Category: Proud to be a Marine

Sgt DT Lang

Just finished reading the latest newsletter and found a few things that pertained to some of my service, IE: the pinning of stripes, and the field landing at (sp) Aranchi Bay, Spain named Operation Steel Pike??? not sure…….  

I was promoted  to CPL by The Commandant of the USMC during an formal Evening Parade at the 8th & I Barracks along with a few other members of the 2nd. place GOLD SQUAD or Combat Squad Competition unit in 1963. Since the 3rd battalion had already boarded ships to the Med and embarked, we got to fly to Rota, Spain, and then on to Malta where we finally caught up to our shipmates. So, no one ever 'pinned' on anyone of us who made CPL. read more

Iwo Jima Medal of Honor Recipient

Here is a picture of myself and the last surviving Battle of Iwo Jima Medal of Honor recipient, Cpl. Hershel W. Williams. I had the great honor of meeting Mr. Williams at the Tulsa Medal of Honor Day ceremony, Saturday, April 27th 2013. He is 89 years young and still sharp as a tack. As I was standing next to him some guy had said he had spent 13 years in the Army. Mr. Williams said, "you know what the Army stands for?" "It means Ain't Ready for the Marines Yet!" We all chuckled and the Army guy even said he had never heard that one before. It was really a great day.  read more

Study Abroad Program

This past weekend my son came home from a seven month "study abroad program" hosted by the University of Afghanistan – Helmand Campus. During his course of study he & his fellow fraternity brothers got to visit all the satellite campuses the Marine Corps has to offer for their area of operation, in addition to many of the local cities & towns. To my understanding, think this experience has earned him enough credits for a unique dual degree in International Relations & Route Clearance, with a minor in Muslim Studies.  read more

New P5-Amtracs

I was a driver and gunner in and Amtrac company at White beach on Okinawa. In 1958 we gave our old C3-Amtracs left over from the Korean war to the Chinese nationals. We got these new P5-Atracs. The Amtrac carried a squad of men from a ship to a beach and then inland. I am sure some old infantry men would remember taking a ride. read more

Leadership and Reflection

I am a Former recruiter out of OkSouth/Norman and have been back in the Fleet Marine Force for over a year now since leaving Oklahoma. If there is one thing you could ask me that I have missed about Oklahoma I'd say it would be Oklahoma Football and the Sgt Grit Staff… Nowhere in my career have I met such a wonderful extended family, whom are so dedicated to taking care of the Marines and our Beloved Corps values. I have been on deployment overseas now for 5 months and just received a package from Sgt Grit… It was not only packed absolutely perfectly, but filled with shirts, coins and a few other things that have been passed out to the locals in the country and our Marines. The package has boosted Morale and the Marines have enjoyed the things you have sent to us all. The package not only proved how much the Sgt Grit crew cares about the Corps and it's Marines, it proved that the spirit of being a Marine is alive and well in Sgt "Don" Grit himself. We like to say that Marines are a direct reflection of their Leadership… Well, the Sgt Grit Family has obviously gotten Leadership and reflection right the first time. I will follow Sgt Grit to the end! Thank you all for the wonderful packages that you have provided to the ones that Serve you! read more

Parris Island,SC

I was their in P.I., S.C. from Mar 1959 until June 1959, and then sent to HQMC Henderson Hall. I was selected to be in the Red Marine Corps Guide Book Seventh Edition 1960. I went to Cherry Point N.C. from 1960 to 1961 and then went to Keflavik, Iceland from 1961 to 1962. I then went to Monfort Point,N.C. where I got out in 1963. I wish that I had stayed in and Retired. read more

Marine Brothers

I am Sgt. Robert McCallum. I served during the Vietnam War from 1962 thru 1966. I really have 4 brothers of my own and my younger brother Daniel McCallum was also a Marine who served in Vietnam as a Machine Gunner, nickname (Tubby Guns) I served in Washington, D.C. in the Arlington Annex, attached to "A" Company, HQBN, Headquarters Marine Corps. I had a boring job although I did see & speak with the Commandant of the Marine 'Corps several times. My brother Dan, was shipped to Vietnam and always said it was always meant for him to go so I did not have to. I always felt bad hearing that. I felt even worse when I had a message delivered to me that he had been wounded in a skirmesh with overwhelming odds. His machine gun M-60 was shot out from under him, sharpnel went through his forearm, yet he picked up the weapon, and ran through the line of VC attacking them, killing many and leading his platoon out of harms way. Dan was awarded a SILVER STAR, and did not accept it until 24 years later. He proclaimed he was not a hero, only wanted to save he & his brothers. I wish I could have been there to back him up. You can't imagine how many times I wished that. Dan made it home alive, thank God, & his Marine brothers & his training. My blood brother had issues for years and passed away at an early age from a massive heart attack. I still think of him often, like the good times of us fishing and camping, and being in the boy scouts, becoming Eagle scouts together. He was a great man, a really great brother & Marine. He is sure missed, by his real BROTHER Bob! read more