Leather, James, MGySgt

Best Friends
Wilbur Bestwick (later first SgtMaj of the USMC): Mike Esposito: Glenn Morgan.

Best Moment
Passing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Other Memories
In September I was rotated to the USA. The ship MARINE SERPENT, leaving Inchon on September 2 1953,contained many Army troops and about 250 1stMarDiv Marines. In addition there were embarked a number of former POWs being returned to the states, who were to be debriefed enroute. Among these was group of known collaborators, whose presence caused a concern of possible violence and retribution from their fellow POWs. The Marines aboard were divided into three companies and assigned the duty and resposibility for keeping the debriefing areas and the berthing areas of the former POWs segregated from the other Army troops embarked. In addition,due to previously vocalized threats against them,the POW collaborators were isolated under tight 24 hour security watch, to prevent any of them from disappearing over the side. The voyage stateside lasted for twenty one days during which the intelligence debriefing teams did their interviews and reports. The 1stMarDiv personnel assigned to the security posts thoughout the ship ensured a safe voyage for all troops embarked by allowing no major incidents to occur in the volitile environment present. Finally, to the relief of all concerned we passed under the GOLDEN GATE on September 23 1953, and docked at San Francisco. 32nd Rotation Draft Sept. 1953 MSGT Wilbur Bestwick SgtMaj MSGT Mike Esposito 1stSgt A Co. MSGT Glenn Morgan 1stSgt B Co. MSGT James Leather 1stSgt C Co.