Just commenting on the Marine of the week. Remarkable example of Marine leadership! All Marines know, that during that period at least, Marine lieutenants were much better prepared to lead that other branches, which I won’t mention, but we all know who. Anyway, I had a Gunny who said the most dangerous weapon in the world is a 19 year old pissed off Marine. Leadership, as all of us sergeants know, is both a serious responsibility and a privilege. I remain proud of having had the privilege of leading Marines in combat, and the ability to do so because of being trained by our Marine Corps to be able to lead. My training and skills still remain, even though my hair is white, my six pack is gone, and Vietnam was a long time ago. I am still a Marine; all of us who served will always be Marines. Our DI’s told us the first day of boot camp that being a Marine is forever. I didn’t believe them then; at 70, I KNOW it’s true. Semper Fi.
Great story…..I’m 82 on November 10…. still short, bald but workout 5 times a week and think I’d my DI’s every time…once a Marine……
I can remember several years ago Sgt Grit had a sign that said “The most dangerous weapon on a battlefield is a pissed off Marine with a radio.” I started out life as an 0311. Three weeks into my tour i Jan 1970 I took a radio. I carried a radio, M-16 and a 1911 until my time was done. Although I knew I was a target I had confidence in myself to do the job. Unfortunately our ranks are thinning but we will regroup and attack on the other side. Semper Fi
I was fortunate to have 2nd Lt. Stuart, B Co. 11th and 13th Engrs at Camp Pendleton and 1st Lt. Raymond Baker Engr Plt H&S 1/3 at Kanehoe as Platoon Commanders. Both were a credit to the Marine Corps. I hope life has been good to them.
Well Said Gunney – L Stauch, CPL., C 1/7 RVN 68-69
I was a young Cpl when I reached Dong Ha 1969 as a NCO I lead Recon patrols out And back North of the DMZ on a regular basis ! It was my pleasure to lead fine young Marines in combat ! Later in 1970 I was assigned to the Air Wing at Marble Mtn . I racked up over 390 Combat Air Missions over RVN Country during witch recievd 3 PH and a Combat promotion to Sgt and Ssgt . I still feel I am a Marine through and through today at 73 ! Semper Fi my Brothers ! Ssgt Koenig
I certainly agree “Once a Marine, Always a Marine!” Corporal-Cuban Missle Crisis & Vietnam-will be 77 Nov. 20th. Paul W. Annetts-MJA
We Marines are proud to wear the title United States Marine.
Cpl Vietnam combat veteran. 1/14/68-9/19/1969.
Had a great group of Marines that made the US proud.
SEMPER Fi!!!
On this date July 12, 1961 I arrived at PISC for boot camp. It is hard to believe that it has been 69 years ago that I stood outside of Receiving barracks on I’m not sure yellow foot prints or not with all the organized confusion with all the yelling and screaming . It prepared for things to come Cuban Missile flap, three tours and the evacuation in Vietnam between 1965 and 1975 and finally Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991 . Semper Fi.
During a recent hospitalization at the VA I was asked the traditional question “what branch were you in?”, when I responded “Marines” the nurse turned and walked out the door. WHAT?
She was back in two minutes with another older nurse who said “You’re going to behave while you’re here or I’ll have your butt in a sling!” and turned to leave… she stopped and turned back with “I was a 4 year E5 before I went to nursing school, I dont take any crap on my ward… now, can I get you anything brother?”
I kinda like my big extended family.
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Im 72 and served 30 months in Viet Nam. At Ding Ha with 2/4 and Anh Hoa with 5th Marines. Best Lt. I ever served with was Lt. Joe Lasley with 2/. After I got medivaced I heard he was killed on a patrol. He is now leading a platoon guarding the streets of heaven. Semper Fi brother Marines
I’ve said this many times before & I’ll say it again – nobody will ever be able to take from me that I am a Marine. To all my brothers who were with me at Firebase Ross & Firebase Baldy, in the Que Sons & at times on Hill 273 & Hill 753, I think of you always & I can still see your faces. I hope & pray my brothers are all doing well wherever they are.
Cpl. John P. Sitek 0331 Lima 3/7 & Kilo 3/5
Started out with Alpha 1/7. Got medevaced out when I was with Lima 3/7 in ’69 John.
Semper Fi!! Brother
I’m here to tell you it’s absolutely true, you are a Marine for life. My husband is 85 and has dementia. Being a marine is what has kept him going. Everyday he wears his marine hats, shirts and jackets. Whenever we are out and someone asks him if he is a Marine, his head goes up a big smile comes on his face and he proudly answers, YES, I AM A MARINE. He was taught never to quit or give up
Semper Fi
Semper Fi , 3/1 India Co. 1970, Hill OP 190,
Well said Marine!
I am humbled to be able to post here with such Patriots! I did not serve in Vietnam but my squadron, HMH-463 saw action. And I am proud to have earned the Eagle,Globe and Anchor! AMEN AND SEMPER FI!
I flew as a combat air crewman with HMM 161 69-70 Quang tri, Phu bai, Marbel mtn.
I LOVE THE MARINE CORPS. In P.I. boot camp Oct 66 PLT 208 K co. Sgt Montgomery would tell us every night he had the duty B4 lights out. Ladies in the marine corps ” EVERY DAY’s A HOLIDAY EVERY MEAL A BANQUET ” I made a sign for my Local Mission Bar B Que . They proudly hung it up .I say this daily to someone i may meet. I am so lucky to still be vertical ! I have CLL from agent orange exposure and am 100% pt disabled. But i am still and will always be great full for what the marine corps did for me.
SEMPER FIDELIS Cpl Paul b Maronna
semper fi lcpl 3/26
I remember my Marine tour in Vietnam like it was yesterday, December ’69 thru August 1970.2nd Platoon Commander- I-Co 3/5. I had an understrength platoon most of the time but the bad guys never knew and we killed a bunch of them. I was in France in 1975 when we withdrew from Vietnam, spending some time with the French Foreign Legion. They were in Vietnam until 1954. I was so pissed I almost ripped my Bars off when the politicians gave up.
To all Marines past and present God Bless. We may be called up again the way things are going. Get Some!
Boot camp Parris Island platoon 250 1967. 0311 Vietnam Lima co. 3/9 2 tours. Once a Marine Always a Marine.
Semper Fi.
Was with 7th Engineers in Nam From 12-66 to 12-67. Spent time in the Arizona territory, Hill 55, Charlie Ridge, Hill 63 and Hi-Van Pass. Was attached to 3-1, 3-7 and 3-5. I’m 73 years old and currently a civilian Marine !!!????
Hey Ralph! What company were you in? Also made some trips up the Hai-Van also hill 55. spent the majority of my time at the Liberty Bridge location between Dai-loc and An-Hoa. Harry 1371
Bootcamp PISC 1959, D-1-6 Camp LeJeune, Barman, Semper Fi
My Father was in the 1st Marine Division to hit Guadalcanal~He wasn’t a very big man, 5’6 maybe 130 pounds soaking wet. He lost His Sergeant in Battle, They needed someone to Volunteer to get every Man off that Island and man the Radio’s and all the Equipment. My Father was that man~He won either the mettle of Bravery or the Mettle of Honor. My oldest Sister says it was the mettle of Bravery but my oldest brother swears it was the mettle of Honor. Doesn’t really matter, what matters is he was a very /b/rave soul who put his men’s lives before his own. Now My oldest Brother served during Vietnam, but his feet were as flat as the kitchen Floor, Kinda Strange as the rest of us have very High arches, but he didn’t and was sent for Desk Duty in Germany~ I never knew it , no one told me, I was the youngest and thought when i would see the fighting on T.V. That i was never going to see my brother again~I Remember we were the only people to greet him and i was the first one in his arms, I was so happy to see him and he looked so good..I bought one of your double sided Marine Corp Flags in Honor of my Daddy’s Service, I put it up with my husbands Military Flag the Navy gave to me when he Died.. The Marine Corp Flag is Beautiful but is overwhelmed by the 5X9.6 American Flag the Navy gave me. I was wondering if you had 5X9.6 Marine Crap Flags with Gold trim. I’d really like them to be the same size and match if it’s not a windy dat u can’t even see my Daddies Flag. I guess i’ll just have to go look and see if you carry them..have a Great Day Sir and a Blessed Tomorrow
I served during the Vietnam Era (I am 70), but never heard a shot fired in anger. My father a Marine WW II veteran and my son a retired Lieutenant Colonel may have, but with three generations of Maines we are all proud to say, Once a Marine, Always a Marine! Semper Fi, L. Chorzelewski, SSgt.
Just getting back from a Platoon reunion in South Dakota, so great to see the guys again. We are all trained to to pick up a rifle and do what needs to be done, we as 1833 can sure vouch for that, we were called Amgrunts, we are ALL trained verrrrrrry well to do this.
Semper Fi
Mike Graf
2/4 1967-1968
Had some great superior officers but I’d have to say one of my C.O’s, Lt. Russell Nash Brahm, was without a doubt one of the finest, toughest, most protective leaders I ever saw; gave me one of my meritorious promotions, got me qualified for the D.I. Board at 20 yrs old, first man to me when I made a bad free jump from a chopper into the Ocean at Onslow Beach. Never ever let up on me, thank God! I was about 4″ taller than Lt. Brahm and seriously outweighed him. Morning run in the surf at 2nd Recon at the beach and he told me to give him a one arm pullup. “Yes sir”. Jumped up, grabbed the bar, grasped my wrist with the other hand and did a couple. Jumped down, grinning, said “Good enough Sir, or did you want more?” Everybody laughing, including Lt. He says, “I’m still waiting for a one arm pullup”. He jumps up, does two ONE arm pullups…WITH HIS OTHER ARM JUST HANGING DOWN!!! Got down on my hands and knees, everybody laughing their asses off at me. Finest Marine officer I ever knew.