Category: Proud to be a Marine

I Made It

People always said that I couldn't make it and that I was going to be like all the other mistakes in my family. I  grew up in foster homes my whole life and moved from home to home every 2 or 3 months. I had no one. I couldn't rely on anything. My life was sh-t. Then I saw a Marine recruiter and I knew that joining the Marines would change my life. I'm so proud to be a Marine and it is something in my life that I would never change, and I thank GOD for all the mistakes in my life because I would not be where I am today. Semper Fi, Do or Die! read more

Visit County Jail Once a Month

1970, I was sent to Jefferson City, Missouri for recruiting duty. The Cole County Sheriff was a Marine from Korea, he had 28 under sheriffs, one was a Corpsman and the rest at that time were ALL Marines. Once a month he would give me a call and walk me through his cells to see if there was anyone that I wanted for the Corps. I found one guy with a minor DWI, he wanted to go, so I filled out the paperwork and did the background check myself by hand. When each place said that he had a DWI, I said, "oh, nothing important, just sign the card"… and they all did. Even the Capt of the State Highway Patrol (F Troop, yes… F Troop) read more

Confirmed kill

Sgt. Grit,

I have always been very satisfied with your products, and today, that feeling has just been reinforced. While sitting at my computer, I was buzzed by THE biggest house fly that has ever advanced on my location. Knowing that blood makes the grass grow, I began looking for my fly swatter. Aparently, someone in my house didn't want to replace it in it's assigned spot, so I began looking for a weapon of opportunity. After looking for the right tool to despatch this enemy, I found the only thing that would be appropriate. I reached into my shelf on top of my computer desk, grabbed my Sgt Grit catalog, quickly put it into condition 1, and WHACK! 1 swing, 1 kill. They say "The deadliest weapon in this world is a Marine and his rifle". To the house fly, possibly the MOST annoying creature in the world,  it is now "a Marine and his Sgt Grit catalog". read more

Not A Happy Marine

In August 1966 we were with the advance party HMM-165 sent to Ky
Ha, Vietnam; the rest of the squadron came over on a carrier
with the aircraft and equipment.

Our flight crews flew with HMM-364 for combat familiarization.
HMM-364 were flying the Dogs, UH-34D. Our first wounded was hit
in the gluteus maximus making a perfect clean shot through one
side. The aircraft dropped him a "B" Med. before landing at the
fuel pits. read more

Not A Happy Marine

In August 1966 we were with the advance party HMM-165 sent to Ky
Ha, Vietnam; the rest of the squadron came over on a carrier
with the aircraft and equipment.

Our flight crews flew with HMM-364 for combat familiarization.
HMM-364 were flying the Dogs, UH-34D. Our first wounded was hit
in the gluteus maximus making a perfect clean shot through one
side. The aircraft dropped him a "B" Med. before landing at the
fuel pits. read more

Replacement Draft

Sgt. Grit:

To the best of my knowledge, in June of 1951 the Corps started
to take draftees. When I was in Pendleton, Tent Camp Two, 2nd
Trng Bn during the Spring of 1952, Company Clerk of L Co., I had
to list two of them as AWOL one Monday morning. Shortly after
making the morning report the First Sgt opened his newspaper and
saw a headline "Two Marines Shot by Passing Car". His remark to
the Captain was "there's where our Sh-t Birds are". read more