We aviation guys in the late 1940’s used to fire annual qualification at Camp Mathews as we did not have a range at El Toro. The summer of 1948 I was TADed to Mathews as a coach. and spent my time crunching the local hills. Still remember old “E” range with it’s 100 targets. Sure brought back memories when ever I drove down I5 in later years and saw how urbanization has taken it’s toll.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
Today in history | U.S. flag raised on Iwo Jima
During the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment of the 5th Division take the crest of Mount Suribachi, the island’s highest peak and most strategic position, and raise the U.S. flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery was with them and recorded the event. Americans fighting for control of Suribachi’s slopes cheered the raising of the flag, and several hours later more Marines headed up to the crest with a larger flag. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer with the Associated Press, met them along the way and recorded the raising of the second flag along with a Marine still photographer and a motion-picture cameraman.
Vietnam
I too was in Vietnam in 1965-66 1/9 the walking dead we landed by LST on the beach at DaNang on June 16th 1965. We came to there from Okinawa. My unit was on Oki for about 6 months before going to Vietnam I came home in July of 1966. I transferred to the USAF in 1968 and Maintained C-130 Aircraft for many years. In April 1973 I was part of Operation Homecoming when we brought the first POW’s out of North Vietnam. It was at this time I was able to talk and remember all the time in VN without any stigmas. I was very proud to be a part of the POW release, I retired from the Air Force in 1985 never forgetting my time in the Marines it is the proudest time of my Military Career.
Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi my brothers.
Boot Camp platoon
I went to SD boot camp on 7 June 1974. I’ve looked through my DD214s and I’m unable to find what my platoon number was. I’m pretty sure we graduated in Sept 1974. Reason for my search is I’m wanting to get copy of my boot camp photo album. Without platoon number all places with them can’t help me. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. I would like to leave this with my family. I can be reached at aj_jm964@yahoo
CAMP MATHEWS AND REAL “AGONY”
After reading recent pieces about the old rifle range at Camp Mathews I wanted to share one of my more memorable boot camp experiences which, in this case, occurred at Mathews. Comments and other funny boot camp stories welcome at bootcampstories2@gmail.com. This excerpt is from my book “SH*TBIRD! How I Learned To Love The Corps”
Camp Matthews
In august of 1964 I was in platoon 359 and we were the very last series to qualify at Camp Matthews.While at the rifle range in early august one of the instructors gathered our platoon around to tell us what had just taken place in the gulf of tonkin.He then stated that all of us had better learn how to shoot the m-14 with proficiency because in about a year from now we would be in Viet Nam.How prophetic his words were as in june of 1965 I arrived there with c-1-9.I was proud and slightly surprised that I qualified as an expert with the m-14. SEMPER FI
COLD TRAINING, WARM FAREWELL
U.S. Marines from across III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of 5th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, say goodbye as exercise Northern Viper 2020 comes to an end, concluding the training that has taken place for the last few weeks in Hokudaien and Yausubetsu Training Areas, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 26 to Feb. 8, 2020.
“Chesty Puller’s House”
Dear Sgt. Grit,
A number of years ago you posted that Gen. Puller’s Home in Saluda Virginia was for sale. I responded to you on the Status and a long story. Well today, went to Saluda to return family items to the Middlesex County Museum because almost all had ties to “Chesty”. The Director of the Musuem has been trying to get me to visit “Chesty’s House and meet the couple whom bought it. Because of the lengthy drive from my house to there, I failed. Today, the couple was waiting for me. He is a Marine. He and his wife are spending alot of money trying to restore this 100 year old home to its orginal condition.
Mr. Sharpe make one H$ll of an offer to Marines, the Marine Corps League. Show up, bring a Marie Corps Flag….they will raise the flag, then lower it and issue a signed document that this flag was flown at “Chesty’s” house. And if one visits, “Chesty and Virginia” are buried 10 minutes away at Christ Church.
Thanks Don for your love and support of your beloved Marine Corps and keeps so much alive and infront of many.
As You Remember,
“Chesty’s Friend”
Steve Robertson
*Have proof of this statement.
Thought your Marines would be interested and know you are one strong supporter of the General. You and I have exchanged a number of mails through the years regarding “Chesty” and yes, have spoken/responded to some of the posts in the weekly newsletters. They are always interesting and at times challenging to say the least. But they are all good.
Camp Mathews
I joined in 1964 and received rifle training at Camp Mathews. I still remember hearing our PMI saying “Aw Ha (upward tone), Ah Ha (downward tone), Caught you M….. F…er” when we were doing something wrong. I think Camp Mathews in now part of UC San Diego – Third College (may have a better name now). I remember the nice hills we got to run in. I was in Platoon 128, known as the running platoon. One of our PMIs took us out with the intent to run us into the ground. This worked out just the opposite. I also remember Viet Nam being two words, not one. CPL Robert Coghill – Viet Nam 65-66
A DAY IN THE OAK
AT SEA —
U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations – From sunrise to sunset, Marines assigned to the Battalion Landing Team and Combat Logistics Battalion conduct training every day to increase their physical fitness, knowledge and lethality aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill.