You requested stories of PI experiences. Here are a couple of mind benders, not physical incidents but nevertheless, shook us up. We polished our dress shoes for weeks, never wore them with greens until late in the program. We were told to put on the dress shoes one evening when dressing for chow. On the way I guess we were all looking down at our spit shines, bobbing along. We were halted, told to bow our heads and stare at our shoes for a few minutes before going on to the mess hall. Another time we must have been slow in getting into greens for chow or the squad bay was messed up, because we had to go back in change into utilities with field jackets. Too slow, back again, get into greens with overcoat. In ranks we were told to open the overcoats. Some guys did not have their blouses buttoned. Back into the barracks, change again. We did this about 7 or 8 times before going to chow. Once there Sgt Brown announced that after chow we were going to the movies. However, before that we were to take a test on the M1. There were 75 of us in the Platoon. We could have 10 incorrect answers among us. Needless to say we did not go to the movies and I doubt that we would have regardless of the test results. We were near the end of the 8-weeks and when getting into greens for chow we were instructed to put our emblems on our covers and jacket lapels (Ike or Battle Jacket). While in line waiting our turn to enter the mess hall, another DI came over to our DI and berated him for allowing us to wear emblems when we were not yet MARINES, Sgt Brown made some excuse and told us to remove the emblems and put away until graduation. It was a cold January and February, puddles exposed to the sun did not thaw. We rarely wore field jackets or gloves, just our cotton utilities, no great flannel shirts that hung in the squad bay. One morning in a weak moment of compassion, while in ranks waiting to get in the mess hall for breakfast, we were called to attention, given the "at ease" command, cross our arms over our chest and put our hands in our arm pits. Other than a very few times did any of our DI's do anything physical to anyone in the platoon.
Category: Proud to be a Marine
Campaign Dates
Your site is prized by most Marine veterans that I know. When I wear the cover shown above, I do not do it to have people thank me for my service. That is appreciated; however the reason I wear it is that I get "Semper Fi" and "Ooorah's" from folks I'd never met before and it usually strikes up a good conversation of when they served and where. Many times, they want to know where I got my cover and I am happy to share that it is your website. I personalized my ribbons on my cover by adding campaign stars and my "60-" device to the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. I got a generic Vietnam Service Ribbon bumper sticker and made a stencil to add my campaign stars with spray paint. I've had a lot of interest in this and usually got some chuckles when I told them how I did it. Feel free to publish the Vietnam Service Medal campaign dates. You might put out some feelers to see if folks might be interested in personalizing their covers or bumper stickers to reflect their time in "the Nam."
The History Behind These Flags
My name is Gene Crabtree. Retired GySgt (pictured on left). Recently I was asked by Jimmy Dupuy (pictured on right), if I could assist him with folding these two flags. I told him it would be an honor and I would be proud to assist him. He began to tell me the history of these flags. He found these flags in a box that he received after his mother passed away, they were not folded and he wanted to put them in Shadow Boxes. The flag I am holding is his Great-Grandfather's William Curry Chisolm's flag. He served in WWI. This flag has 48 stars, his Great-Grandfather passed away in 1926. The flag that Jimmy is holding is for his Father, Joseph Steven Dupuy. Mr. Jimmy served in the U.S. Marine Corps from '65-'69. I can't tell you the honor that this gave me and the sense of pride to assist in this Flag Folding.
MCRD San Diego and Camp Matthews 1963
I keep reading about people talking about Camp Matthews. I am sending you a picture of the camp in 1963. Also a picture of MCRD San Diego. You still had to ride the ferry to Corondao. It was a lot more fun than the bridge.
Gary L Tryheart
USMC June '63 to June '67
Do Not Imitate A Drill Instructor
It was Parris Island, 3rd phase, F Company, Plt. 2008, April 1980 and we were testing at E Beach and one evening our Sr. Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Shank, informed us we were going to have a Gong Show. If any of us had any talent, we had to stand up in front of the platoon and do our thing. The whole time we were in boot camp, I had a knack for imitating one of our 5 drill instructors. His name was Sgt. Britton. He was the easiest of our DI's. He would always tell us, "Privates, the Walls of Jericho are going to fall down upon you if you don't… etc, His head would tilt from side to side and he would wave his hand like a karate chop. I would always imitate him behind his back and when everyone would start laughing, he would ask, "What the hell is so funny"? No one would say anything and we would all PT for a while.
51 Years After
On 11 September, my nephew PFC Eric A. Nodland, graduated MCRD Parris Island. On hand to congratulate him was his immediate family plus two uncles. See the attached photo. As the uncle who is the Marine in the family I not only congratulated him, I welcomed him into our Corps, 51 years after I graduated.
A Good Day
On Sept 15, 2015 SgtMajor Beck (ret), L/Cpl O'donnell, Sgt David Simmons, myself Sgt Wears and MstSgt Knight (ret) [L to R in pic], met up on 1st Bn Parade Deck for our 50th anniversy of graduation from Parris Island. We looked over the parade deck, Stood in front of the Iwo jima memorial. We got a tour of the new barracks (second picture), SgtMajor Beck saw the yellow footprints I snapped to on them struck the red hand print as hard as I could, shouted who I was, got to request when the 3 now Drill Instructors came out of the Drill instructors house, wondering what was going on since they had not picked up their new Plt. Too funny.
Aye Aye Sergeant Major
In 1975, I was a Weapons Platoon Sergeant with Fox 2/7 at San Mateo, Camp Pendelton. All of the Battalion NCO's including myself were attending our monthly NCO meeting. Sgt.Maj. Yanachi was an Eskimo Indian, but to hear him tell it he was Born at Tun Tavern. The Sgt.Maj. when answering a question would always start out with "Well I remember in the Old Corps when all you young kids wer just a twinkle in your daddy's eye," and we would all give a little laugh. Being the Smart-Ass Comedian Sgt. that I was… I raised my hand and Sgt.Maj. pointed at me and said "Yes SGT. HAMMER." I stood up and asked him if he had any pictures of himself polishing his Sword and Shield in the Old Corps? Some NCO's were laughing and most were wide eyed going OOOOOH! He turned around to the podium (I thought he was ignoring me) and picked up the Battalion NCO Duty Roster, turning back to face me he said "NO, I'm sorry to say I don't Sgt. Hammer, but I promise I'll be here every weekend this month to take your picture at the battalion guard duty desk." He then ripped the schedule in half and threw it over his shoulder and looking around the room at all the other NCO's said "Is there any other questions?" "NO. Alright then, I want everybody here to thank Sgt. Hammer for volunteering for duty NCO this month so that his fellow Marine NCO's can enjoy their weekends this month… Isn't that right Sgt. Hammer?" I snapped to attention and yelled "Aye aye Sergeant Major!" Everybody snapped to attention and Sgt.Maj. yelled "DISMISSED" everybody was laughing so loud you wouldn't have heard a grenade go off. Every NCO patting me on the back saying "Way to go Hammer, Thanks!". I Loved the then and still do, I didn't mind at all. My Wife and Kids all lived on Base at 633-A Puller Place a five bedroom 2-1/2 bath NEW home. And I Respected the Sgt.Maj. more than any man on the Base. I read Sgt.Maj. Yanachi's Presidential Citation that on a mountain top in South Vietnam went outside the wire one night with no weapon other than his "Razor Sharp" E-tool to dig a "Cat-Hole" (out of Respect for his fellow Company Marines). On the way back to his position The Marines came under Attack. The Sgt.Maj. surrounded by Combat Armed NVA's who not wanting to fire their weapons at one "Lone Marine" and alert the Company of Marines inside the wire attempted to bayonet the (then) 1st.Sgt. Yanachi, He just started swinging that E-tool in all Directions. It was later determined (after the battle) that THIRTEEN (13) Enemy Soldiers had been killed by an E-tool. Sergeant Major Yanachi told me he had to dig a second Cat-Hole inside the wire to clean out his shorts. I TREASURE the memories of every day I served in the Corps from 1972 to 1978 even the bad ones.
LCpl James Fuller Inurnment
Here's the final set of photos from Jim's inurnment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary.
The onlookers/mourners dressed in yellow shirt, vest, and cavalry hat are from Buffalo Soldiers group. Marilyn informed me that Jim was an honorary member of the special group of folks. One of the other Veterans being inurned that day was being honored by the Buffalo Soldiers group. Jim was also a member of MIAP (Missing In America Project).
Plt 342 Parris Island Reunion
This was our group… no family members.
We had a Drill Instructor (Sgt Smith) assigned to us as our guide.
One of our group retired as a Lt Col (JJ Foyle). I have attached a letter he wrote praising Sgt Smith on a job well done. I am sharing this letter as it was outstanding and hits home especially if you are a Marine.