I was a corporal in mid 1970 and was an instructor in counter guerilla warfare at the Northern Training Area of Okinawa. I taught the class on water crossings. My favorite Marine’s in each water crossing class was those 5’7″ Marines. Someone always forgot to tell them they can’t do that. Especially those that really didn’t know how to swim. But one Marine, PFC Raul Ruiz was the radioman. When his squad was tasked to build a raft using their ponchos and grass he got involved. But said “He didn’t need no stinkin raft. ” I paraphrased so this would be clean if you know what I mean. But he couldn’t swim. And he did cross, but put his radio on the raft. And pulled the raft using his teeth. No KIDDIN. The other Marines in the squad assisted by holding on and paddling. Mission accomplished. PFC Raul Ruiz where ever you are, Semper Fi and God Bless.
River Crossing
I thought all Marines who couldn’t swim were given classes in boot camp? Didn’t we have to take and pass a swim test? Am I wrong? After all Marines are amphibious, right? Harry 1371
You are Right Harry, I am sure that a lot slip through. Purple Heart Day yesterday, any body know any body care. Not Sgt. Grit. Murray 1371 Good talkin’ to ya Harry.
I am aware and , I care . A lot could care less. Semper Fi ! Harry 1371
I call it ” I can’t believe I’m alive Day”! Most of our everyday citizens don’t even know what a Purple Heart is for. Everytime I see a Purple Heart plate on a car i ask myself , why? no one cares I never had a PH plate and never will. Nick 0311 WIA 5-June-67 and 12-Dec-67 (My Alive Day.)
I don’t care for the PH plates either. no particular reason but it just does not feel right. Besides in my state it cost extra to get one. When the y make it free I might get one. Paul
I want to be clear, i didn’t mean that its not ok for anyone to get one, its just not fit me. WIA PH + 2 Stars Sent home after 3 Paul
In Texas they are almost free – $3
Plus you get to use toll roads and bridges free plus handicap parking and other things ,
Texas cares, y’all just live in the wrong place
My husband was a US Marine in Korea. I am so proud to be his wife but disappointed as to the care Sgt Grit gave him on his last order. It was lost and he received no backup info about the order.
Sgt Grit is a company not a ‘Marine Sergeant’ Same thing happened to me. After two months of hammering and bitching they finally admitted that they only “thought” they sent order.
Stay on them
We trained all recruits in the pool, we (D.I.’s) called it “drown proofing”.
I also was medevaced out of country (Vietnam, walked out of the other place) after subsequent hits and PH’s and I get calls from friends and family reminding me it’s Purple Heart Day with a “God bless you”, and a “Thank you for your service”; busy with grandchildren from 21 to 2 and completely forgot about the day.
I ‘ll just throw in my 2 cents worth, for the record did not even know of Purple Heart Day. might have heard of it in passing. Do not care for any of the award plates either. I would qualify for a couple different ones including The Purple Heart. Just like Paul , it just does not feel right. but thats me Bill 0331
Never did “Drown Proof” the 2 years I spent in the Corps. I got to Camp Pendleton in the fall of 69, and got flagged to go to Drown Proofing, but after 3 days of walking off that ledge at the Olympic sized pool with no success, I was sent back to my outfit. Those crisp cool Autumn days and cold water should have been a motivating factor, but I was what was called a “sinker”. I don’t have a fear of water, just no ability to keep my head above water. Some say it could be an excess of lead some where in the bottom part of my torso.
Hang in there Andrew. I was a “sinker” too. In boot camp I passed because I held my breathe and walked on the bottom and then bobbed up for air and walked until I got to the end of the pool -PASSED
Sgt. Carl Gregory 0341 3/5 July 66 – August 67
I was in Platoon 110 at MCRD San Diego 10 Jan 66 – 15 March 66. In February the swim classes were canceled due to a few recruits dying from pneumonia. The swimming pool was closed because it was thought that the pneumonia was being transmitted at the pool. I was a non-swimmer. When I got to ITR at Camp Horno we were told to swim across the pool. Those that could not do it had to go for swim class first thing in the mornings. To pass a recruit had to swim the width of the pool. Each day that you failed you had to jump from the highest board at the pool. When the instructors had decided that you had come to the surface for the last time, they would pull you out. My problem was that I could not get my breathing right. About the fifth day of class I decided that I was going to make it across the pool on one breath. I took a deep breath, pushed off and never raised my head until I hit the other side of the pool. Improvise – Adapt – Overcome.
I spent 13 months in Vietnam with 3/5 as an 81 mortarman. I thank the dear Lord that I never had to cross any rain swollen streams in Vietnam.
However, I did have one incident on Operation Union I. We had spent the night by a slow moving stream. The next morning as we were crossing the stream, it was rarely waist deep. I tried to follow in line with the other Marines but as I stepped off the bank with a packboard loaded with 2 or 3 81’s rounds and all of my other gear I sank out of sight. I had stepped in a drop-off. Another Marine, Cpl. Wayne McGuire of Saginaw, Mich. leaped in and rescued me. Wherever you are today Cpl. McGuire, God Bless You – you saved my life. Seventy-three years old and still can’t swim.
That corporal looks a little old and on the heavy side to be on presidential duty. I could be wrong but there are a Several things that look wrong with that photo!
67-70 Sgt.
Okay Marvin, you are joking right?? Because if you are, I get it!! But if you aren’t, well I can tell you it was just a photo op!! When I was stationed at HMX-1 we use to do plenty of photo ops with veterans all the time!! Semper Fi!!?
You do photo ops for posers?
The Cpl on the right is probably real, the poser on the left too phony, maybe an add for Sgt Grit for all the medals and badges That fakers can buy to impress the drunks down at the VFW.
What? No MOH for the Colonel?
I was Force in Nam and the desktop officers used to come by and beg to go on a LRRP so they could claim combat command experience, I would always say no, unless you acknowledge being under my patrol command and if you open your mouth one time or endanger any of my troops, I will shoot you dead and leave your body to rot in the jungle and you can be an MIA.
None of them ever agreed to go on one of my patrols.
This is a photo op with Marine One
What looks wrong? Maybe a Marine Force Recon Light Colonel with NO combat medals ? Why’s the Colonel uncovered while the NCO is? Only one on duty? For $20 I can photo shop you a picture shaking hands with Chesty Puller AND Archibald Henderson on Mount suribachi During the Chosin campaign.