Posted on 11/16/2001 1:24:02 PM PST by gunnyg
Best Writing On Old Corps Marines!
This book is among the very few by an Old Corps/Old Breed Marine which focuses on life in the Marine Corps during that period most generally known and accepted as 'The Old Corps,' the period between the World Wars I & II.
For me, being interested in Marine Corps history, the most interesting chapters in the book are the ones covering the Officers and Men of The Old Corps, and the cult of the rifle.
Williams points out that no officer had attempted to record the daily life of that cloistered world of the Old Corps, and he proceeds to do so himself in great detail, pointing out characteristics of Marines of that time, e.g., poverty and obedience as well as, and especially, 'Trust,' trust of the enlisted Marines for both one another and their officers, based on the fact that they knew their stuff, and knew their men, as both officers and men strove to achieve excellence.
There is much detailed information regarding the noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in the Corps of that time, and the author describes in candid and colorful detail the duties of the exalted ranks of Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, and Gunnery Sergeant, as well as commenting on the men themselves who held those ranks.
The term 'The Old Corps' is even today used by Marines to refer to, sometimes, a not too well defined period, and is generally dependent upon who is using the term, at the time, and in what context. Williams provides one of the best commentaries on this subject I have ever heard. Although he generally defines The Old Corps as that period between the wars, he goes on to point out that each generation of Marines acquires its own Old Corps.
Another important part of the book is that in which Williams details the Corps' cult of the rifle, as he calls it. He emphasizes that then, as now, all Marines were/are considered riflemen first, regardless of whatever specialization they may be assigned to.
As long as there is a Marine Corps this cannot change.
I personally remember the author myself, as he was my Regimental CO (3dMarines) during the years 1953-54, from Tent Camp #3 at Camp Pendleton to Middle Camp Fuji, Japan.
His impressive figure would be most difficult to forget wearing his campaign hat, battle jacket, riding breeches and boots, carring that riding crop. Again, the book is nothing less than a treasure trove of information on...The Old Corps.
*****
Note: The above is a book reveiew from the Barnes & Noble website--book presently out-of-print, but numerous used copies available through B&N, and elsewhere.
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
GySgt USMC (Ret.) 1952-72
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