“My mom and him lived in an Apt. right on the cliffs at Laguna Beach.”
Laguna Beach is a little bit of a drive to Edson Range but doable. One of my favorite places on earth even though I almost drowned there body surfing mosterous waves that were breaking on a south swell generated by a hurrican in Mexico. I was 15, but learned to swim at 4 years old and was an accomplished body surfer. Still it was a very close thing. The beauty of the place is awesome and no wonder your parents loved it there.
Back on topic, I’ll never forget my PMI, he taught me techniques that allowed me to shoot top scores. He was missing a finger and parts of others on his right hand. One of the first Vietnam returnees. Great guy. PMIs do not attend DI school, are mostly Infantry MOS, though I’m not real clear how they are selected or trained before they are unleashed on recruits. As they were surrounded by armed recruits they were a lot nicer to the privates than the DI’s....lololol.
I lived in SoCal for years.....I know the area. My pop loved the ocean.....He caught lobster and halibut right off the surf there...Can't do that anymore.
I used to surf up and down the coast. Never surfed Laguna...never was known as a surfing spot. Although did body surf there when I was a little kid.
My pop was a WW2 vet...in the So Pacific. And got called back for the Korean War...and ended up at Camp Pendleton...as he was living in SoCal. I guess..as you have educated me...that he was a PMI..as it rings true..from some of his comments, and where he was.
My dad was a tough guy, but fair. I'm sure he treated his men well.