Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
I am attaching a picture which is a piece of history. Most Marines (me included) do not know that the Navy Seabee Frogmen hit the beach before we made our landing. This is a picture of my cousins (also a Marine) father-n-law (Navy) who was on the beach at Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) before we landed. This was the beginning of what the Navy calls the Seals.
In Apr07 I visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps and on the wall of the WWII area was the sign bearing the quote. I’ve attached a pix. In mid Jun45 I was rotated to CONUSA, along w/ other Marines from, what was known as MAGS ZAMBOANGA, based at Moret Airstrip on Mindinao, PI We arrived at Camp Miramar, San Diego on 24Jul45 and left on 28Jul45 for our 30 day leaves. before boarding the train. we painted the windows, w/ Bon Ami (anyone remember Bon Ami?), w/ a quote, “With the help of God and these few Marines MacArthur retook the Philippines”. I don’t remember who came up w/ this version, which I like better, but we were cheered mightily at every stop we made between San Diego and Chicago where we split up and went our separate ways. Last month I had the pleasure to revisit the Museum and the sign is still there, of course. After my visit in ’07 I called the Museum and was connected with the Curator of Uniforms and Heraldry and questioned the accuracy of the quote and he advised me that the history of the Corps has the quote as it is on the sign. Below the sign is a Jeep with MAG-24 markings. I was in MAG-32 the other Group in MAGSZAM.
John,
As I told you Ted Hetland and I, from Rhode Island were in Boot Camp in 1957 together.We were also honorary members of the WWII, DI’s. Our friend Mike Portella, is one of the few members left. His old uniform is on display at the DI school, as you can see in this picture. Mike is a veteran of Guadalcanal, and wanted Ted to take him back to PI one more time to visit what he calls, “his room.” So Ted volunteered to take him back. They were there last week.
This is my Senior Drill Instructor, S/Sgt (in 1962) William Way and his two Marine brothers. He is on the right, the shorter of the three. He retired as a GySgt in 1968. The picture was taken on the Marine Corps Birthday in 1989.
On the left is his older brother, Ernest Way. Ernest served in the Corps in WWII and received a purple heart.
Candas,
My Father AND Mother both served in the Air Wing during WWII, both stationed with Air Base Group -2 out of NAS North Island and MCAS El Toro. Both graduated from Boot Camp in 1944, Father from MCRD San Diego and Mother from Camp Lejeune. Yes, during WWII, WMs trained at Camp Lejeune and not Parris Island. My Mother is still active in the Women Marine Association and attends Squadron reunions annually. If you would like, you can contact me at jhowards [at] yahoo.com and I can provide contact information for her to you. Me, yep, another old Marine.
April 5 – 2009 Honor Quilt presentation for USMC WWII pilot Del Carlton
Sgt Grit, I know this is a Marine forum, hopefully you can include this about a Seabee.
It is with great sorrow that I have to announce the passing of LT. Commander Peter S. Marra (133rd NCB) 4th Marine Division (Iwo-Jima) at age 90. Peter was the Heart and Soul of the Presidential Unit Citation issue for the 133rd N.C.B. at Iwo Jima – He singlehandedly pursued this for years in deteriorating health, and deserves a medal alone for his ‘Herculean’ efforts. He will be sorely missed. Peter S. Marra 6/15/18 – 4/27/09
