In other Marine Corps news, Navajo Code Talker Willard Varnell Oliver is reporting to Chesty - "And when I get to Heaven, St. Peter I will tell - another Marine reporting, Sir - I've served my time in Hell"
The Last Stand of Fox Company by Drury and Clavin is about the "retreat" from the Frozen Chosen.
Some perspective on the USMC between WW2 and Korean War...
The POTUS admin, in conjunction with senior command of both US Army and US Navy had been so dead set on dismantling the USMC after WW2, that the effective combat strength of the Marines had been basically reduced to 2 understrength battalions on each coast. The Marine Air Wings had been reduced to a couple of squadrons, all equipped with worn out WW2 prop aircraft.
The equipment available to the Corps in the ground divisions consisted mostly of used up weapons and vehicles from the Pacific Campaign of WW2, and there was very little of that.
Training budgets had been cut to such an extent that training was nearly impossible. End Strength (man power quotas) had been so sharply curtailed, that the USMC had been forced to institute a "Summer Reserve" option for service.
Summer Reserves received did not get the benefit of training, often including boot camp, but were available for call up if needed.
Somewhere between 12% to 25% of the Marines sent to Korea (differed per unit) had no organized training or boot camp prior to shipping out. Many of those received some quickly administered rifle range training, and all received what lectures and drills that were possible to give while aboard ship while in transit.
All that considered, the Marines were able to scrape together a full Brigade (the Fire Brigade sent to assist in the Pusan Perimeter defense and breakout)and get it aboard ship and on its way in approx 7 days from the word Go!.
The rest of the division was constituted, built up and shipped out soon after. The planning for the landing at Inchon was conducted simultaneously, and the Marine Division didn't hook up its various elements until reaching the landing site.
A book that goes into the history of the USMC, from a doctrinal side, is First to Fight! by Gen Krulak (Gen. USMC, ret). General Krulak had been present and involved in both the development and innovation in amphib doctrine and practice prior to and during WW2, as well as on the staff planning the Inchon landing. Much of his book is first hand knowledge.
Just as a FWIW - I earned the right to use "Semper Fi'", @ Parris Island. As a former Woman Marine {as we were then-designated}, I was the first woman helicopter electrician on CH-53 A-D models.
My Dad & his brother enlisted in the Marine Corps 6 weeks apart - both were honor men of their platoons - I had TWO uncles who fought at the Frozen Chosin. My Dad went from SSgt to 2nd Lt & retired a Major; he swore me into the Marine Corps.
I'm married to another former Marine - my husband achieved the rank of GySgt. I was born at Quantico Naval Hospital {on the Quantico Marine Corps Base}.
As you can imagine, "Semper Fi'" is not, and has NEVER BEEN 'just a slogan' to me.
Please pardon me if I gave the impression that my Semper Fi was aimed at you, Diamond.
But this one is...
Semper Fi, Marine!
I was never one to make a distinction between female and male Marines. Marines are Marines.
Now, the grunt and pogue thing... me being a former 03 walk-lots, I can get some joy out of playing that from time to time, but only with those from the peace time daze, like myself. But mostly that's all just from petty jealousy, since pogues had all the best chow halls.
Re: Grunt vs. Pogue - try being a woman in the Corps in the mid-70's {pre- ANY women aboard ships} - I was 'given grief' because, should a balloon go up, I'd be rotated out of my squadron {HMH-362, the Ugly Angels}, & replaced by a man - told my fellow Marines, get Congress to change the laws - I was {still am, though a little decrepit} MORE than willing to share any & all hardships with my fellow Marines ................
5 comments:
In other Marine Corps news, Navajo Code Talker Willard Varnell Oliver is reporting to Chesty - "And when I get to Heaven, St. Peter I will tell - another Marine reporting, Sir - I've served my time in Hell"
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jGnnwvxtLX9a6JyWc0YkZCDqdzIAD9BB6PLG3
Semper Fi'
DM
The Last Stand of Fox Company by Drury and Clavin is about the "retreat" from the Frozen Chosen.
Some perspective on the USMC between WW2 and Korean War...
The POTUS admin, in conjunction with senior command of both US Army and US Navy had been so dead set on dismantling the USMC after WW2, that the effective combat strength of the Marines had been basically reduced to 2 understrength battalions on each coast. The Marine Air Wings had been reduced to a couple of squadrons, all equipped with worn out WW2 prop aircraft.
The equipment available to the Corps in the ground divisions consisted mostly of used up weapons and vehicles from the Pacific Campaign of WW2, and there was very little of that.
Training budgets had been cut to such an extent that training was nearly impossible. End Strength (man power quotas) had been so sharply curtailed, that the USMC had been forced to institute a "Summer Reserve" option for service.
Summer Reserves received did not get the benefit of training, often including boot camp, but were available for call up if needed.
Somewhere between 12% to 25% of the Marines sent to Korea (differed per unit) had no organized training or boot camp prior to shipping out. Many of those received some quickly administered rifle range training, and all received what lectures and drills that were possible to give while aboard ship while in transit.
All that considered, the Marines were able to scrape together a full Brigade (the Fire Brigade sent to assist in the Pusan Perimeter defense and breakout)and get it aboard ship and on its way in approx 7 days from the word Go!.
The rest of the division was constituted, built up and shipped out soon after. The planning for the landing at Inchon was conducted simultaneously, and the Marine Division didn't hook up its various elements until reaching the landing site.
A book that goes into the history of the USMC, from a doctrinal side, is First to Fight! by Gen Krulak (Gen. USMC, ret). General Krulak had been present and involved in both the development and innovation in amphib doctrine and practice prior to and during WW2, as well as on the staff planning the Inchon landing. Much of his book is first hand knowledge.
Semper Fi.
It was never just a slogan.
Just as a FWIW - I earned the right to use "Semper Fi'", @ Parris Island. As a former Woman Marine {as we were then-designated}, I was the first woman helicopter electrician on CH-53 A-D models.
My Dad & his brother enlisted in the Marine Corps 6 weeks apart - both were honor men of their platoons - I had TWO uncles who fought at the Frozen Chosin. My Dad went from SSgt to 2nd Lt & retired a Major; he swore me into the Marine Corps.
I'm married to another former Marine - my husband achieved the rank of GySgt. I was born at Quantico Naval Hospital {on the Quantico Marine Corps Base}.
As you can imagine, "Semper Fi'" is not, and has NEVER BEEN 'just a slogan' to me.
Semper Fi'
DM
Please pardon me if I gave the impression that my Semper Fi was aimed at you, Diamond.
But this one is...
Semper Fi, Marine!
I was never one to make a distinction between female and male Marines. Marines are Marines.
Now, the grunt and pogue thing... me being a former 03 walk-lots, I can get some joy out of playing that from time to time, but only with those from the peace time daze, like myself. But mostly that's all just from petty jealousy, since pogues had all the best chow halls.
No worries, Grimmy! ;-)
Re: Grunt vs. Pogue - try being a woman in the Corps in the mid-70's {pre- ANY women aboard ships} - I was 'given grief' because, should a balloon go up, I'd be rotated out of my squadron {HMH-362, the Ugly Angels}, & replaced by a man - told my fellow Marines, get Congress to change the laws - I was {still am, though a little decrepit} MORE than willing to share any & all hardships with my fellow Marines ................
http://www.rispin.co.uk/henryv.html
Semper Fi' back atcha!
DM
Post a Comment