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 sorry for the lateness of this obit for WW2 Marine Robert Dowdy. I only found out about his passing recently myself when I had attempted to call him for New Years Day.
Cpl. Dowdy and I had met each other during a Veterans Day Parade back in 2012. The parade was hosted by American Legion Post 238 of Teague, Texas of which I was a member. I say that I was a member as now the post has disbanded recently.
While on the drill field ('63-'65 and '67-'70) I wore trops during the summer. I ran, jumped, excersized and marched proudly every day. Never an itch. After being cleaned and pressed a few times, they held a much better crease especially in the trousers after having to sit at a desk for an hour doing paper work.
Taps were held on Saturday, Dec. 19th for 1stSgt Dick Petterson, USMC Retired. Attached picture: (L-R) Maj Rich Risner, SSgt P.T. Cong, 1stSgt Dick Petterson and me. We served together in Chu Lai in 1968 where he earned a Bronze Star with Combat "V" and a Purple Heart. You can read about him in my book, "Civic Action". His career spanned over 20 years beginning in 1955 as a machine gunner then retiring as a 1stSgt in 1978. He joins our former boss, Maj Rich Risner who passed in 2005 – "then there was one." Semper Fidelis Rich and Dick.
I just wanted to tell you all about the best thing I ever heard a man tell his ex-wife. This man was a WWII vet that was captured at the battle of the bulge and even though forty or so years seperated us, we struck up a friendship that was close to father and son. Well he and his ex- still owned a restaraunt together and Clyde and I would meet there every morning around six and drink coffee and just talk about whatever. Well one morning his ex- must have been in a bad mood because when she came in she walked up to the table and said why don't you two get to work and stop drinking my coffee. Well Clyde was an easy going man but he must have had enough of her crap. He looked up at her and calmly said "You know the Germans treated me better as a POW then you ever did in twenty years as a husband." Well that shut her up fast and she stormed away. I had to bite my lip to keep from busting my gut. Well, we continued to meet every morning before we went to work and she never bothered us again about drinking her coffee.
OK, Sorry folks no photo.
In July 3, I graduated from Basic at MCRD San Diego. July 4th, my father, and Air Force MSgt (flying one at that) and a WWII, Korea vet, had just graduated USAF 1st Sgt School and came down for a visit. My Drill Instructors were in awe and recruits and newly minted Marines did not know what to kae of him.
Picture of me in front of a banyan tree across the street from my barracks at Kaneohe Bay around the end of 1962 or early '63. I had just returned from the first PRT that was required by the Commandant for all Marines. My squadron, VMA 212 were issued the brand new M-14s to run the course. You can see that it still had a plastic protector over the bore. I recall a rumor going around at the time that the new 7.62 ammo for the M-14 was not powerful enough to even make a hole in the targets at 200 yards. I had a problem with my 14 on qualification day when the flash suppressor set screws came loose. My rounds were all over the target before the armorer figured it out by pointing to the brass streaks the rounds made as they left the barrel. Never had that problem with my M-1. With a clip and two rounds, watch your target, TARGET! BAM,BAM, clink; re-load with a full eight rounds and put all ten in the black at 500 yards. Nothing to worry about coming loose and the .30 caliber always made a hole.
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year to all of you. May GOD continue to bless and keep you in HIS hands. Much love from our home to yours. GOD Bless, Semper Fidelis!
Jerry
Col. Mark Roy of Denton County Texas Detachment Marine Corps League, Gunnery Sgt. Nathan Hanson, Collin County Texas Detachment Marine Corps League, honoring Pfc. Hanse Hamilton, Jr. Iwo Jima Purple Heart, 5th Marine Division, 28th Regiment. Radio Operator.
These are pictures of my El Camino in our local parade. Got the emblems from you. Last week I had a 50 cal. machine gun mounted on the front fender. At a gun show last week a Marine
from Calif. had to have it, so I sold it to him. Wish he could have waited l week. I am in the lst MAR AIRWING and the Old Breed.
These photos were sent in by MGySgt Isaiah Price from Easley, SC. His display of his Marine Corps Liquid Metal Enlisted Rank Signs is simply outstanding!
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