STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of Sgt Lenard Bailes, U.S. Marine Corps (1963-1967)

As I approached my 18th birthday, I had always been interested in enlisting in the Marine Corps. I probably read every book and saw every movie about the Marine Corps growing up. I knew I would be a Marine at some point in my life. You could have called me a Marine wanna-be. I don’t believe there was ever a single major influence that I can remember.

Boot Camp had no surprises for me. I anticipated rough treatment, verbal badgering, and the best basic military training in the world. I just kept my mouth shut and did what I was told as quickly as possible. I wasn’t disappointed.

29 Oct 63, I enlisted, a recruit, Pvt. Fired expert every day on the rifle range and qualified expert with the M-14 on qualification day. Graduated Parris Island Boot Camp in January 1964. I went to ITR at Camp Geiger, NC (then Camp Lejeune, NC) as a Rifleman.

The 16th of Mar 64, Promoted to Private First Class. April 1964, I joined the 1964 Super Squad, that won the Gold in Sep 1964. The win resulted in a meritorious promotion to LCpl, effective 29 Sep 64.

I went on the Caribbean Cruise in 1964, aboard that beautiful cruise ship the USS Fremont APA-44. 23 Apr 65, Promoted to Cpl. I entered NCO School the same month and graduated the following month.

10 Jun 65, I qualified Expert with the M-14, second time and expert with the .45, the first time. I embarked on the USS Monrovia APA-30, in 1965, and cruised to points in the Mediterranean Sea for six months.

I flew to Danang, Vietnam in April 1966 and was promoted to Sgt on 1 Sep 66. I was attached to MAG-11, Security at Danang and appointed Sgt of the Guard for the airbase.

I did not participate in combat operations while Sgt of the Guard at Danang Air Base. However, I was on duty the first time VC hit us with rockets. They struck the bomb dump and a few aircraft on the flight line. We reinforced the perimeter and hunkered down for a ground assault., but nothing else happened.

I was compelled to volunteer on several occasions for assignments off base. I participated as Platoon Sgt while reinforcing the Frontier (a fortified Special Forces Camp supporting the Khe Sahn airfield). We flushed VC from and defended Local Villages after being infiltrated by VC. On one outing, we established a security perimeter around a Montanyard village which was accidentally bombed by the Air Force. We provided security for the village and the Seabees who restored the village.

I remember being out for about a week during that outing, wherein we were constantly under sniper fire but no major firefights.

On two other occasions, at DaNang, I accompanied a rifle squad and cleared Dog Patch of a sniper, each time, who had been firing on Marines manning our perimeter. These were only brief periods of combat action in which I participated.

I longed to be with my grunt brothers who lived in the bush. However, I believe now, that I was fortunate and blessed to have been attached to MAG-11 Security.

My most memorable and rewarding experience was during the competition and the awards ceremony for 1964, Super Squad. It was certainly the highlight of my active duty with the Marine Corps. Picture an open field, about 200 yards square, surrounded by pine trees and brush, a jeep engine idles. Nothing moving, only the wind rippling the tall grass in the field, kicking up little clouds of dust through the trees. Suddenly the wind carries in the sound of roaring aircraft engines, accompanied by the unmistakable pock-pock-pock of rotor blades, slapping against the warm afternoon air. Two choppers, hugging the treetops, leap into view and waste no time setting down on the field. The cargo? The legend, “MARINES” on the fuselage answers the question. So begins the trial, not by combat, but against the clock and all the lessons of the battle for top-notch squads of the 2nd Marine Division competing for the honor of representing their regiment in the annual Combat Rifle Squad competition to be held in Quantico, Virginia.

Competing squads are subject to nearly every test of their skills that a squad might be called upon to perform in combat, with a couple of twists thrown in for good measure. Airborne landing, approach march, proper employment of the five-paragraph order, camouflage, fire discipline, night reconnaissance patrols, chemical warfare plus the constant physical strain of simulated combat conditions are just a few of the trials each squad must face. Nothing escapes the watchful eyes of the judges, whose collective knowledge of infantry techniques binds them together as formidable critics indeed. For the winning squad, it’s well worth the effort and a crack at the All Marine Squad Finals. The losing squads though perhaps disappointed by the loss, gain valuable experiences in the process and maybe a better chance at the same goal next year.

–Camp Lejeune Globe– Vol. 20-No. 34.

I never performed in a valorous manner, but merely did my job. I did not experience or perform any actions that warranted any valorous awards, but many of the Marines I knew and served with did.

Over the years I’ve been thankful, grateful, and blessed to have lived as long as I have, to have been able to enjoy the experiences of life that my fallen brothers were not able to do. So, I will continue to build profiles for my fallen brothers here on TWS as a reminder of how they served, so that everyone may remember them.

The 1964 Super Squad Gold Medal was the most meaningful award I received. It was the most meaningful to me since I, for one, knew what individual efforts it took to cause the synergistic outcome we experienced as a super squad. It was probably the most sought-after peace-time award an Infantry Marine could receive. The awards ceremony was held in Washington, DC at 8th & I Streets Marine Corps Headquarters and the awards were presented to us by General Greene, the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1964. Members of the squads that placed in the competition also received meritorious promotions. It wasn’t long after the awards were presented that members would realize that we had become the “Grunt” standard for many Marines.

We were expected to know how to conduct ourselves in the field under combat conditions. When we slipped up, we would certainly hear about it. From the Competition to the awards ceremony, to several months later was probably one of the most unforgettable experiences I ever had in the Marine Corps. In the group photo (The Marine Corps Finest), 1st LT Sweeney, our India Company Commander is introducing our squad to the rest of the 3/2 Marines. Lt Sweeney was a great company commander. Under his command, India Company won the 2nd Division Drill Competition, had the Top Rifle Squad in the Marine Corps and was the home of the 1964, 2nd Division Softball Champions.

There were actually two Marines who I am thankful to have known and who had positive impacts on me. One impacted me positively while I was on active duty, and the other impacted me positively 40 some odd years later after we reconnected on Marines.TogetherWeServed.com.

In 1964, Sgt Thomas White was the Super Squad Leader for I 3/2, 2nd MarDiv at Camp Lejeune. I remember him as a quiet, soft-spoken (most of the time), tough NCO. He knew how to train and he knew how to lead Marines. He trained with us every day. When we hurt, he hurt. He made us the top squad in the Marine Corps in 1964.

I reconnected with MSgt White (Tom) (Ret). He lives in upper NY State with his wife. When I called him, he said he still has the American flag that all the squad members signed, hanging on his wall. I’d love to see him again soon. The other Marine who significantly impacted me was SgtMaj Pete Seagriff. When I knew him at Camp Lejeune in 1964, he was my regular Squad Leader, a Cpl. I remember only a few things about him. He was tall and lanky, he was from New York and had that New York wit about him. His favorite line when things weren’t going well was, “You Gotta Love It!” I remember Pete always talking about what he planned on doing when he got out of the Corps. He planned on opening a bar in NYC and inviting his Marine buddies in for a free one. I liked Pete; he had a good sense of humor and didn’t seem to let anything get him down. Pete moved on in 1965, and I lost touch with him. Over the years when my thoughts would meander back to those days, I would always think of Pete and wonder where he was and what he was doing. I would usually conclude that he was back in NYC tending bar, serving a free beer to a passing Marine.

When I joined TWS, I searched for several buddies, including Pete. I found an empty profile with only a picture of Pete coming out of the bush in Vietnam looking as though he was whipped. I wasn’t sure that it was him until I read a handwritten line at the bottom of the picture. When I zoomed in, I read the familiar one-liner that was unmistakably Pete’s: “You Gotta Love It.” Eventually, I reconnected with Pete. I learned that he had a full Marine Corps career.

In my opinion, Pete had been transformed over time into the Marine’s Marine. I don’t mention this casually. Here’s why: In 1964, when he was a Rifle Squad Leader, he was a typical young Marine Cpl looking forward to getting on with his civilian life after his tour in the Marine Corps. But after leaving Lejeune in 1965, and through 1970, he spent a tour as a Drill Instructor in San Diego; three tours in Vietnam with First Force Recon as a patrol leader each time; became Jump and Scuba Qualified in the Philippines; went back to Lejeune with the Grunts; then to Quantico training OCS Candidates for 3 years; then to Okinawa with the Grunts. He went on to 8th & I where he was the company Gunny for two years of one of the marching companies (had the Silent Drill Team); he met his wife (Gina, also a Marine) when he was at 8th & I. Before Pete retired, he also served as a Recruiting SgtMaj and as the 22nd MEU SgtMaj out of Lejeune.

Pete retired to Las Vegas where he implemented and ran a Boot Camp for non-violent Felony offenders for 10 years. He said he kept the same Marine Cammie uniform, just changed the patches and he hired his own Drill Instructors. Pete says he wouldn’t have changed a thing. I tend to agree with him.

In one of my messages to him, after reading about his career, I suggested he post his story on TWS so other young Marines could be encouraged and motivated by what he has done. His reply to my suggestion was: “I’m kind of a private guy, have been all my life”. He said he’s writing a book and he works on it now and then.

I believe Pete is a positive influence on others, and younger Marines can learn from his experiences.

My last duty station was right back where I started, full circle, 4 years earlier in Parris Island, South Carolina. I had received orders for Recruiting School prior to leaving Danang, but I rejected them and received new orders for Parris Island to await my discharge. So, I was to be the Headquarters Company Police Sgt at Parris Island until I mustered out. Everything went well while I was there.

I reconnected with Bill Dowd, who was a close friend in high school and my best man at my wedding. He had been drafted into the Marine Corps (hee hee hee). I met several other friends at PI and everything was just peachy, up until November 4th, the day I received my discharge. I was going to take my time going home to Hialeah, FL and had plans of stopping and visiting some friends and relatives along the way. I planned it so I would be home on November 10th in time for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, a few of us were planning to attend. I had gotten up early the morning of November 4th to pack all my stuff into my car.

Then I went into disbursing, signed papers, and picked up whatever I needed to get, then I would be on my way. Well, it did not exactly work that way. No one was coming in early that day to start work so, I thought I would park in a convenient parking place (the CO’s exclusive parking spot). What the heck (I thought), he will not be in until long after I am gone. So, I loaded up my car with everything I had to my name, and jumped into the driver’s seat and turned the ignition, but the car did not start. After several attempts to start the engine, I realized it was getting later as I tried unsuccessfully to start the engine. No problem, I would just run down to disbursing and take care of business there and come back and get help to move the car. With disbursing business completed, I ran back to the barracks looking for a buddy to help move my car. As I entered the barracks, the Duty NCO caught me and asked if that was my car in the CO’s parking place. I confessed my sin and the NCO instructed me to get into the uniform of the day and report to the CO, for Office Hours. While I ran to my car to get a uniform, I was thinking and wondering if this was really happening. I’ve got my discharge in my hand, he cannot do this, can he?

I got dressed and was on my way to the CO’s Office to Stand Tall when I met one of the SSgt’s in the hallway. I had seen him around and knew that he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam and was well respected. I knew that he was a friend of the CO’s. He knew I was getting out that day and asked me how it was going. I briefed him quickly on my situation and he said, “I’ll go talk to the old man for you”. I felt relieved to have one of the CO’s friends speak up for me.

I was told to wait outside the office until I was called in. I had never done anything like this to warrant office hours. I was wondering what he would do. At last, someone opened the door and told me to report to the CO. I entered in a military manner, locked my heels as I snapped to attention and reported to the CO. The SSgt was sitting in a comfortable-looking chair with a cup of coffee in his hand, so was the 1stSgt, side-by-side, they were. The CO finally spoke. He said; “Who do you think you are? You NCO’s think you can come back to the world and do as you damn well, please! Have you been to disbursing yet? You know, you will be under my command for the next 24 hrs when you leave here. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t bust you and put you to hard labor for the next 30 days.” My response was something like this, or at least it should have been: “Well, Sir, my intentions were good. I did not mean to deprive you of your parking space. Thought I’d be out of there long before you came to work, but like any good plan, they don’t always work out as you expect. Even though I have my discharge in hand, Sir, I’ll take whatever punishment you render. I just hope the CO will be lenient enough to allow me to make it home soon enough to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Miami”. I felt I had to let him know this in hopes he would go easy on me and possibly let me go with a light punishment, but several seconds went by and it seemed like several minutes (an eternity). But then, the two Staff NCO’s burst out laughing, coffee spraying from one of them all over the office.

The CO said, “Are you really going to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Miami?” “Damn Betcha Sir! In the Fontainebleau Hotel.” The CO then surprised me when he said, “Get out of here Sgt and don’t be late!” I felt like a horse’s ass but was relieved as I quickly vacated the presence of the ranking laughter. A pleasant but thoughtful journey home followed.

Following my discharge from the Marine Corps in November 1967, I went to work for Florida Power and Light (FPL) in Miami, Florida. I worked in customer service for 5 years then quit to go to school. I attended High Point College in High Point, NC and graduated with a BS Degree in Business Administration and Economics. I returned to FPL and entered a management training program. Upon completion of the program, I entered management as a Current Diversion (Theft of electricity) Department Supervisor.

Two years later (Photo was taken at a surprise going away party), I became a management analyst and transferred to FPL’s Management Services Department. I attended Analyst Training at FPL and learned to do time and motion studies and set work standards. For the next 5 1/2 years, I chased Bill Deliverers, Meter Readers, Collectors, Residential Salesmen and studied Accounting Clerks, Telephone and Counter Reps, made methods improvements, and set work standards for the various positions. I became very active in the company’s Quality Improvement Program (QIP). I was a Team Member, Team Leader, Team Facilitator, QIP Instructor, Control Chart Instructor, Employee Development Instructor, and Performance Trouble Shooter. In 1991, I was laid off with 2,300 other employees.

Currently, I count and assist in the maintenance of inventory at Reynolds Fence and Guardrail. My Uncle Jack Reynolds started the company in 1982.

So, you might say I work in a family-owned company.

I belong to the Marine Corps Association and the benefits include: receiving Leatherneck magazine monthly; receiving member value pricing in their online stores, and there are other benefits, but these are the ones I use. I am thinking about joining the American Legion so I may add it later.

The Marine Corps has provided me with a creed by which to live and an appreciation for life in general. The Marine Corps life allowed me to serve with some of the finest leaders I’ll probably ever know. Their characters and leadership styles have remained with me as true Leadership models, toward which I’ve aspired, over the years.

After being discharged from the Marine Corps, I have continued to approach any task without fear of failing. I suppose you could say the Marines instilled that “Can Do” attitude. (After all, we say, “Attitude Is Everything“, right?). I believe that’s true.

If I had it to do over again, I believe I would have stayed in the Marine Corps. As I look back, I regret not making a career in the Marine Corps. Twenty years may seem like a long time when you’re 20 or so and you have the 20 years ahead of you, but when you’re 65 and looking back, it seems like just yesterday (or maybe last week), that you did your 4 years or so in the Corps. You begin wondering what you could have done if you made a career out of it. My Advice? Stay in for at least 20 years. Here’s why: If you can make good decisions during your service, meaning you make decisions that have positive outcomes and impact people in a positive way, then they will add up over time, and at the end of your career, you will know that you’ve had a good tour.

As a Marine, if you concentrate on making good decisions and getting all the training you can regarding “Leadership” as you make rank, Combat training including regular ongoing Hand-to-Hand combat training, and keeping God in your life, you will have done everything you can to prepare yourself as you proceed through your career in the Marines, if that’s what you choose. The payoff will be an Honorable Service to your country, the Marine Corps, and your loved ones; an active and self-fulfilled career; and a full and meaningful retirement from the Corps with a decent pension at the age of 38 or so. What do you think?

Together We Served (TWS) has been the best Website I’ve used so far to locate old buddies and meet new ones. TWS has allowed me to post profiles for fallen Marine brothers so that Marines that served with them could learn more about them and Family members would know that they are not forgotten by there Marine brothers. Using the TWS formatted Website and the National Record Center in Kansas City, I’ve been able to create “Sought” profiles for Marines with whom I’ve served, but could not locate elsewhere.

Of the 13 Sought Profiles I’ve posted, I’ve reconnected with 7 of my old buddies, two from Boot Camp, four from the 1964 Super Squad, and one from Camp Lejeune “I” Co 3/2 2nd MarDiv so far. My military bearing, you might say, has been somewhat renewed and my bond with the Marines I knew but lost track of over the years has been reinforced. With TWS’s Guest privileges I’ve been able to post “Fallen” and “Deceased” Profiles on the Army, Navy, and Air Force TWS sites for Family members who also served. All I can say is, “OORAH!” for TWS.

Thanks!