SGT Edgar Medina, U.S. Marine Corps (1969-1977)

Wow! When one hears the slogan, Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome, they are talking about my beloved Marine Corps. When I enlisted in 1969, after boot camp, I was given the 0351 infantry specialty of anti-tank assault. I learned to operate the 106mm recoilless rifle along with the attached 50mm spotting rifle. Another neat “toy” I learned to fire was the 3.5 rocket launcher (Bazooka) but, that was not all; I also learned to operate and fire the flamethrower. Months later, while en route to Vietnam, I had visions of blowing up enemy tanks and burning the Vietcong out of tunnels with my flame thrower. When I arrived in Danang, my instructions were to report to the 81mm mortar section, H&S 1/1 1st Marine Division. Well, I adapted, and over time and countless fire missions, I not only learned about mortars, but I worked my way up to assistant gunner and had my sights set on becoming the gunner. Well, the needs of the Corps trumped my personal ambition, and shortly after, I was transferred to Mike Company, 3/1 1st Marine Division. This was due to this unit sustaining many casualties and desperately needing replacements. Well, after my experience as a 0341 mortar man, I was once again transitioning into an 0311 infantryman. I’m not one who likes to tell war stories or talk about my experience in the war, but while I had seen some limited action with mortars, it was like a walk compared to what I was getting into. My new unit was operating in an area called “Arizona territory”. I believe this was in or near An Hoa. After being with this unit for a short while, the Marine that carried the M79 grenade launcher was due to rotate back to the States, and he designated me as his replacement. I loved this weapon, often referred to as the blooper, because of the noise it made when fired.

Another thing that I loved was the fact that just about everyone in our unit had a nickname. There were many more Hambone, Tex, Chief, Super Bird, Ski, and Half Pint, but that was over 55 years ago, and my memory is quickly fading. Yet, the things that I saw and experienced will never be forgotten, and I still dream about them. I almost forgot that this little blond from Canoga Park, California, had written me a “Dear John” letter. Well, being a young, dumb, love-sick Jarhead, I requested to extend my tour in the country (Vietnam). It wasn’t all bad, thanks to old Susy Rotten Crotch, I got a week of R&R in Bangkok, Thailand. A few months later, while we were out in the “bush,” a resupply helicopter came, and I was told to get on board. Apparently, because of President Nixon’s “Vietnamization” program, my extension had been cut short to just three months rather than six. In total, I served fifteen months in Vietnam. Shortly after my return to the States, I was discharged. However, that was just a short departure. I was from San Francisco, California, and at the time, they did not particularly like or welcome Vietnam veterans. I came home in April, and in June, I was pleading with the Marine recruiter to let me enlist again. Once I returned to the Corps, I attempted to get orders to return to Vietnam.

I guess it was not meant to be, and instead, I received orders to the Marine Barracks in Yokosuka, Japan. My Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was still 0351, anti-tank, but I was assigned to work at the brig. The brig is a military correctional facility. Since we were the only correctional facility in the region, we received prisoners from all the military branches. Most of our inmates were sailors since we were on a naval base (I think we were the unofficial port for the Seventh Fleet). Still, we also had Marine, Army, and Air Force personnel serving time at our facility for infractions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. We also held prisoners waiting for trial and sentencing with the Japanese civil authorities. One interesting fact about our brig is that in the late 50’s, a Marine Corps prisoner by the name of Lee Harvey Oswald served time at our facility. Yes, the same Lee Harvey Oswald who, on November 22, 1963, was accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy.

Semper Fidelis

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.