Category: Marine Corps Stories

Hill ???

I spent some time on some of the remote OP hills. I spent some time on some of the remote OP hills. I don't remember the names to any. CRS disease???
I think the lake on the one picture was called Alligator Lake

The first impression I gave getting out of the helicopter was funny. A little history. A 1st Lt was using the radio during a violent thunder storm, lightning struck the antenna traveled down the line to the hand set and fried him like bacon. To help prevent this from happening again I was elected to visit all these hills and ground the antennas and radios. I get my personal gear, weapon, helmet, flak jacket, etc… I look like a regular Marine, but then you add dozens of six foot copper rods, bags of salt, copper wiring, dozens of #c pencils in my pocket and copper fittings. The Lt's in charge of each hill initially looked at me like the Marine geek from hell. What has Regimental HQ sent him now?? Once I explained what the gear was for, and that I would stay a while longer and help with watches and provide a bit of radio training I was always taken right in. Most were very small hills with 8 to 12 Marines, so even one extra hand was welcomed. read more

YANK WHO’S CHAIN

I got on a helicopter going back to 11th Marines HQ Btty. My head was cradled between my hands, my eyes closed, resting. Sometimes just closing your eyes was as restful as sleep. Anyway Marines are getting off and getting on. I can hear the movement, but my eyes are closed. We take off, I sense  something near me, then I feel warm breath on my face. I'm thinking wtf is this. I open my eyes. Off to one side I see a large black nose about two inched from my nose. There sits a huge German Shepherd dog. I had not been around the K-9 dogs but you heard stories… loyal to their handler but they eat, maim, or generally f-ck up anyone or anything else. My eyes get very big, I don't move at all. The compassionate Marine handler noticing my distress says nothing for several moments. Then quietly says "Don't make any sudden movement and he MIGHT not eat you".  He's probably still laughing at me 40+ years later. read more

DaNang

It was illegal for E5 and below to be in DaNang without a permit. LCpl Huntsinger and I did not have a permit. Hunt's was and is very "resourceful". We hitched a ride in a three wheeled motorized buggy owned and driven by an AP or UPI reporter. He asked if we had a permit, when we said no, he said get down, hide in the back of the vehicle. He was known by the MP's at the DaNang gate, so they just waved him through. Once through the gate the MP's noticed Hunt's and me crouched in the rear, the chase was on. After a spirited hide and seek race through DaNang the reporter takes us to his apartment. Says he has an appointment and to help our selves to a beer in the fridge, lay low for about 30 minutes, then hit the town, he leaves us in his apartment. read more

CHIP OFF THE OLE BLOCK?

These are my daughters. One has finished college the other is still attending. I gave both a Ka-Bar as a high school graduation present.

They have cut and served pizza, as well as other food preparation and done crafts for dorms rooms with their Ka-Bars. One was in a group of girls talking about what their dads gave them as a graduation gift. As they went around the room there were watches, necklaces, bracelets, etc…. My daughter got up went to her dresser drawer and pulled out her Ka-Bar and proudly said this is what my dad gave me. read more