Sgt Grit I have enjoyed your web site for a few years now. I thought I would send you a couple of pictures of my boot camp time. From boot camp I went to amtrac school at Camp Delmar at Oceanside. Then to 3rd Mar Div at Camp Gifu in Japan, where I was put into a Anglico plt as a radio operator and forward observer, and we went to Iwo Jima but this was Feb 56 Then the 3rd Mar Div moved to Okinawa in March of that year. When I returned to the states I spent my last 14 months in the PX at Parris Island S. C. Met a bunch great men in the Corps and have been able to find a few of them that I served with. Cpl. Bernie Caldwell. P.S. That was before crossed rifles were on the checron
Served 9/9/54 to 9/8/57
I was with W/1/9 in Feb 56, humping a radio for a 81MM F.O. landed on top of Mt Suribachi by helo. Didn’t mean much then but it sure does now. Not many Marines around who can say that. Where did the years go?
I would like too hear from my fellow Marines , that was N Platoon PI , I lost my Platoon pictures , N I would love too see some of my Dear Friends . Iam 81 now Thank U very Much , Semper Fi
You can contact the photo lab. They have most platoon photos back to the 40’s.
Do you have the mailing address for the photo lab?
Sorry my Platoon was
Platoon 76
Do you have any funny memories of that boot camp experience, Bernie? If so, send them to me at bootcampstories3@gmail.com. Include your enlistment date, platoon number and your individual boot camp photo if you still have it. My book of funny boot camp stories is growing but I still have time to add.
I count 26 ( could be more ) that did not qualify with the rifle and they were the Honor Platoon? Just kidding, Semper Fi
I got to Japan in Feb.1956. I was with 3/3 stationed at Middle Camp Fuji. George Company, LMG platoon. Had only been there about a week when the battalion got back from Iwo. Went to cold weather training on Mt Fuji. Got sent on BLT 3/3/3 November 10 1956. Yes, we moved out on the Marine Corps Birthday. Extended for 3 months when we got back. Spent 3 months on Okinawa when they pulled us out of Japan.
Arrived for boot on 9/30/54, 17th birthday, Plt 1008. Went to Las Pulgas Camp Pendleton for ITR and back to MCRD for radio school, morse code. MOS, 2533 has since been done away with. Never used it even once after. Got assigned to 1st MWG K-3 Korea until they closed the base down in August 56. Transferred to Iwakuni. Spent 5 1/2 yrs on active duty and had a pretty good time
Learn something new every day about the Corps! I was with 3rd MARDIV at Camp Hanson 72-73 and never knew the division was reassigned to Okinawa, I thought it was always there. Thank you Cpl. Bernie. “SEMPER FI” ?? Sgt. S.C. Guibord 72-76…..
training upon Mt fuji was constant in the 60s,we lived in tents close to Gotemba,units were move by ship from Okinawa to japan & mt fuji,of course practice landings from the sea were often conducted ..this is how you arrive on japan does anyone remember ?? I was station at camp sukeran with 173 (abn)]army, from 1963 to 1965 the 12th marine artillary was at camp Sukeran Cpl lcpl/cpl Uhlan Stanley Newton,0811,H battery,3rd battalion 12th marines
Was with 2/9 at Hansen spring 65, before we shipped to RVN. Bn sent me to VN language school at Sukeran which had 173 herd and Marine arty. As I recall they shared an EM club. Concrete tables and benches bolted down, cyclone fencing on windows and stage, and some lawn chairs, the light cheap ones with webbing. Won enough on slots there to drink a few beers there. Very tense place with both services in there. Got closed early by the MPs often. Some soldier would call a Marine “leg” and get back “doggie”. —you guess what’s next—. Why would they do that? Was only there a few weeks- 2/9 mounted out to RVN right after.
Was that a P/5 amtrac??? I never really knew when they started with that model….That is the one we had in ’64….
My dad served from 48 to 68, with a stint as a DI from 54 to 55. Maybe he was yours. Check out his pics at http://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Profile&type=Person&ID=54645 Semper FI Gib
I too arrived in South Camp Fuji 3rd Tamk Bn. I was a Buck Sgt. 2533 Radio Telegraph Operator Assigned to H&S Co. Shortly after we arrived we were told don’t get too comfortable we are moving to Camp McGill Just outside Yokosuka. We were to be part of 3rd MarDiv (rear). While the rest of the Division moved to Okinawa. After a few months. BGen Victor (Brute) Krulak was appointed as Commander, 3rdMarDiv. (Rear). It was rather humorous because shortly after he arrived he was standing at the entrance to Camp McGill every morning at about 6:am watching a large contingent of “Rice PaddyRanchers” arrive from overnight liberty. After observing this every morning for about a week a new order was issued from the General cancelling overnight liberty for all enlisted personnel. Cinderella liberty went into effect and only officers were allowed overnight liberty. That lasted a week until the General observed a large contingent of Officer “Rice Paddy Ranchers arriving for duty each morning. This ended Cinderella liberty and rice paddy ranching was again taken up with renewed enthusiasm.
SGT. GRIT, I ENLISTED FEB. 1952. SERVED UNTIL FEB. 1955. GOT RELEASED AND SERVED 5 MORE YEARS IN THE RESERVE. I WENT TO BOOT CAMP AT SAN DIEGO. PLT 182………I SERVED 14 MONTHS I KOREA, K-6, VMA121 SQUADRON…..I AM NOW 84 YEARS OLD…….WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY………THANK YOU , TOM MILLER SR…SEMPERFI……….I AM IN MY 64TH YEAR AS A MARINE……
Went to Mt. Fuji in 1964 with B 1/9. Had tents and wood burning stove as I recall and then there was Gotemba Ruby a woman of ….. well, let’s say you wouldn’t bring her home. Our platoon was assigned to load the ship back to Okinawa and the night before on Numazu beach we were hit with a typhoon. Lost everything but our rifles and sea bags.
San Diego MCRD 10/13 1954 -10/12/ 1957 plt 2011 NAS Jacksonville,NAS Memphis 6412 mos, does not exist today. NAS Atsugi,Japan plane capt H&MS 11 MAG-11 MCAS Cherry Pointe MWSG-27. Marine aircraft mechanic, civilian airframe & powerplant mechanic.
I was in Japan 1956,then to camp Sukeran with 3rd. tanks. Was in B company, made sgt. then tank commander on B33.Have been trying to hear from anyone there during that time.Left okinawa May 1957 then to Quantico to help put officers through plc school. Was in boot camp at parris island, plt.269 1953. Now 83 years old. Would like to hear from from those who served during this time.
The old-fashioned Marksman badge was simply a straight bar, without the familiar “pizza box” hanging from it. I only see one or two non-quals.