Griffith, Donald, 1stSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
My oldest brother joined the Marine Corps back in 1956, and as the second oldest brother of three brothers in our family, we were always competing at who was the bravest or the strongest. As young teenagers we would sneak down to our farmer's barn at nights and double-dare each other who would ride the bull first and stay on the longest. This attitude was to carry on for years later. I dropped out of high school and decided to join the Marine Corps. I went down to the Recruiters in Rochester, PA and told the Marine at the desk I wanted to sign up. I told him I had dropped out of high school. The Recruiter advised me to go back to school and finish my schooling first, and if I still wanted to be a Marine he would consider signing me up. I went back home and decided not to take the Marine Recruiter's advise, instead I did odd and end jobs as a painter until the following year came around. I went back to the Marine Recruiter and told the Marine SSgt I wanted to join the Marine Corps. That was the beginning of what I didn't expect to be a long career as a Marine.

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?
After my recruit training my MOS was basic 0300 and I went to Camp Geiger, NC for basic infantry training. After my basic training and some leave time, I returned back to Camp Geiger, NC to wait for further orders. During this time period Beirut, Lebanon was having civil unrest or the start of a civil war. I was assigned to 2dBn, 6th Marines, H&S Co. 106mmPlatoon. We boarded our ship out of Morehead City, NC, the USS Cambrea, APA-36. After the civil unrest in Beirut, Lebanon we were awarded the AFEM, and proceeded on to finish our six months Med Cruise. Upon returning to Stateside and some leave time I returned to 2/6 and received orders for the Philippines. I ended up with three tours at Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Philippines over the course of my 22 yrs. First was in 1959 and again in 1961 at Subic Bay, Philippines. My third tour was in Cubi Pt, MB, Philippines, soon to be designated as "B" Co. Marine Barracks.

My other adventures and cruises was several tours and training in and around the Caribbean Islands, Santo Dominican when President or Dictator Trijillo was assassinated, Panama Canal, during their upraising, In 1965 the 2nd Marine Division participated in the largest peacetime landing off the coast of Spain. Called, Steel Pike 1. I was serving with H&SCo, 81mm Platoon, 2/8. Later that year 2/8 made another Med Cruise for six months. We return stateside and our Regt was almost non-existent. Most of the men were being transferred to Vietnam in 1965. March 1966 I was finally transferred to Vietnam and joined with H&S Co, 81mm Mortar Platoon, 2/9. Our Battalion participated in Operations Liberty, Macon, Prairie, Hastings I & II, and Defense of Phu Bai airbase. The most significant thing about being in combat was the transformation from the Southern TAOR around Da Nang area, fighting the elusive Viet Cong and then going up against the NVA around Phu Bai and the DMZ area. Luckily I was not wounded and returned Stateside and was assigned to H&HSqdn, Cherry Point, NC as a Training NCO.

After a year there I was transferred back to Vietnam and I volunteered to be assigned with the 1st Recon Battalion. After 30 days with Recon Battalion and doing rubber boat training, running up and down China beach, showing off and being acclimated to the climate the word came down for SNCO volunteers for 1stForceRecon. I jumped at the offer without hesitation. All I saw was Gold Jump Wings, Scuba Badge and a chance to be with the best. I would find out later why they needed SNCOs. Fortunately for me I was to survive my time with 1stForceRecon and got to know some of the best bunch of professional Marines in my 22yrs. After my second tour in Vietnam I returned Stateside and became Troop Leader with 2nd ITR at Camp San Onofre, CA. From there I was assigned to MCRD as a Drill Instructor for the next two and half years. I was reassigned to Okinawa and volunteered to run the Enlisted & Officer Club at Onno Pt with my old outfit,1stRecon Battalion. After my tour with the Club System I went on to Marine Barracks, Philippines and was assigned as Guard Officer due to my past history assignment in the Philippines. I later made 1stSgt and was reassigned as1stSgt of "B" Company. After my tour was over I was sent to my final destination in Jacksonville, FL as 1stSgt I&I and soon retired thereafter.

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?
I participated in numerous operations. There were many significant events I encountered. Some were due to my fault and carelessness and I was able to survive. There was others that I had no control over the events and still survived. My first tour as an 81 FO, I was shot at by a sniper. My radio operator and I was left stranded by our platoon we were attached with. I was in an open dried riverbed when the sniper took his first shot that landed a few feet in front of me. My first instinct was to survive. I hit the ground and played dead. I asked my radio operator if he was okay. He acknowledged he was OK. I attempted to get up like a 100 yard sprinter when the sniper fired again and the sand hit me in the eyes and blinded me along with the sweat running down my face and eyes. I whispered to my radio operator and told him we're going this time and don't stop. We both got up and ran like hell across the dried riverbed toward our platoon. For some unknown reason I stopped and threw a grenade in what I believe was the direction of the sniper fire and let loose with my 45 and screamed some choice Marine language and continued to run for cover. We survived that day and was able to laugh about our experience.

The second significant event was south of Da Nang along the Thu Bon River. I was with Hotel Company. I had finished making a bunker for my short stay when the CO wanted me to move, due to the fact we had three VC suspects in our 81 gun position without blind folds and they were released since we couldn't find them to be VCs. I talked the CO out of moving because my men were tired and our hands were full of blisters digging in our gun positions. He reluctantly agreed until almost sunset. The CO returned and apologized and said he had to pull rank and have me move my guns for the safety of my men. With a few muttered words of anger I obeyed and moved my men to a designated spot requested by the CO. I had asked the amtrak commander if he would help me load up our sandbags to our new area and he obliged. After his help I suggested as a gesture of "Thank You", he could use my old area for camouflage for his amtrak and he took my offer. That evening a company size VC unit was attempting to sneak into our perimeter. All of a sudden a barrage of 60 mortar rounds landed in our company area. The VC had dropped the first round on target of the Company CP and walked the rounds out of the area. After the fire fight and mortar rounds ceased I investigated the destruction and checked for the safety of my men. It turned out where I had my little hole in the ground and now where the amtrak was, one lonely 60 mortar round landed in front of the amtrak ramp. The amtrak commander was seriously wounded by fragments as he set in his rocking chair on the amtrak ramp. My two old gun positions where the guns were, was two rounds each, that had bracketed my two guns within 20 feet or less. I could have lost my whole gun crew and possibly I would have been a WIA or worse, KIA that night if it wasn't for the CO's gut feeling to have me move. Never again did I doubt Hotel Company's CO. He was always one step ahead of Charlie many a days during a company sweep or a search and destroy operation.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I would have to say my wife. We married about the second year of my Marine Corps career and have been married for 51 years. She has produced four sons and was primarily responsible for advising them to join the Marine Corps and follow after their Dad. My oldest son, since has retired as a MSgt and my other three sons decided to pursue a civilian career.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Bronze Star w/ "V". This was designated "End of Tour Award." The award is a accumulation of events I was considered for. In any case none of the encounters with the enemy would have been successful if not for the team work and professionalism my Team members displayed. They were the ones that make me look good. I was just their leader.

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?
NBPRP, Pistol Competition Medal, Gold. The first 10 points toward a Marine Corps Gold Pistol badge I was on temporary assignment to the MCRD San Diego Rifle & Pistol Team in 1973 and 1974. In 1974 I believe I was classified by NRA as an Expert. I fired all season long, (About three months) up and down the West coastline of California against Military personnel, Police Departments and other civilian shooters. This is in training for the all West Coast Marine Corps competition, in hope to make it to the Marine Corps Shooting Team. I failed to make it to the Marine Corps Shooting Team. As the last day of the competition shooting was coming to an end there was one more match to complete. This is called a leg match and if you are lucky to get a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal you will acquire at least 10 points toward the Marine Corps Gold medal, whether it is a rifle or pistol. I was so disappointed in my failing to qualify for the Marine Corps Team I had no interest in shooting the last day's match. My Team Officer, who I forgot his name, was sympathetic for my failure to win the pistol competition for the All Marine Corps Team, he tried to talk me into shooting the leg match, if anything to get it off my mind. I agreed and fired the match the following day. My competitors were Distinguish shooters, (Former Olympian shooters), and other outstanding shooters better than me. Guys who shoot out the "X" ring and get angry if they only hit the 10 ring, (Bulls-eye). There was going to be one Gold medal, two Silver and three Bronze medals awarded. As faith would have it, I shot the highest score and got the Gold Medal. Today the Gold Medal hangs at the top of my medal display board with all my other first place pistol medals. I was never to compete with the 45, 38 and 22 cal pistol again.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Retired Col Robert Nunnally. Col Nunnally was my CO in the Philippines when I was his 1stSgt. Col Robert Nunnally died in late 2009 of Leukemia.

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?
After my retirement from the Marine Corps I moved to Idaho to introduce my family to God's country. We all like to fish, camp and enjoy the outdoors. What better place to raise a family with children and to have them enjoy what other children may never see. I got a job with the Veterans Administration and worked for twelve years or more until I realized I was having problems with my mental state of mind and had to retire and go into isolation. I am now retired from any workforce and enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, photography and gardening. My hunting days have come to an abrupt halt since my back and legs are not working the way they use to.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am now an active and life member of the Marine Corps League, Detachment No 878 in Boise, Idaho. I am the Detachment's newsletter editor and publisher. I am also a life member in the VFW and Vietnam Veterans of America. I am a member at large with the MCA, and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. As a member of the Marine Corps League I enjoy our weekly coffee conversation at our local restaurant with my fellow veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and some Afghan/Iraqi veterans. If there ever was a feeling of belonging, it's here with my fellow veterans. It's the family I missed from the Vietnam days.

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?
The whole world is a big challenge. Everyday I wake up it's a challenge. To give up is to just turn over and die. When my bones are aching and my legs give up it's a challenge to push myself not to give in to pain. When I feel like things are not going my way it's a challenge to fight off that feeling of despair and go out into the mountains and walk and look at nature at its best, or just grab a fishing rod and my grandchild, who is six and loves to fish. I look at my grandchild who lives with us, every other week for seven days and I thank the good Lord for this opportunity to do things with him I was not privileged to do with my own sons for 22 years.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Whether you joined on your own or felt like you were forced into something you regret today. Look on the bright side of life. You have been given an opportunity to live a life that you can only experience what your forefathers have lived and died for. You have met people of all walks of life and feel the pain and hopes that you and your family have at home.Take advantage of this opportunity being in the Marine Corps and understand what the rest of the world is going through rather than look down on other races and cultures as degrading. We are all human. We all want the same thing in life for our families. You are fortunate to have everything. The pain and suffering you bring back home with you, it's there forever. Learn to live with it and everyday remember your fellow Marines who were not able to come back to their loved ones. You are a walking witness to terror and horror of wars. Stay strong and don't feel guilty because you're alive and your buddies are not. When someone else or some Politician talks about kicking some country's butt, you are a witness to what can happen again. It's your duty to stand up and tell them there has to be another alternative then WAR!!

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

TWS and the US MARINES

TWS has put me in contact with many Marines I haven't heard from for years and have forgotten their names. I'm still surprised today the contacts I have gotten from fellow Marines who knew me or knew someone who knew me. This is a great site and I hope it continues to grow. Semper Fi, TWS. Great Job!

*J*