Category: World War II

Carbine Bayonet Response 2

I was surprised when I read this article. My dad was in WWII and brought home a bayonet. I have pictures of it. This was the same bayonet I was issued in 1957 with my M1 rifle. What is right is a Marine does not attach the bayonet unless he is out is ammo and is in hand to hand combat. The bayonet is carried on his ammo belt and tied to his leg. read more

No Bayonet For The Carbine

I would like to point out a flaw in our beloved Iwo Jima Monument, the Marine with the shouldered M1 Carbine clearly shows the Carbine with a bayonet attachment, The WWII issued carbine did not have a provision to attach a bayonet to the barrel; no bayonet for the carbine existed during WWII. The bayonet attachment device at the barrel was an improvement as well as an adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation, there was also a modification to the stock and a new magazine release button to hold the heavier 30 round magazine from falling out of the trigger housing and a bayonet was designed for the Carbine. read more

Montford Point Marine

I had the distinct honor of attending the 'commitment' services for MGySgt Hosea on 11 October 2013 at the National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. Although he passed away in Garden Grove, CA, back in June and had a full honors ceremony there he requested that he be moved to Beaufort where an infant daughter was interred in 1961. Nate, as a MSgt E-7, was my NCOIC in Base Electronics at Quantico in the late 50's when I was a Corporal (E-3). He was my 'boss', a mentor, an excellent example, and my friend. He died at age 85 and was a proud Montford Point Marine. He will surely be missed. read more

MCB Kaneohe

To Moe LeBlanc, Cpl. E-4. If you contact MCB Kaneohe and explain your situation, an escort will be provided while you are visiting and you will be shown around. BE PREPARED. Almost nothing is the same. All the housing and barracks and work areas have been rebuilt with new construction. I was just there in July and was amazed. They do have an excellent Pacific War Memorial just inside the main gate. An exact copy of the Marine Memorial in D.C., see picture. read more

Fred Killebrew

By Gary Wilson, Ph.D.

I first met Fred E. Killebrew on a golf course near Houston, Texas in April, 2013. I arrived at the golf course by myself and the person behind the counter asked if I would play with two brothers, Fred and Charley Killebrew. I soon learned that Fred was 90 years old and his brother, Charley, was in his early 80’s. Before long I also discovered that the brothers were former Marines. Fred had fought in World War II and had served two tours in the Pacific and Charley had fought and been wounded in Korea. After getting to know Fred better, I asked if I could have an interview. I conducted a series of interviews with Fred and the first was on June 7, 2013 at his home in Seabrook, Texas. read more

The title “Marine” brings us back to LIFE!

Bill Cuccinello's incredible story "Semper Fi" reminds me of an event that I must share.

Several years ago my ex-boss and mentor, retired WWII Marine Captain George Karam was hit hard by a stroke and lapsed into a coma.  I ran into his two sisters while I was in town, I had not seen them or George in several years since I had moved out of the area where I had grown up and had held an after school job with George as my boss.  read more

Semper Fi… The Miracle That That Brought Me Back From Death

February 2, 2013, Lexington, MA. It was a windy and cold New England type day. I was just finishing up my morning exercise walk of one mile and proceeded up the stairs to my front door where I entered and sat down on the living room sofa to take my wife and sister-in-law shopping. Suddenly they noticed I was motionless, just sitting and staring into space with my mouth wide open. My wife exclaimed to her sister, ”There’s something wrong with him. Shake him!” Her sister shook me and nothing happened. I still remained motionless, as if in a trance. They immediately called 911. The voice on the other end said, “Put your ear next to his mouth and tell me if he’s breathing.” “He’s not breathing,” answered her sister. Within minutes, the ambulance with its complement of EMTs was on the scene. They rolled the patient of the floor, tried the paddles, all to no avail. Within minutes I was transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA., one of the premier hospitals in the New England area. read more

Absolutely Fearless

I finished reading Dakota Meyer's book; "Into the Fire", which explains how he earned the Medal of Honor. This is the story of a Man who was trying to save his "Brothers" during a terrible battle in Afghanistan. His Bravery was to try and aid his brothers who were caught in an ambush, he pushed his driver to keep going while he operated the machine gun in the turret. His actions show that he was trying to save his brothers by reading how he followed the tracers from his machine gun to get to the enemy gun, his concentration was to get there, not just the battle. Here is a Man who went into the Marine Corps because he wanted to, his Grandfather had been a Marine. read more