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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
Sgt Raymond Lee Britt US Marine Corps (1965-1971)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
In some cases young "boys" that join the military service at an early age, desire to get away from home. They feel the walls of their home closing in on them and join any branch of service that will take them. In 1965, I was one of those young "boys",  at the age of 17, that decided to run and joined the Marine Corps. I had to get away from an alcoholic stepfather and the conditions I was living.
As I was getting older my stepfather began feeling threatened by my bulking up and when he would return home intoxicated, he would desire to "prove to me that he was still a man that could take me and was the man of the home." Christmas Eve 1964, he returned home intoxicated, told me "....I'll show you who the man of the house is" and commenced to pick me up and throw me out the front door while it was snowing, also saying to me, "don't enter this door again until you can prove to be a man."
On January 3, 1965, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and after returning home on my first leave after boot camp, I walked through that front door, solid muscle weighing in at 165 pounds being lean and mean, with a stern Marine look upon my face. He made no comment about my walking through the front door, but surely was put on notice that he had better not lay another hand upon this person -- which he never did again. Later, and the only time he ever called me "his son", was when I returned home from Vietnam with a chest full of medals. Only then did he allow himself to introduce me to his drinking buddies as "his son", showing his pride towards me and what I had accomplished in the Marine Corps and when at war.
One other reason for my entering the military when I did was the fact that I sustained a major brain concussion while in gym class in high school in October, 1964. I was out of school for 2 months straight, didn't desire to try to catch up after missing so many days and assignments, so I made the decision to leave high school, join the Marine Corps and get my high school education while in the military.
After returning from Vietnam in 1965, I attended night school, correspondence school, and even later got my GED through USAFI as my military records show. Later I would enter college by having completed my high school education as I did while in the Marine Corps.
These are the major reasons why I volunteered to join the military, not really knowing then that the Vietnam War would call me to duty.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
The Marine Corps was served by me for almost 7 years. Almost 7 years of undivided, patriotic, and outstanding devotion to GOD, Country and Corps. My working career path started in the Corps being a Personnel and Administrative Clerk while attached to VMO-6, MAG-36, 1st MAW -- first in California  and then traveling with the 3d MAW to Vietnam. The whole 3d MAW packed up, boarded the LPH-5, USS Princeton and headed for the shores of South Vietnam in 1965. Throughout my tenure with the Corps my primary MOS was 0141, Administrative Man, but I also served as a grunt, security guard and UH1E helicopter door gunner, all without trading my initial MOS of 0141.
After Vietnam I also served with Marine Corps Supply Center, (G-1) Albany, Ga; HQMC, Decorations and Medals Branch; HQ, 4th MCD, Philadelphia, Pa.; Hqs Co, Hq Bn, (G-1), 3d Marine Division, Okinawa and then transferred to California for discharge in 1971. I always maintained my primary MOS of 0141 throughout my several assignments. My administrative skills were always top notched, which led me to always be assigned to either the Commanding Officer's Office, or under the Commanding General's office.
My most important assignment, I believe, was that at HQMC working in the Decorations and Medals Branch -- working on two Medal of Honor (MOH) Citations for GySgt Howard and Lieutenant Bobo. It was an honor for me to have been present at the presentation of GySgt Howard's Medal of Honor to him by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Both Marines received the MOH -- Lieutenant Bobo posthumously after he selflessly gave his life up when wounded and ordered his platoon to withdraw while he stayed behind to cover his platoon and delay the enemy.
It was more than an honor for me to have worked on many, many medal awards coming from Vietnam, reading of the constant valor that was being portrayed by my fellow Marine brothers-in-arms.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
Yes, I participated in combat operations against the insurgent Viet Cong and also against the North Vietnamese. Even though I was an 0141, I volunteered to be a UH-1E assault helicopter door gunner, flying over 25 combat missions, also served as a grunt and security guard protecting the MAG-36  base area. I also went on several patrols in the Ky Ha area of responsibility with the specific assignments of observation as well as to assist any South Vietnamese that needed assistance. The old adage about a Marine is always a grunt first, regardless of their MOS, is so true.
I earned the Navy Combat Air Crew Wings as well as an Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight for my combat service in participating against the enemy insurgents and North Vietnamese forces.
I also participated in a helicopter assault at Ky Ha on September 1, 1965, just after reaching Vietnam aboard the LPH-5 USS Princeton. For the next three months after getting there to Vietnam, I also served as a grunt, living in a fox hole guarding and protecting the MAG-36 area, during the evening and nights, while working in the S-1 office during the day. Combat duty requires a Marine to be working 7 days a week, 4 1/3 weeks a month, and 365 days a year. I was no exception to the rule.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
My most vivid memory of my entire service career was my participating in the two above Medal of Honor Citations and be present at one of the ceremonies at the White House -- contributing with all the personal work I did to get these two Marines what was due them  for their selfless actions in combat. These two citations were the most significant work I believed I did while in the Corps, but I also worked on many other award cases from Vietnam too.
The one most significant memory I have and can still vividly recall, however, was first seeing the "Freedom Bird" arriving to pick me,and hundreds of other American personnel up at DaNang, Vietnam, to return us back to the "World" and the United States. The feeling I felt when I saw that "bird", was an overwhelming feeling of jubilation and joy -- realizing I was about to make it through the Vietnam War alive. By that 13th month in country and in the conditions I had to live while in Vietnam, I was more than ready to return back to the "World", and this glorious country we live in which I served proudly with distinction and pride as a US Marine.
The "Police Action" and later "Vietnam War" I remember, is that of being an individual throughout my days in Vietnam. At the age of 18 I felt alone, abandoned, and the sacrifices being made was worthless while in the Vietnam War. Unfortunately I feel the very same way today, even though being proud of my service to GOD, Country, and Corps. That is the constant conflict I live daily.
WERE ANY OF THE MEDALS OR AWARDS YOU RECEIVED FOR VALOR? IF YES, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED?
I was awarded my first Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V" while in Vietnam for meritorious achievement and for my actions while the MAG-36 area at Ky Ha was being attacked at night by the Viet Cong while I served as a grunt and security guard during the first months after getting to Vietnam. Although I wear the Combat "V" because I am entitled to by declaration, I believe my actions were not extraordinary valor, but simply doing what I was trained to do as a Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Of all the medals, decorations, awards, and badges received, there are 3 that stick out in my mind as being the most significant to me. They are the Navy Combat Air Wings with 3 stars, the Air Medal and the Pistol Expert Shooting Badge.
The Combat Air Wings with 3 stars  sticks out in my mind because I was what was called a Remington Raider by my Drill Sergeants. The Remington Raider was that of an administrative person typing on the Remington Typewriter and not a combat raider -- A put down towards me in front of the rest of my original platoon (207) at Parris Island, SC in 1965. That name given me by my Drill Sergeants irked me and as a consequence I volunteered to be an aerial door gunner on the UH1E helicopter while serving in the Vietnam War, having flown over 25 missions with the MOS of 0141. M60 machine gun door gunners were badly needed in Vietnam when I was there. Volunteers within the squadron of VMO-6 were asked for and I stepped forward as an 18 year old to fill in those missions that needed door gunners for 3 months of the 13 months I was in the Vietnam War. I was a natural M60 door gunner, probably because of my constant bird hunting and shooting skills prior to my entry into the Corps.
It was my honor also to have received the Air Medal with Number 1 attached, for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while in a combat zone.
Although a Remington Raider as designated by my Parris Island drill instructors, I also became a volunteer aerial machine gun "raider" to make up for the humiliation I received in front of Platoon 207, March, 1965. I also wanted my future children to be proud of their earthly father after my demise and when they learned of my exploits during the Vietnam War.
My final most meaningful badge earned was that of the pistol expert shooting badge because it showed that my own personal training for the .45 M1911A1 pistol paid off in the way of becoming an expert with the .45 pistol. Only one other Marine fired a score higher than me in my unit -- that of my Gunnery Sergeant within my office, also a combat marine.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 The one person within my service years that stands out most within my mind is that of First Lieutenant Glen D. Mann. He was the first of my squadron (VMO-6) killed in the line of duty as a UH1E assault helicopter pilot. Lieutenant Mann was also the officer-in-charge of me within my office. Months later, my new commanding officer of only two weeks, was also killed-in-action while earning the Navy Cross (while rendering support fire for Gunnery Sergeant Howards' exploits that also earned him the Medal of Honor), making Lieutenant Mann that more endearing to me as my first officer, out of boot camp, directly in charge of me within the US Marine Corps. Lieutenant Mann's image still stays within my mind today!
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Although I enjoyed my service within the Marine Corps now, I cannot recount any particular incident from my service that was funny at the time and that still makes me laugh. I was strictly a serious minded Marine throughout my service to the Corps and my country, and always attempted to conduct myself accordingly.
I always shied away from being with the in-crowd, as I was the youngest Marine in the squadron and probably even then emotionally challenged at the age of 18 years old.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
 After my service I started college with the hopes of receiving a BS degree in business. With difficulties mounting within me because of PTSD from Vietnam, I was unable to pursue my college education at that time. Ultimately I choose a profession later in my life that led me to law enforcement and law corrections, working for a police department, county sheriff's office as a Deputy Sheriff, and later being appointed a state trooper -- which I turned down due to the beginning of PTSD from Vietnam, and witnessing the death of my second child, later being revived, to spend the rest of her life being mentally retarded and physically disabled.
At the present time I am retired, much dissatisfied with my life as it went, because of my emotional limitations to handle that which I lived and experienced in Vietnam and later witnessing my daughter dying at the age of 16 days old. My first child was stillborn at 7 months gestation within the first year of my marriage.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 The military associations that I am a member of are the Marine Combat Helicopter Association (Pop A Smoke) and the Marine Corps Association. One of the biggest benefits I derive from being affiliated with these organizations is the sense of belonging to 2 groups of people that have the same backgrounds as I did. And that is being a Marine, as well as having combat helicopter experiences in war.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
To me the old saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine" rings true to me and my life.
As a 17 year old in boot camp at Parris Island, it instilled deeply within me the respect for myself and gave me the pride of becoming not only who I am today, but also what I became in my life, always being ready to assist anyone in danger, willing to give my life in order to try to save theirs.
 Even at 64 years of life today I know that I am still willing to give my life for someone that may need my help, in order to try to assist them in any situation that they may be faced with while in danger. That training and experience came from and can be traced back to my Marine Corps boot camp experiences at Parris Island and continued to be developed during and while in the Vietnam War.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
The advice I would give to anyone serving in the military today is to follow the advice of those personnel that have been in combat. This advice is distinctly directed to those that have recently entered the military, and are waiting for their first combat experience. Always pay attention to those officers and non-coms that are instructing you, because what the instructors may be teaching you today, may save your life and the lives of those around you later in combat.
The old saying that "your training will take over in combat", even if you are afraid out of your wits, stands true. If one learns what is being taught, that knowledge and those instincts gained while training, when under fire in combat, will prevail. Guaranteed!
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
 Having PTSD from Vietnam and also later in my life, TWS has served me well by assisting me to be able to reach out to some of those Marines I served with in Vietnam. Just by the questions I have answered here, is guiding me to some of those deep, dark answers that lie so emotionally deep within me. TWS is helping me to cope with life and seems to be the key for me to stay connected with the Marine Corps as well.
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at the age of 17, that decided to run and joined the Marine Corps. I had to get away from an alcoholic stepfather and the conditions I was living.
and then traveling with the 3d MAW to Vietnam. The whole 3d MAW packed up, boarded the LPH-5, USS Princeton and headed for the shores of South Vietnam in 1965. Throughout my tenure with the Corps my primary MOS was 0141, Administrative Man, but I also served as a grunt, security guard and UH1E helicopter door gunner, all without trading my initial MOS of 0141.
base area. I also went on several patrols in the Ky Ha area of responsibility with the specific assignments of observation as well as to assist any South Vietnamese that needed assistance. The old adage about a Marine is always a grunt first, regardless of their MOS, is so true.
for their selfless actions in combat. These two citations were the most significant work I believed I did while in the Corps, but I also worked on many other award cases from Vietnam too.
sticks out in my mind because I was what was called a Remington Raider by my Drill Sergeants. The Remington Raider was that of an administrative person typing on the Remington Typewriter and not a combat raider -- A put down towards me in front of the rest of my original platoon (207) at Parris Island, SC in 1965. That name given me by my Drill Sergeants irked me and as a consequence I volunteered to be an aerial door gunner on the UH1E helicopter while serving in the Vietnam War, having flown over 25 missions with the MOS of 0141. M60 machine gun door gunners were badly needed in Vietnam when I was there. Volunteers within the squadron of VMO-6 were asked for and I stepped forward as an 18 year old to fill in those missions that needed door gunners for 3 months of the 13 months I was in the Vietnam War. I was a natural M60 door gunner, probably because of my constant bird hunting and shooting skills prior to my entry into the Corps.
The one person within my service years that stands out most within my mind is that of First Lieutenant Glen D. Mann. He was the first of my squadron (VMO-6) killed in the line of duty as a UH1E assault helicopter pilot. Lieutenant Mann was also the officer-in-charge of me within my office. Months later, my new commanding officer of only two weeks, was also killed-in-action while earning the Navy Cross (while rendering support fire for Gunnery Sergeant Howards' exploits that also earned him the Medal of Honor), making Lieutenant Mann that more endearing to me as my first officer, out of boot camp, directly in charge of me within the US Marine Corps. Lieutenant Mann's image still stays within my mind today!
After my service I started college with the hopes of receiving a BS degree in business. With difficulties mounting within me because of PTSD from Vietnam, I was unable to pursue my college education at that time. Ultimately I choose a profession later in my life that led me to law enforcement and law corrections, working for a police department, county sheriff's office as a Deputy Sheriff, and later being appointed a state trooper -- which I turned down due to the beginning of PTSD from Vietnam, and witnessing the death of my second child, later being revived, to spend the rest of her life being mentally retarded and physically disabled.
The military associations that I am a member of are the Marine Combat Helicopter Association (Pop A Smoke) and the Marine Corps Association. One of the biggest benefits I derive from being affiliated with these organizations is the sense of belonging to 2 groups of people that have the same backgrounds as I did. And that is being a Marine, as well as having combat helicopter experiences in war.
Even at 64 years of life today I know that I am still willing to give my life for someone that may need my help, in order to try to assist them in any situation that they may be faced with while in danger. That training and experience came from and can be traced back to my Marine Corps boot camp experiences at Parris Island and continued to be developed during and while in the Vietnam War.
Having PTSD from Vietnam and also later in my life, TWS has served me well by assisting me to be able to reach out to some of those Marines I served with in Vietnam. Just by the questions I have answered here, is guiding me to some of those deep, dark answers that lie so emotionally deep within me. TWS is helping me to cope with life and seems to be the key for me to stay connected with the Marine Corps as well.
