"Ma Grit" and Sgt Grit at Arlington Cemetery, 1999.
Don Whitton (Sgt Grit)
Category: Marine Corps Stories
Rocket Crater
August 1969, the morning after we successfully repelled 'gooks' in the wire. This is a rocket crater, photo taken from the back door of our hootch. From left to right: Cpl John "Goog" Gugliotta, next three ??? LCpl. Wenny Pas in helmet and Sgt Lou Kurzmiller
Grit and Buddies
Sgt Richard "Dirty Dick" Leyden in utility jacket, Cpl Larry Kelly, later to become SgtMaj Kelly. Cpl Don "Grit" Whitton, holding cup. Do not remember names of the guy to right or the guy kneeling
Don Whitton (Sgt Grit)
Snuffy Country
I got to Vietnam in March 1969 as a 19 year old PFC. It is obviously monsoon season, you can see the pools of water and gray skies. Yes, that is my humble abode in the background and the perimeter farther back.
Don Whitton (Sgt Grit)
New Recruit
Here I am, May 28th, 1968 standing outside the recruit station at the Murrah Building in downtown Oklahoma City in all my youthful glory. Yes, the same Murrah Building that got blown all to h-ell. There was a group of us going to San Diego. We flew to Dallas, spent the night. Then made our way to San Diego the next day.
Well here’s another WM Boot Camp picture
Well, it has been many years since I became a Marine. I just thought that one of my four children would become a Marine, but only one has joined the service—the Air Force. Upon graduating as a Honor Graduate, another airman asked him how he did it. His answer floored me, but made me proud too. He said, “Do you think I could be anything but number one being raised by a Woman Marine”. He went on to graduate from Tech school as an Honor Graduate too.
New and Old
Sgt Grit:
Attached is a photo taken by my wife on July 10, 2009. It shows my son, Francis, saluting me on the same parade deck on which I graduated in May ’69. I am justifiably proud, as you might guess. I am, however, even MORE proud of the fact Francis had to lose 65 pounds to even be able to enlist, AND he lost an additional 40 pounds in boot camp. His platoon mates told me he was an inspiration to others who had to lose weight. He constantly motivated them to lose weight. OOOO-RAH!!
New and Old
Sgt Grit:
Attached is a photo taken by my wife on July 10, 2009. It shows my son, Francis, saluting me on the same parade deck on which I graduated in May ’69. I am justifiably proud, as you might guess. I am, however, even MORE proud of the fact Francis had to lose 65 pounds to even be able to enlist, AND he lost an additional 40 pounds in boot camp. His platoon mates told me he was an inspiration to others who had to lose weight. He constantly motivated them to lose weight. OOOO-RAH!!
LCPL Joe Torres
I just wanted to share a picture of my son now Lance Corporal Joe Torres From Tustin California. My sister Retired NYPD Detective Yvette Torres A 911 Veteran and survivor from the Bronx. Standing at the front gate of Parris Island . We are proud to say that my son is the six member of our Family to serve in the Marines. He is with the First Marine 3rd Bn. The Thundering Third in Camp Pendleton. Getting ready to go to Afghanistan. I just want to say that we as country should be very thankful that we still have brave young people to serve. Thank you so much for your web site.
Platoon 1065 group photo
Sgt. Grit
Here is a group photo of our bootcamp platoon
MCRDSD started 26 August 1968 graduated 24 October 1968
First Battalion co. B platoon 1065 HONOR PLATOON
Senior drill instructor Gysgt. R.J. Mederious
drill instructor Ssgt. B.L. Nious
drill instructor Cpl. H. E. Heater