Category: USMC Heroes

The Courage of Col Louis C. Plain and GySgt John Basilone

The Day I Learned The Meaning Of Courage
From The Colonel And The Gunny

The two bravest Marines I saw on Iwo Jima black sand beaches were Colonel Louis C. Plain and Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. I don't know this for a true fact, but to the best of my knowledge; the Col. and the Gunny came in on the third wave Basilone was the boat leader in Platoon Leader Second Lieutenant Roy Johnson's LST (Landing Vehicle Tracked) In a private conversation with Lt. Johnson, while sailing from Spain to Iwo Jima aboard LST 10 Landing Ship Tank Basilone told Johnson, he intended to win a Second Medal of Honor. This doesn't sound like John Basilone talking. read more

Marine Corps Sniper Carlos Hathcock

Carlos N. Hathcock II

On May 20th, 1959, at 17 years of age, Carlos N. Hathcock II fulfilled his childhood dream by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. His ability as a marksman was soon recognized by the instructors on the rifle range at Camp Pendleton where he was undergoing recruit training. Later, while based in Hawaii as a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Carlos won the Pacific Division rifle championship. Following his assignment in Hawaii, Hathcock was transferred to Marine Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he quickly found himself shooting competitively again. This time he set the Marine Corps record on the "A" Course with a score of 248 points out of a possible 250, a record that stands today. The highlight of his competitive shooting career occurred in 1965 when Carlos out-shot over 3000 other servicemen competing to win the coveted Wimbledon Cup at Camp Perry. read more

Bill Barber at Chosin Reservoir

"Bill Barber"

In 1950, Bill Barber saved the lives of 8,000 Marines. His five-day stand with 220 men against a force of 1,400 is considered one of the greatest holding actions in Marine Corps history.

Barber, 78, was raised on a farm in Kentucky. After learning that Germany had invaded Poland, he joined the Marines at age 19. He earned a Purple Heart at Iwo Jima and the Legion of Merit in Vietnam. In between, he earned the country's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his heroism in Korea. read more

Piestewa Memorial

Fourth Annual Memorial Services for Families of Our Fallen Heroes

March 23 is four years from the date that those serving in United States Army 507th Maintenance Company, Army Forward Support Battalion 3d Infantry Division, North Carolina Marines of Task Force Tarawa and Air Force 347th Rescue Wing 41st and 38th Rescue Squadrons gave their lives in the name of freedom. The lives of eleven Soldiers, eighteen Marines and six Airmen ended on March 23, 2003. Thirty-five families are grieving to this day for their American heroes.

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