Being short was never a big concern for me because I had never considered it as a disadvantage. I had always been husky and solidly built in my youth and able to handle any physical confrontations that arose. That didn’t change when I entered the military. In fact, I flourished in that environment. Prior to joining the Marines I had spent a short hitch in the Army and dazzled my drill sergeants with high scores on their boot camp physical fitness tests. I did the same in the Marines. However, Marine Corps training differed from the Army. It was more intense and disciplined.
Parris Island MCRD
I am living proof to this fact. I entered the Army at 142 lbs. and graduated recruit training at the same weight. I enlisted in the Marines later at the same 142 lbs. and finished boot camp at 152 lbs. All muscle, no fat. The term which comes to mind now though is “has been”. It seems my girth has undergone some horizontal expansion as I approach retirement age.
While in the Marines I encountered a few situations which required a brute strength solution. My best friend “Wild Will” was a fairly large and powerful individual. We worked out together often. After one grueling work out and 3 mile run we returned to the base gymnasium. Will had tagged me with the handle “Junior” since I was the shortest Marine in the unit. That moniker followed me for a long time.
After cooling down and resting a while, Will began to poke fun of my height, which he often did. Usually I ignored his good natured jabs, but that particular day I was in a cranky, cross mood and I shot back a witty reply about his mother. This was a serious breach of Marine Corps conduct. Chapter 3, Paragraph 6, subsection B in the unofficial Marine Guide states, clearly no Marine can ever insult another Marine’s mother. It was on now!
Will challenged me to a wrestling match right then and there. I had seen him wrestle before and no doubt about it, he was good. But I also had done some wrestling on my high school wrestling team and had been deemed as no slouch. This was going to be a real David and Goliath matchup. Other patrons of the gym quickly assembled around to watch the spectacle and bets were made…mostly against me losing.
A toss of the coin decided I was to take bottom position. Someone hollered GO! and the match began. At first we seemed evenly matched but after a few minutes of struggle I had him pinned. See gals…size doesn’t always matter.
But I didn’t always win, especially if I had been drinking. I had a serious drinking problem in those days which I never admitted to. Fortunately, now I no longer have that problem. But during that time Will and I spent a lot of off hours in downtown bars getting a snoot full. I was easy to spot. I was the little guy at the end of the bar with a black eye.
These events took place in my early days as a Marine and I still had my boot camp physique. As years rolled by though, I began to add a few pounds. This was bad career wise as the Marine Corps frowns on obesity.
In fact, they despise it so much; to be promoted to staff NCO a front and side photograph must be submitted along with recommendations. Needless to say, my short, stocky body didn’t look like a picture poster Marine and I was passed over every time. It didn’t matter I had perfect proficiency and conduct marks and a first class physical fitness rating. It all boiled down to the photograph. Apparently the Brass wasn’t too impressed with the photos, but I thought the pictures were cute…well, at least my mom thought so.
So, after being denied promotion several times I decided it was time to seek other employment while still young enough to learn another field of endeavor.
Actually I wish I could have remained in the Marines…but it’s no big deal!
Good story, but it would be nice to know who wrote it and when. My most memorable mentor was also a “short-round.” At 2nd MarDiv Comm Center in ’65, his name was SSgt Springer and he stood about 5’5″ or 5’6″, wiry and strong as an ox. Whenever we had slow message traffic he would never let me read a magizne or book until I had read and reported to him the contents of each chapter of the DNC-5(B) and JANAP-128. His favorite story was about how he had been killed and resurrected during the Korean War. His radio jeep hit a mine and he was knocked unconscious. Some time later he came to in a very dark place and begin to jerk and scream. Soon, a passing Navy Corpsmen noticed and removed him from the body bag. I hope that he lived a long and successful life, as he was a great influence on mine. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
I WAS WITH BAKER CO. 1st TANK BN. 1st MARINE DIVISION KOREA 1950/1951 FROM INCHON ,
CHOSIN BACK ACROSS THE 38TH LEFT ON THE 7TH ROTATION DRAFT. AND I DONOT RECALL
EVER SEEING MARINE DEAD IN BODY BAGS, SAW THEN ON 6BYS WITH WOUNDED LAID ON TOP OF THEM.MUST HAVE BEEN A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT .
I’m calling bullshit on this one. No mention of MOS, or any bases aside from PI. The way it is written, it sounds very similar to a story that was written a few months ago that was very generic and was called out as BS. Sorry, but my BS meter pegged out on this one.
If I die in a combat zone box me up and ship me home. Left, right, left. Platoon 2010 P.I. S.C. 1968. Quang Nam Province, RVN 1969-70. 1/13 3rd and 1st Marine Division. Semper fi, Do or Die!
Hey Randy
Where were you stationed in Quang Nam? I ws at An Hoa from Nov 69 to Aug 7o about the iime we turned it over to the ARVN’s who immediately lost it. Good Memories in spite of the fact that we got blasted every now an then. I remember being told at one point we were surounded by 5000 NVA Regulars and the were planning on having ccomplete control of Libery Bridge. It was like the 4th of July as we lit the valley up for three days. We even at the Battleship New Jersey firing support out in the Gulf.
Semper Fi
Sgt. T Golden
H&S C0
H&S Bat
1st Mar Div
Tom I just wanted to tell you of my good friend, neighbor, classmate from Ferguson, Mo. his name was Barry Golden. My good buddy was on his second tour, Army Gunner on a chopper. They crashed,supposedly mechanical failure. Not shot down, somewhere in the south, outside of Saigon. Six men perished. I still miss my friend, and sometimes badly. I can name 11 of my friends,neighbors etc etc from Ferguson who were killed and their names on the beautiful wall in D.C. I went to the wall a few years ago, and cried like a baby. I have his charcoal name etching, and three others. I’m hoping to get all my friends etchings, but because of Covid 19 they have suspended doing that for now. I was (still am) a Marine ’69-71 Cpl James Headrick 1stMAW. Just saw your name and wanted to say Hi and glad you made it home buddy. Semper Fi
Was India 3/5 Sept 69 extended to Apr 71 when we left country. Remember Liberty Bridge well, also Happy Valley and Arizona, Baldy and Ross. glad you made it out. Harv ( E-5 & 6 at the time)
I entered Parris Island at 5’6″ 129lbs. 29inch waist. All muscle from working construction. Two months later I was still 5’6″; 29 inch waist; but 165 lbs. Luckily, I was not a House Mouse. Paul Chacho Jr. Sgt.E5 1966-1969.
Never doubt the House Mouse…Pvt Mickelson was his name…Platoon 2140, San Diego, 1969. We had come back from Edson and were residing in Quonset Huts. Just finished up my evening shower and was returning to my bunk. Came through the hatch, heard a roar and next thing I knew was upside down, brain housing group on the deck. Yep, foolishness and GA.
Evening check, SSGT Hernandez had some serious questions as to why I had a lump on my forehead.
Uh…”Sir, the Private slipped in the shower Sir”.
Uh huh….SSGT H., “Don’t let it happen again!”.
Cushing, john M. SGT ’69-’75
have all of you beat: smallest enlisted male marine 1966-69. went to
‘hollywood’ boot at 5’1″ 103#, graduated 130#. min. height requirement
in ’66 was 5’3″; i was allowed in on waivers. my d.i. instructed response
to anyone that asked was: “6 foot 3, 240 pounds, sir!”.
short-sheeting my rack didn’t do any good!
semper fi, marines
mcrd 3rd bat plt 3316 1966
milano m.l. cpl 1969