Category: Marine Corps Stories

Dear Sgt. Grit

This letter is to let every one know how lucky I have been. It all started in November of 1951 when I became a Drill Instructor at Parris Island. I had completed Drill Instructors school and was assigned to the 6th Battalion. At this time there was Eight Battalions for Male Recruits plus One Battalion for Females. Recruits were coming into Parris Island by the hundreds and there was a shortage of Drill Instructors. From time to time a Drill Instructor would get transferred to another Battalion. It was around August or September 1952 that I was transferred to the 2nd Battalion read more

For me this incongruous event began with a call at 2145 (9:45 PM) late one August evening three months ago. My 13 year old son answered the phone and after a second commanded me to the phone with a simple; "Dad its for you". I asked who it was and got back "Bob Roberts". Well I did not have a clue who Bob Roberts was but I hauled myself up out of the chair and ambled to the kitchen to pick up the call. After a minute of idle chatter I finally said" "Bob do I know you, because your name is not connecting with me". I like to think at the other end of the line there was a smile, perhaps, and a sense of "Gotcha". The very next question to me was "Where were you 44 years ago?" That was easy: I had just begun boot camp at Parris Island…Platoon 359. I asked if Bob was in my platoon because I was still not picking up on the name. Bob asked "Do you know who your DI's were" Oh sure…S/Sgt Banazek, Sgt Ward and Sgt –OH JESUS–Sgt Roberts !!! read more

Here is my dad, Walter Shown 6/27/23 to 2/2/07 bottom row second from right, Picture was taken on Parris Island November 1940, I always wonder did they know how bad things were in Europe or what was lomming just 12 months from then. And do we know now? Somethings never change. Richard Shown USMC 1979-81 Semper Fi dad. read more

On the cover of your spring catalog is one (at that time Sgt.) R.S. Sutis. He was one of 4 DI’s I had at MCRD PI Platoon 1001 graduation February 1965. Senior DI was SSgt.A.L. Jachimowicz, Sgt. B.W. Davis was fresh out of DI school, he joined our other DI’s several weeks into our training. We were his first Platoon. Of course they told us we were such screw-ups he was sent there to kick ass and take names. Cpl. York who is not shown in any of our official platoon pictures, but does appear several times in pictures of our training in my platoon 1001 book, was with us from the start. I reported to Parris Island on 10 November 64. Some birthday party… I did make PFC as a squad leader and qualified expert with my M-14, went on to the Air Wing as a helicopter electrician with VMO-1 at New River Air Facilities and then the air station at area 22 Camp Pendleton where I left the active life in the Corp and went home to South Florida and went to college. read more

Sgt Grit

I would like to introduce a new Marine to you and the rest of our Marine Corps…….

PFC Patrick R Miller – Parris Island SC – April 6,2007

Yes, I am the Grandpa, Doris is the Grandma. We are very proud of him. I heard recently that PFC Miller is on some "real tough duty in K-Bay Hawaii!" Oh well, it's a terrible job but somebody has to do it. read more

Sgt Grit,

Here is a nice flashback for me.
Parris Island — 21 October 1983.
Oh to be so young again. Where do the years go ?
I still remember graduation day with my mother and high school sweetheart (now my wife) waiting for me.

Love your site, keep up the great work. read more

Sgt Grit,

On July '07, while visiting my wife's relatives in San Diego, I took these pictures of my grandson at the parade field where I had marched during boot camp in July 1966 and graduated in Oct '66 with Plt 1075 (Honor Platoon). Gone are the quonset huts and I was overcome with goosebumps and chills taking the pictures and standing there with him. I was also able to visit with a former Marine (36 years later) at Oxnard CA, whom I last saw in 1971 while we were stationed at MCRD and assigned to the Depot Armory. The trip to San Diego will be one remembered for a long time. read more

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I was fortunate enough to attend our son's (Sgt. Clayton T. Anderson) OCS Graduation at Quantico on 17 August 2007. After serving his country with 3 deployments to Iraq with 1/5 Marines, first in the spearhead that toppled Bagdad, second as a squad leader in Fallajuh, and the last tour as a sniper in Ramadi, he was accepted into the MECEP Program and will be commission at graduation next year at Cal State-San Marcus. This past week he graduated # 2 in his battalion, led his company as Company Commander at graduation, and is pictured here receiving the OCS Leadership Award from the keynote speaker, Major Gen. Michael Ennis, Deputy Director for Community Human Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency. A proud Marine dad to say the least, but after shooting the bull with Gen. Ennis, Col. Richard Mancini, OCS Commanding Officer, as well as, many of Clay's fellow graduates, let me say that the leadership of our Marine Corps is in very good hands! read more

Sgt Grit:

When I was with 1st Pioneer Bn in 1960 and 61, I had a friend who left the Corps and gave me his "Ike Jacket". I also heard it referred to as a Battle Jacket and it could be worn on duty with a duty belt which was more comfortable than the regular blouse. It was no longer authorized for wear in town. I am including a picture of this jacket for those who never saw one. It was a shame to see it go and some of the attempts to come up with a suitable replacement have failed miserably – in my opinion. read more

My wife was sorting some old family pics & files & which contained the following menu,which was interesting to us & I sent the same to him. We don`t know how it came up to Northern CA & was in such fine shape.I thought you might be interesting in looking at it & we hope to eat there if & when he Graduates in Oct.

I sure enjoy reading your newsletter & am looking forward to purchasing more than the Flag I gave his mother one for her B/D. read more