Madagan, Joseph, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve on my 17th birthday but was not sworn in until later that month when the Commanding Officer was on site to conduct the Oath of Enlistment. Having been raised in Newport News, Virgina which is a shipbuilding town, many opportunities were provided to observe Sailors on liberty, as well as Marines who were waiting for their ship to be commissioned at the yard. Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis were also in the vicinity, so many soldiers were on liberty in the city. The Marines seemed to have a manner of carrying themselves, and their conduct was admirable, as well as their military bearing.

The Soldiers of the Sea rang a bell with me, having both ground missions and sea missions were very appealing. The Korean War was still in memory, as well as World War II and I admired the valor of the Marines. All the paperwork was completed and all I had to wait for was my birthday.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Enlisted in the 97th Special Rifle Company as a Rifleman. Promoted to Private First Class during my first Annual Duty for Training at Camp LeJeune and made a Fire Team Leader. After graduation from High School, and completing my job as a Life Guard, I integrated to Active Duty in the USMC, and reported to MCRD Parris Island and was assigned to Platoon 276, Company B, First Recruit Training Battalion. Graduated 18 December 1957 with orders for Sea School. Next, Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Geiger in January and February 1958. Reported to the East Coast Sea School, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA. During forming week, eight of my fellow classmates and I were transferred to Guard Company, MB NNSY.

Sentry Duty on the perimeter of the Shipyard was our mission and assigned to various gates. Promoted to Corporal (E-3) and assigned as NCOIC of the Main Gate, Gate Number 10. When USS Boxer (LPH-4) was being converted from CVS-21 to LPH in the shipyard dry dock, orders to Sea School were received, and reported to Marine Detachment, USS Boxer (LPH-4) and assigned as the Captain's Orderly. Served under two Captains during my tour. Assigned to Schools Demonstration Troops, Company A, MCS Quantico, VA.

Placed in the Color Guard, carrying the American Flag for ceremonies, and swimming instructor for PLC and NROTC students requiring remedial swimming lessons. Performed duties as Aggressor for Basic School students and OCS students. Discharged from Active Duty. Returned to the 97th Rifle Company, and promoted to Infantry Platoon Sergeant.

Inter-service transfer to attend Army Officer Candidate School. Retired from U.S. Army as a Major of Armor.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Recalled to Active Duty during Operation Desert Shield. Reported to Mobilization Station as IRRs were being recalled and formed into Armor Battalions. Pre-positioned equipment consisting of M-1 Main Battle Tanks (Abrams) at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean were diverted to USMC to replace their M-60 Main Battle Tanks and Mobile Training Teams from Fort Knox, KY assigned to train up Marines in the use of these weapons. This decision moved our deployment date for in country and training back 90 days.

Land warfare was was successful in removing the Iraqi Army from Kuwait, so the Armor Battalions set to deploy were discharged. Re-Assigned to PERSCOM in Arlington, VA in the Mobilization Directorate, in the Operations Center until Operation Provide Comfort was terminated. Served 104 days in the Puzzle Palace before being discharged and returned to the Retired Officer List.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Sea Duty, serving in USS BOXER (LPH-4) because we were on the move constantly. She was nicknamed "Busy Bee" and a bee in our logo, for she was always underway or getting ready to get underway. This was a busy time for the Corps developing the Vertical Envelopment Concept, which is now known as the Vertical Assault Doctrine.

Schools Demonstration Troops was least desirable, for it lacked teamwork for the most part. Individual commitments were given on a daily basis, for various assignments. All that would change with a call to prepare for Honor Guard. The Marines assigned to this Company were for the most part Sea Going Marines who had Dress Blues, so we formed Ceremonial Guard Company.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Exchanging Duty with a Fellow Marine Orderly on the USS Boxer, so he could accompany the Gunnery Officer to observe Final Protective Fires of a Marine Battalion embarked on our Amphibious Squadron at Vieques Island, PR. While on duty with the Captain on the Open Bridge of the ship, we observed the approach of the helicopter returning from the demonstration. The pilot was given clearance to land on the flight deck of the ship.

The chopper veered off to Starboard on the approach, and we first thought he was going to come back around for a better approach, then the aircraft dropped out of sight. The helicopter crashed into the drink. My fellow Marine jumped out and began to swim away when the blade still rotating struck him in the head and killed him. The crews were rescued. The Gunnery Officer was found still buckled into his seat three days later when the craft was raised by salvage crews. We carried the body back to Norfolk, VA for burial in New Orleans. Rest in Peace, Marine.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Not exposed to combat during my 34 years of military service.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Army Commendation Medal, awarded during Recall to Active Duty during Gulf War.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Then Staff Sergeant, Robert Rubachko, Drill Instructor, Platoon 276. Major Rubachko is retired from the USMC after serving 30 years. He has attended Platoon 276 Reunions and is still an impact on our lives. Then Gunnery Sergeant Clovis C. "Buck/Igor" Coffman, Jr. who encouraged me to apply for Army OCS when the USMC declined by letter volunteering for Active Duty during the Vietnam War. "Buck" retired as a LtCol USMC. "Buck" was promoted to Colonel following his death, by the Secretary of the Navy, and the Amphibious Recon Facility at Joint Base Fort Story, VA was named to honor him, by order of the Secretary of the Navy. See photo of the memorial plaque in my photos.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Private Wilmer misplaced his bucket during our first two weeks of training at Parris Island. We were in the 3rd Battalion area living in Nissan Huts and assembled at the wash racks to do our laundry for the first time. He could not find his bucket and was wandering around the area, while we were washing our gear and clothes. Unable to talk, we looked at each other wondering what he was going to do. Then without rapping three times on the Drill Instructor's Hatch, and requesting permission to speak to the Drill Instructor, he just walks up to the hut and asked Sgt. Rubachko if he had seen his bucket.

Sgt. Rubachko stepped out of the hut, placing his campaign hat on his head, and embraced PVT Wilmer around the shoulders, saying, "Don't call me Sir, just call me Bob, what the hell we have been here two weeks now?" "Come inside and have a seat" PVT Wilmer was given a cup of coffee and told to place his feet up on the desk. Now the suspense really mounted for those observing all this activity. Moments later, PVT Wilmer was airborne flying out the hatch, with the bucket rolling along behind him. He survived, but still will not laugh at this incident during our Reunions, but everyone else still gets a good laugh, including Major Rubachko.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Insurance Investigator, Claims Adjuster, and later specialized in Fidelity and Surety Bond Claims. Reinsurance Bond Claim Manager with Allstate Reinsurance Company, Chicago, IL. Retired as Bond Claims Superintendent, Insurance Company of North America (CIGNA) in the home office in Philadelphia, PA.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Marine Corps Association; Association of the United States Army; Army Officer Candidate School Alumni Association; Marine Corps Institute supporter.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Discipline and perseverance.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Serve your Nation in the Military Service. Not for what you can get out of it, but for what you can contribute.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US MARINES

While working at volunteer administrator it was a pleasure to meet many World War II Combat Veterans and Korean War Combat Veterans and assist them in completing their profiles and posting photos for them.

DS 10/12/17