Moore, Paul Puden P., GySgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I was a Copy Boy at the Associated Press in DC on the Sunday that Pearl Harbor was attacked. I went to HQMC at 8th & I Street in Washington DC and enlisted. The Battle of Wake Island was also part of my motivation for enlisting. I had friends that

Joining the Military

were POWs in Japan after their gallant stand at Wake......... 1918 ? While flying with a British squadron, Lieutenant Everett Brewster and Gunnery Sergeant Harry Wersheimer become the first Marines to shoot down an enemy plane. (From TWS History). Would have been a Ball flying those old Bi Wing Spads ETC My first time seeing some in flight was about 1928/1929 when some old WW 1 Vets were Barnstorming the Country side in their surpluss Spads etc. They would fly out in the small communities & Farms & land in a farm field where they offered $5 short rides. At that time we lived on a Farm near Little Hocking Ohio just above the Ohio River. Than in the 1930 ies My older Brother took me to the Cleveland Air Races where I was watching Navy/Marines Flying the F3f2A Bi wing fighters. Later in 1942 I had those same F3f2A as training aids at NAS Jacksonville Fl AMM School . Finally got to fly the Bi Wing Trainers in NAP Training ; The UPF7 & The Yellow Perial Stearman at Dallas Tx. Sadly missed out there after ( Flew on the GI Bill after WW2 and UH34D with VNAF ADVISORY GP Vietnam 1964/1968) That Early exposure really fired me up for Aviation. I saved every dollar in my early years to buy time in small A/C. Good memories PM. UPF-7 Meecham Field 1944_002.jpg [ 28.92 KiB | Not viewed yet ]

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After Boot Training at Parris Island and subsequent transfer to Quantico, I attended the Aviation Machinist Mate (AMM) six month course at NAS Jacksonville, Fl. I then attended the Naval Airplane Pilot (NAP) Enlisted Flight Training at Dallas/Fort Worth in 1943. The AMM course was a 6 month, 6 days

My Military Service Path

a week course on all the aircraft maintenance and included Morse Code for messages and ship's blinker light. Also included was training with semaphores (flags). At the time I was there in 1942, we trained on the old bi-wing aircraft and included wooden spars and fabric work that dated back to the WW1 era. Our training aids were real antiques that would be great museum pieces today. Later, I served as a crew Chief on the Torpedo Bomber TBF Avenger. Then in 1950, I served at HMX-1, Marine Helicopter Squadron One, the first Marine helicopter unit. Later as Line Chief, Asst. Maintenance Chief, Ops Chief, and Logistics Chief in Helicopter units. I also attended the first Marine Sergeant Major class in 1954 at Parris Island.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?

My Military Operations

I first landed in New Hebrides Islands, Espiritu Santos for preparation for the Caroline Islands, (Mid 1944) Palalu Island Atoll Ulithi where we bombed Yap, a bypassed Japanese Island, and patrolled the islands which included Pelilieu. I was in The Battle of Okinawa 1945 VMTB-232. I was in Korea, Feb 1953 - Mar 1954. We performed evacuation of wounded, observation and artillery spotting, etc. This was with in VMO-6, 1st Marine Brigade, Tongarii Site A-9 . During Vietnam in 1963 At MAG 16 Okinawa. I delivered UH34 Helicopters to Da Nang. Later I was Adviser To VNAF Helicopter units for four years ,1964-1968 at DaNang, Nha Trang, Saigon and Binh Thuy in the Delta.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Battle of Okinawa! There were a couple hundred thousand dead bodies, ours, Japanese military and thousands of civilians. The smell erased any appetite one may have had for the C Rations! We watched the Kamikaze attack on our fleet each day. We were bombed and

Remembering My Military Service

shelled day and night on the coral air strip Kadena. We were constantly in and out of our fox holes. You could hear the Japanese artillery fire only about 3 to 5 miles away to the South. You could count thousand one, thousand two, etc., and tell from how far when the shells landed. At night, when the Japanese bombers came over, our anti-aircraft lights would show them overhead and the heavy flack would fall back all around us. One night, Japanese twin engine bombers flew in a few feet off the ocean and landed wheels up with suicide troops that had satchel charges destined for our aircraft and sub-machine guns firing at tents, etc. We were in mass confusion, firing at whatever moved in the dark! The killed in action (KIA) arrived, stacked in 6X6 trucks like stove wood! There was a temporary cemetary at Kadena near the traffic circle. Now only a marker is located there. Our troops were buried in a trench about three or four feet deep, and were wrapped in their poncho (shelter half), one dog tag in their mouth, one nailed to the wooden cross at their head and then covered up. I had constant dread that I might be buried in that manner far from home!

I also served in Korea in 1953 with the extreme cold and the extreme wounds of some of our evacuees. I remember the strong smell of dried blood in our helicopters! I remember my crash in the Vietnam jungle near a river when the tail pylon came off my CH34C in 1966. I was certain that it was the end of my life.

How do you separate these to one memory? However, one good memory was when I soloed in an old biplane as an 18 year old Corporal and buzzed trains, cattle and etc. over the Texas landscape! I received 50% flight pay and that aircraft all to myself; "Smile. What more could an 18 year old want except possibly a pretty young lady?"

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I only have the "Combat Ribbon" which I am proud to have earned in ground defense during such incidents as when the Japanese landed suicide troops at night from a twin engine bomber at Yomitan during the Battle of Okinawa. Other than that, I have the Presidential Unit

My Military Achievements

Citation and The Navy Unit Citation which our units earned. Sad to say records were poor or nonexistent from our unit. In those days, As crew Chiefs we flew in the combat area under diffrent missions but never received an Air Medal etc because no records were kept of fights except for Pilots & Gunners. The unit Diary was daily scribed and mailed to CMC once each month. Mostly officers were the recipients of the personal awards. While flying H34 Helicopters with the Air Force Advisory Group in Vietnam 1964-1968, I received a medal from the Vietnamese. Not sure how they worded it since it is in their language. I know what I did during WW2, Korea & Vietnam and don't require medals to confirm it! Many did things that would have equaled the criteria for an award. However it had to be witnessed and written up by someone.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

My Most Meaningful Awards

MAG-36 Plaque from all my Brother Marines while at Okinawa 14 Years 1973/1987 as Senior 53 Rep. Was on" Frequent Winds " Operation evacuation of Saigon & Desert One Prep for "Eagle Claw" rescue of U.S. Embassy Personnel in Iran. Alao 14 "Team Spirit Exercises in Korea & exercises in Phillippines & Australia. I solved several seriuos problems which resulted in Airframe changes etc.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

My Most Influential Person

The young Corporal Drill Instructor that screamed in my face, "Feather Merchant, you will never become a Marine!" I stared back and thought, "I'll be a better damn marine than you a-hole!" I fired high on the old Springfield 03 Rifle and got my choice of duty as well as few dollars added to my $21.00 a month pay. He called me out at graduation and said, "When I go into combat, this is the man I want with me!" That confirmed I was a Marine !!

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While at NATTC Memphis setting up the first helicopter course for the NATTC this episode happened. An old beer drinking friend's antics created a story that is a classic! Buck was the oldest TSgt. in the Corp at that time. He was well known for activities that would

My Funniest Military Memory

have got most of us court martialed. He was tolerated by most because he was also a good Marine. He was in my car pool with several other Marines. This one day I was busy in the class room when the Sergeant Major called and asked for Buck to report to the Squadron Office. He had no classes that morning and I knew he was outside the gate at the VFW having a few cool ones. So, I called and informed him that the Sergeant Major wanted him at the Squadron Office. He replied "Tell him I'll be there at 1300 hours". That evening, I could not find Buck when we were ready to go home. So, I went to the Squadron Office to inquire about him. The Sergeant Major told me Buck was in the brig! I asked what had happened. They had seated Buck outside the CO's office awaiting his appointment and detailed a young Sgt. to watch him since he had been drinking. Buck went to sleep and when the CO opened the door the Sgt. shook him. Buck jumped up and floored the Sgt.! The kicker was when I asked what the CO wanted with Buck. The Col. was going to present him his Good Conduct Medal!

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Adviser to VNAF H34 Helicopters, 1964-1968, in units at Da Nang, Nha Trang, Saigon and Binh Thuy in the Delta. I rotated flying, two weeks each unit, for four years. I think I saw every square inch of South Vietnam & some surrounding areas!! Some of it was

My Post-Military Career

damn unfriendly! I spent three years with the Malaysian AF SH3D Helicopters and off shore operations in East & West Malaysia & Brunei (1969-1971). Then I worked three years at NAS Alameda with a CH53 Marine Reserve unit. Then for 14 years (1973-1987) I was Senior Helicopter Rep, MAG-36, Futema, Okinawa. I was in" Frequent Winds", Operation, Evacuation Saigon. Also went on a top secret trip to Diego Garcia, Carrier Nimitz and Oman, 27 Nov 1979. I found out later that it was preparation of the Navy RH53 helicopters for "Eagle Claw" which took place later and ended in the crash episode in the desert. I deployed each year, 14 of them, for "Team Spirit" exercises in Korea. Also in the Pi and exercise in Queenland Australia. I retired at 1st MAW, Camp Butler in March 1987. Back in California, I received a call from a Dallas, Texas company that wanted me to take over an Inspect & Repair operation at Helwan, Egypt on Wessex SH3 Helicopters. I worked that project from 1991 until 1993, both in Egypt and Dallas, Texas until a law suit was presented against the company. I was then sent to Geneva Switzerland for the International Tribunal (We won the suit 8 Million Dollars) I retired again & made some trips to Thialand, Malaysia & Vietnam to look for Helicopter business. Now just go to military reunions and get older day by day!

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

My Military Associations

I'm a member of POP A SMOKE, the USMC Combat Helicopter Association. I am a member of Marine TWS.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?

Personal Influence Of Military Service

It was my entire life's work and a very satisfactory career. I would do it all again, happily. I approached each day looking to see "What's next?", preparing to go and I always traveled light!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?

My Advice on Military Service

Here's a word to those serving today. It is a great career. Certainly the pay and benefits are now far superior to years back. I started at $21.00 a month and after 21 years my base pay as a MSgt. E-7 was $380.00 a month. Three months before I retired, the new E-8/E-9 ranks were incorporated and I was suddenly designated a "Gunnery Sergeant" E-7. Stay at least for 20 years since it is a retirement not available on the outside at such a young age. In the combat areas it would pay to study & understand your enemies.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

Together We Served and Veteran Community

It's a means of staying in touch with all of the brothers with which I served and remembering those times. It's also a reason to get up and do something each morning! Published in TWS "Voices" Dec 6, 2010.

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