Marine Corps Archives - TogetherWeServed Blog

ET2 David B. Binder, U.S. Navy (1963 – 1967)

What Was Your Favorite Memory of Returning Home After a Long or Temporary Deployment? What Made This So Special?:

My four years in the navy included two tours of duty on the USS Hissem, DER 400 (destroyer escort) in Vietnam on Operation Market Time, which was the blockade of the entire 1,200-mile coastline of South Vietnam. We searched watercraft for arms, ammunition, and supplies that were being smuggled to the enemy; and did close in gunfire support with our three-inch guns and .50 caliber machine guns. My job was to hold the boat crews at gun point while the rest of the team searched and I also was a .50 caliber machine gunner while on patrol. I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.

Service Reflections of Col Christopher Steinhilber, U.S. Marine Corps (1987-2021)

Global War on Terror, Marine Reflections

Great question…I don’t think I can pinpoint any one person or a singular event that motivated me to enlist in the Marines in 1986. I was an average (okay, maybe a little below average) student in HS and decided I wanted to enlist in my Junior year as part of the Delayed Entry Program. The idea of four more years of academia at an institute of higher learning did not particularly appeal to me, despite the majority of my peers seeming excited to head off to college. Maybe it was because, like many youths, I questioned what I wanted to do with my life and what my true purpose was. I visited my local recruiter, Staff Sgt. Webster Bridges to find out more information. Unfortunately, in order to enlist at age 17, I needed the permission of my parents, who both wanted me to attend college. They made me a deal that I had to apply to at least one college before they would consider signing my enlistment documents. My mother has heard about a small military college in Vermont, Norwich University, and she insisted on driving me three hours there (one-way) for a visit. I was intrigued by the Corps of Cadets and its regimented lifestyle. However, I was still more interested in enlisting on active duty in the Corps than in pursuing a college education. I begrudgingly completed my Norwich application and short essays and continued to work with the local recruiting office on my enlistment. I was somehow accepted to Norwich, despite my somewhat lackluster HS academic performance. Truth be told, I was more interested in playing sports (lacrosse), street hockey, and other sports with my friends. In the end, I compromised with my parents, who agreed to sign my enlistment documents in the Marine Corps Reserves if I attended Norwich in the fall of 1987.

Service Reflections of Sgt Robert Leon, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

Marine Reflections, Vietnam War

I was inspired by John Wayne’s portrayal of the Marines, which influenced me to join after my brother Jesse, who had been ordered to do so by a judge. We were both leading interesting lives with a lot of violence involved. After he joined the Marine Corps, he looked so good in his uniform, and I knew he was an ass-kicker, so I wanted to be a part of that. Going to Vietnam was easy; all they needed were bodies in 1968. When I ended up being a Casualty Reporter for the 3rd Marine Division, that sort of screwed everything up. I was up to my ears in casualty reports on a daily basis, and the people I hung with were combat veterans I could relate to. I was able to visit alot of the battalion aid stations, like Delta Med in Dong Ha where Graves Registration was and participating in helping Khe Sanh wounded off the choppers, USS Sanctuary off the coast, U.S. Army Mortuary in Danang, 22nd Casualty Staging Facility in DaNang, Cam Ranh Bay Army Mortuary, Ammo convoys to LZ Stud and some I just forgot about. I was the guy you didn’t want to meet, as that meant you were either dead or wounded. Man, what times those were. I’ll never forget the men who touched my life, dead and wounded, and those who gave their lives for this country. I’m a lucky man, and I still thank God I’m alive to share the stories of the brave, brave, badasses I ran across in Vietnam. My head is still screwed up. I’ll see them soon. Semper Fi

The Mailman Went UA (A Vietnam Memoir) by David W. Mulldune

Military Book Reviews, Vietnam War

The year 2025 will see a lot of retrospective looks at the Vietnam War, as the United States’ involvement began in 1965 (or 1955, depending on who you ask) and officially ended with the 1975 Fall of Saigon. The best retrospectives anyone could possibly read are the no-holds-barred accounts of the war from those who were there, on the ground, doing the job. And few Vietnam memoirs are as poignant and honest as David Mulldune’s “The Mailman Went UA.”

Service Reflections of CDR Allen W. Miller, U.S. Navy (1967-2010)

Cold War, Navy Reflections

My dad, who had served in the Army’s 100th Infantry as part of a mortar crew, serving in the southwestern region of Germany in 1944-45, suggested that if I had to go (I had received my draft notice in the fall of 1966), then anything would be better than the Army. His reasoning was that it was better to die in a clean bunk than a dirt foxhole. Upon my return from my initial medical screening at Fort Knox, I knocked on the door of the only recruiter in town —the Navy.

War of 1812 – The United States Navy in America’s First Overseas Conflict

Battlefield Chronicles, War of 1812

The Barbary Pirates were corsairs from the North African states of Morocco, Tunis, Algiers, and Tripoli who raided European commerce unchecked for nearly three centuries. Not only did they capture ships, cargo, and weapons from their victims, but they also enslaved their Christian captives. Despite all the naval might projected by Europe's powerful military elite, it was the fledgling United States that ultimately dealt with the pirates. The Barbary Wars became America's first overseas war and...

Sgt Michael Wynn, U.S. Marine Corps (1966-1970)

Profiles in Courage, Vietnam War

Michael Wynn is a Marine Sargeant, a four-year USMC volunteer, of First Battalion, Third Marines, hailing from Marion, Ohio who took part in Operation Ballistic Charge near Dai Loc, in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. Michael Wynn shared a history of his motivation to join the Marine Corps which was a mixture of patriotism and seeking excitement and adventure. Michael Wynn's Childhood "My name is Mike Wynn and I was born on January 17, 1947. I grew up in Marion, Ohio, and attended Olney Ave....

Fire in the Hole by Bob Parsons

Military Book Reviews, Vietnam War

Bob Parsons was a 0311, a Marine Corps Rifleman, with 1st Battalion 26th Marines in South Vietnam’s Quang Nam province. When he first arrived on Hill 190, where his company operated, it was all rice paddy as far as his eyes could see. He was told that his time in-country would change him. He may not have realized just how much he would change.

LCpl Richard A. Barnhart, U.S. Marines (1981-1985)

VA Military Memories Competition

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

My Dad served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966. Went to Vietnam. Never really said much about it but did share two funny stories with me: Supplies were coming in, and a couple of extra hands were needed for transport. Dad was told to drive trk# xyz and said that they picked up 10 truckloads of frozen steaks and beer. He was driving a beer truck. Says that on the way back to their camp, someone had the bright idea of diverting a few trucks to their own camp, so when they reached the ‘fork in the road’ leading to their camp, every other truck peeled out of the convoy and to the fork in the road. Turned out that of the three trucks, one was loaded with steak; the other two were loaded with beer. (Even back then, Marines had their priorities, lol) said they ate really well that night and had enough beer to last them a couple of days….

5 Legendary Heroes of the U.S. Air Force

Military Myths and Legends

We all know the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday in a big way, but that doesn't mean the other branches aren't worth celebrating. The United States Air Force was created after President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947. On September 18, 1947, W. Stuart Symington became Secretary of the Air Force, making September 18 the service's official birthday. In honor of its 77th birthday, let's take a look at some of the airmen who shaped the history and development of the...

SgtMaj Daniel J. Daly, U.S. Marine Corps (1899–1929)

Profiles in Courage, World War I

Only two Marines have received the Medal of Honor for two separate actions: Maj. Gen Smedley Butler and SgtMaj. Daniel J. Daly. And you know it has to mean something when Butler called Daly "the fightingest Marine I ever knew." SgtMaj Daniel J. Daly and the Boxer Rebellion Daly served in the Marine Corps for 30 years, seeing every major Marine Corps campaign between 1899 and 1929. Growing up in New York City as a slender youth, he had to be tough; he even became a semi-pro boxer before joining...

Service Reflections of RM3 Sidney Weinstein, U.S. Coast Guard (1942-1946)

Coast Guard Reflections, World War II

I was in high school at the time of Pearl Harbor. I had never heard of Pearl Harbor and didn’t know where it was. That was true for many of my friends, but we sure found out quickly. We all became Gung Ho and were ready to enlist; however, we had a couple of months left before graduation, so I opted to finish school. Many of my friends did enlist, going into the US Army Air Corps to become pilots. That was my desire also, but my father said “NO.” He was in the First World War, captured by the Germans, and gassed. He was shot, and he lost three fingers on his left hand.

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