Skinner's Poop Sheet April 1999
Yo!
I've heard from several more Stable Able Marines not previously heard
from. Our list continues to grow. Sadly, our list of departed shipmates also
grows. Father Time will get us all.
Ron York joined Able on Xmas Day, 1950. He recalls the "Mouse Trap
Operation" and that we were the cheese that drew the mouse in. He says that
twenty five years of his life, he, with his wife, Joyce, as Christian
missionaries, were spent in Asia. Japan, Korea, Philippines, East Malaysia
and Thailand. He now has a hunting and fishing lodge in the Alaskan
wilderness. He and Joyce spend the winters in Alaska and the summers in
Washington state.
Frank Lockman joined Able at Camp Pendleton and made the landing at Inchon.
He was an embarkation specialist so naturally was assigned to machine-guns.
He says so many cooks, bakers and messmen came to the "Magnificent Seventh"
that it was known as "The Pots and Pans Regiment". Reflecting on how well
the "P & P Regiment" did in combat goes to prove "Every Marine is a
Rifleman"!
Gerald Ryan sends that he arrived in Korea in May 1953 with the 33rd or 34th
Replacement draft. Joined Able at Camp Rose, went up with the advance party
to relieve the Army on Outpost Alva. Evaced to A-Med about 23Jul53 then to
the hospital ship at Yokuska. Spent 4 months there then to Camp Fisher,
Nara, Japan near Tokyo. Rejoined Able in May 1954 then rotated to CONUS July
1954. He would appreciate hearing from anyone that knew Corporal Curtis Kern
who was KIA on a listening post in front of Outpost Alva about 10Jul53,
believes he was from Ohio. Gerald has been a board member of the Marine
Memorial Club in San Francisco for the last three years. He intends to
muster at 29 Palms in May.
Joseph Abban sends. "Operation Mouse Trap, first time I've heard that in
years. Joined Able in May51 hit the 29th with the rest. Have no idea of what
Plt. or Sqd. I was with. Would like to know the name of the river we crossed
and the city we went into during the Mouse Trap.". Provided Joseph the
info.
George Blair called from San Antonio. His beautiful lady, Christina, has had
a bad year but doing better now. It was a real pleasure for me and my son,
Frank, to have breakfast with them and Larry Pawelka one day in San Antone.
Hang in there young lady!
J J O'Hagan called. Tom Size's article about the award of the Korean PUC
was of much interest to him and he recalled memories of the event. O'Hagan
was the platoon guide for the Able platoon. The Able company commander
was a Captain Dohler, a very GI skipper. The weather turned very cold and
the
troops were issued brand new gloves. A KMC platoon was next to the Able
platoon. The KMC in charge gave orders in English. The last KMC Marine in
the last squad of the platoon didn't respond as he should have on one
command. The KMC Marine in charge proceeded to the Marine and decked him.
O'Hagan noted as they marched in review that he was able to watch the Marine
struggle valiantly to curb the bleeding to keep his uniform neat and did so
very well and appeared, to O'Hagan, to march better then the rest of KMC
platoon. (I guess so! If it had been me I wouldn't want to be bopped
again!). O'Hagan plans on being at Rhode Island. He missed Florida due to
dropping a 300 pound block of ice on his foot so was unable to travel.
Ken Stelzel had a five week bout with pneumonia earlier this year. Ken has
been pretty battered during his life and like the "Timex" watch, he keeps on
ticking. Good job Marine!
John Fryer informs me he has recently talked to Ron York and Floyd Swift
after many years. He says Swift is the "Same old Swift." I know the pleasure
John felt on finding old shipmates.
Larry Pawelka got the handle on Emil A.Stubbens, 1st section of Guns from
Dec50 to Jan52. He had a nice chat with Emil. I also called Emil and it was
great to chat with him.
Tom Smith, Backoff's buddy, infoed me Frank LiCausie has called him.
LiCausie sent me information from the Korean War Veterans Assn. concerning
the year 2000 celebration and visit to Korea. Too much to run in the
poopsheet so contact me or Frank if you're interested.
Letter from "Knute" Knutsen advising me he'll be at 29 Palms in May. Regret
I won't be there Knute. May be a good thing too as I have been known to
fling my sword wildly even when sober. Knute wanted me to remain seated at
the bar when he called my name and just hold my sword high and he would come
to me at the reunion. If I've trained you lads right I know you'll carry out
the mission with out me.
Heard from Hal Barker that the "Korean War Project" is in danger of going
"Belly up" for lack of funds. Unless you are computerized this is
meaningless to you but to those who get on the net it will be a loss. I've
accessed the Casualty section on it and found many of ours there. Place to
"Find a Buddy" and many other items of interest inre Korea. Hal's brother,
Ted, and he are the sons of a retired LtColonel, USMC, who flew the little
Bell helo's we were familiar with in Korea. He flew many medevacs and may
have flown some of ours. Ted became a "Prime Mover" to get the "Korean War
Memorial" completed.
Want to advise those traveling in Montana or Wyoming to be on the look out
for cattle with a Three and a Seven brand. Don't rustle or run over them as
they belong to my old Recon skipper, LtCol R J O'Leary. He took them from
Wyoming to grazing land in Montana. The brand honors 3/7, the Skipper's
outfit in Korea.That info may seem not pertaining to us but gives me a
chance to mention the Skipper and his salute to the 7th Marines. See Robert
Kensinger and Luke Laird are the only ones living in Montana and no one in
Wyoming.
"Able Six" ( Col Smith ) continues to maintain excellent comm. He called on
"Valentine's Day" to wish Marie a happy Valentine's. Hmmm! He and Janet are
looking forward to 29 Palms.
There are some of us that would rather forget experiences in Korea. I have
received requests for addresses of Marines that I know feel that way and I
will not forward their grid coords. Several Marines I know with this feeling
are among the finest Marines I had the honor of serving with. They did their
duty and did it well. I respect their wishes and wish them well.
Way back yonder when I was a wee lad, I recall seeing Dick Powell and John
Payne in movies playing the part of Marines wearing dress blues, aboard nice
clean
battleships, singing, fighting sailors and winning the pretty girls. Thought
then that was the life for me and was determined to be a US Marine. Dick and
John were acting as "Sea-going Marines". Now, after 223 years of serving
aboard capitol ships of the US Navy, the "Sea-going Marines" are no more.
The last Marine Detachment (Afloat) was deactivated 1May98. Saddens me to
see this tradition now become merely history.
During the past year Marines have been shown on national TV broadcast
inregards to the "Aviano" trials, not wearing their covers while outdoors
when entering the courtroom during the legal procceedings being held here at
Camp Lejeune. The military community, retired and active, have been
spastically bombarding the "Letters to the Editor" for months and finally
the Public Affairs Office has published that the military judge ordered the
area between the two legal buildings involved as a "Uncovered area" due to
the lack of cloak room facilities.and the large volume of documents and
evidence that has to be transported between the two buildings. That
announcement didn't satisfy the locals and wonder how the judge can change
USMC uniform regulations and long traditions. How much space can a p---
cutter take up? Hope some of you have wondered or this info wasted.
Hope there is a large muster at 29 Palms. That will be a "Once in a Life
Time" experience I know.
Remember there ain't gonna be no poopsheet unless you send me the poop!
Keep low and
Semper Fi!, Jim
LAST MUSTER:
It is with regret that I report the passing of the following Marines:
Dick STAPLES: 9Mar99. Ray Musser received the word from Mrs. Staples. Dick
was in the 1st platoon and served in Stable Able from January to October of
1951.
Clyde E. GAGNON: 2Nov79. Bernice, Clyde's wife sent info to Tom Size that
Clyde passed away from a massive heart attack on 2 November 1979. He is
shown on the Oct50 roster. He was WIA on 3Nov. Bernice said he still wore a
crew cut until he died.
John J. BUNCH: About 1994. Tom Size has received word that John died about 5
years ago.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families. I am honored and proud to have
served with these Marines. Sure I am speaking for all of Able company.
Semper Fi !! Jim