Cpl. Kira R. Lavine, an air-support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, sets two swimming records during the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games, a multi-day competition at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, June 1 – 10.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
MARINE OF THE WEEK // UP AGAINST AN ENEMY PLATOON
MARINE OF THE WEEK // UP AGAINST AN ENEMY PLATOON
Staff Sgt. Nathan Hervey
Scout sniper section leader, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
May 21, 2011
Award: Bronze Star w/ Combat “V”
After establishing an overwatch position in support of an interdiction of enemy forces in the area, then-Sergeant Hervey directed his Marines to engage with precision and machine gun fires as insurgents attempted to occupy a position to ambush a Marine squad. As the engagement continued, the enemy reinforced with heavy machine guns, recoilless rifles and rocket propelled grenades. Seeing the adjacent Marines’ situation deteriorating, Sergeant Hervey began moving his snipers north, personally sweeping for explosive devices, and attempting to establish an attack by fire position as Marine reinforcements arrived. As he continued to move, enemy forces began engaging with automatic grenade launcher fire while he discovered an explosive device in his path. With the insurgents now in platoon strength, the sniper section began prosecuting multiple targets despite intense enemy fire in order to protect an isolated and exposed adjacent unit that had struck an improvised explosive device. As the enemy began reinforcing, Sergeant Hervey coordinated with his company headquarters to provide the critical guidance for multiple aerial and indirect fire strikes that destroyed the enemy’s heavy weapons and forced the insurgents’ withdrawal.
USMC-VOLUNTEER
I HAVE BEEN A FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER (MOS# 0000), SINCE 2012, TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF “THE SEMPER FI SOCIETY OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY”, IN SEALY, TX. I BECAME AN HONORARY E-1 & BEGAN PAYING YEARLY MEMBERSHIP DUES IN 2014 & IN MAY 2015, MY YEARS OF SERVICE, WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE GOV. OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY & RECEIVED MY COMMISSION AS A “COLONEL, HONORABLE ORDER OF KENTUCKY COLONELS”. ATTACHED IS A PIC OF THE CEREMONY & A FEW OF THE MARINES I HONORABLY SERVE. WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET LT. GEN. JOE WEBER, USMC (RET) I TOLD HIM: SIR, I NEVER OFFICIALLY SERVED IN THE USMC, BUT NOW THAT I AM RETIRED, I SERVE THOSE WHO TRULY DID SERVE IN THE CORPS. NEVER PRESENTED WITH AN “EGA” PIN, BUT MINE IS TATTOOED ON MY HEART”. HE SMILED, GAVE ME A BIG HUG, LOOKED ME IN THE EYES & SAID—“WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, JARHEAD !!!!!”. TEARS BEGAN TO SLOWLY ROLL DOWN MY FACE—WOW !!!!! AFTER 6 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE, I HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO RECEIVE A RANK PROMOTION TO “PFC-VOL.” AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS EVER OCCURS, I AM STILL A VERY BLESSED & CONTENTED SR. CITIZEN, TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THIS GROUP OF “USMC SPARTANS” —–SEMPER FI, OOORAH, & GOD BLESS THE USA !!!!!!
STILL GOT IT
In March of 1958 I measured in at 5’7” when I joined the Corps. In the intervening 60 years I’ve lost an inch of height but not the ability to get in a friendly jab at our brothers and sisters in our nation’s other fine military branches. My wife and I were recently at a local eating establishment that serves great sandwiches and soups. One has to order at the cash register, pay and then give your name so they can find your table. We were waiting at our table for our food to be ready when I walked back up to the register counter to pick up some extra napkins. As I approached, the cute young thing on the register was taking the order of a soldier, standing about 6’2”, 210 lbs or so and wearing utilities – or whatever they’re called these days – with a “U.S. ARMY” patch proudly showing over the left breast pocket. I heard her saying “I’m sorry. You’re in here practically every day but I can’t think of your name.” I walked back to our table and was about to sit down when I noticed him walking over to the self-serve soft drink fountain. Without a thought of what this big bruiser might be capable of doing to me I quickly sidled over to him and said “You know, if that patch there on your jacket said “USMC” instead of “U.S. ARMY” she would have remembered your name.” I reached up, patted him on the shoulder and walked back to my table while he just stood there shaking his head.
Of course, as we left I went by his table and thanked him for his service.
Shaving
I have an 18 yr. old grandson who is a good guy, but with character flaw. He’s is a slob. His facial hair
is coming in black, not real heavy, but vary noticeable. He shaves every 3 or 4 days. It looks like crap.
I tried to explain that he needed to have some self pride. And he should shave every day, if not every day at least every other day. This went in one ear and out his a$$. Still a slob.
Thought I Was Nuts
Sgt Grit,
I served from 96 to 00 I was with MCSFCO Naples and then 3/6 Marines weapons then H/S after a injury.
I joined the Marines after spending 9 years as a police Officer, I worked with officers that were in the Marines and always respected them. From the start, the recruiter, my DI, my instructors and NCO’s.
Fallout In Scivvies
I hit Parris Island 2 Jan. ’57 also a 17-year-old. We arrived just prior to the fallout from the investigation of the 4 Marine recruits that died from drowning in Nov. ’56.
My 53-year recollection of the incident was that a Staff Sergeant McKean after a night of drinking, rousted his platoon out like at 1 a.m. They had to have been at the rifle range which made the recruits deep into training (8-9) weeks, to be at the range. We were told that S/ Sgt. McKean marched them behind Baker Range into the swamp which we were told was about 4-feet deep — dark night, murkey cold swamp water up to your chest, visions of snakes and other creatures lurking in the water. And, I’m sure, S/Sgt. screaming at them. Four recruits in a group panicked, got cut off from the main body of recruits and ended up drowning.
Swooping
I was sharing some sea stories with another Marine buddy a few days ago and the subject turned to being on liberty back in the old days (mid-50s) and being WAY out-of-bounds trying to get somewhere better than where we were stationed. For example, being stationed at Camp Lejeune and having liberty from Friday at 1600 to Monday at 0600 clearly would not legally allow you to go to Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Boston or Buffalo, or for that matter, any destination further than Washington and that was a stretch because there were no Interstates in those days. From Quantico, the liberty limit was Baltimore. Back-roads were often dark, narrow and treacherous. Rarely did you have a weekend when you didn’t see fatal accidents and sometimes several of them. Those Marines fortunate enough to have a personal car would take riders to share the trip and contribute to the gas and tolls cost.
MARINE OF THE WEEK // UP AGAINST AN ENEMY PLATOON
Staff Sgt. Nathan Hervey
Scout sniper section leader, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
May 21, 2011
Award: Bronze Star w/ Combat “V”
After establishing an overwatch position in support of an interdiction of enemy forces in the area, then-Sergeant Hervey directed his Marines to engage with precision and machine gun fires as insurgents attempted to occupy a position to ambush a Marine squad. As the engagement continued, the enemy reinforced with heavy machine guns, recoilless rifles and rocket propelled grenades. Seeing the adjacent Marines’ situation deteriorating, Sergeant Hervey began moving his snipers north, personally sweeping for explosive devices, and attempting to establish an attack by fire position as Marine reinforcements arrived. As he continued to move, enemy forces began engaging with automatic grenade launcher fire while he discovered an explosive device in his path. With the insurgents now in platoon strength, the sniper section began prosecuting multiple targets despite intense enemy fire in order to protect an isolated and exposed adjacent unit that had struck an improvised explosive device. As the enemy began reinforcing, Sergeant Hervey coordinated with his company headquarters to provide the critical guidance for multiple aerial and indirect fire strikes that destroyed the enemy’s heavy weapons and forced the insurgents’ withdrawal.
Well Son Of A Gun
Corporal, 1981. Had received a Navy Achievement Medal for performance as a member of 6th Marines Rifle Squad. Did not have a Good Conduct Medal yet. 1982, Did a lat move to 0231 Intelligence Specialist, got assigned to 1/6. Spent a year busting my b-tt for that Bn under the direction of LtCol Fox. When I got my orders to go to Oki, the S-2 wrote me up for another NAM. Deploy to 1st MAW HQ on Okinawa. Working in the G-2 as the daily briefer for the CG, MGen Peterson. I get called out one day to go receive my award. Well son of a gun if it was for a Navy Commendation Medal. He pinned it on proudly, and I was just as proud that it was him doing it.