First Composite Radio Company

Fleet Marine Force Pacific

Some of this may border on sea stories rather than a Bio.

I was born 22 July 1937 in Hannibal, MO.  Raised there and in Quincy, Ill. (both are on the banks of the Mississippi River).  At the age of thirteen my Father was KIA at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, Dec. 2, 1950.  His body was not recovered until 50 plus years later and buried next to my Mother in Mo.

At age 17, halfway through my junior year in high school, I decided that I knew all I needed to know.  I left home, married Joyce and joined the USMC.  Joyce and I have been married for 54 years, have 7 children, 20 grand children and 5 great-grandchildren,  (But who is counting).

My Marine Corps career was varied and eventful, not always performing as I should have.  I attended boot camp at San Diego from 21 April 1955 until 28 July 1955.  I went straight to ITR at Camp Pendleton and was there from 29 July 1955 until 21 November 1955.  I was injured in CA. from a brush fire and spent a few weeks in the hospital prior to completing training.  A result of my injury my orders to Memphis, TN. for airplane mechanic school were cancelled.  I served as a troop handler at ITR until new orders sending me to the 1st Marine  Division were issued.

I went on my first leave prior to reporting to the Div.  I must note that it was amazing how smart my Mother had become while I was gone.

I reported to the Division, 16 December 1955 and was assigned to the 2nd. Bn 1st Mar. Div.  (How I was assigned is another story in itself).  I remained there until 20 Feb. 1957.

How I received my next orders is interesting (at least to me).  The 2nd Bn. left Pendleton and went to Pickle Meadows, NV for cold weather training.  After freezing certain parts of my anatomy off for a night at the base camp we started our hike up the mountain.  When we finally reached the top I was told I had to return to 1st. Mar. Div. (no reason given).  another night at base camp, not so cold as I slept in metal hut.  I was transmitted back to Pendleton in a staff car with 2 officers.  I was taken to Div. Hdqtrs.. Informed that I had orders to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, in Taiwan.  My only real qualifications for this assignment was the fact that I made Sgt. (E-4) in sixteen months of a four year enlistment and I was the only Sgt. in the Div. that met the remaining time in service that qualified since the billet hat to be filled quickly and they did not have time to entice some young Sgt. to reenlist for it.  I wanted to know Where Taiwan was and they could not tell me since they did not know.  this was at a time when Taiwan was the new name for Formosa.  I was with the MAAG form 2 May 1957 until 10 May 1958.  That was after spending time from 1 Mar 1957 until 1 May 1957 at Treasure island, CA. waiting for a passport.

My next stop was Parris Island, SC. Where I went through DI school from 20 June until 25 July 1958. From 26 July 1958 until 26 Feb. 1962, I served various jobs at P.I. After being "invited" to leave the drill field I did a stint as a PT instructor, life guard and subsequently went to base communication center. This last assignment, once again by circumstance, led me to the next assignment.
 

I received orders to 1st. Comp. Rad. Co. Where I served from 2 May 1962 until Sept. 10 1962 when I joined Sub. unit #1 of the Co. until Jan. 18, 1963. This is also where I came in contact with a group of "clowns"/hard workers and humanitarians who attempted to establish an orphanage for wayward girls in Olongapo, Philippines while we were waiting for permission to enter Viet Nam. I remained with 1st Radio during the transition from Comp. Co to Co. to Bn.
 

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