sgt Grit here is my orders for Parris Island from 3rd Mar Div. Left Treasure Island an arrived there in time for Sgt McKeon's Plt to still be there, He is the one who lost 6 men in the swamp, I am not trying to stir up anything my feeling is maybe if those had not panicked maybe would had made thur the swamp. I will my liberty card in next Email. Bernie Caldwell 9/9/54 to 9/8/57
My License Plate
Just wanted to share a picture of my license plate. There are a good number of former Marines in my area and I receive a number of greetings and comments on it daily. Some for Army and Navy as well. Keep up the great effort on the newsletter.
Semper Fidelis
O. Gonzalez
SgtMaj
1973-2003