Category: Marine Corps Stories

My Marine Corps Heroe

My Marine Corps Heroe

Peter Gasiewicz pointing to bricks enscribed with names of Marines

Dear SgtGrunt,

I love reading your newsletter and I wanted to write you about my two Marine Corps Heroes. My father.

First and foremost, I wanted to begin with how very lucky I am to be the daughter of a United States Marine. I know because my father is a Marine, he is one of the main reasons that I am who I am today. From an early age, I was taught to respect people and not to do wrong to others. I was also taught that if there is ever anyone who is need, to help them to the best of my ability, because that is what my dad would do. Especially if that person is a United States Marine. read more

Woman Marines

Woman Marines

Ruth Chippich-Murphy with Heather and Amanda

I, too, was a WM from 1980 to 1982. Platoon 8A, L Company, at Parris Island. Radio School at Twentynine Palms, then Radio Plt, CommCo, H&S Battalion, 2dFSSG, Camp Lejeune. The building was actually one of the old wooden barracks, and if I remember correctly, we were one of the last platoons to ‘live’ in that barracks before it was condemned! We did not do the obstacle course or go to the rifle range during bootcamp. I joined the Marines at the urging of my best friends older sister, who was a Marine at the time I was trying to decide what to do with my life. Much to my horror, one day at mail call, one of my ADI’s, Sgt. V. Tovar, called my name & quite frankly, was more than a little aggravated that I was getting mail from SSgt Sarah Degraff, HER bootcamp ‘bunkie’, and wanted to know why! As I stumbled through an explanation, I could only imagine the horrors Sgt. Tovar was planning for me. Needless to say I wrote a letter to Sarah, ASAP, and told her not to ever write to me again! To this day, nothing short of the births of my three sons, makes me prouder than the fact that I have earned the right to call myself a United States Marine. My two oldest sons also joined the Marines. read more

WM’s

WM’s

Coaching Letter

Hey Sgt Grit:
Haven’t replied back for awhile, thought I’d respond today on two counts…first, I was in 87 – 91, we were definitely not called BAM’s except by ill guided young Marines who were trying to act like they were old corps. I just used to laugh at them. We were called WM’s, but I think at the time it was more of a gender distinction for description purposes..”I need the wm’s to clean the female head”, “take this down to the wm barracks”, etc. I can’t recall ever something like “hey you wm, get over here”. I believe that would have been “hey you Marine or Cpl, get over here”. Just as when describing different Marines, “he was a dark green Marine, or he was a light green Marine”, etc…If there were a bunch of Marines standing together (male & female) we wouldn’t have heard “Hey you wm’s and you Marines get over here”, it would have just been “you Marines get over here”. read more

Mortar Platoon

Mortar Platoon

3/26 Marines Mortar Platoon 1966

Sgt. Grit:

Attached is a picture of the 3/26 Marines mortar platoon. Taken in Okinawa 1966, just before deployment to Vietnam. I was a member of that platoon durint transit and for a short while “in country”. In Vietnam I was transferred to L/3/26 where I was given an M79 and became a grenadier. In the photo, the marine second from left, first row standing, is a Sgt. Armstrong who earned the Navy Cross during action around Con Thien on Sept. 7/8, 1967. Same area and time, I believe, that L/Cpl. Starkey mentions in the latest Sgt. Grit newsletter. read more

The Marines Prayer

The Marines Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions of which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. read more

1953 BGen. Brown

Lt. Gen Franklin A. Hart and BGen. Wilburt S. Brown

1953 BGen. Brown

Maj. Darby,

That was BGen. Wilburt S. Brown. I heard some of his contemporaries refer to him as ‘Slew-foot’ Brown. Probably went back to his WW1 days. I’ve attached a foto of him with Lt.Gen. Franklin A. Hart (a fearful man). Brown is in the center. He was Chief Umpire for the exercise.Notice he is wearing the French Fourregere, that was a personal decoration since it has the loops outside the arm. This was during AirLex II at 29Palms. I believe it was early 1953. I was with 3rd Sig.Bn. read more

Two Generations of Marines

Richards and donkey with USMC painted on its side Gene Richards in Sasebo Japan in 1950

Two Generations of Marines

I just wanted to share a couple pics. Here is a pic of my Dad Gene Richards in Sasebo Japan in 1950 I believe. He served in the Pacific during WWII and is also an Iwo Jima Marine. He’ll be 86 this May.

Also , this is a pic of me during Desert Storm. This donkey hung around our camp after the cease fire. I was with USMCR AT (Tow) Co. Lt. out of Broken Arrow Oklahoma and attached to 3/23. This little guy even had USMC spray painted on his side so I guess he qualifies as a mascot. I tried to feed him some dehydrated fruit from my M.R.E. but he wouldn’t eat it. Instead he walked away and chewed on some plywood! Go figure. read more