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Happy 250th Birthday Marines!

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We got into some real knockdown, drag-out fights with the Marines - when things got boring.

Just something to do between firefights in a rear area.

But I love every single one of them.

I have to tell you about this Marine one-star General.

We had convoys every day from Bien Hoa to our firebase - and there was a Marine encampment guarding a bridge -

I was going to Bien Hoa for an IV of antibiotic as we stayed filthy - and wounds just wouldn't heal - and when we approached the Marine station - they had an aircraft drop tank up on a platform - for a shower! Brand new!

As our convoy approached, every Marine looked in our direction. WE didn't have a nice shower like that one - so I stood up in the back of the Deuce and a half, started waving the Marines near the drop-tank shower, and put a 40mm HE in my M203.

They cleared that real quick, and I shot and blew a hole in it about ten or twelve inches in diameter - and they were yelling some really unpleasant things and shaking their fists.

Next day, I caught the morning run back to the firebase - and as we approached - EVERY Marine was paying attention.

I was struck that they had used some of that OD Green 90mph tape, (military duct tape) and patched it up.

I couldn't abide that - so I blew another hole in it - kind of surprised a bit as that's not a piece of cake to do from a moving truck. I was one of two really blonde headed men on the firebase - the other was a Medic.

I got called to HQ back on the firebase shortly after a helicopter landed - and my Colonel didn't say a word as a Marine General took it from there.

I'm paraphrasing: "One thing we Marines really respect is a man who is a really skilled marksman. We honor them. For someone to hit a target from a moving truck like you've done twice now - that's what we want in the Corps. You want to be a Marine?"

"No sir."

"You will be if you ever do that again. I can get you transferred by a "needs of the military" practice that's been in place forever. Are we clear?"

"Crystal, sir."

Today's military - I'd be Courts Martialed and disappear.

Oh. My Colonel took a chunk out of my pay to send those Marines several cases of beer. To make things "right."

You want someone to have your back - just pick any Marine. And it's covered.
 
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