Category: Marine Corps Stories

On May 24th of this year, I had the honor of attending my son's college graduation with a math degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It had been a long time coming since he had enlisted as a Marine reservist and missed several semesters due to boot camp and training, then a tour in Ramadi, Iraq along with more training that was required before deployment. read more

Dear Sgt Grit,

I enjoy receiving this newsletter and look forward to it every week. I like to browse all the nice Marine products offered too. My oldest son graduated Parris Island on 4-11-08, and I purchased several products for him as graduation gifts. My youngest son now plans to leave for Parris Island on 11-2-08. We are 2 for 2…..two sons, and both decided to become Marines! I can't begin to describe the amount of pride I feel as a parent. read more

Sgt grit:

my uncle passed away and in his stuff I have found some pictures that I did not think that he or anyone had, and when I found this picture of boot camp I was wondering if there were anyone left out there who might be in the picture or know the people in the picture. if so I would like to talk to anyone who might know my Uncle, his name is William R. Turney, and he might have went by the nickname of Smilling Bill or Wild Bill read more

"Old Salts"?

Don Ehrgott 1385418

Dear Sgt Grit;

After my son went to boot camp in May, I spent the next 2 months researching Marines and other related websites on the internet. This is how I found your newsletter. I still have a hard time reading your stories without shedding a tear. There is a special bond between those who have or are currently serving and families of those members. read more

Sgt. Grit,

In response to Betsy Gill (September 18), mother of Recruit C.H. Lyman V.
Congratulations – your son has a proud heritage. It seems like once it gets in your blood, it stays.

My Great Uncle, Sgt Major James Bruce Bunch joined the Corps in 1925, and served under Colonel Charles H. Lyman, in the Fourth Regiment, Shanghai, China in 1929. My nephew, Coporal Jeremy Staggs, served with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in Iraq. read more

Platoon 233 San Diego 1953 one of the worst things happened to me (Pvt. John Daly) during mail call. Our DI Sgt. R. D. Harrington called my name with the dreaded words "get up here". I had to stand on two locker boxes stacked on each other while Sgt. Harrington read the words on the flap of a letter from my girlfriend. "postman, postman, due your duty, rush this letter to my cutie". From that day on I became Pvt. Cutie at roll call and every other event where my name was used. I wrote my girlfriend and told her NEVER put anything on the outside of her envelopes again. I have scanned a picture of Platoon 233 and attached it to this e-mail. We are all in our 70s now and I would like to hear from any members of the platoon that are still alive. read more

Where did the time go? Only yesterday I was a snot nosed kid, deciding to join the Marines after watching the new TV show Gomer Pyle USMC. Well I did boot in San Diego. Platoon 1065 (honor platoon) 1st btn. Then Pendleton for ITR. Memphis (millington, tn) for electronics. Back to Pendleton, then Da Nang at Mag 11 vmo 2 then back here to the world. Anyway to treat myself I rode my scoot all the way to Camp Pendleton and San Diego, about 1300miles (one way). I had a good time overall, brought back a lot of memories, but as usual things had changed. My old squadron HML 267 was still there. Toured the facility. attended the EGA ceremony at Edson Range (didn't have that when I was in). Then headed south to Diego for a graduation ceremony. Probably best thing was, the D I's were calling me SIR! Donated a graduation yearbook to the base museum, and some photos. Anyway here's a picture of me under the REAL NCIS sign at Pendleton and HMLA 267 Didn't see anything on the walls from my era though. read more

Sgt. Grit,

Thanks for putting up the photo of my son "Doc" Hagins on your site. Thought your readers might like to see these photos of my late Uncle David M. Porteur who was with H Co. and landed on Bouganville with the 2nd Raiders in early November 1943. read more

Hello again Sgt. Grit…

My FIL's platoon pic from 1943. I believe he said it was April of 43. He does not even remember this picture being taken and was quite surprised that I had gotten my hands on it! My son enlisted in April of 03 under DEP and graduated from MCRD SD in 2004 and we received his platoon picture; I inquired of my FIL if he had a platoon picture and he said no, they didn't do that back then. So armed with the Platoon # and the year and his name, I contacted the museum out in SD and they were able to send me this picture… he is in the center row, 3rd from the left – Amos Konop. After boot he went to Okinawa and was in the thick of things in that invasion (my son also went to [a very different] Okinawa after boot camp!). He says he was in the "Air Corp" and worked on airplanes, rigging them to carry bombs. So I am just wondering if anyone else out there has a family member who served during this time and was in the "Air Corp" – would love to hear from you. Amos is now 84 years old and still kickin'! read more