The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

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

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

What was your primary Occupational Specialty in the Military? What was the most significant skill you learned and was this useful in your civilian life?

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 flame thrower. 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.

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Cpl David Mulldune, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

Cpl David Mulldune, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

What was the biggest personal challenge that you encountered during your military service? How did you approach and overcome this?:

Upon arriving in Vietnam, I was assigned to India Company, 3rdBattalionn, 27th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. I had only been in Vietnam for about three to four weeks when word came down that we would leave to go on Operation Allen Brook. During briefing, we were told that Go Noi Island was serving as a staging area for NVA units preparing for attacks against Danang. Intelligence wasn’t sure of the exact enemy numbers but figured it to be around the strength of the battalion (approximately 1,000 men). Upon reaching our objective, we came under heavy attack and, at one point, were encircled by several NVA units.

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Famous Marine Corps Unit: 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines

Famous Marine Corps Unit: 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines

Approximately 800 Marines and Sailors of the "Two Five" comprised of H&S Co, Echo Co, Fox Co, Golf Co, and Weapons Co. are based at MCB Camp Pendleton, California under command of the 1st Marine Division. The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines is a battalion-level infantry unit composed of Marines and support personnel. Infantry battalions are the basic tactical units that the regiment uses to accomplish its mission of locating, closing with and destroying the enemy by fire and close combat. 2nd...

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Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, U.S. Marine Corps (1934-45)

Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, U.S. Marine Corps (1934-45)

Today's United States Marines have many idols. Unsurprisingly, these are often other Marines, Marines who served in wars past but distinguished themselves and exemplified what it means to call oneself a United States Marine. Few of these idols loom as large as Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone.  Basilone was born to an Italian family in Upstate New York and raised in New Jersey. He was working as a golf caddy when he decided to join the Army in 1934. It was, of course, years before the United...

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Steel Soldier: Guadalcanal Odyssey by James J. Messina

Steel Soldier: Guadalcanal Odyssey by James J. Messina

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States seized the initiative in the Pacific by delivering a resounding defeat to the Japanese at the Battle of Midway. Following this turn of events, the U.S. decided to attack the Solomon Islands, especially Guadalcanal, to support further operations as they advanced toward the Japanese home islands. Guadalcanal became a critical target for the Americans because of its position along Allied supply lines, its proximity to further Japanese bases, and...

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Famous Marine Corps Units: George Company (G Co), 3rd Bn, 1st Marine Regiment

Famous Marine Corps Units: George Company (G Co), 3rd Bn, 1st Marine Regiment

The 1st Marine Division, the oldest and largest active duty division of the United States Marines is perhaps best known by the nickname coined following World War II, “The Old Breed”.  With a long and distinguished history, no subordinate unit better reflects the honor and best traditions of the Marine Corp than the 3rd Battalion, G Company during the Korean War.  George Company served gallantly spanning Incheon, Seoul, Wonsan landings and Chosin Reservoir, pushing the limits of...

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