1. OTHER SERVICES VOICES:
2. MARINES
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4. NAVY
5. •
6. AIR FORCE
7. •
8. ARMY
9. •
10. COAST GUARD

BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?

Following graduation from high school in 1945, I joined the Marine Corps as soon as possible. As we now know, the invasion of Japan was to take place in late 1945 and early 1946 and was to be in two operations under the title "Operation Coronet," invading the island of Kyushu and near the vicinity of the city of Tokyo. It was a certainty that I would have been a part of that operation. The number of causalities on both sides was estimated to be very heavy. We also know the Atomic Bomb was the deciding factor in ending WW II and I believe that action saved my life. I recently received a copy of a book called "China Marine" written by Eugene B. Sledge, a Marine veteran who was involved in the actions on Peleliu and Okinawa with the First Marine Division and also served in China after the war with the First Marine Division, who stated in his book, "The A-Bomb saved my life, saved my buddies lives, and most decidedly saved the lives of millions of Japanese, civilians as well as military"   to that I say Amen!   

After completing boot camp at Parris Island, I was sent to Camp Lejeune Engineering School at Court House Bay thanks to my experiences with plumbing and electrical work during the summers and working for the Army Map Service. After Engineering School, I was assigned to "B" Company of the First Marine Division and was transferred to Tientsin China after the war ended and was later transferred to H & S Company and the Mapping and Reproduction section of H & S Company under the command of Capt. "Andy" Anderson. As the political events were unfolding between the Nationalists and Communist Chinese, the division was later moved to Tsingtao, China.

DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?

No combat operations - however, as the Nationalists and Communist Chinese increased their action against each other, with the Communists winning more than the Nationalists, the Marines became involved in many actions against the Communists. As an example, in April 1947, the Communists attacked the Divisions ammo dump near Taku China (on the North China sea) in which several Marines were killed and over 200 Communists soldiers were eliminated. The Nationalists were losing control of North China and the First Marine Division was ordered to relocate to Tsingtao China where they remained until 1949.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?

I have many great memories as a Marine and the training I received has stayed with me until this day. I am thankful for the values obtained during my service and I guess the best memories are the men I served with, all were great Marines and good friends. To this day the friendship between us is still firm and we still meet at least once a year to remember those days and re-tell those salty stories about our time in the Corps.  Every once in a while I look at the fading pictures and think back to those great days as a "Band of Brothers."

WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?

Other than my buddies, there are three Marines that impacted my service life. You may not believe this, but the most outstanding was my D.I. in boot camp, SSgt Cory. He was a short man, about 5'6" tall, but he would not back down from anyone.  He taught us pride in the Corps, our Country and ourselves.  He instilled discipline, respect for others and to never back down from any task placed before us. Before we finished boot camp, he was transferred to Motor Transport and when we were about to complete training he returned to shake hands with everyone in the platoon and wished us the best, I have always admired him because of that.  The second person who made an impact on me was the Skipper, Capt. Andy Anderson. He was a Marines Marine who never got excited and worked with everyone under his command and treated everyone with respect. The third person would be the NCO in charge at that time, D.J. O'Connor, a great friend  and "buddy" and an outstanding career Marine who retired after some 20 years as a Marine with the rank of CWO4 - he recently passed away.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

My Marine Corps experience played a major part in my career after leaving the Corps. I attended Columbia Technical Institute and received my Architectural Engineering Degree. I worked for a major General Contractor and was responsible for several multi-million dollar projects such as:  NSA Headquarters at Fort Meade Maryland; CIA Headquarters at Langley, Va. (near DC); The National Gallery of Art East Building (a 7 year project); The Dirksen Senate Office Building and several other projects for the Architect of the Capital. These are just a few to mention as there are many other projects I was responsible for in the Washington D.C. area. After 40 years I retired in 1989 and have consulted on several projects in this area since retirement.

HOW HAS SERVING THE ARMED FORCES INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?

The Marine Corps experience played a major part of my life unto this day. To maintain control of large projects, the decision making was based on the training I received from the Corps.  I learned respect for the people working under and with me  to accomplish the final goal of doing a good job for the Owner and make a profit for the company.  As an example, and not bragging, I was selected in 1988 as the outstanding Project Manager of the year by the Washington, D.C. Subcontractors Association from over 2000 other Project Managers in the area, for which I was awarded the "Pierre L'Enfant Award." This achievement is very humbling to me, but it would not have happened, I believe, without the training received from the Marine Corps.

HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?

There is a story connected with TWS and to make a long story short, a few years ago I met a former marine, MSgt Rolland May, by accident or by province who knows, who has become a very good friend and who served under the same skipper I did, Capt Anderson, and with our mutual friend D.J. O'Connor. TWS has allowed me to meet some of his friends and I have been able to meet others as well, I think this is excellent!
Semper Fi!