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.
HEY TROOPS….WONDER IF ANYONE CAN RECOGNIZE THE FACES IN THESE PIC’S…..? THEY’RE MEMBERS OF THE “FIGHTING LETHAL LIMA” 3RD BAT 3RD MARINES IN VIETNAM 65-66…. I was a “Rockets Gunner” (3.5 ‘s) & Team Leader . WELCOME HOME TO MY BROTHERS !!! “Rocky” Fortner , former Corporal of Marines.
Another Marine has fallen Kermit Isaacson Usmc
Jim Booge Usmc Vietnam
A photo I took circa April 1969 of an NVA snapper cutting the wire of defensive positions on 2/11 at An Hoa. The sapper had been captured the night before in an attack on 2/11 positions and he agree to show how easy it was for sappers to breach our defenses.
Rice Paddies/RVN 1968
The Crazy Old Seargeant
Sgt. Grit,
A google search of First Sergeant Tandy Wells brought me to your site and the posting last week by Ken Bell (1st Sgt. USMC Ret. 1965-1985) in which he cited his friend Tandy Wells as one of the heroes who was KIA at Beirut. I hope that Ken Bell and any others that knew 1SGT Wells get to see this. Wells was a L/Cpl on June 15, 1968 serving with Mike Co. 3/4 Third Marine Division. It was on that day that my brother L/Cpl. Richard B. Murphy of Norwood, Mass. was KIA. A flag that my brother carried with him was returned with his effects. It had been signed by Tandy Wells and 20 others. Needless to say it is a cherished item to us.
Sgt. Grit,
Just received my first order; God willing it won’t be my last. Thank you and your staff for the great service. So many stories to tell but I know you get lots of emails. Maybe I should write a book. I think the statute of limitations has run out on at least some of the adventures in which I was involved.
I’m enclosing a photo from Chu Lai, of me, taken in 1969..
Sincerely and always Semper Fi!
Peter Swanson, USMC service 1966-1970, VietNam vet, Sgt. (e-5) of Marines.
Until this past Veterans day I could not emotionally address the wall or entertain any thoughts of looking at images even on the news. During the past year or so GOD has given me strength and courage to go to the traveling WALL that was on display here in Jacksonville Fla. I secured a set of Dress Blues and thanks to the Marines stationed in Kings Bay and the 4/4 Amphibian Battalion here in Jacksonville and wore them to the wall. My emotions were as I expected them to be and I can?t tell you how long I knelt and cried in front of Panel-62. I remember coming back to the US in late 1968 standing outside the San Francisco Airport waiting for a flight back to Atlanta when I had eggs, tomatoes, and various other fluids and objects thrown at me all the while being taunted by ?Baby Killer?, ?War Monger,? and other things.
Over the years I have attempted to locate old comrades from Viet Nam with little luck. Maybe they don’t recognize the name well here’s an old photo (Photo #1) to go along with it. My name is Richard Alajajian, nick name given me in Viet Nam was “AJ” and it has stuck all these years. I was with H&Sco, 3Bn/26Marines from Feb 69 to Feb 70. Of course I don’t look the same 
now (photo #2) as I did then but who does. To jog memories I was at An Hoa, Hill 55, RC BaNa, Red Beach and a few others that escape the memory at this time. I also stayed on to retire in 1990. So if anyone out there recognizes the photo or name email me at aj127@adelphia.net. Hope to hear from someone soon.
A little more ChuLai
Here’s a photo I took from our SAR chopper (CH-46) in 1969. And a photo 25 years later from New Hampshire. Just can’t stay away from those 50 cal’s.
Semper Fi!
Peter Swanson, Sgt., MATCU-67, active service 66-70, platoon 103 at PI, 2 years at Bogue Field (MATCU-61), NC.