Category: World War II

Honoring a Marine Raider

Hello!

My name is Sandy Tuzinski and I just wanted to share a quilt I was able to make to honor a WWII USMC Marine Raider in our church congregation.
His name is Edmund Lawrence and he served in the Pacific Theater in WWII.
This presentation was a TOTAL surprise for Ed as he had no idea I was making this quilt for him and I was able to locate three Semper Fidelis US Marines to take time out of their busy lives to help present this flag quilt to Ed during the church service. read more

Japanese General

A Japanese General’s letter to his men toward the end of the Saipan campaign.

This is an original copy of the translation.

Semper Fi!
Lou Lowrie

Raymond Pursell

Sgt. Grit,
My dad, Raymond Pursell, was in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. His service time was 1943 to 1946. The group picture of his platoon says 380th Platoon, San Diego, 1943 (Boot Camp). From there he went to radio school and then on to Camp Pendleton where he joined the 2nd Separate Engineer’s Battalion, and via the VAC- 5th Amphibious Corps, went to Iwo Jima in February of 1945. I am including a picture of him. read more

The wonderful patch y’all made

Hi again, Sgt. Grit!,

I just got this back from the frame shop and thought you might like to see what your beautiful handiwork will look like in the Peleliu World War II Museum. The Historian in Peleliu, Tangie Jesus, is going to be out of his mind! This is going to be a huge addition to their museum and he is so grateful for the “artifacts” from our men who fought there. read more

Iwo Jima

Sgt Grit,
In February of 2004 myself and 15 of my fellow Marines were selected, from 2/6 Wpns Co. 81’s Plt. currently on deployment in Okinawa, to go on a six week training opp in the Philippines, we were joined by Fox Co. and all there to help the “new” helicopter pilots with live fire operations. All went well and we were sent back to Okinawa. read more

Wounded on the fifth day

Sgt Grit,

I’ve been reading the various articles concerning families of Marines and Marines that served on Iwo Jima. They have inspired me to write to you and share with you some stories of my father, Bill Leverence, who was the flamethrower for the Assault Squad, Co. F, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines, 5th MarDiv.
He was drafted in 1942 and went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego. He then went to Raider school and was with Carlson’s Raiders in the 2nd Raider Bn. When the Raiders disbanded he went to the newly forming 5th Marine Division. He spent some time at Pendleton and then to Hawaii and Camp Tarawa for training. He was their assault squad’s sole flamethrower. When the time came, they left for this mysterious secret island and he landed in the first wave on February 19th. read more

Once a Marine

Sgt. Grit:

Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Here is a picture of ret. S/Sgt Mike Portella, 303040, taken July 2008. Mike became a Drill Instructor in 1946, after serving on Guadalcanal, in 1941. Mike was a member of the WWII DI?s, until it disbanded several years ago. Mike?s old DI uniform is on display at the DI school on Parris Island, which didn?t even exist when Mike was a DI. Mike wants? all Marines everywhere to know our young Marines are as good, and up to the task as Marines have always been His message is we can all be proud of the DI?s and officers training these young men and woman. And that we should not forget the job being done by our Marine recruiters, who do such a great job finding young men and woman who will carry on the great tradition of our Marine Corps Honor and Values, and great fighting spirit I was honored to tour the base, with this WWII Marine. read more

Navy at Tarawa

I am attaching a picture which is a piece of history. Most Marines (me included) do not know that the Navy Seabee Frogmen hit the beach before we made our landing. This is a picture of my cousins (also a Marine) father-n-law (Navy) who was on the beach at Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) before we landed. This was the beginning of what the Navy calls the Seals. read more

I Don’t Remember

In Apr07 I visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps and on the wall of the WWII area was the sign bearing the quote. I’ve attached a pix. In mid Jun45 I was rotated to CONUSA, along w/ other Marines from, what was known as MAGS ZAMBOANGA, based at Moret Airstrip on Mindinao, PI We arrived at Camp Miramar, San Diego on 24Jul45 and left on 28Jul45 for our 30 day leaves. before boarding the train. we painted the windows, w/ Bon Ami (anyone remember Bon Ami?), w/ a quote, “With the help of God and these few Marines MacArthur retook the Philippines”. I don’t remember who came up w/ this version, which I like better, but we were cheered mightily at every stop we made between San Diego and Chicago where we split up and went our separate ways. Last month I had the pleasure to revisit the Museum and the sign is still there, of course. After my visit in ’07 I called the Museum and was connected with the Curator of Uniforms and Heraldry and questioned the accuracy of the quote and he advised me that the history of the Corps has the quote as it is on the sign. Below the sign is a Jeep with MAG-24 markings. I was in MAG-32 the other Group in MAGSZAM. read more