The Tragic Truth of War

What we dare not say: Killing the enemy brings victory.
 

Victory has usually been defined throughout the ages as forcing the enemy to accept certain political objectives. “Forcing” usually meant killing, capturing, or wounding men at arms. In today’s polite and politically correct society we seem to have forgotten that nasty but eternal truth in the confusing struggle to defeat radical Islamic terrorism. read more

Urgent Help Needed at Camp Lejeune

Marines, FMF Corpsmen, MCL Auxiliary, Devil Dogs and Friends of Marines –

 

As you no doubt are aware, a terrible tornado ripped through Jacksonville, NC this past weekend wreaking havoc on the town and on Camp Lejeune.

 

We have been informed that the Tarawa Terrace II housing area at Camp Lejeune has been heavily damaged and over 40 Marine families have been displaced or otherwise lost many personal items including food.  100-200 families have been affected by losing power which may be off for some time.  The Camp Lejeune ASYMCA and USO Jacksonville has requested donations of baby items (IE – Baby wipes, diapers, food items) ASAP.  They really request monetary or gift card donations to area business locations such as Wal-Mart, Food Lion, etc as these can be distributed quickly.  Our Marines need us and I know we will help.  Please contact Amanda Crompton, at Pioneer Services of Jacksonville, at  910-577-3036 for information on how to make your donations.  Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos toured the housing area and held a Town Hall meeting with area volunteer organizations.  read more

Woman Marine married in Uniform

Sgt. Grit,   You asked for a picture of a woman at her wedding in uniform in the April 14th, #250 issue.  Here are two that I have enclosed of my first husband and I married at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Kailua, Hawaii in 1967, well before your Sgt. Grit business days.  We were both stationed at MCAS Kaneohe.   God's protection over all our brave men and women in the service of our great country.   Semper Fi, Diane Mallory, 1stLt, 63-67, USMC

One of the finest Marines I ever had the honor of serving with…

Semper Fi, Sgt. Grit…This story is about one of the finest Marines I ever had the honor of serving with….and would like to hear from anyone who might have served with him also….His name was SGT.Major Richard R."Big Red" Ebert….I arrived on Okinawa in April of 1957 and was  assigned to Hdqrs Bn under Sgt.Ebert….before being assigned to Kilo Btry. 4thBn. 12th Marines heavy artillery….Before enlisting I had seen all the Marine Corps movies with the John Wayne's, Major Huxleys and all the Hollywood Marines, but none ever came close to Sgt. Major Ebert….I had just turned 17 yrs. old  and thought this man was the epitome of what a Marine should be, and what I wanted to be….He was a big man standing around 6'3 or 6'4 and weighed around 270lbs with red hair…When he spoke he sounded like a foghorn and always had the respect of everyone….I remember every morning he would personally step out of his quarters and blow Reveille with his own bugle….He'd get us on the road for PT and start us out with 100 pushups along with everything else….Every Monday night he lead us on a 20 mile hike and I mean lead us…even though he walked with a limp……Young guys were falling out behind him but he never looked back or slowed down the pace….He had seen combat in WW11, Korea, and was tough as shoe leather…The rumor was he had seen action on Guadalcanal, but no one ever dared to ask…..One evening after our 20 mile hike he came into the shower bay I was in and when he dropped his towel I noticed the ugliest scar I had ever seen on his leg,it had turned purple from the long hike but he didn't let it slow him down… And even though I knew better than to ask I couldn't resist… I said Gunny what happened to your leg ? Without even looking up he said…"caught some shrapnel" I didn't dare push my luck by asking more questions…. He wasn't the kind of man to carry on idle conversation….All business and all Marine…    From the research I've done I found He had a small part in the movie Battle Cry….His line was " Hey fellows strike up the band, Huxleys Hookers finally got here"….I've been able to find a lot of accounts of the kind of Marine he was….He was a Legend at that time to anyone who knew him…..I am very proud to have served under him and to have known such a fine Marine….  I just found out a while back that he passed away in Feb. 2002 at the age of 84 in the Clear water Fl. Area…..He had come from the Wilkes Berre/ Scranton Pa. area and was of strong Irish heritage…If anyone out there remembers this great Marine I'd enjoy hearing the great stories you might also have to tell….I'm sure when he passed away and got to the gates of Heaven, a Marine Honor Guard was standing there waiting to escort him in.   My name is Howard W. Kennedy h.kennedy[at]comcast[dot]net

Quonset Huts

MCRD San Diego. There must be at least 125 Quonset Huts.     I was asked to speak at a Mess Night a few years back at San Diego.   They were kind enough to give me a Cpl to show me around. I kept asking to see the Quonset Huts. He kept looking at me like I was crazy and did not really understand what I was asking.   He later took me to the museum where there was a large panoramic picture similar to this. I pointed to the Quonset Huts. I think his opinion of my old guy senility changed a bit.   I went back there after boot camp for radio school.  I got to see and live on the “other half” of MCRD SD. Much different experience.   Sgt Grit

Plt 328’s Reunion

Dear Sgt Grit          3 members of Plt. 328 met for the first time together in 45 years at M.C.R.D. San Diego. We were there for the graduation of A Co. which we viewed as guests of Major General R. L. Bailey Commanding Officer of M.C.R.D.  After graduation, we viewed the Command Museum, Director Barbara McCurtis supplied us a very knowledgeable Guide, the Viet Nam display was interesting, and the History of the Corps was well represented.  After Lunch we picked up our new Guide; Capt Mcanany he took us through Recruit Training Regiment, which has changed allot in 45 years!  but still there where Quonset huts in the old 3rd Bat. aria that our Plt. stayed in! This is a picture of us standing in front of one of them; Left to Right;    Cpl. Enfield (4th squad leader), Ret. Capt. Steffan (Sr. Drill Instructor), Ret. Sgt. Maj. Richards (honor man)        I wish to thank you for the "care package" and doing the T shirts for me.  And especially for posting our reunion in your News Letter.    Semper Fi Terry Enfield

A pic to share please.

Sgt Grit, just in case any of these Marines or their familes come across this I wanted to share the pic attached…. Marines from I Company, 3rd Bat/1st Mar/1stMarDiv, machine gunners, Guadalcanal mid October 1942.  Back left to right Worrick, Griffin, Davis, King, Arthur, Hopkins, Gryzb….. Front left to right Pollio, Davis, Walsh, Giffear, McCarthy, Brock, Hileinerich, Bubanas…. deepest apologies if I spelled any name incorrectly as the back is hand written.  God Bless and thank you men, God rest those departed, you are what is great about our country, SEMPER FI !!       (back of pic on bottom written "about 2 wks before tank battle on Matanikau River)    p.s. Thanks to Joseph Giffear for allowing me to marry your daughter Catherine S.   GregT USMC 87'-94'