An American Marine aiming his M1 Garand rifle, whilst perched on Japanese ammunition crates on the Island of Iwo Jima, circa February/March 1945.
(Colourised by Royston Leonard from the UK)
Moved To Heaven’s Gates
I am sorry for the lateness of this obit for WW2 Marine Robert Dowdy. I only found out about his passing recently myself when I had attempted to call him for New Years Day.
Cpl. Dowdy and I had met each other during a Veterans Day Parade back in 2012. The parade was hosted by American Legion Post 238 of Teague, Texas of which I was a member. I say that I was a member as now the post has disbanded recently.
My Father Would Say
Reference Mr. Paul Jones' BAM story, my Mother was also a WWII "BAM", stationed with my Father at MCAS El Toro with Air Base Group 2 performing depot level maintenance on F4Us. She made it quite clear to us as we grew up that BAM stood for Beautiful American Marine while my Father would take us on the side and say it stood for Broad Axled Marines. It wasn't until I entered Boot Camp that I learned that "axled" wasn't quite the correct word. Take note that hanging on the Brass WWII marker next to her gravestone is a F4U in all its glory.
Chow Hound
All the talk about C-rations made me drag out this old photo from my first tour–a L/Cpl sitting on an ammo can in some ville enjoying my C’s. Except for maybe the Ham and Slimers, I never complained about the C-Rats.
Semper Fidelis,
Gary Harlan
Sergeant of Marines/Chow Hound
Itchy Tropicals
While on the drill field ('63-'65 and '67-'70) I wore trops during the summer. I ran, jumped, excersized and marched proudly every day. Never an itch. After being cleaned and pressed a few times, they held a much better crease especially in the trousers after having to sit at a desk for an hour doing paper work.
Battle Of Peleliu
United States Marines climbing down the nets into landing craft during the Battle of Peleliu, September-November 1944.
(Photographer: Griffin Image courtesy of the United States Marine Corps History Division, Peleliu 117058. Colorized and researched by Benjamin Thomas from Australia)
Marine Corps Vietnam Ring
I am the Store Manager of Walmart in Flowood, MS and one of cart pushers found this on the parking lot trying to find the owner of this ring! I am sure it is important to them!
Allen Patterson
Taps For 1stSgt Dick Petterson
Taps were held on Saturday, Dec. 19th for 1stSgt Dick Petterson, USMC Retired. Attached picture: (L-R) Maj Rich Risner, SSgt P.T. Cong, 1stSgt Dick Petterson and me. We served together in Chu Lai in 1968 where he earned a Bronze Star with Combat "V" and a Purple Heart. You can read about him in my book, "Civic Action". His career spanned over 20 years beginning in 1955 as a machine gunner then retiring as a 1stSgt in 1978. He joins our former boss, Maj Rich Risner who passed in 2005 – "then there was one." Semper Fidelis Rich and Dick.
A WWII Vet
I just wanted to tell you all about the best thing I ever heard a man tell his ex-wife. This man was a WWII vet that was captured at the battle of the bulge and even though forty or so years seperated us, we struck up a friendship that was close to father and son. Well he and his ex- still owned a restaraunt together and Clyde and I would meet there every morning around six and drink coffee and just talk about whatever. Well one morning his ex- must have been in a bad mood because when she came in she walked up to the table and said why don't you two get to work and stop drinking my coffee. Well Clyde was an easy going man but he must have had enough of her crap. He looked up at her and calmly said "You know the Germans treated me better as a POW then you ever did in twenty years as a husband." Well that shut her up fast and she stormed away. I had to bite my lip to keep from busting my gut. Well, we continued to meet every morning before we went to work and she never bothered us again about drinking her coffee.
First And Only
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Shoulder Tattoo.