Re: 1st MarDiv to Korea by back channel

[<ChosinMead@aol.com>]

Gene, regarding the differing attitudes of FMF, mudmarines, and Hollywood Marines toward each other. We had a whole battalion of Los Angeles Reserves (Hollywood Marines) join the First division at Camp Pendelton- the rest of us was from the East Coast (Camp Lejeune). We gave them some needling, but they gave as good as they got. The bottom line was that they were outstanding Marines. Every Marine is acutely aware that all Marines (FMF,Guard Companies, Embassy Guards, Infantry, etc) are Riflemen first and specialists last. No better example of this exists then the First Marine Division Band at Hagaru, they were made into a machine gun company, and distinguished themselves during the defense of Hagaru and the march to the sea. Their Gunny Sgt. (McClueg) was killed while earning a Navy Cross.
To answer Gene, I guess I could say that there is always friendly needling between the variously assigned Marines-but it was all good natured. Lee