Pemberton, Bill Burch, Cpl

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I guess I'd have to say, my Mother. She was a WWII Army 1st Lt. Nurse, and my original plans were to enjoy the Summer after High School, then try the Air Force, I liked airplanes for some reason. After staying out a little late she instituted Plan USMC. I woke up to knocking on the front door, which was delivered by a set of Dress Blues, and a hung over 17 years old will say and sign anything just to go back to sleep.

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?
As I said I liked airplanes, and the Recruiter told me Marines have airplanes too, and I could goof off for 120 days. OK, where do I sign? After an invigorating 12 weeks at lovely, and balmy Parris Island, SC and a short stay at Camp Geiger, SC. It was off to my Aviation School at NAS Memphis, Millington, Tn. Now, this is where you find out that if you fail the school the aviation based contract with the Corps is voided and you will become a rifleman. Luckily I love mechanical things and got out of the school 3rd in the class. Powers to be thought I'd be beneficial to the Corps by staying on at the school as Permanent Personnel, until Sept. '66. Then it was off to Okinawa to the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, OH CRAP! jumping off boats and stuff like that. WTF I'm a jet engine mechanic. On the cattle car, out the window, I see a big shiny vertical stabilizer and a feeling of calm came over me.and with the KC130's I stayed till Aug. '68.

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?
On Okinawa, and at Danang, It was ground support for our Aircraft. Keep them running, keep them flying, and keep them available at all times. We flew support for several ground operations as a Squadron, Flare and cargo drop, in-flight refueling, troop movement, what ever when ever, where ever. Also was on deck for the July '67 rocket attack on the Danang Air Base. If I wasn't walking back from MAG 11 wouldn't have even noticed it, except for the explosions. was a quiet night up to that.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Boy that's a hard one. First would be jumping off the train at Yamesse, SC in the driving rain and some receiving Cpl screaming at us. 2nd. Putting into perspective the human significance of body bags from 881. I had already served Honor Guard out of Memphis, but seeing it first hand was a very sobering experience. Plants your feet firmly on the ground, and think "Don't do anything stupid". 3rd . Learning of the crash of VMGR 152 KC130-F #149813 Feb.10, 1968 at Khe Sanh. LCpl. Jerry Ferren was my room-mate on Okinawa and died, as a result of his burns, along with John D'Adamo and Dave Devik.

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?
Each and every one of them. Because I was a kid, and I earned them, and that in turn shoved me into manhood. A little shaky at first, but a real good start.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Master Gunnery Sgt. Gil Mora. He was my Boss at Memphis, but more than that, he was my friend, and that's why Gil Stands out above all the rest. And of course My Senior Drill Instructor, SSgt. Jack Davis. Who went on to achieve the rank of Capt.

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?
Seeing as no one got hurt. and it was more awesome than funny Ha Ha. An AF F4 bellied in on takeoff and stopped in front of our line shack at DaNang, the resulting fire interrupted the poker game, so we went over to the line to watch, (remember that don't do something stupid). Well neither did I. When those things blow up it's rather impressive, the time lag between the Boom and the parts hitting the tarmac is also impressive. enough for the utterance let's get the Hell outta here to be meaningful. The inventory of bits and pieces the next morning was extensive including the nose gear about 10 yards from where we were standing. PS Our aircraft were in the air so we had basically no damage the bird dogs next door weren't so lucky.

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?
Went to work at Lockheed-Georgia, Marietta, Ga. in the C130 Prop Shop and Then on C5 Galaxy Final Assembly Flight Line. but economic reasons Layoffs were on the horizon so I moved on to a Galaxy of other jobs. None as much fun as Lockheed but paid the bills. And now I'm retired playing on the internet; TWS couple of Page Admin. VMGR152 and VMGR152 SubUnit#1. Battleherks, a Marine Legacy, Moderator, and contributor. Facebook, Daily Vietnam Veterans Memorial Posts.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

American Legion

American Legion, Wm. Travis Post 493, Mayville New York.

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?
Being borderline anal. Wanting things to be right the first time. Know that everything has a place and never putting it there for a few days.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
If you make personal bonds with people have a journal and write information down and keep it in a safe place. cause when you hit 60+ you won't remember squat. Really There are pictures of me at a USO show I don't remember ever being at and names, fogid abod it!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Oh man, I have reconnected with so many old and made new friends, and a new awareness of our Military, Past, Present, and Future. Make it a point to remember that every single day, because if it wasn't for them and us it wouldn't matter.

DS 4/25/17