An up close and personal interview with Marine Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MSgt Alphonzo "Pat" Burris USMC Ret (1943 - 1966)
WHAT PERSUADED YOU TO JOIN THE SERVICE?
 I graduated High School in June, 1943. World War II was in progress. I was not eighteen yet, so I couldn't be drafted. I was eager to go to war so enlisted into the Navy. One week later, was in Norfolk, Virginia going through a make shift Boot Camp.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?
I was sent from Norfolk to San Pedro, California, where I helped put USS Hemminger (DE-746), a destroyer escort into service. We sailed for Pearl Harbor and were assigned to an anti-submarine search and destroy duty. It was a truly boring duty. My enlistment expired in 1946, I then joined the USMCR. I was called to active duty in 1950. I retired from the Corps at Camp Pendleton, California in 1966.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?
My destroyer escort did something in early 1944 at the Philippines that got us involved with part of the Japanese fleet. We did our thing and I am alive to talk about it.
Later that year, we played a small part in the Iwo Jima landing. I never got any black sand on my feet, but did see that second flag go up!
 On April 1st, 1945, we did hit Okinawa. That was interesting because we met the first Kamikaze attack. We saw several ships hit and sunk. We watched the USS Missouri (BB-63) catch one on the starboard side and she didn't even slow down. I jumped ship there in Okinawa and was assigned to drive a truck for the Marines for a week or so. Then as luck would have it I ended up at Base 18 Hospital on Guam for a hernia. I spent a week or so in the hospital, then got a ride on an LST and went back to Commander Destroyer Fleet Pacific in Pearl Harbor. I got shore duty there in Pearl and met my lovely wife of sixty three years. Finding the love of my live only meant one thing, I got sent out on a six month detachment to China and wound up on Shore Patrol for the entire six months. After China, I went back to Delaware and took my Navy discharge as a Petty Officer 2nd Class.
I went back to Hawaii, got married, joined the Marine Corps Reserves and was called to active duty for Korea in 1950. My wish was answered. I stayed in the Corps and made my career of twenty years. My first duty as a Marine was as a Squad Leader in the 60 mm mortar platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (1/7).
 I made the Inchon Landing in Korea on September 15th, 1950 and stayed with 1/7 through the Chosin Reservoir (the Frozen Chosin). I left Korea in early December as a "cold weather” injury and a couple of gunshot wounds thrown in for good measure. Only half way recovered, I couldn’t take being a hospital patient any longer. I pushed as hard as I could and was finally sent back to duty at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor until 1953. After that, I was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (B 1/8) and made an interesting Mediterranean Cruise. There are no ‘dull’ Med Cruises, they’re all interesting if for no other reason than the many different liberty ports you visit. However, on this Med Cruise we got to work with the Italian and Turkish military forces. One of the high lights was our visit to the French Foreign Legion boot camp in the Sahara Desert.
From 1/8, I was sent to 2nd Marine Division, NCO Leadership School as School Troops Gunny. Then in 1955, I went to Marine Barracks Guantanamo Bay. For two years I was Platoon Sergeant for a full guard platoon for base security. . As additional duties, I was assigned to meet dignitaries at airport and ran the Staff NCO club. The current prison at Gitmo had not been built at that time and troops still had liberty off base in Guantanamo City.
In 1957, I went back to 2nd Division and back to NCO Leadership School, this time as the Operation Chief. In 1959 I was reassigned back to Korea; in Pohang to work with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.. While there I was a primary marksmanship instructor, range safety officer and NCOIC of ammunition storage. That was a really good duty assignment, but rough living conditions. In 1960, I was off to Seal Beach, California for Inspector & Instructor duty with an Infantry Reserve Unit That was not my greatest duty assignment in the Corps. I had put in several requests for transfer back to the FMF. That didn't happen; I found out too late that the OIC had been shredding my requests for transfer. Dirty bastard! In 1965, I was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, not to a infantry company, but to Schools Troops. I opened up the 106mm recoilless rifle self-propelled anti-tank Ontos School, and then retired as a Master Sergeant of Marines in 1966. As a Marine, I worked up until the day I retired, refusing to attend my retirement parade. That really pissed off my School Troops OIC. Too bad, I was gone!
DID YOU RECEIVE ANY AWARDS FOR VALOR? CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW THEY WERE EARNED?
Yes, I received the Purple Heart during combat in Korea. When we left Yudan-ni in the Chosin Reservoir it was 30 below zero. Lieutenant Owen told me to turn myself into the Aid Station for frostbite. At the time, that really hurt. My feet were bad, but I was keeping up with the troops and doing my part. The thought that he would order me, his number one Marine to turn in with frostbite was unbearable. I didn't know the battalion was going to make a cross mountain fight to relieve Fox Hill. My feet would not have made it. I stumbled off the hill and into the Aid Station and had a Corpsman take a look at my feet. They were bad. The next day I couldn't walk, only hobble.
The entire Marine Force was to head south. I didn't want to ride. I thought I could walk south and come out as a fighting Marine. As much as I wanted, I just couldn't handle the walking. My feet couldn't support my weight or my mind. I ended up on the right front fender of a 6x6 truck loaded with wounded Marines. I refused to get inside the truck. Outside, I could still use my weapon and at least help protect the convoy.
The trip south is well documented and recorded in Marine Corps History. Some things happened that are not history making, but should be mentioned if for no other reason than they did happen. A Chaplain, Father Griffin, walked directly in front of my front fender for many miles. Every few hours he would walk the convoy and I always got a tiny bottle of whiskey, scotch, or bourbon. What a beautiful thing to happen! Now, it would mean little. Then, it was a true gift from heaven.
 With no warning, we received fire from our right flank, a small flat area 50–100 feet below the road bed. Who directed fire? Father Griffin started giving fire commands. Sounded like an Old Corps Gunnery Sergeant. Every able Marine followed his directions and secured that area. He repeated that plan of action several times, sometimes with language that an Old Corps Gunnery Sergeant would be proud of. I'm sure God has forgiven him.
Before we reached Hagaru-Ri, we received some mortar fire from our right flank. Most of the rounds fell far short because we were above their positions by some 20-30 feet. We had no KIA, but a few WIA. I caught a piece of metal on my right foot and scattered pieces throughout my body. Father Griffin was there with one of his little bottles and had someone cut off my boot and bind the foot wound. The other wounds weren't noticed until I reached Japan. No Purple Heart for frostbite. I am still picking bits of metal from my leg as they work to the surface.
The ride from Yudan-ni to Hagaru-Ri beat walking, but it was not really a hayride. A lot of WIA Marines were KIA before the trip ended. A number of Marines became unnoticed heroes before our destination was reached. Father Griffin lived up to his vows during his long walk and far exceeded the requirements his peers set. It was no hayride!
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
The first time I stuck a carbine bayonet into a ChiCom's chest! At the battle of Sudong in November, 1950 my 60MM Mortar squad was assigned a finger of hill overlooking a road and rail line as an outpost with a sound powered phone as communications with the Mortar CP. We fired all our 60 ammo prior to dark on fire missions to our rear-not front. The Chinese had us surrounded and were attacking from our rear.
 As darkness enveloped our position, we could hear the Chinese chattering below us at our rear. Suddenly they attacked in about platoon strength. We repulsed that attack and two or three more before we had fired all our small arms ammo. By then it had grown dark-black dark. I instructed my 2 Marines armed with a carbine to make sure the bayonet was firmly attached to the weapon as we were going to play John Wayne on their next charge, and for them to yell and charge as they engaged the Chinese.
And so we did!! It was real noisy there for a short time then the Chinese pulled back. They attacked a couple more times and we beat them back every time. It AIN'T like the movies!!! My first bayonet attack was NOT as I expected. It's easy to stab the body, but hard to pull the blade out. A foot to the body and a hard yank is required to free the blade so you can stab the next dude. Just a few minutes of the fighting and you're tired, completely exhausted. We beat off several attacks with our bayonets before the Chinese gave it up as a lost cause and left for someplace else. We later returned to our section and had some GOOD sea stories to tell.
On another cold November day, in fact, Thanksgiving Day, I do believe, Captain Wilcox got word that we were going out there and over here and up that way to find some Marines that were KIA, WIA, or MIA from another Company. If there are Marines out there, let's go! That was the spirit as we took off.
We left the road and headed west into the hills. The first hill was a killer, but we were tough and made it across a saddle and down onto a slightly lower hill. Of course there were peaks in every direction. No Chinese force were spotted. Several were seen running away, nobody to fight with though.
Suddenly we were hit... 360 degrees. Our position was certainly not desirable. We had high ground between us and the only road out. It was a beautiful day so Air was called in. That helped. Captain Wilcox was on the radio and caught one right through the face. Not KIA, but a positive WIA and out of the fight. Lieutenant Kurcaba took the Company. Lieutenant Kurcaba was a mustang and one of the finest Officers this old Corps ever had.
We were really pinned down and getting hit hard. Our 60 MM mortar ammo was expended so we turned into riflemen. My firing pin broke and here I was... up the creek with no weapon. At that moment, PFC Arnold Brunk, right next to me, took a round in his left arm, so I took his weapon. I got him back to the aid station, a depression on top of the hill, and then got back into the fun.
We were not winning. Lieutenant Kurcaba was a no nonsense Marine. Not given to heroics, but steady solid decisions. I was back at the CP with Lieutenant. Owen when Lieutenant Kurcaba looked toward a saddle to our east and stated calmly that we would take some Marines and kick the Chinese from the saddle. Now Lieutenant Owen couldn't remain silent. He asked if the 60 MM Mortar Section should help. The end result was that I should take two squads of our Mortar men and join in the bayonet assault of the saddle.
Bayonet fighting has always been nasty. This was too. We did it and I returned to the company with my mortar men to prepare to move back to the road. We had nineteen wounded. Some litter cases and some walking.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?
Not any one particular individual stands out, but several Marines have made major impacts on my thoughts and ways of living though. Lieutenant Joe Owen stays in my mind as a real Marine’s Marine. In Korea he taught me the hard truth of life, to face things head on, and then take charge. Of course, a tour of duty around Chesty Puller has to impress you with the real spirit of being a Marine. Also, many of my Troops have made me come to realize that leadership is simply being honest and leading them to get the mission accomplished!
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
After I retired from the Marine Corps, I sat down and wrote some notes on paper, and put them away. My granddaughter found them, and had a book printed for me.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I went to work for the Auto Club of Southern California in their claims department and was retired after fifteen years as a Claims Supervisor.
Now I am an eighty four year old former active duty Marine doing only those things that my wife and I enjoy.
HOW HAS SERVING THE ARMED FORCES INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
 I fought for the right to keep letting everyone vote, so VOTE!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL CURRENTLY SERVING?
Hang in there, give them the best you have, and don’t get too discouraged by the civilians who try to run the military.
HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
I enjoy the site and I have met some interesting Marines! |
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