In recent Sgt. Grit Newsletters many subjects have been
addressed, some of which I would like to give my personal
accounts as a Marine. I enlisted August 6, 1946 in Houston and
graduated boot camp at MCRD San Diego October 12.
1. We never used or heard the expression "OORAHH". It was
always "Semper Fi" or "Gung Ho".
2. We were issued a mix of herringbones or what we referred to
as utilities with grenade pockets. We were also issued a pair
of rough side out boonedockers. Upon graduation each new Marine
was issued one set of the new style (1946 issue) dress blues,
Class A greens and with a green battle/Ike jacket, tropicals
also with a battle jacket. Dress shoes were not available so we
were issued new boonedockers which we had to wear for
approximately three months before the dress shoes were issued.
3. I never saw a green shirt.
4. We were issued dog tags like those described, with photo, by
Ron Gray. I still have mine.
5. I don't recall the term or the designation of a "house mouse"
Maybe we had one but I guess it wasn't me.
Many articles have covered the existence of Quonset huts. I
don't remember that we ever knew that they were there because we
were quartered in the Spanish style buildings that fronted the
parade ground.
When we graduated we were given two photos: Platoon Graduation
and an aerial view of MCRD that clearly shows a large number of
Quonset huts adjacent to the San Diego airport. Photo is
attached. Incidentally, we were never bothered by the landing
and take-off of aircraft. They were all prop driven.
Who should be considered "Old Corps"? I always thought that
term should have been assigned to those who served before the
outbreak of WWII. But the older I get the more I have begun to
think of myself as "Old Corps".
Elliott Ray Cox
PLT. 154
VMP -254
Corporal of Marines
630508
Note:
Old Corps before WWII !
GeeezzzzLoueezzz………I'll never be Old Corps.
Sgt Grit