Platoon 38

Sgt. Grit:

I am enclosing a picture of my Platoon from 1948. I enlisted in May of 48 in Oregon. They gave me train ticket from Portland to San Diego, meal voucher and a bus token for the San Diego bus system. My instructions were go to the Depot, catch the train, and in San Diego take the bus to Gate 5. Report in. I was the only one going to the Marines on the train several going to Navy. read more

Bootcamp Photo

Please add my boot camp photo to your collection. I’m the last Private on the right in the top row.

The excitement for us was the Cuban Missile Crisis. They actually played radio news reports in the mess hall. The Drill instructors told us we’d skip ITR and be fam firing our weapons from the fan tale of a ship on our way south. It was resolved before we left though, and we went to ITR right on time. From there, I reported to the 2nd Amtrak Battalion at Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune. read more

My Favorite Day in the Corps

I graduated from MCRDSD on October 14th, 1976 Plt. 2074. After commencement services releasing all of us, the base commanding General's motorcade drove up in front of the theater at the end of the parade deck. Everyone stood back as Major General Kenneth J. Houghton got out of his car, and walked directly up to my father. My senior DI turned white. read more

PFC Dustin M. Swihart

Sgt Grit,

I'm sorry I missed your photo contest, I don't know how I missed it. Anyway I'm sending you a picture the day my son graduated from Parris Island, Dec 19th, 2009. That is the proudest day of my life. He has gone on and completed MCT and MTC. He just reported to Camp Lejeune, 2nd Tank Battalion. God bless all those that serve our great nation!! read more