Bancroft, Jim, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
Both of my parents are WWII Navy veterans, so I grew up constantly hearing about when I was going to serve. Since they were Navy, I had to be more, and John Wayne and every other Marine in the movies was just so much more the man, I had to be 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?
I wanted Marine aviation, I grew up near an airport and saw planes all day, every day, and wanted that skill to be an airplane mechanic. I also wanted to be a "real Marine' but not a grunt. So I asked my recruiter what I could do, he told me he knew someone in HQMC who handled orders and later told me I was all set, that I would be an Air Wing Marine, but I would deploy all the time to the field, but NOT expect aviation maintenance as my MOS.

When we were handed our orders at the end of Parris Island, I saw the 7200 field orders and read AVIATION MAINTENANCE/ORDINANCE/ADMINISTRATION/SUPPLY and was disheartened, but, hey, the Marine Corps owned me now! :)

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 never shot at nor did I ever shoot any weapon. I was assigned to HMM-165 in 1980 and was off Iran for the Iranian crisis and the rescue attempt. My squadron was flying search and rescue that day around the fleet, armed with .50 cals and ammo, we knew something was up but not what or why.

When the rescue attempt was actually going on, I was guarding the brig on board the USS Okinawa.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Being off the coast of Iran for the Hostage Rescue Attempt. The world's politics changed forever as a result of that time in our nation's history, and not for the better. If we did go to war then, however, I most likely would not be here to tell about this, though. :)

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received no combat awards, I was never in combat, but I did get a letter of appreciation from the Commanding General for assisting a struggling swimmer to shore.

Except, that swimmer was not struggling, it was a WM Officer and she was not struggling, someone called the MP's and the base O.D. wrote us up for attaboys.

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?
Either the Expeditionary Medal for Iran or the Humanitarian Service Medal for rescuing Vietnamese refugees in the South China Sea in 1981. The Expeditionary Medal was actually for doing something, while the Humanitarian Service Medal was for just being one of 3000 guys on a boat that rescued 25 people one day, a totally meaningless award in my opinion, but hey, it added color to the fruit salad.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My drill instructors. One of them, Wayne Gulley is a TWS member. Drill Instructor Sgt Richard Klass liked me and knew I wasn't going to get honor man so he gave me one of the rarest of gifts anyone could ever get from a drill instructor. He gave me his nameplate that hung on the board where your drill instructors names were. Remember those Venetian blinds that were cut to 12" in length 'Painted red'? Had the DI's name in yellow on them? That's what he gave me. That is more important than Dress Blues in my opinion.

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?
Cpl Gary Ainsworth, TWS member, what he did with a lighter in barracks 207, MASS-1, at CPNC in 1979. I always heard you could do that but I never saw it. I think I had a hernia.

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 went to one of the local aerospace firms and took any position I could, starting by delivering computer paper to working on the flight line in the end on SH-2's for KAMAN Aerospace. I miss that job. I have been back to college from 88 to 2010, have two associates degrees: Mechanical and Electronic Engineering and am looking for work!

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW Windsor Locks, Ct.
Gathering Of Eagles.

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?
I am concerned about end results and accuracy more than my civilian counterparts and also attention to detail and whether we work on our problems or just jaw jack about them in meetings! Boy, does that piss people off, but you know what? Most problems are solved by someone just saying DO IT!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Don't do drugs at all or drink to any excess. For those who desire to join, do your best regardless of what branch of the service you join. That matters more than your insignia on your shoulder, that you and your squadmates are working to make things happen together and are motivated to win. For those desiring to join the Marine Corps, remember: The Marine Corps is the world's finest fighting force, with over 230 years of fighting tradition!

DON'T SCREW IT UP!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have had several reunions here, made new friends and have absolutely infused more motivation in myself and others to be the men we once claimed to be.

DS 11/13/17