Liberty Cards

I read the stories about the returned liberty card and about the Marine who asked who keeps their liberty cards.  I wanted to tell you about my  Liberty card from H&S Company 3rd Blt 5th Marines.  I still have it in my possession.  The policy in the company in 1964 was any Cpl or above kept their liberty card in their possession all the time.  It was a priviledge reserved for NCOs as sign of Respect and Honor in the sure belief that no NCO in the company would abuse the priviledge.  I kept mine proud of the fact that Corp saw fit to make me a NCO and give me that responsibility of freedom the Liberty Card symbolized. read more

Operation Strongback

Greetings Sgt. Grit

While serving with the 12th marines in 1958 during " Operation Strongback "  there were Pygmy's living in the jungles of the Philippines…They were a tiny people called Nigaritos who lived a very simple and secretive life style….I remember the first time I saw one of them several of us guys were bathing in this small fast flowing river, all of a sudden we look up and here comes this tiny dark skinned little man straddling a log and riding it down the rapids with only a loin cloth covering him….He didn't acknowledge us or even glance our way as he passed by….In our C Rations we had small bars of soap and anytime we'd find a river or stream we'd strip off and jump in for a good bath, it was much better than bathing out of our helmets….When we finished we'd just leave the small pieces of soap lying on the bank….We soon realized the Pygmy's were slipping down out of the jungle at night and gathering up all the small pieces we left….We always felt like they were watching us, but they were very seldom seen…..I just found out recently some of them were working underground with the Military forces helping to defend their country…..Being an 18 year old kid from Indiana it was quite a culture shock to see these things……It was a great education. read more

MCRD 1913

Sergeant Grit,

I was reading the 21 April newsletter and you have a story about the "Old MCRD San Diego".  Old for Hollyweird Marines but let's think of our beloved Corps.

Before MCRD Paris Island (later Parris Island) and before MCRD San Diego, there was MCRD Norfolk VA.  Want proof?  See attached.  As a Marine it is my duty to collect USMC memorabilia and this is one of my prized pieces.  Just look at the military bearing of all those tents lined up with precision as if they were proud that future Marines are sleeping under them. read more

Marine Corps Motorhomes

Hello Sgt Grit;
 
Everyone else is showing their Marine Corps pride. I thought I's show mine. My wife and I live full time in a motorhome. I recently found a small Marine Corps Seal decal. I thought it would look cool on the back of my rig. enclosed is the picture. I hope you can include it in a future issue. In case you are wondering the decal is 40 inches in diameter..Semper fi.
 
Sincerely
 
Jerry R. Hattox
GySgt USMC (Ret)
1954-1978 TID read more