“Our amtracs were in line abreast and were taking artillery fire, the heaviest we had ever encountered. You could see the shells hitting the water, exploding and making the water splash way up. - Just off to my right a shell scored a direct hit on one of my boats and POW! It just went into pieces. - There was a flash and big explosion and I could see pieces of men flying out of it. I thought ‘oh shit’ but also thought ‘thank God it wasn’t my boat.’ Mostly I was thinking ‘who was it who got hit and hie many guys an I gonna be without?’” - John Murdock B/1/8, Saipan (pulled from Dean Ladd’s book Faithful Warriors)

Major Edward B. Cole, 6th Machine Gun Bn - “The battle for Belleau Wood continued for four days more and then, on 10 June, the various companies laid down a barrage of machine gun fire. It was as the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines were crossing open ground toward the underbelly of the bloody Belleau Wood when Cole, always in front, suffered a severe wound. - He had relinquished command to his adjutant Thomas Curtis while he went forward. In vain Curtis had tried to dissuade him that his place was back with the guns. “Ned” as he was called, insisted he was going forward with 1/6 and did so. Along the way he came across nearly 100 Marines who had lost their way. Picking them up, he directed them to follow him and then led them in a flank attack. - They had nearly reached the German guns when the enemy saw them. The Germans were unable to turn the guns around, so they began hurling grenades. Two of them wounded him in his arms and legs before he grabbed the third to throw it back. It exploded in his raised hand, shattering it, and the fragments went into his face and all through his body. His men continued the attack and wiped out the guns and gunners, thirty-five of the former and an unknown number of the latter. - Ned tried to crawl back to his lines but the loss of blood slowed him down consderably. He was eventually picked up by Marines and carried to the rear. - Back at a line hospital the doctors tried to stem the bleeding and to operate, but he had lost so much blood they were forced to discontinue. By now he was in a state of shock and extremely weak. Though the doctors gave him up as a lost cause, his will carried him through the night. - In a day or so, he asked his brother, BGen Charles H. Cole, to bring fruit to the other wounded when he visited— still thinking of the ‘other guy’ when he himself was in such a bad way. His duty was still on his mind when, shortly before he died, he sent Gen Harbord, commanding the 4th Brigade, a message that he would very soon be back and fighting again. He died on 18 June 1918, fighting to the last.” - Legendary Marines of the Old Corps - He would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross.

Remembering Captain Patrick Rapicault, 2/5 Weapons, Killed In Action on 15 November, 2004 IVO Ramadi, Iraq. - “The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Patrick Marc Rapicault, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Company Commander, Weapons Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 24 September to 15 November 2004. - Captain Rapicault courageously led his Marines on the streets of Ar Ramadi, Iraq through 50 firefights and 27 improvised explosive device ambushes. Always leading from the front, he directed the fire and maneuver of his company with complete disregard for his own personal safety. - Despite being the first Marine in the Battalion wounded and his company suffering the heaviest casualties during daily street fighting, Captain Rapicault always displayed an infectious enthusiasm that motivated every Marine to fight hard and recover quickly from battle. - On every mission, Captain Rapicault’s intuitive and calm combat leadership ensured success on the battlefield, with limited damage to vehicles and friendly casualties. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom. - Captain Rapicault’s bold leadership, courageous actions, and complete dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.” - Rest Easy Marine

“Those poor souls. They didn’t have their fathers here” - Marine Colonel Francis Fenton kneels beside his son, Private First Class Mike Fenton, near Shuri, Okinawa, May 1945. - They had met once during the fighting when their paths crossed at a partially destroyed Okinawan farmhouse. After exchanging news the two family members returned to their work. They would never talk again. On May 7, 1945, while beating back a Japanese counterattack the younger Fenton, 19, was killed. - When his father received the bitter news, he traveled to the site of his son’s death and knelt down to pray over the flag-draped body. - Upon arising, Colonel Fenton stared at the bodies of other Marine dead and said: ‘Those poor souls. They didn’t have their fathers here’ - If you’ll remember in the past, I posted a photo of Captain Ike Fenton of 1/5 in Korea, 1950. Ike Fenton was another son of Col Fenton. - This Memorial Day, and every day, remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and spend the day how you feel best honors their memory.

Remember them, all of them.

Today, we honor the brave Americans who gave everything they had to give A debt that can never be repaid

GTFGU - Okinawa, 1945

Helm cam times. 2011 either Khogyani or South Wardak I cant really remember anymore.

#Mk19Monday…D Co 2-162IN, Baghdad, 2004… - @gwot_11b

Huey door gunner sweeps the treeline with his M60 as what appears to be a Long-range reconnaissance patrol is evacuated in Vietnam

#SAWsaturday…D CO 2/162 INF, Baghdad, 2005… - @abello_1

#240Tuesday…a very nice wind chime at the Fallujah train station, 2004… - Charles Baker

He is risen! - Happy Easter - Christ is King

LVT Amtrac amphibious craft lands US troops of the 381st Infantry Regiment, 96th (“Dead Eye”) Infantry Division at ‘White Beach’ Okinawa. April 1, 1945. Colorized by Royston Leonard

Legendary Marine, Eugene Sledge, on the Okinawa landing 81 years ago today… “We can probably expect 80-85 percent casualties on the beach.”

Spirit of Sledge - Something a long time coming and that finally came together for one of our 0341 studs, @jaemesplowman. This was presented back in the beginning of March, but we wanted to make the announcement on 0341 Day! - “For superior performance of duties while serving as a Mortar Section Leader, Company A, 3d LCT, - Sergeant Plowman consistently redefined the standard of excellence for a Mortarman. A masterful tactician and decisive leader, Sergeant Plowman relentlessly instilled precision and discipline on the gunline. - As the backbone of his section, he expertly employed his Marines across numerous ranges and exercises, delivering timely and accurate fires in support of the mission. - His ability to maintain fire control, enforce technical standards, and execute under pressure produced lasting effects that will resonate throughout the company for years to come. - Through his decisive leadership, tactical expertise, and unwavering devotion to his Marines, Sergeant Plowman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Mortar community.” - Congratulations Sergeant Plowman! We’re all very proud of you. Thank you for upholding the legacy of your forefathers! Good luck in 1/6 HARD! - Thank you @hpepper31 for making this happen. We couldn’t have done it without you. - As you all know by now, just like the Spirit of Basilone award, I wanted to make something that went a little further in helping to instill that Mortar pride. It’s nothing official, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful, at least not to me. - The Spirit of Sledge Medal is not for sale. If you want it, earn it. If you think you know someone that rates, reach out to myself or @tubes_____up.

The Spirit of Basilone - Our next and very long overdue recipient of the Spirit of Basilone Award, Sergeant Henry Bake also known as @opinionated_machine_gunner. - Sergeant Bake spent time in 3/7 CAAT and 2/5 CAAT before heading back to Twentynine Palms as an Exercise Controller (Coyote). He was also invited and served as a guest instructor with the Australian Defense Force’s Direct Fire Support Weapons Course cadre. - Sergeant Bake’s work both in and out of uniform through his Instagram page, @opinionated_machine_gunner, has impacted thousands of Machine Gunners across the Corps and across the globe. He has never sought personal recognition for his work, but it is deserved. He is a true professional of our craft and the community is better off because of him. Thank you for all that you have done to uphold the legacy of our forefathers and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for you, brother. Guns Up! - This one has been a long time in the works and I’m glad it all came together and what better day than 0331 Day?! - Thanks to fellow Spirit of Basilone recipient @that_guy_sinclair for helping out. Thank you to @bradley__crooks for making it happen. And thank you to everyone else who had a hand in this. - As you all know by now, I wanted to make something that went a little further in helping to instill that Machine Gun pride that we’re so known for. It’s nothing official, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful, at least not to me. - The Spirit of Basilone Medal is not for sale. If you want it, earn it. If you think you know someone that rates, reach out to me!