Devil Dogs

Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story by Lance Cpl. Brian Reimers

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July, 21, 2005) — dare touch that remote control, ‘cause you’re watching Mail Call? barked Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, actor and former Marine.

The History Channels No. 1-rated show visited Camp Pendleton early this week to shoot for an upcoming episode featuring the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and the MK-19 grenade launcher.

The production crew first made its way to the School of Infantry’s green belt instructor course to drop in on training. They videotaped students sparring and grappling while instructors supervised.

Then, the crew turned its cameras on advanced infantry training, where Marines from the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, fired grenades downrange at mock humvees.

“We wanted to cover the MK-19 grenade launcher in an upcoming show because it is one of the weapons systems “Mail Call� hasn’t reviewed yet,� said Keith Guinto, the show’s supervising producer.

The martial arts footage will give viewers an idea of how the Marine Corps uses hand-to-hand combat, he added.

The show answers questions, sent in by viewers, about technology used by the military past and present.

“We try to stay true to our scenario,� said Ermey.

“It is a beautiful thing to let a Marine talk about his equipment on the show. It really shows that Marines know there stuff,� he added.

Ermey regularly visits the base to film and promote the show, which airs on Friday nights.

“It’s the closest base to Hollywood where we can find Marines and their equipment,� Ermey explained.

Ermey spent 11 years on active duty and was medically retired in 1971 as a staff sergeant.

He served as a drill instructor for two years at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He also served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

The Marines look forward to watching their martial arts instruction on a future episode of “Mail Call� sometime in October.

“It was pretty motivating to be on TV doing what I love to do,� said Sgt. Billy J. Trott, a martial arts instructor for AIT/SOI. “This job is already motivating enough, but to know I can do it on TV is even better.�

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005721104520
Story by Sgt. Donald Bohanner

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (July 21, 2005) — Marine Corps Base Quantico and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation hosted the unveiling ceremony for the U.S. Mint’s commemorative U.S. Marine Corps silver dollar coin at Lejeune Hall Wednesday.

“This is the first time the United States Mint has ever struck a coin for one of the services, and we are extremely proud,� said Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps.

Congress authorized the Mint to create the coin to commemorate the Marine Corps’ 230th birthday and to honor past, present and future Marines who have made sacrifices to defend the nation.

“This is a very exciting day,� said Henrietta Holsman Fore, director of the United States Mint. “This historic coin is the first we have created for any service. It is in celebration of the 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, and we are proudly minting these coins.�

The Basic School and Marine Corps Systems Command had several static displays at the ceremony showcasing Marine Corps equipment, and the Martial Arts Center of Excellence gave several demonstrations. The MV-22 Osprey and several helicopters were on display for spectators to see them up close and personal.

“On May 25, the director of the U.S. Mint and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps went to the mint in Philadelphia to view the striking of the first sets of coins to ensure that the design was good,� said retired Col. Raymond Hord, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s vice president of development and marketing.

According to Hagee, a portion of each sale will go to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in support of the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ construction.

“The museum will be a wonderful addition to the Marine Corps,� said Hagee. “It will be a place where we are going to be able to tell our story, not only to Marines but to all Americans. And it’s a great story to tell.�

The first 30 days after the unveiling of the coin, uncirculated coins will cost $33 and proof coins will cost $35. After Aug. 22, the coins will be sold for $35 and $39, respectively.

According to a description on the U.S. Mint’s Web site, the coin is distinguished by a frosted cameo image. The “proof� coins shimmer with mirror-like backgrounds and are packaged in acrylic cases to preserve their finish. The “uncirculated� coins are carefully handled, minted on special presses, and have not been used in everyday commerce. The uncirculated coins are protectively sealed in clear Mylar to ensure they stay in their original mint condition.

“This commemorative coin program includes additional special products. The Marine Corps Coin and Stamp Set offers an uncirculated Marine Corps 230th anniversary silver dollar with an original Iwo Jima 3-cent stamp issued in 1945,� said Fore.

For more information on the USMC silver dollar or to purchase the coin online, visit www.usmint.gov.

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005721112457
Story by Cpl. Justin P. Lago

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (July 21, 2005) — Lt. Gen. James Mattis, commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command opened the 2005 Interservice Rifle Championships Tuesday, hosted by Training and Education Command and Weapons Training Battalion.

Mattis fired the official opening shot from an M16A2 service rifle on Range 4 at the Calvin A. Lloyd range to begin the matches. On impact, a target fixed with explosive cord detonated, obliterating the center of the target. This tradition signaled the beginning of the match.

“We are in a wartime situation and we need to keep putting out good shooters,� said Mattis. “It wasn’t the aircraft that dropped bombs or the naval ships that delivered the shells that made the biggest impacts during war. It was the small units and the precision shooting that made the difference. We need good shooters right now.�

The Marine Corps sponsored Interservice Rifle Championship is a high powered rifle competition amongst the military services. Marines from across the United States gathered with shooters from the Army, Army Reserve, Navy and Air Force shooting teams to compete for team and individual scores amongst fellow service members. The match includes competitive categories for post and station rifle teams.

Submitted by: ComRel
Story Identification #: 200572214125
Story by Staff Sgt. David L. Crockett

ARLINGTON, Va. (July 19, 2005) — General Louis H. Wilson, Jr., 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient, was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery following a memorial service in his honor held here, July 19. Family, friends and fellow Marines attended the memorial service and funeral.

Wilson, who had battled a degenerative disorder of the nervous system for several years, died June 21, 2005, at his home in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood, Al., said his daughter, Janet Taylor of Vestavia Hills. He was 85.

During his four-year tenure as commandant, Wilson was noted for molding a post-Vietnam Marine Corps into strong expeditionary units. He also addressed morale and discharged thousands of Marines with discipline problems, setting a new standard for conduct.

“General Wilson was our commandant during a very critical time,� said General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, at the memorial service. “We have a great deal to thank him for.�

“General Wilson hardly said anything,� said Hagee. “He wanted to listen to us.�

Wilson also set higher physical fitness and weight requirements for Marines. “Obesity must vanish,� he said.

Wilson was born Feb. 11, 1920 in Brandon, Miss. After graduating from Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss. in 1941, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in May of that year.

2nd Lt. Wilson went overseas with the 9th Marines in February 1943, making stops at Guadalcanal, Efate, and Bougainville. He was promoted to captain in April 1943. During the assault on Guam, while commanding Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, he earned the nation’s highest honor for heroism in combat when he and his company repelled and destroyed a numerically superior enemy force.

Wilson was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery while fighting Japanese forces at Fonte Hill, Guam, on July 25 and 26, 1944. Then Capt. Wilson was ordered to take a portion of the hill that was in his unit’s area of action. Wilson led his Marines though withering machine gun fire and at times close combat to take control of the hill.

His citation reads in part, “Fighting fiercely in hand-to-hand encounters, he led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately ten hours, tenaciously holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counterthrusts until he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the hard-pressed Japanese early the following morning.�

Because of wounds received he was evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego, where he remained until 16 October 1944.

Capt. Wilson returned to duty as Commanding Officer, Company D, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, California. In December 1944, he was transferred to Washington, D.C., where he served as Detachment Commander at Marine Barracks, 8th & I. While in Washington he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman. He was promoted to major in March 1945.

From June 1946 until August 1951, Maj. Wilson had consecutive tours as Dean and Assistant Director, Marine Corps Institute; Aide-de-Camp, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; and Officer in Charge, District Headquarters Recruiting Station, New York, N.Y.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1951, while stationed at Quantico, Va., he served consecutively as Commanding Officer of The Basic School’s 1st Training Battalion; Commanding Officer of Camp Barrett; and Executive Office of The Basic School. He completed the Officer’s Senior Course in August 1954.

After a brief tour as a Senior School Instructor, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, he departed for Korea to serve as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Division. In August 1955, he returned to the United States with the 1st Division, and was appointed Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

In March 1956, LtCol. Wilson was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, serving two years as Head, Operations Section. He then returned to Quantico, first as Commanding Officer of the Test and Training Regiment, and later as Commanding Officer of The Basic School.

In June 1962, after graduation from the National War College, he was assigned as Joint Plans Coordinator to the Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans and Programs), HQMC. He transferred to the 1st Marine Division and deployed with the Division in August 1965, stopping at Okinawa before going to Vietnam. As Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 1st Marine Division, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

Upon his return to the United States in August 1966, Col. Wilson assumed command of the 6th Marine Corps District, Atlanta, Georgia. Promoted to brigadier general in November 1966, he was assigned to HQMC in January 1967, as Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps until July 1968. He then served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, until March 1970, earning a second Legion of Merit.

He was advanced to the grade of major general in March 1970 and assumed command of I Marine Amphibious Force, 3d Marine Division on Okinawa, where he was awarded a third Legion of Merit for his service.

In April 1971, he returned to Quantico for duty as Deputy for Education/Director, Education Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command. He was promoted to lieutenant general in August 1972 and on 1 September 1972 assumed command of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. During that tour, Lt.Gen. Wilson was presented the Korean Order of National Security Merit, GUK-SEON Medal, 2d Class and the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander) for his service to those countries.

He was promoted to general on 1 July 1975, when he assumed the office of Commandant of the Marine Corps. As Commandant, Gen. Wilson repeatedly stressed modernization of the post-Vietnam Marine Corps. He insisted on force readiness, responsiveness, and mobility by maintaining fast-moving, hard-hitting expeditionary units, each consisting of a single integrated system of modern ground- and air-delivered firepower, tactical mobility, and electronic countermeasures.

Wilson retired on June 30, 1979, and returned to his home in Mississippi. For “exceptionally distinguished service� during his four-year tenure as Commandant, and his contributions as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), upon retirement.

After retiring, Wilson served on the corporate boards of such businesses as Flour Corp., an engineering and construction company, and Merrill Lynch, a financial services company.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Clark Wilson, daughter, Janet Taylor, and two grandchildren.