"The
most unique of Marine uniforms was reserved for men
discharged for undesirability. Regulations required that
personnel so discharged be provided with a uniform to return home
(enlisted men were not allowed to possess civilian clothes). All
services provided standard uniforms without insignia, all except
the Marines. Called 'Baby Blue Marines', these individuals were
provided a light blue version of the winter service uniform and
garrison cap. The coat pockets lacked pleats and other
refinements, and had plain buttons."
Re
The book, US Marine Corps 1941-45, by Gordon Rottman, Osprey 1995
Boyington!
If
this story were to have a moral, then I would say, "Just name a hero and
I'll prove he's a bum."
Re
Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Col. USMC, Ret.-Baa Baa Black Sheep, Bantam
1958
Battle
Jacket
"When
the 1stMarine Division arrived from Guadalcanal in early
1943, it was issued the Australian battle dress blouse and
trousers, because of a shortage of forest green service uniforms.
The wool serge waist-length blouse was OD, termed khaki by the
Australians. It had pleated breast pockets, concealed pocket flap
and front closure buttons. Known as the 'Vandegrift', jacket
after the Division Commander, it proved popular. A US-made forest green
version was authorised for officers in December 1944and
for enlisted men in August 1945."
Re
US Marine Corps 1941-45, by Gordon Rottman/Mike
Chappell, Osprey 1995.
"Manila John"
"Landing
a machine gun platoon of 1/27 past the southern end of the airfield, heading
for the west coast, was a big-eared Italian boy, handsome and dark. It
was Manila John or, more formally , Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, and
there were few things he liked better than soldiering. He never tried high
school, but he did a hitch in the Army, and by 1940 was in the Marines.
One night on Guadalcanal in October , 1942 he....
...For
Manila john there was now only one objective, the west coast, and he ran
for it, his men behind him. It was barely 10:30 am. A mortar shell thudded
and burst, and five men were dead, one of them Manila John. As he lay on
his face, his arms sprawled in front of him, one could almost see the tatoo
on his left arm--"Death Before Dishonor." The Navy Cross was awarded to
him posthumously."
--From
the book, "Iwo Jima, " by Richard E. Newcomb, Holt, Rhinehart and Winston
1965
