While not a Salute story, it does involve something akin to behavior that some might salute; or not. While stationed at Marine Barracks, U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot, Hingham, MA, (1956-1957)and serving as a Sergeant of Marines, the CO asked me to deliver a parcel to his quarters on board the Depot, and instructed me to use the back door. Some background: Sometime during the first month there, I walked into town to cash my paycheck (we got paychecks!) and on the way, a female with children stopped and asked me if I wanted a ride, I did, and she asked me how long I had been stationed at the MB, etc.,(I was in uniform) and I politely answered and let it go at that. I did not use the back door; I thought it was not within the dignity of a Marine Sergeant to do. The CO’s wife answered in a nightgown and robe; at 0930. I delivered the parcel and beat feet out of there.
At the time, I had no intention of re enlisting in the Marine Corps. I took my release from active duty, but later re enlisted, visited the MB, Hingham, and I asked my OIC why I had been given such low Conduct and Proficiency marks which were the life blood of Composite Scores in those times. He stated that I had performed at the 4.8 level, but that the CO demanded the SRB entries of: 4.5, 3.8; 4.0, 3.5; 4.5, 4.0. My pro&con marks prior to being stationed at the MB were consistently at the 4.5 to 4.7 range. My next duty station was at the Marine Barracks, U. S. Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, NH where for two years my average pro&con marks were 4.9, 5.0 for two years! And later at 2ndBn., 6th Marines, (4.7, 4.7) The problem: my OIC told me that the the CO’s wife told him that while she was giving me a ride to town to cash my check that I was LEERING at her. Hard to believe, even though I lived through it. Many years later I met that CO, he was a colonel and I was a warrant officer, he acted like I was one of his long lost best friends. I had to bite my tongue, almost clean in half. Semper Fi
Capt Will Clifford USMC (Ret)
Hey Skipper, interesting story from the “Old Corps” 1950’s. I was surprised to read that you were paid by check in those days. The first couple of years I was on active duty I fondly remember stepping up to the pay officer twice a month to draw my meager wage. I think it was round about $20 or so. The first time I remember getting a check was in 1966 while stationed at Camp Lejeune. It would take hours standing in line at the Bank or PX on paydays. Sorry to hear that your CO was such and ass-hole. Semper Fi, Top Pro!!!
I was at Camp Lejeune in the fall of 1967 and released from active duty in January 1968. I don’t remember getting paid other than by cash. Same when I was at Camp Delmar, CA, Camp Schwab,Okinawa and in Vietnam. When I mustered out,Dispersing paid me for my unused leave, etc in nice crisp $50 bills…..Bob 1381 Vietnam 1966/1967.
Hey Bob, I remember receiving a check twice, once when I left Camp Garcia and flown back to Lejeune for the early out. Once again the day I got out. Harry 1371
Perhaps the problem was you were not LEERING enough! So your Co’s wife was disappointed.
Lol at that thought. 🙂
Unfortunately, but not uncommon, the spouse of a ranking officer often tries to wear her husband’s grade.
Before I get backlash allow me to say in the modern military it’s safe to say the “husband” tries to wear his wife’s grade.
Semper Fi Skipper.
Shit Happens Marine~!
You gotta wonder why the CO didn’t Marine-up and have a little chat with you about it ? Was he afraid of you ? Seems to me CO’s rarely miss a chance to uncork on their downline. At the very least, he could have cleared the air. At the most, used the situation to strengthen the team. Poor leadership.
Hey Burger, and maybe again the CO’s wife was yelling Willies name in certain situations in the night, if you know what I mean. The old lady made sure who what O’l Willy meant to her. 🙂
Please explain, what’s Sergeant of Marines?
When a Marine is promoted to Sergeant (or any other enlisted rank) his promotion warrant states that “all personnel of lesser grade shall render obedience etc….” That means ALL personnel, not just the ones in your immediate unit. Hence: “Sergeant of Marines”.
With respect to how we were paid I was in from 61 to 65 and by my memory we were always paid in cash. I remember at paycall when I was in 2/8 that the company Gunny or 1st Sgt would be standing just past the paying officer and would state something to the effect that there was some charity that the C O was interested in and didn’t I want to support him in that effort. You are standing there with cash in hand and while no threats were ever made I felt like if I refused I could count of having weekend duty until hell froze over. It was also sometime in early 62 that we changed over from monthly pay to semi monthly. I was in Naples Italy from 62/64 and remember being assigned to guard the Pay Officer as he made rounds to some of the small Navy facilities in the greater Naples areas and paid everyone in cash.
In that lies a memory…….thanks for that!
Rifle Range Lejeune, there was an officers wife that liked to stand in front of her living room window in her skivvies just to make us crazy. Oh what a memory! Harry 1371
Maybe she was sending out an invite! Nick