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 Cpl. Carter
You thought you got 1 crappy picture and that was it, well it almost was. I was able to get these put on a CD. They are high resolution and should be able to get good big blow ups. The Suicide Charlie pennant, (that’s how we spelled it) was paid for with 50 cent donations that every squad leader accounted for.
Just to boor you with a little history. The Battalion was formed this time in 1963 after it returned from 3rd Division. I appeared that they went through 13 to 15 month cycles. I among others was a brand new boot fresh out of ITR. At that time we all had real serial numbers, mine was 1998419. I have remembered that since July 30th 1962 when a nasty ass SSG named James A Glass told us what would happen if we forgot them. I had been in Platoon 253 but had gone on emergency leave and when I got back Sgt Glass was so pissed that I was sent to Platoon 251. Just as well, 253 Marines went to the 5th Marines and why be 2nd best?
We had gone through MCRD and lived in Quonset Huts then up to Camp Mathews to the rifle range where we lived in tents. I believe that ITR was at San Onofre.
We were issued brand new M-14 rifles. During my 4 years 2 months and 15 days that is all I ever had. We were all extended in ’66 to a shortage of Marines. We were issued brown shoes and socks and that did not change until 1963. The order came down and after the px had stocked up on enough black shoe dye and we all ended up with mostly black shoes and an inspection. During that same time the crossed rifles were added to the chevrons.
We were on Camp Pendleton at the 43 area known as Las Plugas. This was the same place that Chesty Puller had set up camp and there were stories to be told about him during the Korean era. There was a hill behind the barracks area know affectionately as, Sheep Shit. Needless to say they grazed sheep on it. It went up on about a 40 degree angle and if you couldn’t go up it while smoking Camel straights you weren’t a man.
The company commander was, Cpt. Darryl Robertson. He had been in during WWII and was a mustang. He mentioned how he had been a Cpl and Sgt a couple of times. When we went to the field on what they called lock on, a 6 week intensified training with 4 nights per week in the dirt, we always walked, usually about 4 to 5 mph. Delta Company always rode trucks. We saw the day when the difference in training really was shown. Robby knew, he really knew. When we went over to G-2-9 in Apr of ’64 he was transferred and made Major. The XO was 1lt Jerry Green. Trained by “Robby” he was good and ran the company the same way. He made Cpt., when we rotated to the rock. The 1st Sgt., Dave Harvey Moore. How could you forget a name like that? He couldn’t. He always said he hated his parents for it. If you wanted to see what a picture book bad Marine looked like it was him. The Gunny was, Doyle Humphrey. He was sharp. Over my time I had several of them and I always thought he was the best as he really cared about the troops. I was in 1st platoon, 1st squad, 1st team. The platoon Sgt was SSG. Wilson Jim. Wilson was his first name. He was a Navajo, Never raised his voice and taught all of us how to chew tobacco. It was kind of funny as we never ran out, someone always had some. Forgot the initial squad leaders name, we did get this one numb nuts named blas perez martinez. Someone could say shit and he would have a nervous break down. Needless to say we were not drinking buddies. My first team leader was. Cpl. Carl A. Monzel. He lives back in Twin Cities.
I realize this is not much help but it about all an old guy is good for. Good luck on your quest. If there any questions I might be able to help you with you could call or e-mail or fax.
DJ Miller
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