November 10, 2009
Happy 234th Birthday Marines!
Here's a birthday message from the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Birthday, Colonel Richard P. Flatau, Jr.:
As we celebrate the 234th anniversary of the founding of our Corps, take pride in your contributions to our great nation, our great Corps and our great base. It is teamwork and each Marine's commitment to the team that is the strength of our Corps. So it is, too, for this iconic base of Marines, this home of expeditionary forces in readiness.The Corps' strength has been consecrated in sacrifice and tested in battles over the years. Although always resilient in strength, the Marine Corps has continuously adapted and evolved, often through extraordinary innovation. Through it all, a renowned, revered legacy of excellence in battle and in all endeavors has amassed. Camp Lejeune shares in that legacy.
Though the means of war and training for it have changed over the years, the fundamental nature of war and of Marines has not. In the short 68 years that the base has existed much has changed; yet, the Corps' and the base's defining characteristics of commitment, sacrifice for one another, unrelenting excellence, and courage have remained timeless. Today those characteristics flourish here aboard Camp Lejeune, reflected by operational forces Marines preparing for or resetting after combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, or forward presence operations elsewhere around the globe, and reflected by the Marines of the base providing vital support.
As you gather in high-spirited camaraderie to celebrate our Corps' 234th anniversary, I commend to you: honor the generations of Marines preceding us in war and in relative peace without whose sacrifices we would not have our great legacy; remember your fellow Marines deployed around the globe and their families; and, strive to exemplify our motto, Semper Fidelis, by being Always Faithful to each other, to our Corps, and to our country.
Happy birthday Marines. Col Flatau sends.
On Nov. 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress gave the order to establish two battalions of Continental Marines on November 10, 1775. However, from 1798 to 1921, the Marine Corps birthday was celebrated on July 11 in recognition of President John Adams signing a bill that recreated the Corpsas on July 11, 1798, . However, Marines have always held fast to their traditions and in October 1921, Maj. Edwin McClellan of the Headquarters Marine Corps Historical Section sent a memo to Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, Commandant, proposing the original birthday of Nov. 10, 1775 be recognized as a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps and that a dinner should be held in celebration.
On November 1, 1921, MajGen Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order, which was directed to be read to every command on Nov. 10 each year, summarized the history, mission and tradition of the Marine Corps. Eighty-eight years later, it is still being read on bases and installations around the world. You can bt that whether at a formal ball at a posh hotel or in a dusty windswept plain in Afghanistan, Marines around the world are pausing today for just a moment to say, "Happy Birthday Marine" and listen to the following order:
MARINE CORPS ORDERS No. 47 (Series 1921)HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS
Washington, November 1, 1921759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.
(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and is the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
(3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
(4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.
JOHN A. LEJEUNE,
Major General Commandant
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November 07, 2009
This message brought to you by the letters U S M C
Thanks Elmo!
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June 06, 2006
The Battle of Belleau Wood
88 years ago today, the Battle of Belleau Wood took place in the forests and fields 50 miles southeast of Paris. Legendary tales of courage and heroism came out of that battle - here is a story by David Josar from the 5/24/01 Stars and Stripes that chronicles the return of modern day Marines to Belleau Wood. This time, they came to pay their respects to the warriors who fought and died that day:
The morning sun grew hot and sounds of cows were heard across the field Saturday as the group of Marines listened to the details of the famous battle that occurred here in 1918. On these wooded hills and rolling fields, more Marines would lose their lives in any single day of battle than on any other to date. Still, many believe the battle at Belleau Wood was the turning point for the Allies during World War. For the U.S. Marine Corps, however, this was the battle that proved their mettle to themselves and the world, and in the process garnered them the nickname "Devil Dogs." Their mascot, the bulldog, came from a town fountain."Every Marine should come here," said Maj. James Bell, the force protection officer for U.S. Marine Forces Europe. "This is what it's all about."
Bell was one of about 60 Marines and their families from Europe who toured the battle site -about 50 miles east of Paris - on Saturday. A contingent of six Marines from the 6th Regiment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., which fought in 1918, also attended and will be part of the Memorial Day ceremony Sunday at nearby Aisne-Marne Cemetery. William Anderson, a retired Marine colonel who now works for SHAPE in Brussels, guided the daylong expedition through the hills, dirt roads, fields and ravines.
"There was no lack of heroism," said Anderson, who has been leading the annual Memorial Day weekend tour since 1996. "There was lack of communication, confusion, but the Marines didn't give up." The battle began June 1 and ended June 26 when the Marines gained control of roughly 20 acres of woods and field. At the time, the Germans were trying to force the British and French west to the Atlantic Coast and capture France. Until that point, the Marines had been sparingly used by Allied and U.S. leaders because they were unsure what the unit could do. When the Marines entered the area they had little food, and water was scarce. They wore heavy woolen uniforms and communications between units was poor and confusing. Still, during a series of attacks and counterattacks in the wood and nearby villages, the Americans prevailed. Expert marksmen surprised German foes, hitting their targets from hundreds of yards away. Individual Marines charged German machine gun nests. When officers fell, sergeants took the lead. When sergeants fell, corporals led the way. On June 6, when the Marines took a crucial hill, they also suffered the greatest number of casuallies in Marine history when 1,087 men were either killed or wounded. By the end of the fighting 700 Americans had died.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Devine, assigned to Marine Forces Europe in Stuttgart, brought his wife, Pamela, a former Marine, and their 3-year-old son.
"You always hear about it and you want to see it," said Devine.
He had seen the battlefields in Okinawa, Japan, which were mostly jungle, but said the fields and lack of cover of the Belleau Wood battle surprised him. "Everything is so open. There were few places to hide," he said. Marine Sgt. Andrea Austin from Stuttgart said she joined the tour because she wanted to witness firsthand the place where the Marines began to build their reputation.
"I know I'm hot and I can only imagine what they went through with their heavy uniforms, ammo and weapons," said Austin, who has been a Marine for seven years. She first heard of the fighting at Belleau Wood in boot camp when it was used to explain how the Marines got the nickname "Devil Dogs," which was coined by the German soldiers on the losing end of the battle.
"I know the forces have changed through the time, but I think if I were there now," Austin said, "I know I'd be there hooking and jabbing just like the rest."
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March 08, 2006
USMC Silent Drill Team
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October 30, 2005
The frozen Chosin
Sometimes, we are so consumed with the present that we fail to give due praise to Marine heroism in the past. Yarbz from Juggernuts put up this post that reminds us of unbounded courage in an epic battle that began on November 27, 1950. Here's an excerpt:
Chosin Reservoir campaign began on November 27 at Yudam-ni with Chinese Communist action against the 5th and 7th Marine Regiments on the west side of the reservoir. On the 28th, the battle commenced throughout the 1st Marine Division sector. The men of the 1st Marine Division were attacked by Chinese Communist Forces whose orders were to annihilate the Marines "to the last man." When the Marines were cut off behind enemy lines and the Army had written the 1st Marine Division off as being lost because they were surrounded by 22 enemy divisions.When an Army captain asked him for the direction of the line of retreat, Col Puller called his Tank Commander, gave them the Army position, and ordered: "If they start to pull back from that line, even one foot, I want you to open fire on them." Turning to the captain, he replied "Does that answer your question? We're here to fight." -- Chesty Puller at Koto-ri in Korea |
There's more - and with pictures.
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February 23, 2005
Carrying on the tradition of Iwo Jima
60 years ago today, February 23, 1945, two American flags were raised on Mount Suribachi. The first flag was a photo opportunity and the Marines who carried it posed at the photographer’s direction. Even so, the sight of this flag, fluttering over the beach where thousands of Marines had lost their lives in a brutal battle, was a potent symbol of victory over a fierce enemy. The battle lasted 36 days and resulted in 25,851 casualties, including almost 7,000 deaths of Marines and Sailors. But when the flag went up, Marines on the beachhead below raised their voices, cheering as conquering warriors. They were heroes, all. And it’s worth noting that 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for exceptional bravery during that battle – out of 84 total MOHs during WWII. And, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, commented to Commanding Officer Howlin’ Mad Smith, “Holland, the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years.”
The first flag was short lived – it was removed as battalion property and a second flag raised in its place. The raising of that second flag, captured on film by photographer Joe Rosenthal, is a symbol for eternity. Symbols have power. The raising of the flag stands for victory over oppression, the triumph of good over evil. Marines, more than any other branch of the service understand that symbolism.
The Marine Corps Hymn, sacred to all former and present Marines, contains the line, “Our flag’s unfurl’d to every breeze from dawn to setting sun” In every victorious battle, the American flag has been raised however briefly. When the statue of Sadaam came down in Baghdad, the American flag was unfurl’d to be immediately replaced by the Iraqi flag. As it should be. But the imagery lives on.
And, when Fallujah fell last fall, our Marines raised flags of victory in the tradition of Iwo Jima. Our Marines understand full well that the reason for this war in Iraq was the war waged on us when over 3,000 were killed on September 11, 2001. When the Battle of Fallujah was concluded last November, the brave warriors of 3/1, under the command of Co. Willy Buhl, reenacred the flagraising at Iwo Jima. Here’s the story behind it from John Wintersteen, Adjutant - Mt. Diablo Det. 942, Marine Corps League:
Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardmen, Seabees and Patriots - One of our adopted units, 3rd Bn, 1st Marines, the "Thundering Third", has planted the Four Flags that flew at Ground Zero in December, onto the soil of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines from India, Kilo and Lima companies are shown in the accompanying photos, sent to us by Col Willy Buhl, CO of 3/1. I have forwarded these photos to Lt. Mary Ellen Ferris and Lt. Joe Randazzo of the NYPD, who arranged for this chain of events. To think that Mt. Diablo Detachment was honored by having our picture taken with these flags on 18 December, and to ship them to the Colonel a week later to make the connection between the NYPD/NY Port Authority PD and the Marines, is very special to me. Another key person in the exchange is MSGT John Mitchell, USMC (Ret.), (Chosin Survivor, Korean War) and friend I made in 2000 at the first reunion of my Boot Camp Platoon at Parris Island (Plt 208 - 1959). John is Mary Ellen's cousin and because of that connection, we were contacted and asked to find a unit to which the Flags should be sent. Col Buhl's 3rd Bn, 1st Marines was a natural since he kept us constantly updated with situation reports and acknowledged our shipments several times. Not only that, he is from Los Gatos, CA - a homeboy, so to speak. Another connection for me is his Kilo Company Commander, Captain Tim Jent, a lad from Sparta, New Jersey - great memories of Lake Mohawk. If it weren't for the fact that our Detachment started shipping boxes after the death and in honor of Lance Corporal Kyle Crowley - San Ramon, California - we would never have been involved in what I consider a historic, symbolic event. Our shipments are the reason we were contacted in the first place. And, all of our beloved Contributors are a part of this too. All of those who sent donations and all of those who brought us goods to ship are connected to the planting of those Flags. When you look at those tough, young Marines planting those Flags, pat yourselves on the back, would you? Be proud that you helped the NYPD and the NYPAPD honor our Marines and all troops by helping with Project Marine Care. In turn, these pictures and a video of these Flags flying will help those Police Departments honor the 60 people they lost on 9-11. I hope you feel as touched as I do. If this helps raise the morale of those Marines and those Police Officers one iota, then we have done our job. |
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p.s. Besides the American Flag, the other three flags are the NYPD (with green stripe), the NY Port Authority Flag (multi-colored) and the World Trade Center Flag (Twin Towers) - that Flag was designed by the NY Port Authority Police Dept. and they are responsible for Ground Zero. |
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December 17, 2004
None
I'm catching up on my reading and this entry from the Korean War era made me smile:
In the rear of the action, in an R&R area there were two seperate camps. The first was a well equipped U.S. Army camp that served high quality hot food and had warm sleeping areas. The other was a shabby collection of second-hand tents with poor quality services available to the war-weary Marines. |
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October 21, 2004
PFC Halvorson's final trip home
Pfc. Andrew Halverson, 19, of Grant, Wis. died Oct 9 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Halverson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Bridget Warns, mother of a deployed Marine, was a passenger on the plane that carried him home from the country he served:
“Because of my job, I travel a good deal. Last Thursday night I was returning from Albuquerque via Minneapolis and was one of the last passengers to board. As I was getting on the plane, a Marine in full dress uniform was coming up the jetway stairs from the luggage storage area of the airplane. I thought that was very odd. A few minutes later, the captain came out of the cockpit to thank everyone for flying Northwest. As he was finishing, a flight attendant told him that there was a Marine on board escorting a fallen Marine home. I was stunned when I heard this and at that time didn’t realize who it was. A gentleman sitting across the aisle from me immediately offered his seat in first class to the Marine escort. I couldn’t say anything since I was crying so hard. |
I cannot imagine how painful it is to learn that a beloved son has died in battle and my prayer, like that of all Marine parents, is that I will never find out. But if it happened, I would hope that a Marine Mom like Bridget Warns would be on the plane for his final ride home.
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September 26, 2004
Gold Star Mother's Day
Proclamation by the President of the United States:
Whereas the preamble to Public Resolution 123, 74th Congress, approved June 23, 1936 (40 Stat. 1895), recites: |
and Whereas the said Public Resolution 12 provides:
“That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches, or other suitable places, on the last Sunday in September, as public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers." |
Contact information:
The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
2128 Leroy Place NW - Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-265-0991
Fax: 202-265-6963
E-mail agsmoms@aol.com
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August 13, 2004
A casualty officer's retrospective
LtCol George Goodson, USMC retired
In my 76th year, the events of my life appear to me, from time to time, as a series of vignettes. Some were significant; most were trivial.
War is the seminal event in the life of everyone that has endured it. Though I fought in Korea and the Dominican Republic and was wounded there Vietnam was my war.
Now 37 years have passed and, thankfully, I rarely think of those days in Cambodia, Laos, and the panhandle of North Vietnam where small teams of Americans and Montangards fought much larger elements of the North Vietnamese Army.
Instead I see vignettes: some exotic, some mundane:
- The smell of Nuc Mam.
- The heat, dust, and humidity.
- The blue exhaust of cyclos clogging the streets.
- Elephants moving silently through the tall grass.
- Hard eyes behind the servile smiles of the villagers.
- Standing on a mountain in Laos and hearing a tiger roar.
- A young girl squeezing my hand as my medic delivered her baby.
- The flowing Ao Dais of the young women biking down Tran Hung Dao.
- My two years as Casualty Notification Officer in North Carolina,
Virginia, and Maryland.
It was late 1967. I had just returned after 18 months in Vietnam. Casualties were increasing. I moved my family from Indianapolis to Norfolk, rented a house, enrolled my children in their fifth or sixth new school, and bought a second car.
A week later, I put on my uniform and drove 10 miles to Little Creek, Virginia. I hesitated before entering my new office. Appearance is important to career Marines. I was no longer, if ever, a poster Marine. I had returned from my third tour in Vietnam only 30 days before. At 5’9”, I now weighed 128 pounds 37 pounds below my normal weight. My uniforms fit ludicrously, my skin was yellow from malaria medication, and I think I had a twitch or two.
I straightened my shoulders, walked into the office, looked at the nameplate on a Staff Sergeant’s desk and said, “Sergeant Jolly, I’m Lieutenant Colonel Goodson. Here are my orders and my Qualification Jacket.”
Sergeant Jolly stood, looked carefully at me, took my orders, stuck out his hand we shook and said, “How long were you there, Colonel?” I replied “18 months this time.“ Jolly breathed, “Jesus, you must be a slow learner Colonel.” I smiled.
Jolly said, “Colonel, I’ll show you to your office and bring in the Sergeant Major." I said, “No, let’s just go straight to his office.” Jolly nodded, hesitated, and lowered his voice, “Colonel, the Sergeant Major. He’s been in this G*dd@mn job two years. He’s packed pretty tight. I’m worried about him.” I nodded.
Jolly escorted me into the Sergeant Major’s office. “Sergeant Major, this is Colonel Goodson, the new Commanding Office." The Sergeant Major stood, extended his hand and said, “Good to see you again, Colonel.” I responded, “Hello Walt, how are you?” Jolly looked at me, raised an eyebrow, walked out, and closed the door.
I sat down with the Sergeant Major. We had the obligatory cup of coffee and talked about mutual acquaintances. Walt’s stress was palpable. Finally, I said, “Walt, what’s the hell’s wrong?” He turned his chair, looked out the window and said, “George, you’re going to wish you were back in Nam before you leave here. I’ve been in the Marine Corps since 1939. I was in the Pacific 36 months, Korea for 14 months, and Vietnam for 12 months. Now I come here to bury these kids. I’m putting my letter in. I can’t take it anymore.” I said, “OK Walt. If that’s what you want, I’ll endorse your request for retirement and do what I can to push it through Headquarters Marine Corps.”
Sergeant Major Walt Xxxxx retired 12 weeks later. He had been a good Marine for 28 years, but he had seen too much death and too much suffering. He was used up.
Over the next 16 months, I made 28 death notifications, conducted 28 military funerals, and made 30 notifications to the families of Marines that were severely wounded or missing in action. Most of the details of those casualty notifications have now, thankfully, faded from memory. Four, however, remain.
MY FIRST NOTIFICATION
My third or fourth day in Norfolk, I was notified of the death of a 19 year old Marine. This notification came by telephone from Headquarters Marine Corps. The information detailed:
- Name, rank, and serial number.
- Name, address, and phone number of next of kin.
- Date of and limited details about the Marine’s death.
- Approximate date the body would arrive at the Norfolk Naval Air Station.
- strong recommendation on whether the casket should be opened or closed.
The boy’s family lived over the border in North Carolina, about 60 miles away. I drove there in a Marine Corps staff car. Crossing the state line into North Carolina, I stopped at a small country store / service station / Post Office.
I went in to ask directions.
Three people were in the store. A man and woman approached the small Post Office window. The man held a package. The Storeowner walked up and addressed them by name, “Hello John. Good morning Mrs. Cooper.”
I was stunned. My casualty’s next-of-kin’s name was John Cooper!
I hesitated, then stepped forward and said, ”I beg your pardon. Are you Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper of (address)?
The father looked at me—I was in uniform—and then, shaking, bent at the waist, and vomited. His wife looked horrified at him and then at me. Understanding came into her eyes and she collapsed in slow motion. I think I caught her before she hit the floor.
The owner took a bottle of whiskey out of a drawer and handed it to Mr. Cooper who drank. I answered their questions for a few minutes. Then I drove them home in my staff car. The storeowner locked the store and followed in their truck. We stayed an hour or so until the family began arriving.
I returned the storeowner to his business. He thanked me and said, “Mister, I wouldn’t have your job for a million dollars.” I shook his hand and said; “Neither would I.”
I vaguely remember the drive back to Norfolk. Violating about five Marine Corps regulations, I drove the staff car straight to my house. I sat with my family while they ate dinner, went into the den, closed the door, and sat there
all night, alone.
My Marines steered clear of me for days. I had made my first death notification.
THE FUNERALS
Weeks passed with more notifications and more funerals. I borrowed Marines from the local Marine Corps Reserve and taught them to conduct a military funeral: how to carry a casket, how to fire the volleys and how to fold the flag.
When I presented the flag to the mother, wife, or father, I always said, “All Marines share in your grief.” I had been instructed to say, “On behalf of a grateful nation.” I didn’t think the nation was grateful, so I didn’t say that.
Sometimes, my emotions got the best of me and I couldn’t speak. When that happened, I just handed them the flag and touched a shoulder. They would look at me and nod. Once a mother said to me, “I’m so sorry you have this terrible job.” My eyes filled with tears and I leaned over and kissed her.
ANOTHER NOTIFICATION
Six weeks after my first notification, I had another. This was a young PFC. I drove to his mother’s house. As always, I was in uniform and driving a Marine Corps staff car. I parked in front of the house, took a deep breath, and walked towards the house. Suddenly the door flew open, a middle-aged woman rushed out. She looked at me and ran across the yard, screaming I hesitated. Neighbors came out. I ran to her, grabbed her, and whispered stupid things to reassure her. She collapsed. I picked her up and carried her into the house. Eight or nine neighbors followed. Ten or fifteen later, the father ANOTHER NOTIFICATION One morning, as I walked in the office, the phone was ringing. Sergeant Jolly held the phone up and said, “You’ve got another one, Colonel.” I nodded, walked into my office, picked up the phone, took notes, thanked the officer making the call I have no idea why and hung up. Jolly, who had listened, came in with a special Telephone Directory that translates telephone numbers into the person’s address and place of employment. The father of this casualty was a Longshoreman. He lived a mile from my office. I called the Longshoreman’s Union Office and asked for the Business Manager. He answered the phone, I told him who I was, and asked for the father’s schedule. The Business Manager asked, “Is it his son?” I said nothing. After a moment, he said, in a low voice, “Tom is at home today.” I said, “Don’t call him. I’ll take care of that.” The Business Manager said, “Aye, Aye Sir,” and then explained, "Tom and I were Marines in WWII.” I got in my staff car and drove to the house. I was in uniform. I knocked and a woman in her early forties answered the door. I saw instantly that she was clueless. I asked, “Is Mr. Smith home?” She smiled pleasantly and responded, “Yes, but he’s eating breakfast now. Can you come back later?” I said, “I’m sorry. It’s important, I need to see him now.” She nodded, stepped back into the beach house and said, “Tom, it’s for you.” A moment later, a ruddy man in his late forties, appeared at the door. He looked at me, turned absolutely pale, steadied himself, and said, “Jesus Christ man, he’s only been there three weeks!” BURIAL AT SEA Months passed. More notifications and more funerals. Then one day while I was running, Sergeant Jolly stepped outside the building and gave a loud whistle, two fingers in his mouth I never could do that and held an imaginary phone to his ear. Another call from Headquarters Marine Corps. I took notes, said, “Got it.” and hung up. I had stopped saying “Thank You” long ago. Jolly, “Where?” Me, “Eastern Shore of Maryland. The father is a retired Chief Petty Officer. His brother will accompany the body back from Vietnam.” Jolly shook his head slowly, straightened, and then said, “This time of day, it’ll take three hours to get there and back. I’ll call the Naval Air Station and borrow a helicopter. And I’ll have Captain Tolliver get one of his men to meet He did, and 40 minutes later, I was knocking on the father’s door. He opened the door, looked at me, then looked at the Marine standing at parade rest beside the car, and asked, “Which one of my boys was it, Colonel?” I stayed a couple of hours, gave him all the information, my office and home phone number and told him to call me, anytime. He called me that evening about 2300 (11:00PM). “I’ve gone through my boy’s papers and found his will. He asked to be buried at sea. Can you make that happen?” I said, “Yes I can, Chief. I can and I will.” My wife who had been listening said, “Can you do that?” I told her, “I have no idea. But I’m going to break my ass trying.” I called Lieutenant General Alpha Bowser, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, at home about 2330, explained the situation, and asked, “General, can you get me a quick appointment with the Admiral at Atlantic Fleet Headquarters?” General Bowser said, ” George, you be there tomorrow at 0900. He will see you." I was and the Admiral did. He said coldly, “How can the Navy help the Marine Corps, Colonel.” I told him the story. He turned to his Chief of Staff and said, “Which is the sharpest destroyer in port?” The Chief of Staff responded with a name. The Admiral called the ship, “Captain, you’re going to do a burial at sea. You’ll report to a Marine Lieutenant Colonel Goodson until this mission is completed.” He hung up, looked at me, and said, “The next time you need a ship, Colonel, call me. You don’t have to sic Al Bowser on my ass.” I responded, “Aye Aye, Sir” and got the hell out of his office. I went to the ship and met with the Captain, Executive Officer, and the Senior Chief. Sergeant Jolly and I trained the ship’s crew for four days. Then Jolly raised a question none of us had thought of. He said, “These government caskets are air tight. How do we keep it from floating?” All the high priced help including me sat there looking dumb. Then the Senior Chief stood and said, “Come on Jolly. I know a bar where the retired guys from World War II hang out.” They returned a couple of hours later, slightly the worst for wear, and said, “It’s simple; we cut four 12” holes in the outer shell of the casket on each side and insert 300 lbs of lead in the foot end of the casket. We can handle that, no sweat.” The sun was hot. The ocean flat. The casket was brought aft and placed on a catafalque. The Chaplin spoke. The volleys were fired. The flag was removed, folded, and I gave it to the father. The band played “Eternal Father Strong to Save.” The casket was raised slightly at the head and it slid into the sea. The heavy casket plunged straight down about six feet. The incoming water collided with the air pockets in the outer shell. The casket stopped abruptly, rose straight out of the water about three feet, stopped, and slowly slipped back into the sea. The air bubbles rising from the sinking casket sparkled in the sunlight as the casket disappeared from sight forever. The next morning I called a personal friend, Lieutenant General Oscar Peatross, at Headquarters Marine Corps and said, “General, get me the fuck out of here. I can’t take this shit anymore.” I was transferred two weeks later. I was a good Marine but, after 17 years, I had seen too much death and too much suffering. I was used up. Vacating the house, my family and I drove to the office in a two-car convoy. I said my goodbyes. Sergeant Jolly walked out with me. He waved at my family, looked at me with tears in his eyes, came to attention, saluted, and said, “Well Done, Colonel. Well Done.” I felt as if I had received the Medal of Honor!
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BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Brigade, notified American Expeditionary Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."
Posted by Deb at 08:12 AM
came in followed by ambulance personnel. I have no recollection of leaving.
The funeral took place about two weeks later. We went through the drill. The mother never looked at me. The father looked at me once and shook his head sadly.
you and drive you to the Chief’s home.”
The day arrived. The ship and the sailors looked razor sharp. General Bowser, the Admiral, a US Senator, and a Navy Band were on board. The sealed casket was brought aboard and taken below for modification. The ship got underway to the 12-fathom depth.
June 26, 2004
On June 26, 1918 . . .