Vol. 75 No. 1 • WINTER 2019 INSIDEINSIDE Interview with with Marine Sgt Sgt John John Peck Peck SemperFi_V75N1 SECTION 1.indd 1 12/5/18 10:35 AM ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE navy mutual Photo Courtesy of the Department of Defense YOU LEAD A MILITARY LIFE. WHY SETTLE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE INSURANCE? When you choose Navy Mutual as your insurance provider, you’re getting more than peace of mind. You’re getting a resource that understands the realities of military service. Since 1879, we’ve been helping military families achieve fi nancial security through high-quality, low-cost life insurance and annuity products with no active duty military restrictions, fi ne print, sales fees or commissions. To learn how we can safeguard your family and give you peace of mind, visit NavyMutual.org. Stay Safer & More Independent with a Jacuzzi® Luxury Walk-In Bathtub SAVE $1,500 on your NEW Walk-In Tub with ONE DAY installation NEW! 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ITE LIM D Ask About LIFETIME Call: Affordable 1-888-461-3926 W Y Financing A T R R A N or Visit: www.JacuzziWalkIn.com The NEW Gold Standard of Walk-In Bathtubs ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE MCLA National Flag Bearer Alima Zimmer, MCLA National Senior Vice President Evelyn Joppa, and MCLA National Banner Bearer Nila Caulder at the 2018 National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11. FEATURE ARTICLES 11 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MARINE CORPS 37 "MARINE OVERWATCH" & "THE LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP ON SUICIDE TATTOO" PREVENTION POEMS BY ERNEST SMITH & VICKIE WEINER BOB BORKA AND LARRY HERRMANN 38 “TEUFELHUNDE” 12 MODERN DAY MARINE EXPO 2018 ALEKSANDRAS RADŽIUS ROBERT BRUCE 38 DETACHMENT 1419 HEADQUARTERS 16 NATIONAL CONVENTION 2019 RENOVATION RESOURCES RAYMOND MORRELL 19 OUT-OF-UNIFORM MARINES “SHARE THEIR 39 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE UNIFORM LEGACY” WITH GRADUATING RECRUITS GUIDELINES BY MGYSGT GEORGE E. HIJAR, USMC (RET) ROBERT “BUTCH” RAYNES 32 INTERVIEW: FROM DEFEAT TO VICTORY— SGT JOHN PECK MILES VINING FORMS & RAFFLES 14 2019 MID-WINTER CONFERENCE FORM 59 MILITARY HISTORICAL TOURS RAFFLE FORM 17 2019 NATIONAL CONVENTION FORM 61 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 4 S|F WINTER 2019 ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE Vol. 75 No. 1 • WINTER 2019 ON THE COVER: From the Cover: Marine Corps League National Commandant Webb, National Judge Advocate Griffin, COO Borka, Marine Mil- itary Expos Show INSIDEINSIDE Director MajGen Interview with with Regner and 6 38 Marine Sgt Sgt John John Peck Peck Senior Enlisted SemperFi_V75N1 SECTION 1.indd 1 12/5/18 10:35 AM COLUMNS 6 NATIONAL COMMANDANT’S LETTER 50 NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT WENDELL W. WEBB PHILIP G. SHORT 8 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER‘S LETTER 51 BOOK REVIEWS BOB BORKA BOB BORKA AND JOHNNY BAKER 8 EVENTS IN MARINE HISTORY 52 THE SEMPER FI STORE ANNETTE AMERMAN 56 TAPS 10 ATTENTION ON DECK 58 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE EVENT 18 CHIEF DEVIL DOG CALENDAR LEONARD SPICER 58 REUNIONS 20 MCL AUXILIARY LETTER CAROL SMITH ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE CORRECTIONS On page 33 of the Fall issue, we 22 MCL FOUNDATION, PRESIDENT’S LETTER regret a misprint in “The Life GREGORY HUNT of Master Sergeant Eric Roy England.” The affected sentence 22 YOUNG MARINES should read: “I’m Not a Glory Hound” If readers are familiar with the leg- BILL DAVIS The Life of Master Sergeant Eric Roy England By Miles Vining tally helped him on the rifle range (currently endary tales of Carlos Hathcock, then n April of this year, the “Phantom of Phu Bai” the Starlite, Chosin and Inchon ranges) at passed away and was laid to rest among Boot Camp with the M1 Garand service rifle. the honored few at Arlington National Later in life, England always insisted that his ICemetery. Master Sergeant Eric Roy England cousin was an important inspiration not only was many things throughout his life. A tough to become a Marine but also in his precision one can imagine a similar trajectory Georgia boy, Scout Sniper, Drill Instructor, marksmanship abilities. 24 NATIONAL SR. VICE COMMANDANT Distinguished Shooter, Father and Husband. However, what had previously worked But in an interview recorded in 2017, there with bagging squirrels or deer might have was one title that he held extremely close to Eric Roy England, middle, posing with a been sufficient in the Appalachian woods, but his heart. That of “Marine.” rifle team. when it came to long-range accuracy more with the experiences that England When discussing Marine Scout Snipers that experience was needed. Before England continue to captivate the minds of young 0317 cal work about his life, “He could have wiped probably ever even heard of the country of DENNIS TOBIN protégées today, Carlos Hathcock and Chuck out an entire regiment of NVA and would not Vietnam, he quickly became involved in the Mawhinney tend to take centerpiece as early have batted an eye; nor would he so much as inter-service marksmanship competitions pioneers (along with Major Jim Land) in the boast of it to a single person.” on the Marine Corps Shooting Team, even undertook and encountered in Viet- - history of Marine Snipers. But along with these England was born on April 15, 1933, in the tually becoming involved in the prestigious names is that of Master Sergeant England tiny town of Blairsville, Georgia, that boasted President’s Hundred Rifle Matches in the late with a tally of 98 confirmed kills during the a population of 652 in 2010. A country boy, he 1950s. Despite some of this success, at one Vietnam War, officially taking the place of the grew up hunting and learning how to shoot as point in 1954 he was considering leaving the third highest count in the war (of course, the a way of life, a means of putting good venison service as his contract was up, but after some nam, even receiving a significant unconfirmed body count tended to be much on the table. In fact, he came from a family heartfelt advice from cousin Harry, England higher). Although this places him in the annals of marksmen. His great-granduncle was a re-enlisted. It was to be a wise choice for the of Marine Corps lore, he saw his service as NATIONAL JR. VICE COMMANDANT Confederate sharpshooter who was killed future of American military history. 24 his duty to his country instead of one of war at the Battle of Antietam. England’s cousin, Match after shooting match, the awards, records and national shooting match honors. Harry Turner, would enlist in the Corps before records and honors came pouring in, even bounty on his head by the Viet Cong due As one close friend put it in a semi-biographi - England enlisted in 1950 and coinciden - to the point of England disqualifying him - JOHNNY B. BAKER 3 2 S|F FALL 2018 to his efforts against the enemy. SemperFi_V74N04 SECTION 2 .indd 32 11/16/18 3:04 PM 25 NATIONAL JUDGE ADVOCATE WARREN C. GRIFFIN Founded in 1923 by Lieutenant 26 DIVISION REPORTS General John A. Lejeune, 36 JUNIOR PAST NATIONAL COMMANDANT the Marine RICHARD D. GORE, SR., PNC Corps League is the only federally chartered 39 NATIONAL UNIFORM CHAIRMAN Marine Corps-related BUTCH RAYNES veterans organization in the United States. 40 ROLL CALL S|F THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE 5 ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE NATIONAL COMMANDANT’S LETTER WENDELL W. WEBB We are looking for a new Mission THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE The Marine Corps League Inc. is a Congressionally Statement chartered, non-profit organization. National Commandant: Wendell W. Webb MARINES: This Semper Fi issue ends our first Chief Operating Officer: Bob Borka half of Fiscal year 2019! As an organization, we are changing, whether CALL (703) 207-9588 we do nothing or try to positively influence the out- for any issues related to Marine Corps come. The future is our opportunity to reach out to League membership, Semper Fi all Marines, whether WWII veterans or recent boot subscriptions or changes of address. camp graduates. Our mission is simple: we take To change your address, please contact care of our own. We have discussed making our Mis- your detachment Paymaster. Additionally, sion Statement more precise and focused. The top send an email to [email protected]. 50 non-profit mission statements vary from two to To pay your dues, please contact 28 words. We have over 100 words and are propos- your detachment Paymaster. ing to cut that at least in half. We’d like a quick, concise Mission Statement that Executive Editor General Manager can fit on business cards, footnotes on letterhead and easy for people to remem- Bob Borka Deborah L. Shea ber. Remember, the top 50 non-profits have less than 28 words in their mission Publisher Editors statement.