Old Corps!

I got this tattoo in 1974 while I was in ITS, just before receiving orders to the “Rock” Okinawa back when we were still in control of the island before we gave it back to Japan. Got to the “Rock” in December and assigned to 3rd Battalion/ 9th Marines. We were the lucky ones “on float” when we got the call to fly back to the “Rock” because we were in Japan, and they would not let us launch an attack from their shores, to go back to Vietnam. They wouldn’t tell us until we were almost in Saigon Bay if we were going to go in “balls to the wall” or just to evacuate the Embassy and all the refugees, which is what we did in the end. L/CPL JE Craft abroad the USS Denver. read more

Johnson M1941

I have heard that the USMC attempted to adopt an automatic rifle during WWII called the Johnson M1941 and also a machine gun, but got no support.

I also heard that Germany may have used this weapon as a prototype for its German Sturmgewehr and the Russian AK 47. I've read the reviews online, but do we have anyone left out there who handled one of these weapons. read more

Operation Silver Lance

Sgt. Grit,

This is my Zippo, I bought it while aboard the USS Cabildo LSD 16 in early 1965. I was a tank driver with B Company, 1st. Tank Battalion. We were participating in Operation Silver Lance, which involved a 7-day cruise off the coast of Mexico, and a surf landing from a Mike Boat at Camp Pendleton. Hopefully you can read what is engraved on it, my name, serial #, and the places I had been when I had the engraving done in the Philippines later in 1965. read more

Lost and Found Newsletter 23 May 2013

It's been over 57 years since I became a Marine at MCRD Parris Island, and with the exception of one of my DI's (SSgt Richard E. Buice) who I ran into at Camp Lejeune in 1965; I haven't seen nor heard from any of my Recruit Platoon members. I've done internet searches and phone directory searches, advertising in the Marine Times, Leatherneck, etc. with no luck. I was thinking that perhaps some of those Marines who get the Grit newsletter just might be one of those Marines from Platoon 197 who graduated with me in March 1956. Attached is Platoon photo. read more

Parachute Rigger

I've been asked what this WW2 sleeve patch represents. It would seem to designate a Parachute Rigger. There were other such patches worn on the lower sleeve until about 12/31/47 (same time we lost Division Patches). For example, crossed Signal Flags for telephone wireman and 'Lightning' sparks for radioman. Can anyone confirm? read more

Full-faced Helmet

Just a heads up that a friend of mine was riding his motorcycle in southwestern Iowa earlier this week and managed to total his bike in an accident. I reached him on his cell phone at the hospital later in the day (actually expected his buddy to answer, but Dwight did) and he informed me that he didn't have a concussion or any other head injuries due to his full-faced helmet that he had been purchased from Sgt. Grit. Once he's released from the hospital, I told him he owed Sgt. Grit a thank you and a new order for a replacement. read more