Happy 236th Birthday Marine Corps

Once again, we pause to celebrate a very happy day indeed, the anniversary of the birth of the United States Marine Corps.  The USMC was originally formed as two battalions of Continental Marines on this date back in 1775 (before there was even a nation to serve).   The Marine Corps has proudly been the "First to Fight"; continuously serving this nation with fidelity, with honor, and with distinction for the 236 years since.

Being the son of a Marine it is therefore with humility, but also a great deal of pride that I wish a happy birthday to the Corps that my father loved and served with during WWII.  Rather than bore you with information that I have previously detailed in this blog however, I will refer those wishing to look back at that additional information to some previous postings that I have done on the subject of the Marine Corps.

They include one with a number of photos from the Marine Corp Museum in Quantico, VA that I was able to visit while being privileged to attend a reunion of WWII Marine veterans that my father served with, and which was held at the base in Quantico.

Another stop during that memorable trip was a visit to the original Marine Barracks (first used in 1801, and one of the few structures in Washington not damaged during the British occupation of Washington in the War of 1812). On this occasion, I was doubly lucky, as I was fortunate enough to be there to listen to the President's own Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps.  There I was not only able to watch a truly intelligent, gifted, and talented group of soldier musicians as as they performed. While not surprised that those in the band were all volunteers, I was amazed to discover that almost all of these soldiers have advanced college degrees; and that they compete constantly and fiercely for the honor of serving. 

As if the opportunity of listening to the Drum and Bugle Corp was not enough, I was also privileged to see the Silent Drill Platoon perform the silent cadence of The Evening Parade.  Not surprisingly, many of those that we talked to in the Platoon had recently returned from front line service overseas.  While honored to be back in the States and once more working with the Silent Parade, most were anxiously looking forward to future deployment to where the action was. Without fail however, every one of the Marines we talked to that evening was happy to share the history of the barracks, the ceremony, and the Marine Corps with each and every one of us; and to impart some part of the dedication that they felt to those of us who had never served.  They were likewise especially attentive to those I was traveling with, who had served in WWII, treating them as honored brothers and distinguished guests . And as the bugler played 'Taps' at the end of the performance, anyone not moved by the especially emotional nature of that ceremony in that place by those individuals could have had no heart.

Of course no history of the Corps would be complete in my mind without a recounting of the very special, and to me very personal story of "Lost Battalion", Company A of the 10th Amphibious Tractor Battalion (in which my father served during WWII). The story of their rather remarkable days in the Pacific is well worth remembering as part of the history of service of the Marines.

So to all those jar heads (for the high and tight haircut), devil dogs (for the Marine Corp bulldog mascot) and leathernecks (for the leather collar that was part of their Revolutionary War uniform) out there; let me send out a proper birthday greeting:

Semper Fi Mac!

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Marine Corp Reunion - Quantico, A Lesson In Respect

I have mentioned before attending a recent reunion of my late father's Marine Corp Battalion, held on the Marine base in Quantico, VA. There is not much left of Company A these days, and fewer still of them are capable of traveling. The bond that these men and their families still share after over 60 years however is absolutely amazing to behold.  As I was to discover however, this was not the only thing that would amaze me during this brief visit however, and I would like to share a few of the weekend's events:

The Marine Corp Museum: I have already posted on this subject, as the link shows, but let me reiterate for anyone who can manage to get south of Washington DC for a day, you will find this well worth your while.

Arlington Cemetery: Though better known as the home of Robert E Lee, Arlington was originally the mansion constructed on the property by George Washington's adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Curtis. Robert E Lee became part of the story here when he married their daughter (and his distant cousin Mary Anna Randolf Curtis), but you can read more about all of this here. 

Our visit here was to pay homage to Colonel Peck (only a captain then), the leader of this battalion during its service in World War II. Even though I had never met him in life, it was impossible not to see someone exceptional and to get to know him through his wife, daughter, and the men that served under him. It was likewise impossible not to begin to understand something of the true meaning of service and sacrifice while strolling this hallowed ground. So many lives cut short while serving something far greater than themselves and so many as well, who returned at the natural end of their days to be with those with whom they had served. Only someone with no heart could fail to be moved.

The Evening Parade: We were privileged as well to get tickets to see the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington. This is the original Marine Corp Barracks, and was built in 1801. There are a number of amazing facts surrounding this barracks (available through the link), but I was struck by the fact that even the bricks that make up these barracks were made by Marines. I was likewise struck by the members of "The President's Own", the Marine Corp Band and the Drum and Bugle Corp who performed (every one of which is a college graduate and a professional musician); and the members of Alpha and Bravo Company who marched. One of the young men who explained the evening's events to us (looking as if he was not yet old enough to shave) had served before in Bravo Company; but had just returned to it from a tour in Iraq, something which he had volunteered for as soon as it became available and hoped for yet again.

Marine Corp Base - Quantico: We were fortunate to be staying at a hotel right in the middle of the Marine Corp Base in Quantico, VA. (Oh sure they let the FBI and the DEA put some facilities there as well, but make no mistake people, this is a Marine Corp operation.) It was amazing to me to watch the true respect with which the current crop of Marines treated the veterans I accompanied. While taking breaks outside near the reunion banner, it was rare that one of these men wasn't asked about their experiences in the Pacific, the landings that they made, and the meaning of the term "Lost Battalion". 

Even a wedding group that was also at the hotel paused in the haste of their preparations to speak with us and introduce the entire wedding party. Every Marine that we met was routinely helpful, courteous, and respectful (heck, they even let our group off on a speeding violation while returning one evening). Our final dinner together at the Officer's Club, surrounded by the memorabilia of many wars was a wonderful experience and fitting tribute to those I was lucky enough to be with.

This is not to say that this trip did not hold some disappointments. Some of those at the last reunion had passed in last year (including my father). Some were in ill health and were unable to attend. Some are just not able to get around without great difficulty which makes these events more challenging than they should be for those who have served. These men and these families treasure each other though, and vowed this year to continue until simply no one can make it any longer. I expect that there will indeed be reunions to come. It is difficult to grasp or impede the resolve of Marines.

I must make note of a rather serious personal disappointment during this trip. Seeing so many Marines is such fighting trim (there was a Marathon going on the weekend that we were there), made looking in the mirror every morning a rather grim experience. Thank Goodness that I don't spend much time shaving or I might never have found the strength to stop cowering in embarrassment and leave the room. I will be going into training soon to attend the next reunion.

The Lost Battalion

Like many of my generation, my father served in the Armed Forces during World War II. His service was with the Marine Corps in the South Pacific, with Company A, 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. I was privileged earlier this year, to be able to attend reunion of these Marines (I once had the temerity to comment that they were ex-Marines. The correction that I received, that there are no such thing as ex-Marines, only Marines who are not currently serving, leaves me shamed and humbled to this day.)  

I am privileged again, to be able to share with you a part of their story.

Activated on December 5, 1943, this unit was deployed the following month to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. After enemy resistance had ceased there (a curiously benign expression considering what was going on, but that is the way it was described to me) the bulk of the 10th, along with Company A of the 11th Battalion was sent to Maui. Company A however, was told to remain with the 25th Marines, set up camp on a little stretch of sand known as Andrew Island, and watch as the departing ships slipped over the horizon.

Left on their own with no spare parts for their (20) LVT-2's (Landing Vehicle Tracked), their maintenance people were forced to scrounge for whatever was required to keep them a fighting force. This scrounging ended up requiring not only stripping the wrecked vehicles on the beach; but eventually diving on the tractors that were sunk on the initial landing and remained under water. When relief finally arrived after a month however, it was painfully short-lived. Before Company A could be more than half embarked on a ship with the 25th, they were told to disembark once again. Returning to their "island paradise", they discovered that their new neighbors were now the 22nd Marines. 

Knowing that Marines can easily become bored on extended island visits and perhaps concerned that such idleness might lead to misadventure, they were issued orders to make "reconnaissance missions" to some of the neighboring atolls. This resulted in landings at the following Japanese held positions: 

Woth Atoll March 7-14, 1944  
Ujae Atoll March 7-14, 1944  
Lae Atoll March 7-14, 1944
Alinglapalapalep Atoll March 18-27, 1944  
Emmuik Atoll March 18-27, 1944  
Ebon Atoll March 18-27, 1944  
Kili Atoll March 18-27, 1944  
Namu Atoll March 18-27, 1944  
Rongelap Atoll March 18 - April 6, 1944  
Bikini Atoll March 18 - April 6, 1944
Lemuik Atoll March 18 - April 6, 1944
Mejit Atoll March 28 - April 5, 1944  
Hiluk Atoll March 28 - April 5, 1944  
Uterik Atoll March 28 - April 5, 1944

Amazingly, after months of hard use and 17 landings on enemy held positions, 19 of the original 20 LVT-2's were still in running condition. The final unit finally succumbed during this period, and ended its service as spare parts for the rest, even to the stripping of metal from its sides to repair holes in the other tractors.

(The LVT-2 that Company A used) 

During all of this time, these Marines received no mail, no spare parts, little in the way of supplies, and of course no pay. In fact, it appears that the Marine Corps was not entirely aware of where Company A was. Finally on April 6th and almost by accident, this "lost battalion" was picked up by the USS William P Biddle, a transport ship that happened by with no actual orders to do so.

USS William P Biddle 

Forced to leave all of their equipment behind as the part of the price of passage, the Company was transported to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, where they arrived on April 12th. While no garden spot, the Company was at least "found" as far as the Marine Corps was concerned, and able to get their first mail in four months. Since there was not much of the original group left, what was left was detached from the 22nd Marines and attached to the 4th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

Thus began another deployment, and a period of extended ship-board travel in which Company A visited such exotic ports of call as: Kwajalein Atoll,Tulugi, Eniwetok Atoll, and finally ended up on Guam. The company was immediately pressed into action after spending 59 days aboard ship, which included some ship-board entertainment provided by the Navy achieved by sailing through a hurricane. Soon after, the Company was detached from the 4th, which of course moved on, leaving Company A behind and orphaned once again. This time however, they were at least able to receive the first pay that had come their way in ten months (excepting a total of $30 in emergency payments).    

Company A of the 10th Battalion was finally changed to Company D of the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion by the Marine Corps on October 19, 1944. Shortly afterward, being only a temporary addition to the 3rd Battalion, they were disbanded completely and transferred to other Amphibian or Armored Amphibian Battalions for the rest of the war; and the "Lost Battalion" was lost again (except perhaps to history).

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Can you imagine the embarrassment of the Corps. and the outrage of the press and public today if it were discovered that an entire battalion of troops had been lost for months? Can you imagine the non-stop demagoguery of legislators in Congress and demonizing of military leaders and the Administration if the conditions that these soldiers had been forced to live under in the field had been exposed? (Thank God that this happened 60+ years ago. Can you imagine the reality show that some shameless fool in Hollywood would probably have come up with based on their experiences, calling it "Gilligan's Battalion" in homage to what passes for originality on TV these days?)     

As for the members of "The Lost Battalion", there aren't many of them left these days. Those that are stay in touch with each other regularly though and continue to gather every year they can to renew the bond that they shared during those war-torn days. Many of them died during that war and some have passed away since. All however, share a fierce love for each other; and a equally fierce pride in their service, their country, and the Corps. We who know them can't help but feel pride in them as well. 

That pride though, is not for them alone. At this time, when many are currently serving overseas, it's only right to honor all of those who have answered the call of service to their country. It's good to remember those that served then, those who serve now or will be doing so soon.  It's likewise important to revere those who made and will make the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of freedoms that we far too often take for granted.