TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS?
My family was very poor. We lived on "day labor" money and anytime we could find work we worked. And of course, after some places at work, the person never paid us at all. When we finished the job at hand we went to collect our pay. But only

Youg Recruits Standing Tall

to find the man or woman had left. Come back tomorrow would be the deal. A lot of times we (my brother ) & I approached a door to ask for work and a kid we went to school with answered the door. That would always be a good laugh at school. In school, we didn't have books most years. Never on welfare because we did have a mother and father that prevented from getting help. So Dad departed for Ohio. He did send some money home but never enough to pay rent, buy food, water, electricity and buy books for school. But also my mother was too proud to ask for help through the welfare. She never asks welfare was for black people she would tell up. From age 6 to 17 picking beans in muddy fields during summer, hauling hay in the fall, topping, suckering tobacco, leafing tobacco, stalking tobacco and hanging it for the drying, hours like sunrise to sundown and finally moving every 2-3 months because we couldn't pay the rent I decided that one less mouth to feed would help the family I joined our Corps.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
The following is my Marine Footprint: 1963-1963, 0311, USS Montrail (APA-213); 1963-1965, 0311, 2nd Bn (2/8)/G Company; 1964-1964, 0311, USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) ; 1965-1967, 8151, Marine Barracks/Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Philippines; 1967-1967, 8513, Infantry Training School(s) (SOI) EAST/1st Infantry Training Regiment (1st ITR); 1967-1968, 0311, 7th Marine Regiment/3rd Btn

Teaching the Young Recruits

(3/7); 1968-1968, 0311, 2nd CAG/CAP 2-4-126; 1968-1968, 0311, III MAF/4th Combined Action Group (4th CAG); 1969-1970, 0311, Infantry Training School(s) West/Basic Infantry Training Schools Camp Pendleton; 1970-1970, 8562, Marine Corps Bases Atlantic/Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA; 1970-1971, 8562, Marine Corps Bases Pacific/MCB Camp Pendleton; 1971-1972, 0369, 9th Marine Regiment/3rd Bn (3/9) ; 1971-1972, 8562, Marine Corps Bases Pacific/MCRD San Diego, CA ; 1972-1975, 8421, Marine Corps Bases Atlantic/MCB Camp Lejeune, NC ; 1975-1978, 8511, Service and Support Schools/Drill Instructors School, MCRD PI, SCI; 1975-1978, 8511, MCRD Parris Island, SC/3rd Bn15; 1978-1979, 0369, Marine Corps Bases Pacific/MCB Japan; 1979-1982, 0369, 24th Marine Regiment/3rd Bn (3/24) ; 1982-1985, 9999, Training Command/MCRD, San Diego, CA; 1985-1988, 9999, 24th Marine Regiment/3rd Bn (3/24); 1988-1989, 9999, MACG-18/MASS-240; 1989-1990, 9999, 25th Marine Regiment/3rd Bn (3/25); 1991-1993, 9999, Recruiting Units/4th MCD/Recruiting Station Cleveland Ohio.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Combat Operations Included: Vietnam War */*Multiple Operations 1968/CAP (1968); Vietnam War */*Multiple Operations 1972/Easter Offensive (1972); Vietnam War */*Multiple Operations 1967/Foster (1967) ; Vietnam War */*Multiple Operations 1968/Rock (1968) ; 1967-1967 Vietnam War */*Multiple Operations 1967/Knox (2nd Part) (1967); Also a second tour with the 9th. Marines in 71 attached to the Air Wing at Bien Hoa, guarding the Northern bomb dump. Nothing exciting except my 1st. born male child was born in Whittier, Calif.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Bootcamp 63; Med-Cruise 64-65; MB Subic Bay; 19 Nov. 1967 WIA with India 3/7. Biggest day to remember of my tour there. A lot of great Marines got me out and saved my life. Thanks, Lt. Wilson, Getting married to a wonderful lady which I never deserved. Birth of our first born male child; 2nd. born male child' 3rd. born male child and then Retirement.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?

Citation for the Award of the Bronze Star.

I received a Bronze Star & Purple Heart for the actions on 19 Nov. 1967. The citation is on my profile.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?

Bronze Star and the Purple Heart Medal

To me, the most meaningful ones are the Bronze Star and The Purple Heart Medal. To be so close to death caused by a bullet is tremendous. A fraction of an inch, either way, I'm dead. The sniper actually squeezed the trigger with the full meaning of death. If you have never been in that position it's hard to understand but I'm one lucky SOB. Thanks to the whole platoon getting us out fast enough to save our lives.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?

I'm a Marine with the help of my Wife.

My wife. Sounds very strange but if she was not there with me. I would never have made 30 years. My Drill Instructors who taught me the traits & principals I lived by for those years. Marines were the troops I served.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
While sweeping two tree lines the area of our platoon to meet up was a bend in a large river. Through the day 100 degrees and started early in the morning, it was about 3-4 on a HOT day in Vietnam. I know we should never have done it BUT I was held hostage by 30 Marines tired, dirty, hungry, and fun loving young Americans so we went swimming. A defensive perimeter was established early. 3-4 men at a time and only 5 minutes to get clean. The embankment was steep due to the bend in the river and the rise & fall of the river. Wet red clay was slick and hard to climb when you were to get out and allow the next group to enter. myself & my MG section leader Sgt. Thomlinson (sp) he wore very thick glasses got our turn but I never jumped in. In my boots only holding my soap & rag and hell broke loose. MG rifles about a half dozen VC must have been shooting at us, as I & Thomlinson hit the bank to climb up it was so damn slick it seemed forever to get to the top. We got there about the same time and both jumped over landing on the Lt, who was in the process of calling supporting arms. Now our guy busted caps real good and returned fire within seconds but still, me & Thomlindon were red with clay. Our face neck hands, arms, had red clay on us so bad and trying to rub it off made it worse. Thomlinson & I were laughing at the Lt and ourselves when he turned and looked at me with those google eyes and said, "Hey Ike, go back down and get my glasses, I can't see a damn thing".

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
Right now I'm retired but I taught 14 years with the Navy JROTC here in Ohio. I taught one year in North Carolina with Col. John Bailey. What a year that was but could not handle paying for 2 households so I returned. Ran right into a new school opening

Still Teaching the Young Guns.

a program when I returned to Ohio. Great school and good people. First-year the Navy Commander was relieved for messing with the girls. I did it myself for over 3 months working 6 class periods early morning and late evening practice. I got tired. Finally got a Marine Major so we had a good year. At that time two Marines could not be in a Navy program without a Navy guy. The Major transferred to a school in Akron. Got another L/Cdr. and we lasted about 12 years. Did one more year and called it quits with the help of a student, a thief, the Navy and an Area Manager that did not love my talking to him like a stepchild. My mistake. HaHaHaHaHa Loved every minute of it. Had a great time. Thanks, E.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Been a member of our local VFW and attend dinners & a few things through the years but nothing to brag about. I also became good friends of a Navy Senior Chief who was a "Son of the American Revolution" member. He introduced me to a group that had coffee every Saturday morning. I started going to that coffee thing for years and just this year stopped. A lot more to that story but not at this time.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
Throughout my life, I have always been just a good old country boy. As I grew up in our Corps and was taught the traits & principles, I have tried to live by them.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Be honest and upfront with yourself and your men. Talk to everyone from the lowest rank to the highest. Be on time, be early, and be in the right uniform. Look for an inspection every time you're in uniform. Take care of your family and pay your bills. No dope of any kind. Get a good MOS and use it for your exit when you get out or retire. Save your money, invest in something for your later days.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

TWS and the US MARINES

Communication with men I had long lost in the bygone years. Member of my units back 40 -45 years that I totally forgot. Great to see & hear from them in e-mail, pictures and pass along stories about the careers. Can't be any better than that. Member of my platoon in boot camp: My first unit at CLNC 2/8, MB Subic Bay; Vietnam grunt unit 3/7, Every unit I was in I do believe I have found a member.

DS 4/20/17