While in artillary stationed in ICorps I got very sick. I was med evaced to a hospital in Danang. While I was hospitalized I got a dear JOHN letter from my girl at home. There was a list at the hospital of girls who would write to service personnel in Vietnam. I began writing to Lori Ivy. When I was released from the hospital I was still weak from my illness. I was sent home. I lost Lori’s address. I never could thank her. I couldn’t tell her what her letters meant to this young Marine sick on the other side of the world. I couldn’t even tell her I was sent home. To this day I think of her and hope somehow she will know how important she was to someone she never met. Semper-Fi Lori Ivy. ??
Category: Marine Corps Stories
TRIP TO THE PAST | U.S. MARINES AND SAILORS VISIT HACKSAW RIDGE
On April 1, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa began as U.S. Marines and Soldiers made their way to the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa. Faced with attacks from Japanese kamikaze pilots, Japanese soldiers positioned in underground tunnels and the Yamato, the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleship ever constructed, the Americans fought a grueling 83 day battle and ultimately suffered over 82,000 casualties.
THE ENEMY WILL REMEMBER
Subject: RE: Marine offensive in Afghanistan a shock to Taliban
I am happy for the BLT 1/6 Marines in seeing this article. In Afghanistan, the Marines did what Marines are always trained to do — take the fight to the enemy.
We killed over 100 of the enemy and captured 131 with only minimal casualties (although we did loose Cpl Ron Payne in an ambush). Post-battle results are higher on the number of enemy dead based on the number of bodies that were reported buried.
DARK AS A BLACK CAT
Yo Ho Grit and Grunts everywhere, Shouse here back from the Annual Reunion of the KheSanh Veterans in Dallas. Sgt Grit we were glad to have you and your daughter in attendance along with another lovely little lady and the Gunny from your staff. Glad you all came down.
Ordinary Marines
After reading all the stories in your great newsletter, I have come to believe my time must have been very boring. I came to look at it as a job like any other to be done to the best of my ability. Two tours in Nam and being a courier for the rest of my hitch seems lame when compared to a lot I’ve read, but I guess it takes a lot of us ordinary Marines to keep law and order in the ranks.
I Almost Caught
In 1950 I was at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. There was a lot of things going through boot Camp and some not so funny things, We would go to Camp Matthews rifle range for two weeks which now I think the University of California is on that property.
I Still Eat Slow
In 1954 I left high school as a skinny, weak, and pampered kid and joined the Corps. Upon arrival at MCRD San Diego I got the crap stomped out of me for talking back to a PFC that was picking me up at the airport. After my second week I was made to duck walk completely around the “grinder” because I called my trousers, “pants”.
IN THE LIFE OF MARINES: MILITARY POLICE WORKING DOG HANDLER
Military occupational specialties are the foundation of the Marine Corps. Each MOS is a cog, working with and relying on each other to keep the fighting machine that is the United States Marine Corps running. The military working dog handlers are one such dog.
NATIONAL AVIATION DAY
U.S. Marine Corps pilots with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing talk about how the invention of powered aviation has impacted their lives and how it has allowed 2nd MAW to accomplish its mission across the globe at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. National Aviation Day is a day to appreciate powered aviation and how it changed the world.
Pork Chops And Bread
1963. Seventeen year old, high school drop- out, 5’3″, 133 lbs. Mom said I did pull ups all summer trying to get tall enough to join the Marine Corps. Boot camp, San Diego – hurt and hungry all the time. Used to slip cookies, pork chops and bread into my utility jacket, then run the obstacle course. After lights out, I ate the stashed food and sand grit. Platoon 199, Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt Moon (tough but fair), Staff Sgt Shields (tough but fair), Jr Drill Instructor Cpl Hicks (just plain ole mean!). We won all the pennants except the obstacle course (I probably took too much sand out of it!) We were an awesome bunch. 100% qualified and Pvt Norman Colvin regained the title for San Diego of best Marine marksman by shooting a 244 (M14) at ole Camp Matthews.