Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
A retired U.S. Marine dog was honored today with the PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest British military decoration awarded for valor.
Lucca, a German shepherd, received the award after completing 400 missions in six years of active service with allied troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and losing a leg on the battlefield.
This story may be of interest to some, maybe not so much to others. The best way to start,I guess, is from the beginning.Last Sept my close friend J.J.(Viet-Vet 101st Abn. 69-70) invited me to go along with him to a Veterans reunion in Kokomo Indiana I reluctantly accepted knowing I would be hanging around with a bunch of Army guys but it turned out OK (There was a group of “Walking Dead” 9th Marines campsite not to far away so I had backup if I needed) Maybe there are some of you out there that have been to this reunion,It is huge!! I could tell a lot of stories about this place but, not this time. During the weekend I heard a conversation concerning one of the vets getting his discharge upgraded from general to honorable but what really caught my attention was the fact that when he received his DD-215 granting him the request (He said it took almost a year and half ) there were additional awards listed that he did not know that he had earned.On a hunch,this past Spring I submitted a DD-149 to the Medals and Awards Branch HQ USMC they in turn forwarded it to NPRC in ST.Louis.All I ask for was a search to see if I or my unit earned any additional awards.I received my answer today It took 8 months but I received a copy of a DD-215 . In short it states the following. Delete:Vietnam Service Medal(w1star) Add: Vietnam Service Medal With 4 Bronze Service Stars /Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon/Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon/ Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Action Color with Palm and Frame ) Ribbon Bar. Might not sound like that big of a deal but, it is what it is !! Harry.
In the summer of “57” I was in A Company 2nd Shore Party Bn. And we were training Midshipman in Amphibious Operations. There was some kind of NATO bash and all the ships were dressed out and we were standing at attention on the 02 deck of the Donner LSD14 The Blue Angels did their own review! When they did their fly by we were able to look down into the cockpits! They were leaving a wake! As with most of the stories that are posted here much of this one is true!
Sgt Grit continues to make generous product donations year round to other Marine Corps organizations, groups, and causes in order to assist them with raising funds to help and boost the morale of our Marine brothers and sisters. But, it is through the generosity of our customers that Sgt Grit has been able to give monetary donations to such organizations as Semper Fi Fund, Fisher House Foundation, and many more. Last week we attended Oklahoma’s Veterans Stand Down at the Cox Convention Center hosted by the VA in collaboration with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma to help raise awareness of our homeless Veterans and help provide services and show our thanks, love, and appreciation to our Veterans for what they have done for this country. Local vendors were out in full force to contribute and offer numerous kinds of services for various Veteran’s needs. We were proud to once again be able to help and be a part of our local community. Veterans were able to come in and receive wellness checks, flu shots, haircuts, and behavioral health services, all the way to giving out Danner boots, clothing, gloves, and of course Sgt Grit swag all at no cost to the Veteran! Food was catered in by Swadley’s to make sure each Veteran left with a full belly. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home Marines!
I can’t remember if this took place in late 67 or early 68 . I was walking point on a road sweep headed towards Liberty Bridge .We had just left 4 corners from Hill 37 I was with H&S Co 3/7 Ammo tech. We were about half way to the Bridge. As I remember to the south of the road the tree line was about a hundred meters. On the left side the tree line seemed to be about 400 to 500 meters. The terrain was all flat ,old rice paddies. Sweeps can go pretty slow because the Engineers were always finding something. We had stopped and as I was standing there I noticed to to the north (left side of road ) all theses animals were coming out of the tree line .My first reaction was. Hey! something is causing this that shouldn’t be. Then I saw something I’ll never forget. Of course, I couldn’t tell right off . This took place within a minute. A line of water about 2 to 3 ft high came out of the tree line doing about 5 knots give or take a few and seemed to take up the whole horizon . The road we were on was about 20 meters high. Within a minute the wave had hit the road with such force it splashed up on me. In the mean time it’s like a chinese fire drill trying to get back to the hill. Within an hour the the whole hill is surrounded by water. The old bridge at the village of Dai Loc, the river ran at least 30 meters under the the span . After this happen the river was just a few meters under the bridge. For three days we couldn’t get off the hill until the water subsided. Nobody had ever seen or heard of this happening. Years later I was looking at an old Leatherneck magazine and there was an article about what took place. This phenomena takes place about ever 4 to 5 years .The waters from the snow , rain accumulate in the mountains then all of a sudden runs down into the valley. It was a sight to see .Did anybody else remember this. Semper Fi my friends. Sid Crews 3/7 November 66 thru July 68
Reading one of the story’s about Da Nang and MPC’s Exchange reminded me of a similar experience.
I had a buddy named Dave Hill while stationed with the 1st MAW at Da Nang. Dave was a member of a group called the “CAT” which stood for civil affairs team. It was a position you wish you had.
As you all have heard, there are plenty of people who will impersonate a Veteran to get the meager perks that are offered to us. One way to help in weeding out these creeps is to show any military id that you have. On more than one occasion I’ve been offered a military discount just off of my wearing one my Sgt. Grit caps or other apparel. I always insist on showing my VA id and informing the person that they should always ask for it. Anyone can buy apparel. All those guys wearing Yankee gear never played for that team. Those of us who are Vietnam vets know that in today’s climate, “Thank you for your service”, is becoming a buzzword. I do feel that most people are sincere and it is my own experiences and biases that cause me to bristle before I smile and say thank you. Take care, all Veterans and active duty. Semper Fi!
Sgt. of Marines, 2/4 & 2/26, Vietnam ’67-’68.
On 20 November 1961, 1st Lt. Anthony D. Miller and 2nd Lt. William H. Wright, both attached to VMA-212, were assigned a two plane section night familiarization mission. Norm said that he was on the flight line waiting for the planes to taxi back after their mission. His first indication that there was a problem was when sirens started going off at MCAS Kaneohe.
In August 1961, I was sent to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and was there until August 1963. On the Marine Corps Birthday 1962, the Commanding General decided to make a speech, have a flyover and then a parade of all units including the 4th Marine Regiment; I was in Charles 1-4, an artillery unit and a unit from the Air Wing. The mistake someone made was letting an old hot shot pilot make the flyover. We were all standing at attention listening to the General. We heard a jet plane coming, but we couldn’t see where from. He came in from the ocean and flew between us and the General in the reviewing stand. He was so low it cut the reviewing stand off from our view for a short time. He turned skyward and disappeared. We then heard him coming again. He came in low again, but this time after passing us he went over the mess hall, broke the sound barrier and broke some windows in the mess hall. I didn’t see this but I also heard he flew through one of the hangers at the airstrip. I don’t know who the pilot was but the word was that he was only allowed to fly on special occasions. I don’t remember him flying again while I was there. My other three Marine Corps Birthdays were boring.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a combat photographer attached to Company C, First Battalion 5th Marine Regiment (United States)” First Marines, First Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 October 1967. During Operation MEDINA, a major reconnaissance in force, southwest of Quang Tri, Company C made heavy combat contact with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army Force estimated at from two to three companies. The focal point of the intense fighting was a helicopter landing zone which was also serving as the Command Post of Company C. In the course of a strong hostile attack, an enemy grenade landed in the immediate Carea occupied by Corporal Perkins and three other Marines. Realizing the inherent danger, he shouted the warning, “Incoming Grenade” to his fellow Marines, and in a valiant act of heroism, hurled himself upon the grenade absorbing the impact of the explosion with his own body thereby saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his own. Through his exceptional courage and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, Corporal Perkins reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave histhe San Fernando Mis life for his country.
