Preserving and Promoting the Time Honored Traditions

Of Our Beloved Marine Corps Now and Forever!

mar Good Food, Good Fun and a Few Good Men 2017 Iwo Jima Beefsteak is a Huge Success!! Barker Marines, family and friends joined together the eve of the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima to celebrate the warriors of the Corps’ most epic event. On 18 February at the American Legion in Rochelle Park we packed in over 100 people to enjoy our most successful event yet. The evening kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a toast by Jamie Cuevas and a benediction by Chaplain Vince Montagna. Michael Apricena read our annual message honoring the Warriors of Iwo. Then came ,“THE CHOW!”. Salad, pasta, and curly fries were served in abundance. Then the main event of the evening: the beefsteak was delivered 2017 in endless waves. The beef was consumed and it’s bread garnish was built up on each table into towers, forts and even a wall. Laughter and camaraderie

were the orders of the day and those directions were carried out with great Warriors pleasure. contributing to Around 2130 the time came for the tickets to be drawn and the table of great Scoopthis issue prizes distributed to our guests. Baskets of car care supplies, baking items, MOH autographs, jewelry and spirits of all kinds were won by the happy Tim Daudelin attendees. Our own Lou Fava captured the grand prize of the TV and sound Carlos Poole system. Albert Paul The evening closed with our Commandant giving a stirring and heartfelt Ed Ebel Vince Montagna speech about the Marine brotherhood and our ethos of never leaving one of Many Thanks for our own behind. Fun was had by all and many left pledging to return for next your year’s event. Contribution An incredible night and a successful fundraiser was complete, and as we all SEMPER FI went our several ways, we did so with a smile and fond memories gained during a night of : Kelly

Good Food, Good Fun and a Few Good Men!

The Warrior Committee Contact-Tim [email protected]

Detachment Leadership Commandant Carlos Poole Officer Contact Officer Contact Commandant Carlos Poole 551-486-7757 Adjutant Dennis Vera 917-494-3179 Senior Vice Commandant Albert Paul 201-218-2327 Paymaster Michael Apricena 201-996-1613 Junior Vice Commandant Ed Ebel 201-314-2814 Chaplain Vince Montagna 201-290-4174 Judge Advocate Dan Hoffmann 201-741-5242 Sgt at Arms Pete Arvidson 973-794-6439 LCpl. Jedh C. Barker Detachment PO Box 8441 Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 Web site –barkerdetachment.com [email protected]

WHD and Dept of NJ Prizes on Display Well Represented Our Commandant GRUNT

Jen and Kim Having a Ball

What a Crowd St Joseph’s Hospital Joins in the Fun

Vince’s Flock John, Michael and Dan The Ebel Battalion

Fun for All

Now That’s Alot of Carbs

New Award for a Heroic Future Marine. Commandant Approves New Scouting Award, and Directs That Naval Academy Hero be the First Recipient!

Since 2010 when the first Mitchell Paige Award for Scouting Achievement was awarded to Michael Keane, an Eagle Scout from Troop 108 in Wayne, the Detachment has toyed with the idea of making a higher level of the award to honor heroic action. Keane at the time of his award was a Freshman at the Naval Academy and subsequently went on to a Commission as a Naval Officer and now serves in the Navy’s Submarine Fleet. Ironically the new award will also go to a Naval Academy Midshipman and Eagle Scout. In last month’s Warrior’s Den we featured a Midshipman Jonathan Dennler, who during a 2016 camping trip in Canada, following a horrible accident during a storm which killed a Scout and an adult leader, took immediate heroic actions risking his own life and saving many others. Dennler canoed 1.5 miles in the dark of night as a storm packing 60 mph winds roared around him. He returned with assistance and medical supplies to save his beleaguered Troop. For his Mitchell Paige Award for Scouting actions he was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal, Achievement with Heroism Star becoming one of the about 3000 recipients since WWII. Upon the recommendation of Detachment Scouting Coordinator Tim Daudelin, Commandant Poole directed that the new award be created and awarded to the heroic Midshipman. The first ever Mitchell Paige Award for Scouting Achievement with Heroism Star was signed by the Commandant on 15 February along with an Honorary Membership Certificate and was sent to Midshipman Dennler. It is a small token of appreciation from our Detachment to honor the New Jersey born member of our Naval Academy. Dennler is a member of the Semper Fi Society at the Academy and has hopes one day of earning a commission in the Marine Corps. We here at the Barker Detachment wish Midshipman Dennler all the very best and hope that one day we will be able to call him our Marine Brother! Midshipman Jonathan Dennler USNA Semper Fidelis and God Bless Midshipman Jonathan Dennler!

24-25 March 2017 North East Division Conference All forms can be found on the Northeast Division website: www.northeastdivmcleague.org

 Stockton Seaview Hotel and Club 401 South New York Road Galloway, NJ 08205

 Local 609-652-1800 Toll Free 855-894-8698 June 8-10th. 2017 Department Convention All forms can be found on the Department website: www.njmcl.org

Commandant Carlos Poole

Welcome Home, Marine

As all Marines say, “No man left behind!”. This is no more true than the recent news of a hometown hero from Bogota, 1st Lt. William Ryan, being returned to his family, or rather his remains. Lt. Ryan was shot down over Laos over 47 years ago, and now his remains have been confirmed by DNA. His family has never lost hope, never wavering from their belief that their beloved Marine would one day return, dead or alive. This is a time for celebration for we take care of our own, and now one more that was missing is reunited with his family. His legacy is set and his story will continue to live on. A recipient of and a Distinguished Flying Cross among many other medals, he will now be interred in Arlington Cemetery, along all those heroes who valiantly sacrificed all to keep us free.

We, collectively as Marines, have kept our solemn vow to our Brother Marine and his family by continually searching the crash site, to ensure he was not to be forgotten. In an era when Viet Nam veterans were transitioning homeward, they came back to derision and insults, taunts and accusations. Some were even spat up- on on sight. Thankfully, within the last 30 years, changes have been made to include and even salute veterans from that era. It was because of the respect that was bestowed upon them that veterans from later conflicts have been able to hold their heads high. Combat veterans returning from the Middle East, some after many deployments and so much time away from their families, are now welcomed with parades and demonstrations of appreciation at airports and at military bases.

We must always remember the sacrifices that were made by those that came before us. We can only remain the greatest fighting force by acknowledging all the efforts made to help us advance, all going back to 1775 when Continental Congress enacted that a group of Marines be formed by Samuel Nicholas at Tun Tavern.

Stay strong, Marines. Remember to preserve and uphold the past. Be in the present. And always support those who will follow in our footsteps as they to us for guidance. Carlos A. Poole Commandant

Marines, Another successful Beefsteak event is now in the books. All who attended enjoyed a great time and left with bellies full of beef and big smiles on their faces. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of our members who pitched in to make this event our best yet! Now that March is upon us, it is time for the Rose and Flag details to commence to raise money to assist in all of our efforts. In addition, let’s keep securing new members to continue our Detachment’s growth. The Youth Physical Fitness Event hosted by the Department of N.J. is taking place on 18 March at Colts Neck HS. The Department Staff Meeting will be on 19 March at the Reserve Center in Red Bank, all members are welcome to attend.. The North East Division Conference will take place 23 – 25 March in Galloway, N.J. If you have any upcoming events you think we should as a Detachment take part in let the Officers know. Let’s hit the streets and get our name out there Devil Dogs. Albert Paul

Senior Vice Commandant

Friendly greetings Leathernecks,

This month we will be short and sweet. Earlier in the month, I mailed out dues payment request letters to about a dozen Marines that are currently classified as past due. I appreciate many of the quick responses and I hope the last few are in the works. As we may have discussed on a previous Warrior update, this coming August will begin a “reset” for dues payments and ALL members will have dues payments due at the same time each year. This will clearly make it easier for all to keep track of. For any of you that want to join us, we will be at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park on Sunday April 9th. Come on down. There will be a fair with kiddie-rides, plenty of vendors and food trucks. We will have a booth there and would love to have you all come down for support. If you think you may be able to come down that morning in uniform, let me know and I will get you the details. Spring is on the way!

Semper Fi Brothers! Ed Ebel Junior Vice Commandant Annual Dues Presently the National Headquarters of the Marine Corps League is revamping the annual membership dues system. Any Marine that is not a Life Member will receive information from the Detachment about how this will effect them. If you have any questions, contact JVC Ed Ebel or Paymaster Michael Apricena for clarification.

Semper Fidelis

Fire Mission!!!, a Message from the Editor There is a great event coming up that is an awesome experience to have. The Gathering of Heroes, a fundraiser for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, benefits the families of fallen Marines and Police Officers. There will be at least 3 to 5 Recipients attending a pub crawl in Philadelphia on 10 April 2017. Attendees meet at the American Legion in Cherry Hill, then are bused over the bridge with an escort by motorcycle honor guards. It’s an outstanding day, one you’ll never forget. Anyone interested contact Ed to join in on the fun! Semper Fi Tim Daudelin

Editor’s NotE: We still need photos and stories for upcoming Warriors. Don’t forget the Old Salts Page still needs Sea Stories and reminiscences about your experiences in the Corps. We need your input an many of our features so please jump in , your help and participation is always appreciated!

Brother and Sister Marines, I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Continue to pray for our MCL Brothers and Sisters who are having a difficult time finding work so they can provide for their families. They need our support, our help and our prayers. Pray for our new President and his Administration that they make wise decisions for the good of all Americans. Six Marines went home the Father this month. John Ernest Finelli, Sr. passed away on January26th. John served in WW11 as a member of the 3rd Raider Battalion in the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal. Sabino Joseph Salerno passed on away January 27th. Sabino served in the Navy in WW11 and in the Marine Corps in Korea, Robert H. Martin passed away on January 30th. Robert served in the Marine Corps from 1956 t0 1959. After he was discharged he went to work for Delta Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. Robert J. Dinse, Jr. passed away on February 14th. Robert served in the Marine Corps. He became a plumber after being discharged. William J. Edgar, Jr. passed away on February 12th. Bill was a Marine Corps Veteran, he was high shooter in his platoon and earned an expert medal. He went on to become a rifle instructor at Parris Island. He was also a member of the Marine Corps League and a Devil Dog. Carmen Russo passed away on February 12th. Carmen was a WW11 Veteran and later went on to become a Sergeant with the Passaic Police Department. Let us pray for these men and their families and also Thomas Luyster,Jr. a member of our detachment who is living at the Paramus Veteran’s Home room L126 Phone, 201-797-9324. Let’s take a moment each day to thank God for all the Blessings that he has gives us each day. Pray for our Troops wherever they may be serving our country, that they will be kept out of harm’s way. Please contact me with the names of Brother or Sister Marines and or family members who are sick, in distress or have passed away. I will enter their names in my next report. Remember I am only a phone call or email away. If there is any way that I may be of help to anyone, please contact me. Vince Montagna Vince Montagna, Chaplain 201- 843- 5329 or 201-290- 4174 (cell) email [email protected] Family Military Traditions In this special series we will look back at Scuttlebutts gone by and remember those events that shaped this Detachment. Marines never forget where we come from! It’s also to see how far we have come. Semper Fi

The Top Stories Were:

 Iwo Jima Beefsteak a Huge Success  SRD Marines Honored for Iwo Service  Memorial Wrestling Tournament Honors a Marine Hero

 National Commandant was John Kovalcik  Department Commandant was Rosemary Fleming  Detachment Commandant was Carlos Poole

Barker’s Warriors and Our Roots Mar 2015

This new feature will give us the opportunity to recognize anniversaries somE of our mEmbErs lifE bEgiNNiNg aNd chaNgiNg EvENts. lEt’s givE a booming OOH RAH!!! to those of our ranks in celebration

Birthdays this Month FALL OUT! Boot Camp Graduation this Month

Anniversaries this Month Discharge Anniversaries this DD-214 Month ______Michael Apricena ______2000 ______

If we missed your special celebration, Let us know! SOUND ADJUTANT’S CALL !!!

February Operations Report There was no business meeting in February. An unofficial gathering took place on 15 Feb attended by 10 of our Marines. We discussed the Beefsteak, upcoming events and tossed around a few ideas. These will be revisited at the next business meeting in March. We hope everyone enjoyed the Beefsteak, by far our most successful yet. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting. Business Meeting TBD due to weather, Social 28 Mar - 1900 Hrs.

Detachment Member’s Son Becomes a Red Legged Leatherneck

Barker member Glenn Iafrate announced that his son has joined our ranks by earning our coveted title of United States Marine! Thomas Iafrate graduated from Platoon 3090, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Regiment on Parris Island on 10 November 2016. The new Leatherneck reported to the Marine Detachment at the US Army’s Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. There he will learn the skills to become a member of the “King of Battle” Marine Corps Field Artillery! Iafrate will be receiving training as a Fire Direction Controllman, 0844 the “Brains of the Arty”. He will become proficient in the art of Gunnery, which since the beginning of time has ruled the battlefield. During his time at Sill waiting for his class to begin in March, he had the opportunity to take part in events hosted Thomas Iafrate by a local Marine Corps League Detachment, the Boomer Det. #1288. He along with his fellow Marines assisted in several fundraising events benefiting local young athletes. For their efforts the Marines all received Certificates of Appreciation from our League. Congratulations Marine and welcome to our brotherhood. Good luck in your career putting steel on target, May St Barbara protect you and God Bless you. Semper Fi Redleg OOH RAH!!! The Funniest in Military Humor

Chuckles for the Air Wing

From Battlefront.com Community

I bought this book by E. Temple on 29 Palms some 26 years ago. I just found it in an old photo album. As I flipped through it I found myself laughing out loud again. If you haven’t seen this in a while or if you haven't seen it at all, I think you will love these “101 THINGS YOU NEVER ASK A MARINE TO DO” Enjoy!

Now that’s what I call Teamwork!

True Stories About Our True Heroes Innovator and Warrior The Army Loses One of their Best

In 1965 the 1st Battalion of the famed 7th Cavalry Regiment roared into LZ X-Ray to take on the NVA for the first time. They rode in not on horses, but on their new mounts the UH-1 Hueys led by a skilled and confident Lt. Colonel by the name of Hal Moore. The three days of horrendous Col Hal Moore hero of LZ X-Ray fighting in the Ia Drang Valley would cost Dies at 94 the US over 500 casualties and nearly 250 brave Cavalrymen lost. Three men would earn the nation’s highest award for valor at Ia Drang. Bruce Crandall, Edward Freeman and Walter Marm each were awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during the battle. Lt Col. Moore for his actions received a Distinguished Service Cross. He spent his life as a Soldier, he will be sorely missed. The following is the official obituary on Legacy.com of one of the Army’s finest leaders, Lt General Hal Moore. Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, a co-author of “We Were Soldiers Once … and Young,” died Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in Auburn, Alabama, according to multiple news sources. He was 94. Moore was the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of La Drang in 1965. It was the first large-scale battle between the U.S. Army and the North Vietnamese army. Outnumbered and without access to an evacuation zone, Moore was credited with keeping most of his men alive during the fierce fighting. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. military’s second-highest decoration for valor. Moore co-authored “We Were Soldiers Once … and Young,” along with former war correspondent Joseph Galloway, documenting the battle. The book was a best-seller and critically acclaimed. It was later adapted into the film “We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson as Moore. “There’s something missing on this earth now. We’ve lost a great warrior, a great soldier, a great human being, and my best friend. They don’t make them like him anymore,” Galloway told The Associated Press. Born Feb. 13, 1922, in Bardstown, Kentucky, Moore attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during World War II. He experienced his first combat as a captain during the Korean War. Following his service in Vietnam, he served at , eventually rising in rank to lieutenant general. He retired from the Army in 1977 after 32 years of active service. Rest in Peace General Moore, God Bless You

Marines have our own distinctive language. Naval terminology mixed with Leatherneck slang make listening to Marines talk very interesting. This month’s Jarhead Jargon is; Hump/Yomp Slang term used as a noun for a field march or extended hike. As a verb it is working hard or carrying something heavy. The phrase Yomp is used by the Royal Marines with the same definition.

Celebrity Marine of the Month– Barry Corbin At 21, Barry left the university to join the Marine Corps on a hangover and a friend's dare. "We went in together", says his brother Blaine. "I worried about him. He wasn't the military type at all". Barry spent about two years at Camp Pendleton in , training South Vietnamese officers. With no plans to abandon the Lone Star state, Barry joined the Marine Corps Reserve in March 1962. He was initially attached to the 40th Rifle Company at Lubbock, and he entered recruiting as a member of the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. After completing his training in June of that same year he was ordered to N Company, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. He stayed there until he was released from active duty in September. Barry remained in the Marine Corps Reserve, rejoining the 40th Rifle Company in Lubbock as an assistant Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) man. He was discharged from the Reserves in August 1963.

Barry still maintains that although he never left California, much less saw any action, his Marine Corps training has served him well in both his public and private pursuits.

Source usmchangout.com After his discharge, Barry returned to Texas to pursue his dreams and started acting in regional

Heroic Ship’s Detachment Marines and the warships they called their home! Since the beginning of the Corps Marines have served on board ships of the Navy. Providing security, maintaining order, serving on gun crews, defending the vessel and of course providing landing forces. Since the Civil War one hundred and twenty Leathernecks have served with valor on twenty-one of our Navy’s ships. Each earning our nation’s highest award the Medal of Honor. In this series we will highlight these “Vessels of Valor”!

Medal of Honor Marines Sgt Bruno Albert Forsterer, 1899 Pvt Henry Lewis Hulbert, 1899 Sgt Michael Joseph McNally, 1899

USS Philadelphia C-4 Served in the Samoan Campaign of 1899

Jan 2009 Source Marine Corps University Hulbert

Col Charles Waterhouse Art Spotlight Capt. John Ripley

Unit Legacy of Valor spotlight Medal of Honor 1st Marine VMM-263 Battalion Thunder Chickens The 1st Marine Battalion was formed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard specifically for service Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 in Cuba during the War with Spain. They (VMM-263) is a United States Marine Corps would be the first to see action setting the tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B precedent for future Marine Corps Service Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, in the 20th and 21st Centuries! Two Marines known as the "Thunder Chickens", is based at would receive Medals of Honor from this Marine Corps Air Station New River, North unit! Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).

During the Vietnam war as HMM-263 equipped with the CH-46 Phrog, In January of 1970, PFC Raymond Clausen performed his duty above and beyond becoming the squadron’s first and only recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The Squadron has seen action all over the world during Desert Storm, Somalia and the War on Terror. Sergeant Tools of the John H. Quick 14 June 1898 Trade Spotlight at Cuzco, Cuba The B.A.R.

No For nearly 50 years the hard-hitting, mobile Browning automatic rifle, or BAR, served in US infantry units as a light squad automatic 'base of fire' weapon, providing quick Image bursts of concentrated fire. Although the weapon did see some action in , the Available BAR did not become standard issue in the U.S. Army/ USMC until 1938, when it was issued to squads as a portable light machine gun. The BAR saw extensive service in both World War II and the Korean War and saw limited service in the Vietnam War. The U.S. Private Army began phasing out the BAR in the late 1950s, when it was intended to be replaced by a SAW variant of the M14, and was without a portable light machine gun until the John Fitzgerald introduction of the M60 machine gun in 1957. The M60, however, was really a GPMG, a 14 June 1898 general-purpose machine gun, and was used as a SAW only because the U.S. Army had at Cuzco, Cuba no other tool for the job until the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in the mid-1980s. Source Marine Corps University Warrior Sports Marine and his ties to the Super Bowl. As AFL Commisioner, Fighter Ace and Medal of Honor Recipient Joe Foss Challenged the NFL to a game in 1963! Football Revolutionaries By Paul Higabee, 11 Jan 2017 in South Dakota Magazine.

South Dakota's connections to the Super Bowl are huge. I consider the start of Super Bowl history to be late 1963, when former South Dakota governor and then American Football League commissioner Joe Foss sent a letter to National Football League com- missioner Pete Rozelle. Foss wrote, "The overriding fact is the establishment of a World Series of professional football is necessary for the progress of our game if we're to be true sportsmen and not merely businessmen in sports." Rozelle said no, understanding the contest that Foss envisioned would pit the upstart AFL against the NFL, suggesting to the public that the two leagues were somewhat equal. But I suspect Rozelle knew he couldn't say “no” for many more seasons. For starters, Foss was an affable yet intimidating adversary, a look-you-in-the- eye South Dakota sportsman as likely to be found hunting pheasants west of Sioux Falls as sitting in his New York office. Sportswriters coast to coast loved Foss. Rozelle, by contrast, was more like a ... well ... businessman in sports. In 1963, had Foss and Rozelle publicly debated the merits of a championship game, Americans would have demanded the big game be played immediately ... like the very next Sunday. More important than personalities, though, was the fact that Foss was building the most successful rival sports league in history, with the help of a couple South Dakota cronies. The day was quickly coming when fans would no longer assume the NFL's top team was the best in professional football. Frank Leahy of Winner, the former Notre Dame coaching legend, built the first edition of the Chargers. And as Foss argued for the big game's development, Sisseton's Joe Robbie was in Florida preparing to unveil his Dolphins, who would play in three consecutive Super Bowls in the 1970s and win two of them. By then AFL teams had been merged into the NFL. It was a classic case of, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Or from the NFL perspective, "let 'em join us." Marine Athlete Spotlight Half a century later professional football could use a leader with Foss-like vision, nat- ural leadership and a sense of ethics. But rather than bashing the NFL, which has been Chicag0 Cubs a fad the past several months, I want to focus in a positive way on the Super Bowl. Beloved as it is, it would be easy to improve the big game in ways Foss likely would have appreciated. First, let's give the game a real name. I only met Foss once, so I could be wrong, but he didn't strike me as a purveyor of puns. And the name Super Bowl is a 1960s pun, a takeoff on Super Ball, which was a synthetic rubber bouncy toy. Why not call the contest something no-nonsense and to the point, like World Championship Game. Wow! Did I just make that up? Nope. A little research tells me that was the big game's original moniker in 1967. Second, lose the Roman numerals. In Joe Foss's home state, the only people who think in terms of Roman numerals are those who refurbish antique watches and grandfather clocks. Third, retire the over-the-top halftime shows. This is a sore topic in South Dakota because of what happened in 2004 (whoops, I mean Super Bowl XXXVIII). Yankton-born and Rapid City-raised Adam Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, but afterward all anyone talked about was Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during the halftime show. Fourth, as all South Dakotans know, some of the best football happens outdoors in the snow and cold. We need those kinds of championship contests now and then. The NFL should schedule more, like every other year or so. Or maybe a system should be devised so that one team is granted home field advantage and snow could fall where it may. Even in Green Bay in February. Finally, sign a TV contract with a network that understands a football game can stand on its own merits. Americans are football savvy and don't need hours of pre-game analysis and reminders to stay tuned for clever commercials should the big game fall flat. They're also media savvy and can see that everything that distracts from the game is supported by more commercials, the work of "merely businessmen in sports," to use Foss's words. Anyway, I hope readers enjoy Rick Monday the game on Feb. 5. Consider turning down your TV's volume during one of the com- mercial breaks. Then raise a toast to Joe Foss and his South Dakota team of football revolutionaries. CORPS Corps Quote of the Month You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are. Father Kevin Keaney 1st Marine Division Chaplain Korean War This Month in Marine Corps History

2 March 1867: Jacob Zeilin, Colonel Commandant of the Marine Corps from 30 June 1864, was this date promoted to the rank of Brigadier General Commandant, the first time Congress authorized this rank for the Marine Corps. The statute, however, was repealed in June 1874 so that the rank of Commandant would again revert to colonel upon Zeilin's retirement.

8 March 1965: The 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed at DaNang, Republic of Vietnam as the first U.S. ground combat troops to be committed to that conflict. The 3,500 men arrived both across the beach with Battalion Landing Team 3/9, and at DaNang Airfield with Battalion Landing Team 1/3.

11 March 1778: Marines participated the action when the Continental Navy frigate Boston, enroute to France, sighted, engaged, and captured the British merchant ship Martha. As the drum of the Boston beat to arms, John Adams seized a musket and joined the Marines on deck until the frigate's captain, Samuel Tucker, sent him below for safety.

13 March 1943: The first group of 71 Women Marine officer candidates arrived at the U.S. Midshipmen School (Women's Reserve) at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The Navy's willingness to share training facilities enabled the Marine Corps to begin training Marine Corps Women's Reserve officers just one month after the creation of the MCWR was announced.

17 March 1967: The first woman Marine to report to Vietnam for duty, Master Sergeant Barbara J. Dulinsky, began her 18-hour flight to Bien Hoa, 30 miles north of Saigon. MSgt Dulinsky and the other officer and enlisted Women Marines that followed were assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) based in Saigon. Most worked with the Marine Corps Personnel Section providing administrative support to Marines assigned as far north as the DMZ, but two Lieutenant Colonels, Ruth Reinholz and Ruth O'Holleran, served as historians with the Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, MACV.

25 March 1945: After 35 days of bitter fighting, the amphibious assault on the rocky fortress of Iwo Jima finally appeared over. On the night of 25 March, however, a 300-man Japanese force launched a vicious final counterattack in the vicinity of Airfield Number 2. Army pilots, Seabees and Marines of the 5th Pioneer Battalion and 28th Marines fought the fanatical Japanese force till morning but suffered heavy casualties --more than l00 killed and another 200 American wounded. Nearly all of the Japanese force was killed in the battle.

27 March 1953: The 5th Marines, supported by the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, in the first full day of fighting after the Chinese assault the previous evening of Outpost Vegas on Korea's western front, counterattacked to regain enemy-held positions. Companies E and F of 2/7 , down to only three platoons between them, managed to regain partial control of Outpost Vegas that day.

31 March 1801: On this date, LtCol Commandant William W. Burrows rode with president Thomas Jefferson to look for " a proper place to fix the Marine Barracks on." President Jefferson was a personal friend of the Commandant, and deeply interested in the welfare of the Corps and accompanied Burrows on horseback on the morning of 31 March. They chose a square in Southeast Washington, at 8th and I streets, because it lay near the Navy Yard and was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.

Cpl Guy Gabaldon (March 22, 1926 – August 31, 2006)

Gabaldon was a United States Marine who, at age 18, captured or per- suaded to surrender over two thousand Japanese soldiers and civilians during the battles for and islands in 1944 during World War II. Though Gabaldon was recommended for the Medal of Honor, he received the , which was upgraded by the Marine Corps to the Navy Cross in 1960.

The Corps Honors The Corps has received many honors in our 240 plus years of service. Each month we will highlight and display one of these honors. Many non Marine Leaguers see this letter and we want to share with them, and reflect on for ourselves the storied and rich history of our beloved Corps. We hope you all enjoy this feature.

1915, 1919-1920 In July of 1915 Haiti was in chaos! The President, Vilbrun Guillaume Sam, was assassinated and the island was in disorder and mob violence ruled the day. President Woodrow Wilson felt a politically stable Haiti was in the best interests of the United States. In addition with the Great War raging in Europe, Wilson was concerned about German influence on the island. So on 28 July 1915 he sent 330 Marines in to Port -au-Prince to restore order. The Caco Rebels were one of the primary belligerents battling the US supported government in the First Caco War. On 17 November 1915 US Marines led by Smedley Butler stormed Fort Riviere. The Leathernecks defeated the rebels ending the Caco War. Smedley Butler, MOH 1915 In 1918 the Cacos became active again with a force of over 5000. They were opposed by the Haitian Gendarme, government defense forces reliant on US Marines for leadership and muscle. With such officers as and Herman Henneken leading them, they fared well in battles such as the Battle of Port-au-Prince in 1919. The Second Caco War came to an end in 1920. Eight Marines received the Medal of Honor for actions in Haiti. Six in 1915 and two in 1919-20. Smedley Butler, Dan Daly, Samuel Gross, Ross Iams, Edward Osterman, William Upshur, Herman Henneken and William Button

Battle Streamer for the Hatian Service Herman Henneken MOH 1919 Tales of Honor and valor By Timothy Daudelin War for Texas Independence USMC 1987-1991

In the 1830’s many Americans who yearned of starting a new life saw the vast expanses of the Texas Territory as a place to get that opportunity. General Santa Anna, the ruler of , vowed not to allow the local Tejanos and Texians who longed to live free in a free Texas Republic not to achieve that goal. Santa Anna even went as far as to declare all American settlers “Pirates” and should war come to pass, no prisoners would be taken! He even informed American President Andrew Jackson of this policy in a letter. The Alamo, an old Spanish Mission that had changed hands several times over those years, was located near San Antonio de Béxar. The fort was fitted with several cannons and a small garrison under Colonel James Neil. Houston saw no need to waste manpower to man such a poor position, which he felt was un defendable. So he sent Col Jim Bowie of the volunteers to collect the artillery and destroy the mission. Upon arrival, Bowie found he had inadequate resources to move the guns. Col Neil then convinced Bowie to assist in the defense of the Alamo and the Gen Sam Houston General Santa Anna town rather then surrender it to Santa Anna. Also arriving was a professional Cavalryman Lt Col William Travis, who was to be Neil’s second in command. Neil then set out on an expedition to seek reinforcements and new recruits, placing Travis in command of the Alamo. Bowie and his volunteers resented and resisted Travis as the commander. In an effort to keep order, Bowie chose to share command with Travis. To add to the mix shortly there after a group of Americans from the great state of Tennessee arrived, led by none other than former US Congressman and famous frontiersman Davy Crockett. After losing a re-election bid, he and his men headed to Texas to start anew. He found himself in the desperate fight for the Alamo. The stage was set for an event of historical proportions.

On 21 February 1836 the Texians and Tejanos of Béxar were celebrating a Fiesta totally unaware that the Mexican Army was only 25 miles away. Santa Anna tried to take advantage of the situation and sent raiding parties to take the Alamo undefended. A heavy rain foiled that attempt. Jim Bowie As the Mexican lead columns made there way into the outskirts of Béxar on 23 William Travis February, the soldiers and civilians of the town began to make their way into the relative safety of the walls of the mission. The troops were fortifying the Alamo for a siege, unfortunately many troops failed to report for duty. By the evening of the 23rd, the Mexican Troops had encircled the mission and raised the Flag of No Quarter. This was to signify that there would be no prisoners taken. Bowie, independent of Travis, tried to negotiate an honorable surrender. Their request was thrown back at them. Santa Anna would only accept unconditional surrender! In response, Travis ordered the largest gun in the fort to fire on the Mexican Army. For the next 13 days the defenders of the Alamo and The Mexican Army would engage in many small skirmishes and artillery exchanges as the Texians struggled to hold the fort and Santa Anna maneuvered his Army into position for the final assault. Mexico suffered many casualties during this time where the defenders losses were much lighter. Travis sent runners out to other communities in an attempt to bring reinforcements to aid the Alamo. Some did make it to the Alamo but not enough to effect the outcome of the battle. Davy Crockett On 3-4 March more Mexican Soldiers arrived and Santa Anna prepared his Army for the final assault on the Alamo. There were some last minute attempts at a negotiated surrender but these seemed to anger Santa Anna who as he put it “saw no glory in a bloodless victory” . He did however issue an order allowing all his troops who were from the area around the Alamo to be excused from the assault so they would not have to face their own families in the bloody battle that was about to take place. Meanwhile at the Alamo, Jim Bowie had taken ill and was bed ridden. Travis assumed sole command of the garrison. Travis continued to send out couriers to try to reach help. The last man to leave the Alamo was James Allen on 5 March. It was at this time Travis addressed his men on the gravity of their situation. He gave them the option to stay and fight or to attempt to escape. Lore has it that he formed his men up and drew a line on the ground with his sword. Those who were dedicated to defend the Alamo crossed over to him. Whether or not this actually happened is debated. The truth of the matter is their fate would be sealed just a few short hours later. At 2200 Hrs on 5 March, two thousand Mexican soldiers began their assault. They stormed the Alamo in waves, ladders in hand attempting to scale the walls to get at the beleaguered defenders. The Texians were able to fend off the attack initially, but the determined kept on coming and eventually their numbers proved overwhelming. Once they breached the walls close quarter battle ensued. The casualties on both sides were horrendous and attackers and defenders were locked in a vicious fight to the death. The defenders had no where to go and the Mexican Soldiers were under orders not to take prisoners. As the violent struggle continued throughout the night, the Texian, Tejano and American defenders fought with valor and determination knowing that they were in a no win situation. They never quit and gave of themselves freely for the cause of independence. The defenders fell back to the church to make their final stand. Jim Bowie sick and bedridden, waited for the enemy to come into his room, firing his pistols and wielding his knife in a last ditch effort before being bayonetted to death. Garrison commander William Travis also fell during the violent action. The fate of American legend Davy Crockett is greatly debated by historians. The popular version is that Crockett was killed in action swinging his rifle in defiance to his last breath. Another report is that Crockett was among 7 defenders that surrendered when they could no longer resist. They were summarily put to death by the bayonet at Santa Anna’s orders. Following the battle which ended on 6 March 1836 the remains of the defenders were burned and placed in a crate buried somewhere on the site. Artist renditions of Santa Anna’s assault Following his victory, Santa Anna then set out to pursue the Texas Army under Houston to put an end to the cause of Texas independence. Houston ordered evacuation of his army and moved east. Against the demands of the Texas government, Houston continued to run from the advancing Mexicans. He was using a strategy known but to him and it was working. Santa Anna, was forced to chase Houston, and in the process, over extended his army and their supply line. Houston was luring Santa Anna to a battlefield of his choosing where the advantage would be all his. That took place on 21 April 1836 when Houston turned and attacked his pursuer in the Battle of San Jacinto! The Texians and Tejanos charged shouting “Remember the Alamo” and crushed the hapless Mexican Army in only 18 minutes. The self proclaimed Napoleon of the West had met his Waterloo. In an ironic twist of fate, he was captured posing as an enlisted man, and brought before Houston who was wounded during the action. Santa Anna reminded Houston that a level of graciousness toward the vanquished was traditional. Houston’s response was “you should have remembered that at the Alamo!” Houston negotiated with his captive and secured the Texas Territory for the New Republic of Texas. Texas was independent for a short time negotiating to be part of the US as early as 1837. In 1845 Texas became the 28th state of the United States. The heroism of these early Americans is a prime example of the determination and resolve of The Battle of San Jacinto American warriors against all odds, and the willingness to stay the course no matter what the cost for freedom.

Thoughts and memories from Barkers Warriors!!!!!!!

This is an interesting article from the Marine Gazette, March 2017 issue. It gives a perspective of Marines and their experi- ence on Iwo Jima. Hope you enjoy it. Please send some of your own stories for this feature, with the collective experiences of all of our Marines we should have a great new story with insight from one of our own. So please pitch in! Iwo Jima Veterans Recall Their Experiences By Bradley Zint, Daily Pilot 18 Feb 2017 On Feb. 23, 1945, while aboard the USS Cecil attack transport floating near Iwo Jima, Navy corpsman Robert Bergen grabbed a viewfinder and began looking for an American flag that had caused quite a stir a few hours before. The flag was small and placed atop Mount Suribachi, the Japanese island's peak. For the Marines and Navy personnel, when they saw it flying high above the black volcanic sands where so many had died after four days of fierce fighting, it symbolized victory. Bergen wanted to see it too. But, as the 91-year-old Spring Valley resident recalled Friday during a special dinner for a Newport Beach-based nonprofit's effort to erect an Iwo Jima memorial at Camp Pendleton, what he actually witnessed was history in the making. Through the viewfinder, Berger watched the tiny America flag go down and its larger replacement go up simultaneously. It likely would have been an inconsequential moment had it not been documented by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, whose shot of six Marines raising the larger flag became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

"I thought at the time, 'I'm seeing something that's very significant here. Years from now, I'm going to be talking about this to somebody,'" Bergen recalled. "That's come to pass." Bergen was one of about 12 Iwo Jima veterans and 40 others at Friday's dinner, held at the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort and Hotel in Carlsbad and organized by Iwo Jima Monument West, a nonprofit founded by Corona del Mar resident Laura Dietz. Bergen wanted to see it too. But, as the 91-year-old Spring Valley resident recalled Friday during a special dinner for a Newport Beach-based nonprofit's effort to erect an Iwo Jima memorial at Camp Pendleton, what he actually witnessed was history in the making.

Through the viewfinder, Berger watched the tiny America flag go down and its larger replacement go up simultaneously. It likely would have been an inconsequential moment had it not been documented by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, whose shot of six Marines raising the larger flag became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century. "I thought at the time, 'I'm seeing something that's very significant here. Years from now, I'm going to be talking about this to somebody,'" Bergen recalled. "That's come to pass." Bergen was one of about 12 Iwo Jima veterans and 40 others at Friday's dinner, held at the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort and Hotel in Carlsbad and organized by Iwo Jima Monument West, a nonprofit founded by Corona del Mar resident Laura Dietz. For the past few years, Dietz, who's lived in CdM since 1988 and unsuccessfully ran for City Council in 2002, has been lobbying to put an Iwo Jima memorial at Camp Pendleton. The estimated $10-million project would feature a smaller, glass-enclosed replica of the Marine Corps War Memorial statue depicting Rosenthal's photo that's near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The privately funded memorial would on a hilltop behind Camp Pendleton's Pacific Views Event Center, within sight of the 5 Freeway, and considered a gift to the military. It would complement a small, rock-like Iwo Jima memorial that's also behind the event center.

Late last year, Dietz submitted plans for the memorial to the base. She had hoped to get the green light from Camp Pendleton by this month, on the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima, but she's still waiting to hear back.

"It's making its way through the labyrinth," Dietz said. "That's what I call the military bureaucracy."

She suspects that the base will OK her proposal before forwarding it to Washington, D.C. for final approval. Dietz said she also needs to raise most of the $10 million. "Because I'm fiscally conservative, I will not authorize breaking ground until I know that all the funds are in hand or pledged," she said. "The stock market has gone up," Dietz added with a laugh. "I see no reason some of our great patriots in Orange County wouldn't love to be part of this. This is something that's bigger than any of us. It's about a critically important time in our history and a critically important place." On Thursday, she formally presented her idea to the Iwo Jima Assn. of America for its endorsement, something she didn't necessarily need but nonetheless wanted. The group has never given such endorsements, but it is supporting her, said retired Marine Lt. Col. Raul "Art" Sifuentes, the association's director of business development. "We think it's of course a great idea," he said. "We're going to support it as much as we can. We can do that with our website, word of mouth and events." Sifuentes said the Camp Pendleton memorial would be one of many dedicated to the Marines throughout the country. "It's very important that we have places like our memorials so that people can go and remember the sacrifices that all Marines have made, not just those at Iwo Jima," he said. "But that's our icon. That's kind of our mecca that identifies Marines as Marines. It's part of who we are." There's "not a Marine in the world," Sifuentes added, who doesn't know it. Friday's event concluded with a panel of Iwo Jima veterans recalling their experiences, during and after the battle. On their name tags were red heart stickers, signifying their status as someone who participated in the pivotal conflict. As they talked, Dietz stood behind them smiling, occasionally helping them hold up their microphone or show the audience a picture. After the Iwo vets were done, a group of young Marines, dressed in their brown service uniforms, quickly hopped out of their chairs. The young generation held the hands and canes of the old breed, helping them make the step to exit the stage.

Meet MOH Recipients Gathering of Heroes Philadelphia 10 April Contact Ed

The Warrior Fund Sponsored by: The Department of NJ Marine Corps League

The Department of New Jersey, Marine Corps League has become a proud supporter of K9s For Warriors. Our goal is to pro- vide ongoing sponsorships to Marines with PTSD, TBI and/or Military Sexual trauma as a result of Post 9/11 military service. Each Detachment within the Department has the opportunity to help with our cause. The cost to pair a veteran and a service dog is $20,000.00 from start to finish. This includes a 3-week in-house program, which provides each Marine with more than 120 hours of hands-on training with professional canine trainers and warrior trainers at the K9s For Warriors facility in Florida. This is going to be a long term program, so that we may impact as many Marines that we possibly can. Donations can be made out to the Department of NJ, in the memo section please put Warrior fund. Please email [email protected] for address information or direct donations can be made at

http://k9sforwarriors.donorpages.com/MyEvent/DeptofNJMarineCorpsLeague/

Proceeds will benefit

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s preeminent organization providing service canines to warriors suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of post 9/11 military service. The goal of K9s For Warriors is to empower these heroes back into civilian life with dignity and independence. 95% of the dogs used in the pro- gram are rescue/shelter dogs.

By Paul Lazurenko, Wayne, New Jersey

The Warrior Committee Contact-Tim Daudelin [email protected]