On Veteran's Day

11/11/2015 | Self

[bk1000]

In August of this year, my GF's dad celebrated a reunion with the remaining members of his Marine company. These guys went through it in Korea. I just wanted to post this as a tribute.

From John (5th from left):

This gang was a small part of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, (Not needed ~The First Marine Division. The only Division in Korea.) Our platoon was 81mm Mortars. We all made the Inchon Landing on September 15, 1950. We took part in 6 major battles including the Chosin Reservoir, from November 27th until about December 15th. Countless small shootouts and the same with every platoon. The Marines were 25,000, the Chinese were estimated at over 200,000. Our Battalion Commander was Col. Chester Puller, of WWII fame.

Puller came to our Weapons Company once after the Inchon landing and the retaking of Seoul, Korea, to present some Purple Hearts and a couple of Bronze Stars for heroics in battle. After the presentation he turned to the other 150+ of us and said, "The next time I visit Weapons Company I want all you Sons of Bitches to get a Purple Heart!!" We all laughed, sort of. We did much and saw much as individuals. Each of these men have their own story.

Somethings can be told and understood. Often events that happen to men in battle can never be comprehended or grasped unless witnessed. I believe this is why most don't even try to retell the horror and fog of battle. One of the men from Tucson I talked with by phone about coming to (the reunion) said his wife had just had knee surgery and he wanted to stay with her. His name: Gilbert Romero was in our battalion. On the night of April 24th 1951 he was shot five times in less that 24 hours and lived. 16 men were lost that night and 30+ were wounded.

[basil]

Thank you for posting this.

It’s a reminder to all of us to honor our veterans today, and every day.

[basil]

Thank you for posting this.

It’s a reminder to all of us to honor our veterans today, and every day.

[basil]

Thank you for posting this.

It’s a reminder to all of us to honor our veterans today, and every day.

[basil]

Good grief! Don’t know how that happened—my computer is doing more than I a-LOL!

[oh8eleven]

This gang was a small part of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment
One of Marine buddies was with Alpha Company, 1/1 in 'Nam. MC birthday wishes and a Semper Fi to your GF's dad.

[Ciexyz]

May God bless them all.

[Retain Mike]

Thanks for posting. I try each year to be part of the Veteran’s Day parade here is Springfield Oregon. Your post reminds of the singular honor I had to exchange salutes with a Marine who enlisted in 1936 and whose proudest time was when he brought his entire unit safely back to the coast from the Chosen Reservoir.

[bk1000]

^