This pic was taken at the DI Reunion at MCRDPI, SC. I believe in '08 or '09. I'm on the far left Chuck Taliano is on my left. I am Al Pasquale, CPL, 7041 Admin, S-2, S-3, Operations & Intel.
Loyal and faithful customer of Sgt Grit!
Al
Category: Proud to be a Marine
Honor For Brother
My older brother, retired Navy 1st Class Petty Officer Gary B. Allred, died of liver cancer on Sept 11, 2012. His memorial service was held on Oct. 2nd, 2012, at the Barrancas National Cemetery, aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. You ask why I am submitting this story, because as his younger brother, I am retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant William A Allred. I served from March 1977 to May 1997. In this picture I am submitting, I had the distinct honor to carry my brother’s ashes to their final resting place. To my right is my brother’s wife, Donna Allred, and to my left is our sister, Connie (Allred) Maddux. The second picture is of some 24 members of the Patriot Guard, who gave their time and respect to honor my brother. We give honor to all of those who have gone before. Brother may you Rest In Peace.
The Gunny Gets a Medal
Gunnery Sergeant George Garden has turned 91. Sometimes he needs a little assistance going up and down steps and has a problem with verbal expression, but his mind is clear and his memory almost pristine.
He received his Baptism of Fire in the Pacific during World War II. He vividly remembers the days and nights in Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa, and he can never forget the indescribable cold of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign during the Korean War.
He was my platoon Sergeant during those difficult days in Korea that have become Marine legend. Over the years the Gunny and I have kept in touch by phone. I have often wanted to travel to see him, but time and events did not allow for that.
Marry His Sister
An ol' Viet Nam vet sent me this pic. He was enlisted in country, but retired as Col., Army Reserves. Anyway, several years ago, I worked with a young Vietnamese guy, in aircraft manufacturing. He offered me $10,000 to go to Saigon and marry his sister, and bring her back to the states.
Torture Device
Sgt. Grit,
I just found this NCO Swagger Stick at the bottom of my footlocker. It brought back some memories of the versatility of this little torture device, especially when in the hands of an imaginative Drill Instructor.
Semper Fi,
Kirk Lambert
(1971-1997
Tanks
In response to an article in the newsletter of 21 Sept, by Larry Fleagle and tanks. Sorry Larry, there were no M-60's of any kind in Vietnam, but the tank retrievers were M-88's. Mentioned by you were three tanks on Hill-55 in 1965-66, here are a few pics of those tanks. One of a truck also, if you were there you would remember this truck and who died in it on the road to Hill-55.
Japanese Sniper Rifle
Sgt Grit,
I thought you might like to see a couple of old photos, one picture is of me holding a Japanese sniper rifle from WWII that my older brother brought home with him. He sure made me proud and as the second picture shows me as soon as I turned 18, I was in Korea in 1953 in 4/2 Mortars.
Bearded Bum
Sgt Grit,
Saw an article several months ago about a certificate given to members of 2/2 called the bearded bum certificate. Enclosed please find the attachment with the certificate in it. It was signed by Lt.Colonel David A. Brewster. I don't know if all Marines got one but we who were at the jet airfield side of Guantanamo, opposite mainside did receive one. The Cubans had the beards so the Colonel thought it a good idea for us to grow a mustache "To confuse the beards across the fence"!
Utah
Sgt Grit,
Here are some scans of a couple more Propaganda leaflets (front and back) that I picked up while out on an operations south of Chu Lai in the Summer of 1966 – maybe on Operation Texas or Utah (?).
Operation Utah seems to have been forgotten by most USMC Historians. I have often wondered if it is because of the high number of casualties that resulted – 98 to 104 Marines Killed and 278 wounded – on an operation that started with limited enemy information that resulted in only a couple companies being sent against an entrenched enemy battalion.
To read an excellent description of this battle, entitled "They're not supermen," Meeting the NVA in Operation Utah, March 1966 — Author unknown by me, Google the title.
Devil Dog
Have you heard the complaints by the younger Marines about being called Devil Dog? I guess the situation is usually that: Marine (A) has done something wrong, Marine (B) witnesses that error. Marine (B), in an effort to address Marine (A) and correct the problem will say, "Hey, Devil Dog!" ; then, of course, address whatever the error is. So, because Marine (A) doesn't like being corrected or maybe just doesn't like being caught, they have an attitude about being called "Devil Dog". Marines, just remember you are a Marine and act like a Marine. Then when you are called Devil Dog, there cannot be a negative connotation associated with it.