Kieran Michael Lalor's Blog

This Week In Marine Corps History

19 December 1972: The Marine detachment of the USS TICONDEROGA provided shipboard security for three U.S. astronauts, Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, Harrison Schmitt, and their Apollo-17 space capsule.

20 December 1989: Operation Just Cause was launched in Panama to protect American lives, restore the democratic process, preserve the integrity of the Panama Canal Treaty, and apprehend dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega. One Marine, Corporal Garreth C. Isaak, was killed and three other were wounded during the operation.

21 December 1967: Corporal Larry Smedley posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. The citation reads in part,

"Corporal Smedley immediately took sound and courageous action to stop the enemy threat. After he radioed for a reaction force, he skillfully maneuvered his men to a more advantageous position and led an attack on the numerically superior enemy force. A heavy volume of fire from an enemy positioned on the left flank of the squad inflicted several casualties on Corporal Smedley's unit. Simultaneously, an enemy rifle grenade exploded nearby, wounding him in the right foot and knocking him to the ground. Corporal Smedley disregarded this serious injury and valiantly struggled to his feet, shouting words of encouragement to his men. He fearlessly led a charge against the enemy machine gun emplacement, firing his rifle and throwing grenades until he was again struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground. Gravely wounded and weak from loss of blood, he rose and commenced a one-man assault against the enemy position. Although his aggressive and singlehanded attack resulted in the destruction of the machine gun, he was struck in the chest by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded."

22 December 1969: An F-8 Crusader crashed into a hangar at NAS Miramar, after the pilot ejected. Eleven died and fourteen were injured.

23 December 1941: Japanese land on and capture Wake Island, including 1st Defense Battalion detachment and VMF-211.

24 December 1941: 2d Marine Brigade activated at Camp Elliott, California, for duty in Samoan Islands.

25 December 1920: Birthday of William J. Bordelon who earned the Medal of Honor and was killed leading the assault on the enemy and rescuing fellow Marines during the battle of Tarawa.

This Recruit

Never before has an eyewitness account of the crucible that is Marine Corps Boot Camp been written by a recruit knee-deep in the exhausting mayhem of Parris Island. There young American men are molded into the world's finest fighting force during twelve grueling weeks of recruit training. Until now, this ultimate trial-by-fire has only been described by second-hand observers or through the haze of retrospect. Beginning with my trip to the recruiting office, through the day I marched across the parade deck as a newly minted Marine, I kept a journal. Because I didn't have any writing implements the first few days on Parris Island I memorized the important events by constantly recalling them in chronological order before bed and as soon as I woke up. When we were finally issued pen and paper I wrote down everything I could remember about the dizzying first days on the island and mailed the entries home the first chance I got. For the rest of boot camp most of my entries were written at night in the barracks under my blanket using a flashlight. Each morning I mailed the entries home because getting caught documenting the events of each day would have brought upon me the merciless fury of the Drill Instructors.