Take a 17 year-old redneck from Georgia, and send him to MCRD, San Diego. September, 1943( when he anticipated going to Parris Island) and you have one very frustrated "boot", with a S/N 495285; Radio School on base, Camp Pendleton, and eventually assigned to the 9th Replacement Draft. I joined the 8th AAA Bn, on Kauai; Our armament was 20mm, 40mm and 90mm guns and rifles. We eventually went into Okinawa; I understood we were part of the 1st Division "reinforced", but i sensed that was more scuttlebutt, than official.
September, 1945, the 3rd Amphibious Corps was formed. I was assigned to the 1st JASCO(joint assault signal company). We went into North China to disarm and repatriate the Japanese troops; 3 months in Tientsin and 3 months in Chinwangtao. Interesting times from 1943 to April 1946.
I kinda wanted to share this small tidbit of my time, serving in the finest organization in the world – the United States Marine Corps! We are told that the "finest generation" of American men, who fought during WWII, are dying off at the rate of about 1000 per day. it occurred to me that I am included in that statistic, and that I had better say what I have to say, while there's time.
There are three memories I will take with me to my final duty station – (1) The three years during which the United States Marine Corps, and Cpl. W.J. Fulton, my Sr. D.I., completely transformed this Georgia boy into a proud, and I hope, worthy of the title, MARINE, (2) I will soon be 85 and, at age 79, I finally saw the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C. and (3) witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery.
In one of the blogs, a Marine(Gen. Amos said we aren't "former" anymore)said he still tears up when he hears our "Hymn", and the National Anthem. Yes, I do those things; I cried tears of pride when I witnessed the Enening Parade, at 8th and I.
Thanks for letting me share a moment with you.
Semper Fidelis and
God Bless All United States Marines
James D. Broome,
Cpl. of Marines
495285, 1943 – 1946