06/28/50

Unit Operations

Parris Island (June ’50 to May ’52), Pendleton (June/Oct ’52), Korea (Oct. or Nov.’52 to Nov ’53), Jacksonville, FL NAS (Nov. or Dec. ’53 to June ’54)

Awards/Badges

Three campaign stars but other than the Carson/Reno/Vegas campaign don’t remember what they are.

Any comments or anecdotes you’d like to add

While stationed at Weapons battalion on Parris Island, I happened to be in the guard office one night when the OD came in from inspecting the posts.  As we all know, guard posts are manned by recruits on P. I. as part of their training.  The OD said that when he went to an ammo storage building post the guard just ignored him and walked on by.  When he came back around the OD stopped him, told him he was the Officer of the Day and asked the guard if he knew that he was supposed to challenge anybody that approached that post.  The guard replied that he didn’t know that.  The OD, being pretty well steamed, asked him who had posted him there and what instructions was he given.  The recruit gave him the name and then told the Officer of the Day that “all he told me was to watch out for that OD, he was a mean son of a bitch”.

Most Memorable Moment

This is tough, so many to choose from. 

After the cease-fire we pulled back to establish another line.  Our platoon rotated by squad to man our assigned front, with one squad always in place.  A short time after the move my squad was on line when we saw flashes from beyond the hills to our left front that appeared to be heavy artillery.  We all gathered around watching and trying to decide if it was in fact artillery, and became more and more convinced it was.  None of us had believed the cease-fire would last and knew that if it didn’t we would most likely have to fight to retake our old position.  We radioed Company to report what we were observing and even though they had no other reports on it we were sure the war had started again and began packing up.  Before we were ready to head out Company called back and told us they had received a report of ghost lightning in the same general direction.  That was what we were seeing.

This incident in itself is of no consequence, but what has been etched in my memory these many years is the presence of those men as they fully expected to be immediately ordered back into war.  Their conduct was hushed and deliberate, without a whisper of misgiving or hesitation.  There was no question but that they would brave the fate that was ahead and fulfill their duty.  Not until then had I understood or appreciated the extent of their fortitude or fairly considered their honor and dedication, even as I had witnessed it many times before.  Whatever their lives have been since that time, success or failure, good fortune or bad, joys or sorrows, for a while they had within them the best of mankind.

Career After USMC

Worked at various jobs trying to make a living, became a draftsman, an equipment designed and then to management in manufacturing.  The last number of years had my own business, which I sold and retired from in ’94. (Still work on occasion as a consultant/expediter for a manufacturing plant).

Current Affiliations

Fleet Reserve Association, First Marine Division Association and the Columbia River Chapter, Marine Corps Association.

Family Information

Wife’s name is Peggy – Three children, two grandchildren (19 and 14)

Hobbies

Golf, but not often now due to shoulder problems.  Do some woodworking; live on ten acres in country that I keep mowed, also a garden, and far too many shrubs and plants.  Mainly we enjoy our family and many friends.

Degrees/Schools

Some College, no degrees.

Current Address

6185 Yum Yum Rd.,

Somerville, TN. 38068

901-465-6453

curtispark8@wmconnect.com