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.
Sgt Grit,
This photo was probably taken in 1943. My uncle, John McQuade (with the salty seabend) had just returned from Guadalcanal. That's me (180xxxx) at age seven with my Mother.
Uncle John's gone now. He would never speak about Guadalcanal. As I got older, I sort of kept an eye on him, as he had a serious drinking problem. When drinking, he would tell me that he didn't deserve to be alive with so many "good friends" dead…
Hey Marines 🙂
After almost 50 yrs my feet were back on the Island! MasterSgt Taylor "wanted" pics with me for his blackberry. My church, St. Michaels, bought me a new uniform – one I could fit in! Ya'll ever get the chance, go back for a visit. These young Marines (just look at them) are ALL ABOUT having the chance to live the Corps with us old guys. You will be treated with so much respect you won't believe it! Ya can see they got a ton of "I been there" ribbons.
In the April 25 issue of Sgt. Grit News, Joel McHoul asked if anyone else remembered that operation? Well I certainly do. I was with the 3/6 Headquarters Company attached to H Company as a wire man. When we went ashore I had so much cr-p on my pack board that I slipped coming off the landing craft and darn near drowned. With the help of my partner, I righted myself just in time to get my picture in the July 28, 1958 issue of Time magazine. I'm the one soaking wet without a helmet. A somewhat inglorious, but no less famous event in my Marine Corps career. BTW that is my partner in front carrying my helmet.
Sgt. Grit,
Enclosed are a couple of my lighters from the days on Okinawa. The Kadena Airmans Club lighter was given when you paid two dollar dues for a month. They would give you something. You can wind it up and it plays China Night. I have had it 54 years! The other lighter is my zippo. I had it engraved with places we had been. I also had that lighter for 54 years. The zippo lit a lot of Camels and Pall Mall. A carton of Camels costed 80 cents a carton on the rock in 1960.
Sgt. Grit,
When I went on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. out of Jacksonville, Florida (All in one day), I could not resist having my picture taken at our USMC Memorial Statue (since I am an IWO JIMA survivor) and paying tribute with a salute. I also have a miniature of said statue on a shelf above my desk at home. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
I was asked by the President of the WMA-HOTX5 group to send in these photos.
I am Cathleen Ursula (Barrientos) Gruetzner. Class of 1979 – MCRD Parris Island, SC. Women Marine Association-Heart of Texas Chapter 5 – Austin, Texas. Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 4443 -Highland Hills/Oakhill, Texas. Fleet Marine Association-Branch 201 – Austin, Texas. Past Photo: May 1979, and Present Photo: November 2012.
Another Marine entered Heaven yesterday, 4/30/2013. 1st Sgt Rick Blish (ret) was called upon to serve in another way. I will miss my "dad" very much, but know his suffering is over. He's back in his Blues looking as good as ever. I know he would NOT want me upset or crying, but laughing and being the Marine he knows I am. OOOHHH RRAAHHH Pop. Semper Fi. I'll see you again!
29 April, 1983. Thirty years ago today, my life forever changed. I heard the words that I had spent the last three months striving towards. Three months…12 weeks.
I spent that time learning about people I didn’t know had ever existed. Guys like Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, Dan Daley, Carlos Hathcock, and Manila John Basilone who actually bears a great resemblance to Dean Martin.
Sgt. Grit,
Here is a 1959 Zippo with the VMF-451 logo. The C-119 (Air Force designation) flying box car's proper nomenclature in the Marine Corps was R4Q when we used them in Korea, and later hauling supplies to Taiwan when we were stationed there. They were powered by those huge four row P&W 4360 engines.
This was how my USMC shooting career (Distinguished Pistol Shot etc.) started with a NJP! I was a boot PFC at Lejeune and had a 2nd LT for a CO (really). My MOS was 2311 (ammo tech) and us techs weren't being used as such; the war was winding down. They put me in the office cause I know my ABCs, but I was not happy. I had my request in for EOD, and was just waiting it out. One morning after formation, the Company 1stSgt came to me (I was typing something Hot!) and he told me, "PFC go in my office and make me some coffee." Well, f-ck that! I ignored him and was in a perpetual pissed off state, so I just kept on typing. He returned in a few minutes; same order (louder) and I continued to ignore him. Well, he was red-faced and full of bluster, and don't ya know, in just alittle bit, I was standing at attention in front of the 2nd LT for NJP. Failure to obey a lawful order, Art 92 I believe. After reading the charges the LT asked if I had anything to say. "Yes Sir. I don't drink coffee, and that coffee is just for the 1stSgt. So I won't make it; that's personal servitude, and if this is your Marine Corps then get me the f-ck out. I joined to be a Marine, not make the 1stSgt's coffee." The LT then asked me (eye to eye), "you don't drink coffee?" "No Sir." He then asked the 1stSgt, "He doesn't drink coffee?" 1stSgt just shrugged his shoulders. Then, that boot LT said, "you are right PFC, dismissed." 1stSgt shut the door, I need to speak with you. Well, HOT D-MN, how about that!
