I served with G Company, 2Bn. 5th. Marines out of An Hoa from Jan. to Sept. 1970. Actually, we spent most of the time in the brush. But I do recall a few happy hours at the E.M. Club—just not many. I'm wondering if there are any other Marines out there that I might have served with during this time? I have lost all my pictures of the A.O. we served in. Sure would like to see some if anyone has any.
Old Cold War Marine
Here I am during war games when stationed with the 4th Marine Regiment 1958 I was in Bravo Anti Tank Co and we had the first Ontos.They were mostly out of commission and not reliable at all. The small engine and transmissions did not hold up. This was post Korean War area and the corps was downsized. We seldom got new equipment but rebuilt and hand me downs from the army. We still had M1 Garands, the Army M14s. In the pic I had a 45 cal submachine gun which was very cheaply made. Civilians hated military in that era and it carried into the Vietnam War. This attitude by civilians made me forget the Corps as a lifer. I still consider myself a Marine and am proud of my service. It made me successful my career later.
Teaching Vietnam
Dear Sgt. Grit,
For the last ten years I have been asked to give a talk about Vietnam to history classes. A few years ago a teacher told me her class was reading "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien and wondered if I could talk to her students and give them a little better understanding of what they were reading.
Ontos Park at MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Sgt Grit,
Remember you talking about Ontos, well here is the Ontos park at MCAS Kaneohe Bay
in 1962.
We got to fly over the USS Arizona as the memorial was being built,
Weapons Carrier too
LE
A True Marine
No name on the item "Get Him A Coke" but I wanted to comment back to the writer of that article. I also joined as soon as I turned 17 in 1956 only I arrived at MCRD the last week of June and due to the overcrowding we had to wait a few weeks before going on schedule of our actual "Boot" Oh, we were able to receive some advance instruction at the grinder and privileged to be allowed to exercise and double time everywhere until the day our D.I. arrived and our schedule began. Our Sr. D.I. was Sgt Essex but the real driving force and true Marine was not SSgt but Sgt D. Herbertson
Marine Corps Birthday Menu – 1963
Sarg,
I was at PI for the Marine Corps Birthday in 1963. I was in Plt. 179, and owe a real debt of gratitude to Jr. D.I. Cpl. James D. Henry – a truly great man.
Attached is the menu for the Birthday dinner. True to tradition, the meal was OUTSTANDING!
Japanese brought to Guard Company Marine Barracks on Guam
Sgt Grit
I was stationed on Guam in 1951-1952 with Guard Company Marine Barracks when nineteen Japanese stragglers were brought in from Anatahan. These nineteen japanese didn't know WW2 was over. I have a paper where one of the Japanese drew a picture of a soldier explaining to me his name, rank and where he was from. These nineteen were on Guam for several weeks being processed for their return back to japan. I'm enclosing a photo of the nineteen Japanese that was in the Navy Times on 1 July 1951. I would like to see if any other Marines stationed at Guam remember this. Thanks Sgt Grit
Bar Girls at 11th. Marines
I believe we served at An Hoa together in 1969, so I am sending a picture of the bar girls that I have. I picked out a few other pictures that may look familiar to you. There are 2 pictures of a Marine named Ray receiving his NCO stripes, arms and legs, that should bring back memories. I wonder if they still do that. There are a couple of pictures of me with scrapnel and a midwife at the orphanage I spent a lot of time at. The rest are pictures of An Hoa and people you may or may not be familiar with.
Vietnam Marine Gets Vinyls
We want to share a story with you about Vietnam Marine Howard Mears. He came into the store with his gigantic RV looking for something OUTSTANDING to display, but with no real idea what could be done.
In steps the Sgt Grit customs department, and they pulled out all the stops. They took pics of the RV and made a design mock-up. Upon approval, Mr. Mears’ decals were designed and placed on his RV.
Easiest time spent in the Corps
I went to Boot Camp Jan 1957. MCRD Plt 307. Dis were SSgt Fisk, Sgt Nichols and Cpl. Tracey. These marines were tough but nothing like my dad. My dad was a WW2 hero in the Battle of the Bulge. He was one mean SOB. So when I got to Boot camp all the yelling abasing and physical treatment was blah. I was always in trouble and was called s__t bird regularly. Usually they sent guys like me back for retraining. However I got perfect scores on the 3rd week and 11th week written exams. I knew my general orders before anyone else and I could answer any question presented to me. I also fired a 237 out of 250 on the rifle range earning a expert Rifleman's badge. I was selected as the Honor man from my platoon and competed for Series Honor man of which I won and was promoted to PFC. The award for Honor man was a set of Dress Blues from leatherneck magazine. When I went to supply to get the Blues they gave me the cash $33.64. The DI asked to see the blues and I told him I took the money. You got it another ass kicking and sent back for the Blues. I had to wear them on graduation day and I was a little embarassed to draw any attention to my self. But as my title suggests when you are in boot camp all your thinging is done for you. You know when to get up,eat ,what to wear and just follow orders. You are conditioned not to make any decisions, that doesn't happen after you are in a unit.