Category: Marine Corps Stories

World’s Best Fighting Man

You can keep your Army kyahk, You can keep your Navy Blue, I have the worlds best fighting man to introduce to you!!  His uniform is different, the best you've ever seen, the Germans called him "Devil Dog" but his real name is "Marine!!"  He was born on Parris Island, the place where God forgot, the sand was eighteen inches deep, and the sun was blazing hot!!  He got up every morning before the rising sun, He'd run a hundred miles or more before his day was done!!  He's deadly with a rifle, a boyonet made of steel, he took the warriors calling card and he mastered how to kill!!  And when he gets to Heaven, to St. Peter he will say, "One more Marine reporting sir, I've served my time in Hell!!"   I'm proud to say my Dad is a MARINE!!! read more

Looking for my dad’s buddies.

Looking for anyone who knew my father, Gale J. Eyer USMC. He was at the Chosin Reservoir 1950-51,1st. Bn., 5th.Mar. weapons or mortors Co.? Thats about all I know, he never talked much about it until in his latter years when he received his medals after almost 50 years. He died in 2001. We've been unsuccessful in tring to get any of his records, something about a fire that destroyed the records of that time period. read more

Monkey Buddy

This photo was taken in 1958 while serving with Kilo Btry. 4th Bn. 12th Marines during  Operation Strongback in the Philippines….This little Rhesus Monkey showed up at my tent one evening and stayed with me until I left for Okinawa…I called him Monkey Buddy….He got to swiping anything he could carry from the other guys, he would steal Cigarettes, Zippos, Mess gear and bring it to me to my tent….The guys finally learned when something came up missing Monkey Buddy had paid them a visit…I never figured out if he was stealing for himself or for me….He liked to sleep curled up beside me at night and would wake up screaming mad if someone got to close to me….He loved to pick through my hair like he was searching for bugs, and at that time he probably found some, but he kept my hair clean….He came to be a good little Buddy and I hated to leave him behind when it came time to leave for Okinawa…I wanted to take him with me but it wasn't possible….I enjoyed his company what time he was with me and think about him often….He was a good little Marine …Semper Fi   Little Buddy read more

A Visit From ‘The Corps’ Motorcycle Club

Sgt Grit,     About 5 years ago you supported one of our club events that was held the resting place of LtGen Lewis (Chesty) Puller, Jr. in Saluda, VA.   Though I can't remember the amount raised, I can tell you that every penny was handed over to Christ Church which LtGen Puller and his wife worshipped.  The box of Marine Corps items that you donated contributed greatly to the success of that event and we will always be grateful.  Though we have since changed our club colors from Leathernecks of Virginia to The Corps, we continue to make the ride down to Saluda every November to pay our respects to a true American hero.     The reason I am writing you tonight is because in June, members of our club will be shipping our bikes to Las Vegas and riding historic Rt. 66 on our way back to Virginia.  We are planning on taking our time so we can enjoy seeing the sites of this beautiful country of ours.  This will include stopping there in Oklahoma City to pay our respects to those lost at the Federal building.  While there, we would like to come by your store and personally thank you and your staff.  Not only for the donation you made to us, but for all that you do for our Marine Corps!   We will be leaving Las Vegas on the 25th of June, so off the top of my head I'm guessing that we would by in your neck of the woods around the 28th.  We sincerely hope that you will be in town during that time but certainly understand that you might have other commitments.      I've included a photo of my Ultra Classic Harley Davidson because I am planning on putting on a plain white trunk lid and having folks we meet during the ride sign it.  Once home, I will take it to the guy that paint my bike and have him clearcoat it so that I can hang it on my wall.  It would mean that much more if you signature was on it.     Anyway, just wanted to send out a warning order on our visit.  Hope all is well out your way.   Semper Fi, Mike Hillmann  "Zookeeper"

Semper Fi

To all concerned,  This should end the dust up about the term "Semper Fi". Pictured is the back of my headstone. No, I'm not dead yet, just preparing my final redoubt.   Semper Fi has been around for a long time as a salutation, a sign of comradeship, esprit de corps. Used only by and in reference to Marines and the Marine Corps.   So, there it is, "Written in stone". Hopefully it will be around for a long time to come even after our names have faded into history. Who would have thought two and a half thousand years ago, the words and deeds of a small group of men would still be remembered today? They were the Spartans at Thermopylae. It is my belief that the exploits of Marines and the Marine Corps will also be remembered for a long time and the term Semper Fi will carry on in history.   Cplcharley U.S.M.C. 64/68 Chu Lai 66, DaNang 68