I remember one JOB in particular. It was in the wooden Barracks at MCAS El Toro Santa Ana. This was in 1969, it seems as though you were either coming from, or going to RVN. There were many old salts waiting to go home. Some of which had only a pair of utilities, and a new set of greens, receiving early outs to go home for Christmas. The majority were coming from 3rd Marine Division. PFC Kenneth Rexford Brown, formerly Sgt. Brown showed me how to pull your blankets tighter from underneath the rack, by using the springs. Of course we learned that in recruit training but KR had a trick that made the blanket tighter still and even remained that way. I believe KR got out and went to WalaWala Washington. I remember that many of the Marines were “cut a huss” for not having the proper uniforms. I can remember the inspecting Colonel coming closer and approaching a Marine that was obviously not prepared for inspection. He would ask where are coming from Marine? The Marine would reply something almost incoherent, and definitely a different language. The Colonel only said “well done Marine” and continued his inspection. That was definitely one of those days when I knew I had been in the presence of heroes. That evening we celebrated by putting a poncho liner inside a footlocker filling that with ice and beer, and listening to Johnny Cash and Luther played the boogy woogy. The party was great until the OD made us take our shindig outside the barracks. After paying for the beer, ice, and a battery operated record player the only record we could afford was albums on sale in the PX. Johnny sold for .99 and a pack of Camels for .27 cents. I remember Friday morning formation, when Captain Wade, Mustanger and one of the greatest Marines to put on a uniform would read off the names of Marines shipping out WESPAK. I remember Sgt Joe Dunlap our Platoon Sgt. in El Toro. I saw him again in Hawaii as GySgt Dunlap and I was a SSGT. We were mounting up for Operation Frequent Wind. I remember being “gigged” while on embassy duty in Chile for having dust on my wall locker display. Even with that “gig” we won the detachment of the year award. 3 Years Running. I mean RUNNING our NCOIC SSGT Turnbow had been a Physical Fitness Instructor prior to coming on MSG. That guy made us run like Forrest Gump. Like Forrest, my running days are over. Our memories and Junk on the Bunk are what make us ALWAYS A MARINE. Semper Fi D. Womack
Be it 1775 or 2020 every Marine will recognize something familiar in our” jargon” or language. A breed apart. SEMPER FI!
This is another re-run story,and just like before Tustin Air Station was at Santa Ana! El Toro was at Irvine California. They were not far from each other, but different facilities. Poncho liner in a footlocker? A poncho would have been a better choice, don’t you think? Other then that, Cool story. Paul S.
I remember going through El Toro in ‘67 on my way to the Far East. RVN! Marines are scroungers. Anything we could get a hold of served it’s purpose for the time being. And it worked! Semper Fi!
What ship were you on for “Frequent Wind”? I was on the USS Hancock, CVA 19.
I was a Navy Corpsman on the Hancock for Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull. I was a Marine Grunt in Nam 1970-71. After my time in the Corps i got out but couldn’t get a job… Nam stigma was in the way… so i went back in the Service as a Navy Corpsman and was sent to the USS Hancock. Who were you with on the Hancock? Were you one of the Marines we picked up on our way to the Evacuation? Semper Fi, Bill Shipley, SGT , USMC 1970-74, HM1, USN and USNR… 1974-1992 RETIRED.
To JamesMurphy: I was a Navy Corpsman on the Hancock for Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull. Before the Hancock and my following Navy career, I was a Marine Grunt ( 0311/0341) in Nam 1970-71. After my time in the Corps i got out but couldn’t get a job…The Nam stigma was held against every where i went …. so i went back in the Service as a Navy Corpsman and was sent to the USS Hancock. Who were you with on the Hancock? Were you one of the Marines we picked up on our way to the Evacuation? Semper Fi, Bill Shipley, SGT , USMC 1970-74, HM1, USN and USNR… 1974-1992 RETIRED.
Was Capt.Wade a DI at PI 3rd Battalion in 59?
What happened to Sgt. Brown that he became PFC Brown?
My Sr. Drill Instructor at P.I. 1978 Plt. 3068 was Gy/Sgt Dunlap,
wonder if there the same.
Womback is correct. In 1969, El Toro was known as MCAS El Toro Santa Ana. The city of Irvine was not incorporated until Dec. 28, 1971. When El Toro closed in 1999, it was still known as MCAS El Toro Santa Ana.
I still say the one in Santa ana was Tustin and the one in Irvine, even though not incorporated until 1971 it was still known as Irvine since the early 60s, El Toro. 2 seperate air facilities. Maybe I’m nit picking. Semper Fi Hank.
I think Paul is correct , 2 different air facilities. To the locals , Irvine was always Irvine! Is Tustin where they had the blimp hangers? all the Vietnam vets I know came back through Norton AFB near San Bernidino unless they were being discharged. I went through Norton.
I was at MCAS El Toro in 1967 and 1969. I was with VMA 214. It was in Irvine in the middle of orange groves. Tustin was with the blimp hangers and choppers. When I came back from Nam (VMA211) I landed at El Toro. California was a wonderful place back then. Today crowded, dirty and messed up. Temper Fi all. Paul Chacho Jr. SGT.
Good call Hank!!! Semper Fi to you and D. Womack
Not such good call G. MCAS Santa Ana was known as Tustin and was home to our Chopper wing. El Toro was about 10 miles Southeast and was the home to our fighter group and larger aircraft. Located in Irvine. Nick is correct It’s always been called Irvine by the locals. Bill 0331