Vietnam War: Facts, Stats & Myths

Myth: Common belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted.
Fact: 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers.

9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975. read more

MARINE OF THE WEEK // “It was probably one of the hardest things I ever did.”

Staff Sgt. Timothy Williams
Reconnaissance Section Assistant Team Leader, RCT-6, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF).
July 10, 2012
Award: Silver Star

While a member of a 15 man joint Afghan National Army and Marine force, the patrol came under intense and accurate fire from a numerically superior force. Throughout the following 10 hour engagement Staff Sergeant Williams took direct action to counter the ambush and repeatedly displayed superior leadership while directing his team under heavy small arms fire from fixed Taliban positions. Upon discovering his team leader was seriously wounded, Staff Sergeant Williams sprinted across 60 meters of open terrain, exposing himself to accurate enemy fire in order to aid and evacuate the wounded Marine. Staff Sergeant Williams exposed himself to accurate enemy fire yet again when he carried the wounded Marine over 300 meters of uneven terrain to the medical evacuation platform. He then took charge of the joint element and continued the assault on the enemy, personally killing 5 enemy fighters, while moving the team more than 2600 meters toward a trapped Quick Reaction Force and establishing firm defensive positions repelling the enemy. Through his sound tactical and technical proficiencies, he led his element to effectively neutralize numerous Taliban positions and an estimated 20 Taliban fighters across 3,000 meters of arduous terrain. By his bold leadership, extraordinary initiative, and undaunted courage, Staff Sergeant Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United Stated Naval Service. read more

We know where you’re going

April 4, 1962, along with a large group of recruits, I was inducted into the Corps at New York City and put on a chartered American Airlines flight to PI. Once airborne, a young looking recruit asked the stewardess for a beer. She complied and another recruit saw the transaction and stated, “Hey, I didn’t know you could get served”. The stewardess, overhearing the comment stated, “We know where you’re going”. Needless to say, the airplane’s alcoholic beverage supply was severely depleted prior to landing in South Carolina. It was a very social group of recruits that arrived at PI’s main gate in the subsequent bus ride. All was fine until that DI stepped onto the bus and boomed out, “All right, Maggots, eyes straight ahead and listen up” You know the rest of the story………… read more

A walk through The Arizona Territory.

Before I share this story I would like to explain that I wrote these in order to deal with my PTSD. I also thought my family might be interested in learning why I “seem different” to them by sharing some of my experiences. Which is why the stories were written as they were. Those combat Marines who served in Vietnam might remember that we were not very popular back home. I wrote about 50 stories—they are true—they happen to me—I remember every one like it happen yesterday and for awhile these experiences changed my way of thinking, feeling, and interacting with others (including my family). I found that the VA has an excellent treatment program that worked me. “Thank you my brothers and Semper Fi.” read more

Info For Marine Enlistees Leaving For Training

While searching through my collection of Marine memorabilia I found a paper with general information about leaving for recruit training.
What to take: Small gym bag, change of underwear & socks, extra shirt, soap, towel, toothbrush etc..
What not to take: Knives,guns,blackjacks, brass knuckles or any other dangerous objects including glass bottles. No alcoholic beverages or large amounts of money. Common sense should judge what to take. ( We had alcohol on the bus from Charleston to P.I. and one guy packed a 12 inch screwdriver that was found during receiving )
General Info: You will be going to Parris Island, S.C. for approximately 10 weeks of recruit training and then to Camp Lejeune N.C. for 4 weeks of Individual Combat Training . While at Parris Island you will participate in the most challenging ,most rigorous and finest training in the world. The best advice to give you is to do as you are told and always give your best. You will be treated well, and remember that the Marine Corps is always interested in your welfare. To put you one step ahead of the game memorize you service number and the General Orders listed below. Welcome aboard , Marine. Good luck and come and visit us on you return from boot camp.
I condensed it a little. Bring back any memories? Will soon be 53 years. What a time! SEMPER FI! Harry 1371 read more

And So It Began

Scene: Tun Tavern, Philadelphia. Date: 1775 Time: Evening.

Lt. O’Bannon was sitting at a candle-lit table with a feather pen and an open ledger before him.
He was recruiting the world’s first U. S. Marine Detachment. The first potential recruit, whose name has been lost in antiquity, walked up and said, “What’s the deal?” O’Bannon said, “Just sign this book, and I’ll give you $5, which is your first month’s pay, a bottle of whiskey and you’re in. Of course you have to have your own musket.” read more

Never Ask a Gunny

A young Marine officer was in a serious car accident, but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which were amputated. Since he wasn’t physically impaired he remained in the Marine and eventually rose to the rank of General. He was however, very sensitive about his appearance. One day the General was interviewing three Marines for his personal aide. The first was an aviator, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the General asked him, “Do you notice anything different about me?” read more

That one time in Boot Camp

Parris Inland in the summer of 1968—the summer of love for hippies on the west
coast. However, not so much for Platoon 296 on Parris Inland with Sgt.
Morris—not even close! We had completed about half of our training when recruits
started coming in from being recycled. That’s when we learned that the Drill
Instructor Sgt. Morris told us the truth about doing our entire enlistment at
Parris Inland if we couldn’t get our “sh-t together” and move on Camp Stone Bay
(for 03’s). I know there are Marines out there who can confirm the fear factor
we were feeling. I mean, I was barely 17 and wanted to see women again before I
got too old to appreciate them. read more