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Current Service Status
USMC Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Lance Corporal
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Current/Last Primary MOS
0311-Rifleman
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Current/Last MOSGroup
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1971-1972, 0311, Marine Barracks Whidbey Island
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Service Years
1968 - 1972
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Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Water Survival Basic (WSB)
Cold War Certificate
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2004, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 1263, Frank R. Vaise Post (Post Sergeant Major) (Renton, Washington)
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2014, TWS Memorial Team
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2015, Fraternal Order of the Marine Corps (YEMX)
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2015, Marine Corps League
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2015, Marine Corps Together We Served
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2015, American Legion
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2015, Marine TWS Advisory Group
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2016, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
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What are you doing now:
when I got out of the Marines I work as a mechanic, welder, trucker driver for 33 years, I was a race car driver for 20 years every sat. nite racing figure 8`s, I`ve been a gold prospecter since 1980 I`ve hunted for gold from Nome Alaska to Arizona to Australia in new south wales, now that I`m retired I travel around a little bit and still prospect some and spend time with my kids and grandkids. I also do voluntary work at my VFW Post 1263, help with Patriot Guard Riders, but the main thing is I try to stay busy.
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1968-1969, 0311, B Co, 1st Recruit Training Bn (Cadre/Instructors)
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1969-1970, 0311, USS Tulare (AKA-112)
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1969-1970, 0311, USS Paul Revere (APA 248)
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1969-1970, 0311, USS Vancouver (LPD-2)
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1969-1970, 0311, USS Vernon County (LST-1161)
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1969-1970, 0311, USS Tripoli (LPH-10)
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1969-1970, 0311, E Co, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines (2/26)
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1970-1971, 5th Marine Division
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1971-1972, 0311, Marine Barracks Whidbey Island
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2004, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 1263, Frank R. Vaise Post (Post Sergeant Major) (Renton, Washington)
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2014, TWS Memorial Team
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2015, Fraternal Order of the Marine Corps (YEMX)
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2015, Marine Corps League
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2015, Marine Corps Together We Served
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2015, American Legion
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2015, Marine TWS Advisory Group
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2016, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
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Reflections on LCpl Key's
US Marine Corps Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I knew that I was going to Nam sooner or later, and I did not want anything to do with the Army or Air Force, and I didn't know what it would be like on a ship in the Navy. All of my uncles and my dad were in the Navy or the Marines during WWII and Korea, and like I said, I did not know how it would be like on a ship so that was ruled out.
All of my life at that time was Marine Corps this or Marines that and that they were the best and you know what, they are the Best. So I sign up to try and be a Marine and by God I did it. I became a United States Marine so back to who influenced me to become a Marine would be my dad who was squid in WWII. Just something I remembered about my dad he was a squid alright but he was Doc to all of his Marines that knew and treated. Semper Fi, Dad.
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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?
I was 0311 and I`m still a 0311, I did four years and then got out and wish that I had stayed in.
After I got out I bounced around from job to job for about 7 or more years working as a mechanic, welder, and then a truck driver. That`s where I found a little peace of mind where I didn't have someone standing over my shoulder. I drove trucks for 33 years.
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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 was in Nam from 3/69 to 3/70. I was with Echo Co 2nd bn 26th Marines. We all had some firefights and counting body`s so brass can feel better. I`m sorry about that but sometimes I get a little crazy when thinking about Nam; it has changed me--something I knew the first day home from Nam. I didn't know it then but I have PTSD and it took years to come to understand that.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Viet Nam is where I have some of the fondest and some of the worst memories that I have had. I had some the best times and then some of the worst that still haunts me now and will the rest of my life.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Brotherhood, the Brothers that I have and also the Sisters that I met along this road of life that I`m on.
One of the memories that still won't leave me was when I was in Nam. I had been there for about four or five months and I was walking point for my company when an FNG came into our company and it just so happens that I knew this guy. He was from my hometown and home church and got stuck to my squad and the next thing is he wants to learn how to walk point, so I start to teach him what he needs to do. Then one day, it was my turn to walk point and him being such an eager little shit he wanted to walk point instead so I let him about three hours later, he trips a trip wire with a grenade on it. He just stood there and did nothing but look at it and died. I blame myself for that for years.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I was never wounded over there so no heart, but I do have a Combat Action badge that I`m proud of.
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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?
The E.G.A. now that is the only award that I cried when I got it and I still have it.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My Drill Instructors and my Dad: the Drill Instructors made me the Marine that I am now and my dad was the guide in my life.
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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?
When we all got back from Nam. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton and all the girls did not want anything to do with us Marines so a couple of the guys had gotten a few wigs and put them on and went to town. Now let me tell you all these wigs were not short hair wigs but long hair wigs like women`s wigs. You all should have seen these guys but it did not work as the girls seen right through them. We all had a good laugh about it.
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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?
I became a truck driver over the road and now I`m retired.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW Post-1263 in Renton WA. I am a life member and a post-service officer.
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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?
Let me tell you all, the Marine Corps put some iron in me and it taught me and a lot of other guys pride in our self`s and our Corps that will last a lifetime.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
You only get out what you put in the Corps, I have about half dozen young men that I have talked to that have joined the Corps and I told every one of them that it will be super hard but that I believe in them and that they had a strong backbone. I also told them that you will only get what you put in so do your best and more.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
it has helped me in getting in touch with some people that were in with me and it also helps me to look at myself more. DS 2/23/18
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