Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion (Reinf), 1st Marine Division (Reinf) Fleet Marine Force Pacific 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY COLLECTION OF HISTORY, TRIVIA, SEA STORIES, HALF-TRUTHS, SCUTTLEBUT AND WHITE LIES Issue #34 -"Take me to the Brig. I want to see the real Marines." -Lt General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller- 1November 2012

HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1, 1921

The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.

(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name “Marine”. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and is the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the sev- en seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

(3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

(4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.

John A. Lejeune, Major General Commandant Lejeune was born on January 10, 1867 at the Old Hickory Planta- Arriving in the Philippines on 2 May 1907, Lejeune assumed tion in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. He attended the preparatory command of the Marine Barracks and Naval Prison, Navy Yard, program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge from Septem- Cavite, on 6 May 1907. He assumed command of the First Brigade ber 1881 to April 1884, leaving to prepare for the entrance exam for of Marines on 15 June 1908 and was promoted to lieutenant colo- the U.S. Naval Academy. Subsequently, he secured an appointment as nel on 13 May 1909. He was detached on 8 June 1909 and ordered to a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, from which he return to the United States. He then attended the U.S. Army War graduated in 1888, ranking second academically in his class of thirty- College, graduating in 1910. two midshipmenAt the completion of a two-year cruise as a midship- Lieutenant Colonel Lejeune embarked on board USS Ohio on 26 man, he did not want a Navy career, but rather chose the Marine May 1912 with the Second Regiment, First Provisional Brigade Corps. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Marines for Cuba. He disembarked at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 8 on 25 July 1890. June 1912 and was in command of the District of Santiago from 9 1890s June, to 14 July 1912. On 15 July 1912, Lejeune embarked on board After receiving his Marine Corps commission, Lejeune reported to USS Prairie and sailed for Colón, Panama. July 18–29, 1912 was Marine Barracks, New York on 31 March 1890 for Marine Corps spent at Camp Elliott, Panama. "indoctrination and instruction. "He reported for duty to the Marine After returning to the United States, Lejeune was again called Barracks, Norfolk, Virginia, on 3 November 1890. While in Norfolk, upon for expeditionary duty. He sailed from Philadelphia, 20 Febru- he met Ellie Harrison Murdaugh; they were engaged just before he ary 1913 as second in command of the First Regiment, Second Provi- began his sea duty. From 1 October 1891 to 28 July 1893, Lejeune sional Brigade Marines and disembarked 27 February 1913, at Guan- served on board USS Bennington and was promoted to first lieutenant tanamo Bay, Cuba. Then-LtCol Lejeune began the Marine Corps on 26 February 1892. On 28 August 1893, he reported for duty at the Association with the goal of professional advancement among Ma- Norfolk Barracks, where he served until 31 July 1897. While rines. He returned to Philadelphia on board USS Prairie on 2 May stationed in Norfolk again, he married Miss Murdaugh on 23 October 1913. 1895. On 27 November 1913, Lejeune sailed from New York with the On 2 August 1897, Lejeune assumed command of the Marine 2nd Advanced Base Regiment, his ultimate destination Veracruz, Guard of USS Cincinnati, where he served throughout the Spanish- Mexico, but returned to the United States to receive his promotion to American War. He was detached from the Cincinnati on 17 February colonel on 25 February 1914. Colonel Lejeune and his unit eventual- 1899, and on 18 February 1899, joined USS Massachusetts to ly landed in Mexico on 22 April 1914 and participated in the United command the Marine Guard. He was promoted to captain on 3 March States occupation of Veracruz. He returned home in December 1914, 1899 and left his position on Massachusetts on 10 May 1900. this time to report to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, 1900–1916 D.C., to become assistant to the Major General Commandant of the From 3 July 1900 to 12 November 1900, Captain Lejeune per- Marine Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general on 29 August formed recruiting duty at Boston, Massachusetts, and on 22 Novem- 1916. ber 1900 reported at the Marine Barracks, Pensacola, Florida, to com- World War I mand the Marines. From 12 January 1903 to 21 January 1903, With the outbreak of World War I, Lejeune assumed command of Captain Lejeune was on duty at the Norfolk Barracks, going to re- the newly constructed Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia; howev- cruiting duty at New York City on 26 January 1903. He was promoted er, his overseas service was inevitable, and in June 1918, he arrived to Major on 3 March 1903 and was on duty at Headquarters Marine at Brest, France. He was promoted to major general 1 July 1918. Corps in Washington, D.C. from 15 May 1903 to 8 August 1903. Upon reporting to the commander of the American Expeditionary On 8 August 1903, Major Lejeune was ordered to USS Panther to Forces, he was assigned to command a brigade of the 32nd Division command the Marine Battalion on board that vessel, joining 16 and assumed command of the 4th Brigade of Marines of the 2d August 1903. On 23 October 1903, the battalion, with Lejeune in Division immediately following the attack of the division in the Bat- command, was transferred to USS Dixie. From 16 December 1903 to tle of Soissons. On 28 July 1918, Major General Lejeune assumed 21 December 1904, Major Lejeune was on duty ashore on the Isthmus command of the 2nd Division and remained in that capacity until of Panama in command of this battalion, leaving there on the latter August 1919, when the unit was demobilized. He was the second date on board USS Yankee. Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command (BG Charles A. From 27 January 1905 to 20 May 1906, Lejeune served at the Doyen was the first), and following the Armistice he led his division Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He then returned to Panama in in the march into Germany. command of a battalion of Marines from 29 May to 6 July 1906, the (Continued on next page) battalion being transported both ways on board USS Columbia. This was detached duty, and on 29 March 1907, Major Lejeune was detached from command of the Washington Barracks and ordered to the Philippines. His family — his wife and three daughters accompa- nied him on this overseas duty. - Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune - (Continued from previous page)

During that war, he was recognized by the French Government as a strategist and leader, as evidenced by the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de guerre bestowed upon him by France. From General John J. Pershing, he received the Distinguished Service Medal (Army). The Navy Distinguished Service Medal was conferred upon him when he returned to the United States following the occupation of Germany. In October 1919, he again was appointed Commanding General, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia.

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Lejeune was appointed as Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 July 1920. Subsequent to that time, he left his headquarters at Washington several times for tours of inspection in Haiti, Santo Domingo, Cuba, Puerto Rico, to the West Coast and elsewhere. Upon the expiration of his second term as Commandant, Lejeune indicated his desire not to retire from the Marine Corps, but was relieved as Commandant in March 1929.

Retirement and VMI

On 10 November 1929, Lejeune retired in order to accept the posi- tion of Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), serving there over eight years until October 1937. In February 1942, he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general on the Marine Corps retired list. Lejeune died 20 November 1942 in the Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, and was interred in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors

H. Campbell Photo—2011

H. Campbell Photo—2011 This magnificent monument, dedicated to Lieutenant General Lejeune, is the first of many monuments encountered during a walk through the Semper Fidelis Memorial Garden at the Museum of the United States Marine Corps at Triangle (Quantico) Virginia. On November 10, 2000, a life-sized bronze statue of Lejeune was unveiled on the grounds of the Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse in New Roads, Louisiana. Patrick F. Taylor, chairman and CEO of Tay- lor Energy Company, along with the retired Marine Corps Major General Ronald G. Richard (former commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune) were in attendance. Taylor, who financed the Lejeune statue project, joined the Marine Corps Officer Training program as a student at Louisiana State University, but a heart prob- lem kept him from receiving his commission. Taylor commissioned sculptor Patrick Dane Miller to fashion it to be historically accurate. Statues of Lejeune also stand outside the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia, in the center of the traffic circle aboard MCB Camp Lejeune NC, and the Louisiana War Memorial in down- town Baton Rouge, Louisiana next to the destroyer USS Kidd. H. Campbell Photo –1955

Recon Company miserables aboard the high speed transport USS WANTUCK with UDT 12 somewhere in the frozen Bering Sea in January of 1956. Left to right...Sgt Clinton, Amaro, “Buzz” Penland, Bruce Axberg, Jim Severson and seated, reading his latest copy of Boy’s Life Magazine , a stu- dious Bill Hay.***.

*** I lied... Bill, bucking for corporal, is really studying his Marine Corps Institute lesson on Field Hygiene. HU Someone recently asked me what my most memorable meal was while on active duty. It took me two seconds to remember my first encounter with veal cutlets from a field kitchen at Case Springs at Camp Pendleton in 1955. My answer was not what the inquirer wanted…….he im- mediately asked me what I thought about SOS (“Shit On A Shingle”). Without hesitation I confessed that I relished it when it was presented. No doubt about it...SOS is probably the most notorious item that ever appeared on the menu at a Marine mess hall…………..but I have heard few Marines speak negatively about it. Almost universally accepted as a wholesome and tasty meal. Given, that Marines have a propensity to criticize that which they secretly relish, what would be the least appreciated meal while on active duty. I had an answer to that question We were unable to find a picture of it on a stainless steel mess hall tray immediately…………….beans for breakfast. Who, the enquiring innocent asked, would serve beans for Leatherneck's World-Famous SOS Recipe: breakfast ? The United States Navy, I replied, and I have gagged on them more than once while at sea on a Navy vessel. Several years ago I received a recipe for SOS from Captain  1 1/2 pounds extra lean hamburger or ground chuck Eugene Breeze, USMC (Ret), formerly SSgt. Eugene Breeze of  2 tbsp. oleo or butter Recon Company, HqBn, 1stMarDiv. Gene sent us a recipe for  1 cup chopped onion SOS from the official 1940 USMC Cooks and Bakers School Cookbook. We reproduce it here along with two others that  3 tbsp. flour have gained notoriety.  2 tsp. granulated garlic HU  2 tbsp. soy sauce (or less to taste)  1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce  2 cups milk  salt and pepper to taste  sliced bread Brown the meat, then drain. Add oleo. Stir in the onions and cook until you can see through them. Add flour, stir and cook two to three minutes. Add garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and mix thor- oughly. Add milk and stir until it thickens. Serve over bread.

Camp Lejeune's SOS Recipe for Manly Men

 1 lb. lean hamburger  3 tsp. beef stock powder  3 tbsp. plain flour  ¼ tsp. salt  ¼ tsp. black pepper  ½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce  1 pint whole milk Brown hamburger. Add beef stock powder, flour, salt, pepper and then cook. Add Worcestershire sauce. Add milk and stir over low heat until thickened. Serve on burnt toast. SIT—PRAY—EAT….CHOW DOWN AND ENJOY !

(CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD RECENTLY)

Military tactics in the 1700’s and 1800’s included the employment of fixed on muskets. The was often used in massed troop assaults. A classic example of this tactic was the bayonet charge. Such

charges usually were undertaken over short distances and designed to overrun the enemy or break up his troop formations. 20th century warfare made the bayonet less useful.

During the American Civil War the bayonet was responsi- ble for less than one percent of battlefield casualties. “Cold Steel”, however had not seen its day when it successfully caused the enemy to retreat in numerous

encounters during the American Civil War producing decisive victories for the bayonet chargers. The last recorded bayonet charge by the US Army occurred during the when Lewis L. Millett

led soldiers of the US Army's 27th Infantry Regiment in taking out a machine gun position with bayonets. Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action. Contemporary bayonets have been modified to fit a variety of uses. Bayonets are often multi-purpose knifes such as the American which is also an effec- The bayonet is believed to have originated in France tive fighting or the Soviet AKM bayonet which was in the 17th century. The term comes from a French also a ground breaking that can be used as word, baionnette, which was used to describe a sword, a wire-cutter when combined with its scabbard. Some knife or spike attached to a musket or rifle at the muz- bayonets can also be used as utility knifes, bottle open- zle. The gun becomes a spear-like close combat or last ers or can even be used by troops to cut their way free resort weapon when the bayonet is attached. through the relatively thin metal skin of a crashed heli- The bayonet, when shaped like a knife and not at- copter or airplane. Also, issuing one modern multi- tached to a gun serves as a utility knife or general pur- purpose bayonet/knife is obviously more cost effective pose cutting instrument. Some modern bayonets also than issuing two or three specialty bayonets and knifes. serve as wire cutters. Although today the bayonet is rarely used during one-on- The United States Navy attached bayonets to single one combat, it remains an important offensive as well as shot pistols before the American Civil War. The combi- nation was short-lived when it was found to be useless. (Continued on next page) Before World War One the use of the bayonet was thought to give the soldier greater ability if it was long and fixed upon a long rifle. This increased his reach beyond that of his enemy, thereby giving him a tactical advantage. This doctrine prompted the U. S. Authorities to issue the on Rifle M1903 bayonet, with a sixteen inch long blade, for use on the M1903 short rifle. A sword bayonet was later issued for the M1917 Enfield rifle. During the trench warfare of the First World War the long bayonet proved ungainly for close combat. The result was a M1 Bayonet on Rifle new emphasis upon training to repel a lunging enemy bayonet attack by parrying or blocking his thrust. The preferred weap- ons for close combat soon became the pistol, entrenching tool, trench knife and grenade. Soldiers found ample use for the bayonet as a knife when M1905E1 Bowie Point (cut down) Bayonet on M1 Garand Rifle it was not attached to the rifle. Many bayonets were short- ened to make them more versatile as utility or close- quarter weapons. During World War II bayonets were short- ened into knife sized weapons to allow their use both as M4 Bayonet on (Continued from previous page)

defensive weapon for the modern soldier . Despite its limitations many modern assault rifles (including bull- pup designs) retain a bayonet lug and the bayonet is still issued by many armies. Also, the bayonet is still used for controlling prisoners and as a weapon of "last resort". In addition, some authorities continue to insist that the bayonet serves as a useful training aid in building mo- rale and increasing desired aggressiveness in troops.

The American used the M7 bayonet which is based on earlier designs such as the M4, M5, & M6 bayonets. All of which are direct descendants of the M3 Fighting Knife and have spear-point blade with a half sharpened secondary edge. The newer has a clip-point blade with saw-teeth along the spine, and can "Americans have the right and be used as a multi-purpose knife and wire-cutter when advantage of being armed - unlike the combined with its scabbard. The current USMC OKC-3S bayonet bears a resemblance to the Marines' iconic Ka- citizens of other countries whose Bar fighting knife with serrations near the handle. governments are afraid to trust the people with arms" -James Madison- (The Fedaralist Papers #46 at 243-244 HU)

Ontario OKC3S USMC Bayonet Knife with Scabbard

Marines carry bayonets in the field, and all must complete training with the hand-to-hand combat staple. The Army’s infan- trymen also have long used bayonets, though that branch has scaled back on bayonet drills in recent years. Although the last U.S. bayonet charge was in Korea in 1951, a British soldier was M9-Bayonet used as Wirecutter recently honored for leading a bayonet charge against the Tali- ban in 2011 in Afghanistan. The M9 bayonet and others in the series have been The official Marine.com website touts the bayonet with the manufactured for the military by several companies, words: including and the Ontario Knife Co. The “From 500 yards, every Marine is accurate with a rifle. Attach weapon attaches to the M16 rifle’s . It also can the OKC-3S Bayonet, and the weapon becomes just as be used with the Mossberg 590 Special Purpose shotgun. (Continued on page 9)

https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp? 48 hours special liberty to the first man to answer correctly.

Those of us who have never visited Camp Lejeune have not been priviliged to view this Statue of Marine Lieutenant General Lejeune located in center of traffic circle at the Camp in North Carolina.

William HAY pHOTO We have published this photo before but the names were all wrong. Bottom row: L-R Taylor, Bruce Axberg. Second row: L-R Jim Severson, John J. “J.J.” Evers, Bill Hay. Third row: “Buzz” Penland. (Probably on the WANTUCK January 1966) RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY, HQBN (REINF), 1ST MARDIV( REINF), FMFPAC M5 Bayonet

(Continued from page 7) effective in close combat situations. Also a Marine's multi-purpose fighting knife, the OKC- 3S is the weapon of choice when shots can't be fired. Every Marine receives bayonet training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and on the Bayonet Assault Course in Recruit Training.” Ontario Knife's version of the M9 bayonet, the OKC3S, is Lee Enfield rifle No 5 MK 1 Bayonet 13.25 inches long, with a serrated blade of hardened steel, a zinc phosphate nonreflective finish and an ergonomically grooved handle made of a lownoise polyester elastomer. It clicks onto the rifle via fitted internal stainless steel springs, and comes with a "Molle-compatible sheath designed for superior stealth."

M6 Bayonet

Retired Maj. Gen. Ed Usher, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Association & Foundation has said: "Bottom line: The bayonet remains part of the individual Marine equipment issue and Marines are trained to use it."

“We take pride in our military products and it’s an honor and privilege to supply these weapons/tools to the US military,” said Ken Trbovich, president and CEO of Ontario Knife Co., “The military deploys our products for a wide range of combat and field operations. These include, but are not limited to, breaching devices, rescue tools and combat weapons.” The place of bayonets in history is assured. When all the bullets were fired, the deadly blades turned rifles into spears in the Civil War and World War I, when fighting rages from trench to trench at close range. Veterans also have been known to reminisce about using the versatile blade to toast bread, open cans, scrape mud off of boots and even dig latrines. In the current edition of the Marine Corps Gazette, an article titled "‘Fix . . . Bayonets!’ Spanning the spectrum of lethality" by H. Campbell Photo –1956 retired USMC Col. Michael Belcher praises the utility of bayo- nets throughout history and today. Belcher wrote "In counterinsurgency operations as in com- bat, the bayonet has proven itself to be an effective offensive and defensive weapon, one that produces kinetic and nonkinet- ic effects well beyond its size and across the spectrum of con- flict."

M7 Bayonet & M8A1 Sheath

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. (Plot: Section 6, Lot 5682, Grid V/W-22.5)

Nit Pickers Anonymous is alive and well. Our attention has been called to the last paragraph of the article on 1st Marine Division Ground Reconnaissance on page 6 of the last issue of Reflections. The paragraph leaves the reader wondering if it took a whole army to replace the Marines on New Britain. The last word of the paragraph is missing………..insert the word “units” after the last word to make the article end by conveying the idea that the Marines were relieved by Army units. HU

A green phantom stalks these lands, Thirty Ought Six in a Master's hands. Chamber a matched, perfect round, Slide home the bolt, forward and down.

Stay detached, loose and cool, Time your breathing, remember the rule. Get them now, kill them clean, before they can hurt another Marine.

The first dies quick, the second has looked, that one dies fast, a third has booked. Number Three goes down, sight on Number Four, this one's for my Brothers, Brothers of the Corps.

Even now at home, I remember that scene, the four of them and a young Marine, I would do it again, once more with pride, to protect my Marines, the enemy has died.

By Robert W. Baird, U.S.M.C. Sniper

The mailing list for Reflections is huge. We find it diffi- cult to believe that all those on our list had no experiences DISCLAIMER Fine Print Follows while in the Corps that are worth telling others about. Any distinctions made regarding truthfulness or the lack thereof in this publication are made at the risk of the distinctor and are not the responsibility of the distinctee who caused the distinction to be brought into question. Likewise, all photographs Please….anything large or small, pictures and/or text, will be are to be considered as images only. No reality is either claimed directly or implied indirectly, obtusely or on purpose. No model releases have been asked for or obtained from anyone victimized digitally. All copyrighted material was copied right. given careful consideration for publication. This publication claims no endorsement from any government agency, Pizza Hut, Mariott Hotels, Buca di Beppo, Jack Daniels Distillery, Café del Sol, the distillers of American Military Brandy, Toys-R-Us, Victoria’s Secret, Nabisco Fish Put on your thinking caps, take keyboard in hand and Crackers, Pepperidge Farms, the Pepsi-Cola Company, Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Bubba O’Malley’s Wild Irish Inn ‘ Boudro’s Texas Bistro, Mickey Finn MCL or the Officers Club at MCB Quantico or The Old Spaghetti Factory of Portland contact us at: [email protected] Oregon..