Janet:
In regards to your question of whether it could be the general character of the Corps that keeps veterans close, I can’t speak for other branches of service, but the past few weeks have truly demonstrated how close the Marines are. Once I decided to research my father’s Marine Corps career, I began by looking through some papers that he had in a folder. Among the papers was an envelope with the initials F-2-5 in the corner, inside was a quick note from a Marine who ran across my father’s name in a book about the war; although, the story involved related to the author having known my father in college and then running into him at Camp Pendleton. The note that I found in my father’s things simply asked if my dad was the same person that later served in F-2-5. I telephoned the person who had written the note and as a result he has aided me greatly in my search for men whose paths may have crossed with my father’s in Korea. Within a week I received a package in the mail containing a book to keep and the full F-2-5 roster. I then drafted a letter and from the roster I chose for my first mailing all persons who were listed as having served with F-2-5 in Korea in 1952-1953; I sent over sixty letters. My second mailing was to go to those whose service dates were not listed on the roster. I have had an excellent response; although, only two men knew my father, everyone has been extremely helpful in describing life in the outpost war.
Finally, today, Lee has responded to the question of war buddies and, sure enough, he lists F-2-5 as one of his reunion groups. When I read that post, I immediately grabbed my roster and possibly found him, if so, he would have been in my second mailing, those with no years listed on my roster. So, the Marine Corps, in this case, turns out to be a “smaller tighter knit organization” just as Lee described it.
From what I am learning, Fox Co. is a group of very close men. I still am uncertain why my father never bonded with individuals, however, it could be the combination of rotation and the fact that three days after my father was evacuated, all but three of his platoon were killed at Vegas (the three survivors were one man whose leg was blown off and his two buddies that carried him to the aid station). Perhaps this list has already run a thread on the outpost portion of the war, if not, I would be interested in what those of you who are in the know have to say.
“The Marine Corps is a smaller tighter knit organization, we have a tradition of Esprit de Corps (Once a Marine-Always a Marine) that binds us tighter than most” (ChosinMead@aol.com 29 May 2002).
“I personally attend (annually) the reunions of three different companies from the Korean war- all of the First Marine Division: F/2/5... ” (ChosinMead@aol.com 29 May 2002).
Janet Valentine <valent03@bellsouth.net> wrote:
Carl and Lee,I'm wondering if it's possible that Carl's company is the only *army* company that meets? And, if the general character of the Corps makes it more common for Marines to stay in touch than soldiers?Thanks for your thoughts, ya'll.Janet