FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
The Marine Corps Association Foundation hosted the second Combat Development Dinner of the year in conjunction with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at the Clubs at Quantico in September. Another highly successful and well-attended event, MCAF was fortunate to be able to present the Honorable Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of the Navy as the featured speaker at this professional military education affair. We thank the Under Secretary for taking time from his busy schedule to be back with Marines and, we also thank him for presenting his candid and well-informed views to our dinner guests.
Also in September, we were pleased to be able to host Colonel Bruce Meyers, USMC (Ret) and author of Fortune Favors the Brave: The Story of First Force Recon at a Meet the Author and Book Signing event at The MARINE Shop in Quantico.
We look forward to presenting another Meet the Author & Book Signing event later in September with Richard Botkin, author of Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph at The MARINE Shop in Quantico. In early October, at Camp Lejeune, we host another MCA Luncheon featuring MajGen Mastin Robeson, Commander, U.S. Marine Forces, Special Operations Command as the guest speaker. MCAF professional events are unique opportunities to meet and listen to key Corps and top-level national leaders, as well as dynamic thinkers and writers. I encourage all of our members and readers to regularly visit the MCAF Professional Events site HERE to stay abreast of our unfolding schedule, AND, I also encourage everyone to attend as many of our events as possible. You will be glad you did!
Looking at my calendar, I note that the Marine Corps Birthday is less than two months away. MCA proudly specializes in assisting Marines prepare for this signal event every year. If you need medals mounted, uniforms altered or purchased, or Birthday Ball supplies acquired to host your own celebration, I urge you to come to us as soon as possible for all your needs. Click HERE to reach The MARINE Shop ONLINE and HERE to download a copy of the MCA 2009 Birthday Ball & Gift Catalog.
We recently announced the creation of MCA’s new 501(c)(3) public charitable organization, the Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF) in MCA Today, and I want to repeat that announcement in the hope that our members and readers will help us spread the word. The Foundation now enables MCA to more fully accomplish our important missions of supporting Marines in our awards, professional development, unit professional library and other, related, support programs for Marines.
What everyone needs to know, and what we hope you will help us disseminate is that in addition to MCAF donations helping Marines in myriad ways, these donations are now tax-deductible. I encourage you to visit the new MCA Foundation web site www.mcafdn.org to learn what the foundation does, and I ask our readers to consider making a tax-deductible donation on the web or through our recent notepad direct mail appeal.
Semper Fidelis,
Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Announcing the Marine Corps Association Foundation Website
The Marine Corps Association Foundation, MCA's new charitable organization, was recently established to enable our members, sponsors and other donors to make tax-deductible contributions to aid important MCAF support programs such as the MCAF Awards, PME's and the provision of libraries to units.
We invite you to visit the new MCAF website HERE: to read about the Foundation's purpose and what it does to support Marines. And, we welcome and invite your direct support. We welcome support from both individuals and corporations. Click HERE to learn about how you can make a tax-deductible donation.
And, if you would like to call us with suggestions or to explore ways to get more directly involved here is our new MCAF toll free number: 877-4MY-MCAF (1-877-469-6223) Give us a call -- we would love to hear from you! And, if you would like to make a donation to the Foundation, here is the mailing address:
MCAF
PO Box 1123
Quantico, VA 22134
Congratulations to MCAF’s Recent On-Line AuctionWinners!
Congratulations to Mike Beggs of Fredericksburg, VA for placing the winning bid in MCAF’s Grantham University Silent Bid Drawing. He wins a 4 year Online degree program from Grantham University for himself or his family.
Congratulations also to Vernon Martin of Lititz, PA. He won the MCAF drawing for a free tour from the Military Historical Tours Inc, and will be traveling to Iwo Jima next February/March to participate in MHT’s program there. We hope he will send us some tour pictures we can include in MCA Today!
MCAF will be holding more on-line auction in the future so stay tuned in AND, if any of our readers have anything they would like to donate that we could use for a drawing that could raise funding to support MCAF programs, we hope you will contact us!
Special Thanks to Panasonic and MCA Members and Donors!
A special thanks to Panasonic for providing two Panasonic Business-Rugged Laptops for Wounded Marines who needed them, at the request of the Wounded Warrior Regiment in Quantico. We sincerely appreciate Panasonic's support!
MCA's amazon.com Portal
If you are an amazon.com Online shopper then we invite you to access their website through the new amazon.com portal on MCA’s home page. amazon.com offers much more than just books. It is also a great source for toys, casual apparel, tools, gadgets and a whole lot more.
SAVE MONEY by using MCA's New Website Feature!
For deep savings on a variety of popular consumer products try out MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center Today!
OLD NAVY'S NEW MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Old Navy, makers of fine casual apparel, now feature a monthly Military Appreciation Day on the first of every month at all of their stores. They offer a 10% discount to all active, retired and reserve Military Personnel and their family members who present a valid Military ID card on the first of every month as a means of expressing their appreciation to those who serve with honor and courage daily.The offer is not valid at oldnavy.com and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.
SPECIAL SAVINGS ALERT - Walt Disney World Special Ticket Offer for the Military Community
Walt Disney World now offers large discounts on ticket packages to all active duty and retired military during the period 4 Jan – 23 Dec 2009. Click HERE for details.
NEW Offer for Washington, D.C. Area Vehicle Owners from TireVan
TireVan, DC area’s only mobile tire installation service, is offering members of the Marine Corps Association a FREE membership in their car care program known as TireVan Advantage. This program could not only help keep our members and their families safe but also help caring for their car easier and less expensive.
TireVan provides A Better Way to Get New Tires. You can select from virtually any brand of tire brand made, purchase over the phone at 877.847.3826 or through www.TireVan.com at guaranteed low prices and then relax as TireVan’s highly trained technicians bring your new tires to your car and professionally install them on the spot!
When you need new tires, membership in TireVan Advantage will net you a 20% installation discount (savings not available to the public). But membership is valuable even when you don’t need new tires, by giving you access to money saving benefits such as automotive recall monitoring service which keeps you up-to-date on important safety and non-safety recalls issued by the auto manufacturer, important state inspection reminders and inflation/tread wear reminders. Independent websites charge as much as $50-$100 per year for similar services, all of which are available to Marine Corps Association members through TireVan free of charge!
Sign up today at www.advantage.TireVan.com and use enrollment code: MA477ESADVERTISE IN MCA TODAY! With over 44,000 monthly readers, MCA Today is a valuable advertising resource. If you would like a promotional ad for your business or organization in MCA Today send us your request to promotions@mca-marines.org .
Marines want to keep their connections to the Corps and to other Marines strong.
Membership in MCA – The Professional Association for ALL Marines is the most effective way to keep Corps connections rock solid AND it is also an enjoyable way to do it.
Membership comes with a subscription to one or both of MCA’s magazines: Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of U.S. Marines and /or Leatherneck, magazine of the Marines. MCA’s flagship magazines maintain a solid focus on the Marine Corps, and all of its activities and reading both magazines regularly is an invaluable means of remaining informed.
Our nation continuously deploys Marines for lengthy periods, creating special needs for those deployed. Deployed Marines can’t afford the luxury of extra weight and don’t deserve the problems of missed or delayed mail delivery. To help resolve these issues, MCA offers a flexible membership option, which provides continuous support even during operational deployments.
MCA’s ONLINE-ONLY membership gives ONLINE access to BOTH magazines anywhere in the world via the Internet, and includes all other membership benefits at savings of about 24% off the print edition subscription rates. Active duty Marines should seriously consider this membership option when joining or renewing.
And, no matter what subscription option you chose, MCA gives you ONLINE access to BOTH magazines at no extra charge!
Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette feature articles of real value to Marines. With articles written mostly by Marines, both magazines feature professionally relevant, and highly illustrated articles that keep Marines abreast of current issues and the continuing Marine Corps story.
Our Online magazine editions include the same editorial content as the print editions but provide valuable additions only available in a web based environment. These include searchable archives all the way back to1916, audio and video feeds, graphic slide shows, interactive discussion boards on controversial issues that ANY reader can join and hot linked key words, allowing additional reading on topics that interest you!
We invite all our readers and members to log on to read the digital versions of Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette and check out all these extra featurestoday!
Not only does your membership keep YOU connected to Marines, but it is also important to know that YOUR membership dues, directly supports the MCAF Professional Awards Program, which provides incentive awards and professional recognition to over 8,600 Marines annually for professional and academic achievement. The MCAF is the largest awards provider in the Corps thanks to support from YOUR membership!
If you are not an MCA member, we invite you to join! Call toll-free at 866-622-1775, EMAIL us at mca@mca-marines.org, or go online at: http://www.mca-marines.org/join.asp.
We hope you enjoy reading your MCA magazines online this month and don’t forget that if you have an iPhone, G1, or other phone with Internet access, you can read them on your phone as well!
Your online Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette magazines are literally available at the tip of your fingers anywhere and anytime!
New members mention code NEMTN809. Renewals mention code REMTN809.
Your October Leatherneck covers the spectrum of the magazine's mission: telling the tales of some of the true giants of the Corps- Cpl "Gooie" Gomez, Navy Cross, CH-46 crew chief, Vietnam and Col Archie Clapp-aviation legend of three wars, plus insights into how the pre-WW I state military camps helped prepare America and the Corps for the Great War. To accent our mission of telling today's Corps' story, we include an article on the newest "China Marines," the Marine security Guards in Hong Kong; a superb comparison of the gear carried by today's combat infantryman with that of the 0311 who went to war in 2001 (Kudos to Marine Corps Systems Command); an in-depth explanation of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill; an overview of how the Corps is instilling an appreciation for the 7th warfighting function--culture; and a feature on a Marine Gunny who, at age 5, evacuated Vietnam with his Marine Dad and Vietnamese mother and today is serving in an individual augmentee in Afghanistan helping to grow an Afghan Air Force. We think you'll enjoy this issue, but want to hear from you too: leatherneck@mca-marines.org.
Remember to check out Corps Daily News each day for the latest on the Corps by visiting us on the web at www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck
Eight years ago, the Gazette offered a focus section that dealt with a country of which many of us were totally unfamiliar -- Afghanistan. The recent decision to deploy more Marines there means that we need to refocus on that landlocked nation and provide articles through which Marines could begin to draw comparisons between Iraq and Afghanistan and, just as importantly, understand the differences they will encounter. As our editor expresses in his October editorial, the difficulties our Marines will face can be captured in this anecdote: "...a young officer...stated that while in Iraq he rarely met an illiterate Iraqi, but in Afghanistan the only Afghani he met who could read and write was his interpreter." The challenges will be many and varied.
"Retooling for Afghanistan" is co-authored by four former battalion commanders, each of whom served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on their personal experiences, they provide a wealth of comparative information that will prove invaluable to our Marines preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. Not only does this article provide a close look at a tighter knit tribal system, but it also gives Marines an idea of the differences in human and physical terrain features that shouldn't be glossed over.
Following our lead article is one that discusses the importance of including cultural nuances in our planning process. "Incorporating Culture Into the MCPP," offers Marines the opportunity to understand why our planning process might be improved if we became proactive when dealing with culture. If we examine and analyze each step of the planning process, we can understand that "isolating" culture by "placing it in a specific cell, such as intelligence, or at a specific stage, such as an initial cultural intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB), limits the value of the cultural analysis...."
Do you ride a motorcycle? A group of students from the 2008-09 EWS class wrote an article on how motorcycle casualties can be reduced. Titled, "Ramping Down the Casualties," this group of officers is convinced that the Marine Corps can do more through targeted programs, situational awareness through safety education, and self-regulation to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities. Coupled with another article, "Ban the Bike," an aggressive training and education program will be a necessary step toward better preparing Marines with the skills necessary to handle their motorcycles.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
Professional Associations are ALL about membership. We cherish ours and eagerly seek to bring new ones on board because the more we have, the better we can support Marines through our professional development and awards programs! Supporting Marines is a reason to join and continue your membership but here is another reason to keep your membership active!
Renew your membership by the 10th of the month following your FIRST renewal notice reminder and your name goes into a drawing to win a bottle of the ever popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne. With two drawings for each month, your odds of winning are pretty good!
Congratulations and Welcome Back to Our lucky August winners:
Mr. J.T. McNiff of Hampton, NH
Mr. Charles D. Horton of Hueytown, AL
The Marine Corps Association's ONLINE Store
Featuring all the in-print USMC Professional Reading Program titles, and a large selection of other professional reading of interest to Marines, MCA’s ONLINE Store also offers a large range of unique specialty gifts for Marines. We have what Marines want and need!
Featured Gifts For Marines!
BOXED WINE SET
An elegant pair of 12 oz wine goblets, a handsome and fully functional bottle chiller and a pewter bottle stopper in a decorative storage box makes a superb presentation set for special occasions.
104449
Member Price: $100.00
Non-Member Price: $112.00
DECANTER SET ETCHED WITH EAGLE, GLOBE & ANCHOR
Both our handsome, decanter and four matching "Rocks" glasses are crafted of heavy glass with distinctive Eagle, Globe and Anchor design individually sand blasted on the side for an elegant frosted look.
104402
Member Price: $45.00
Non-Member Price: $50.00
BLACK UNDER ARMOUR DUFFEL BAG
Constructed of sturdy, long-wearing black hexagon ripstop fabric, our medium sized duffle showcases a boldly embroidered Eagle, Globe and Anchor on the top flap, includes a patented roll out mat, oversized pockets, a wet/dry tunnel pocket and sturdy neoprene handles.
104416
Member Price: $47.00
Non-Member Price: $52.00
POCKET WATCH WITH CHAIN
A brass, gold-plated pocket watch with the USMC emblem detailed on the outside and exquisite engraved design inside reminiscent of the etchings on a Marine sword. Complete with a 14" gold-plated chain and Swiss parts, this watch is presented in a wood finish box.
103240
Member Price: $125.99
Non-Member Price: $139.99
Get Your Copy of MCA's 2009 Birthday Ball & Gift Catalog NOW to Get Ready for this Year's Marine Corps Birthday Ball
http://www.mca-marines.org/birthdayball2009.asp
Marine Corps Association Stores
To order, Call ( Monday - Friday 0800-1630)
Toll Free: 1-888-237-7683
Fax: 703-630-1446
Email: customercare@mca-marines.org
Visit the MCA Book Store at Camp Lejeune or The MARINE Shop at Quantico!
Click Here for Addresses
NEED HELP WITH RETAIL OR MEMBERSHIP PROBLEMS?
If you experience problems with our Online Store, with telephone orders or with your membership, the following phone numbers can get you the assistance you need:
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1-866-622-1775
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1- 888-237-7683
THE MARINE SHOP
MCA's Flagship Store!
Professional Appearance Second to NONE…
The Hallmark of Marines, Our Policy, and Our Single Minded Pursuit!
ESPECIALLY in Support of the Marine Corps Birthday!
Professional Medal Mounting and Evening Dress Uniforms are
Key MARINE Shop Specialties!
Established in 1962, the Quantico, Virginia based MARINE Shop is THE most prestigious provider of Marine uniforms and accessories in the Corps. Whether you need the best Marine or Marine Corps League Uniform, current professional reading or a special gift a Marine will treasure The MARINE Shop is your first choice!
Acquired by the Marine Corps Association in early 2007, the MARINE Shop joins the Professional Association for All Marines as part of a strategic partnership aimed at providing the highest quality and most comprehensive support possible to Marines. MCA Members receive Member Value Pricing on select items – Just another benefit of membership.
The MARINE Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.net
The MARINE Shop offers Member Value Pricing to all MCA Members on select items.
Military Clocks as Distinctive as Your Branch of Service
$149.95 Each plus $12.50 Shipping & Handling
Allow 3-4 Weeks for Delivery
Our Unique Armed Forces Commemorative Clocks are 18” in Diameter with a Sturdy, Hard Plastic Rim, Glass Front Cover and a Distinctive, Colored Face Featuring an Embroidered Felt Design with over 56,000 Individual Stitches. Battery Operated (Not Included)
Coast Guard Clocks Coming!
Send us your unit patch or logo for a custom designed clock!
Send Check or Money Order to:
Franchised Distributors, Inc.
924 Middle Country Road
Ridge, N.Y. 11961
(631) 924-5088
MCA Career Center
Need a Job or a Marine to Employ?
Our Mission is to Help with BOTH!
Click hereto Visit MCA’s Career Center!
We regularly post new jobs and add new resumes from well-qualified Marines to our growing resume bank. If you are looking for employment or for a highly responsible Marine to fill a position, MCA’s Career Center is where to start!
Featured Jobs for September:
Senior IT Specialist/Project Manager - AMSG - Quantico, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3193515
Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Analysis - MCCS - Quantico, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3182897
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3174212
MCAF PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCAF professional events feature guest speakers drawn from the top ranks of Marine, other service and Department of Defense leaders who present their views in unique professional development opportunities. Our events include professional dinners, lunches, PME presentations, seminars and panel discussions as well as “Meet the Author” book signing events.
MCAF professional events provide valuable professional development opportunities to Marines and have become “Must Attend” events for Marines and MCA in the areas where they are held.
We invite you to attend our professional events whenever possible. Visit our web site here for the current schedule and for additional information. Here are upcoming highlights from our current schedule:
Book Signing
The MARINE Shop
Quantico, VA
1600 - 1800
Richard Botkin, author of Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph
MCAF Luncheon
Paradise Point Officers' Club
Camp Lejeune, NC
Guest Speaker -- MajGen Mastin M. Robeson, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command
MCAF Ground Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF Ground Logistics Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF C4 Awards Dinner
Crystal City Hyatt
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCA CORPORATE SPONSORS
Thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of the MCAF's
Professional Events and Awards Programs
The Marine Corps has a number of legitimate requirements for which public funds are not appropriate. Because of that, non-profit organizations like the MCAF are able to provide important support. The MCAF Awards Program is an excellent example. Totally funded by MCA member dues and MCAF sponsor support, the program provides the funding assets needed to recognize the professional achievements of a large number of Marines in categories formally defined by the Marine Corps.
Large and comprehensive, the MCAF Awards Program provides leadership, performance and academic awards to deserving Marines and succeeded in recognizing over 8,600 Marines and sailors for professional achievements in 2008.
The MCAF Professional Events Program is another example of a program that is primarily supported by corporate sponsors who enable the Foundation the ability to host important professional development opportunities for Marines and our members. Here is a picture from our most recent professional event:
---------------------------------- PREMIER PLATINUM: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER DIAMOND: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER GOLD: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER SILVER: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER
BRONZE: ----------------------------------
------------------- And to our Individual Event Sponsors: -------------------
Gold: Deloitte, Harris RF Communications, Harris IT Services Corporation, Navistar, SAIC, Smartronix, USAA
Silver: Agility Logistics, AMSG, Ciena, Cobham, CTC, EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies, L-3 Communications, Leupold, Rheinmetall
Bronze: AFCEA; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems;
CA, Inc.; Cisco; Columbia Group; CSC; Deloitte Consulting; DSC; EG&G; Exeter; Geico; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; JWF Defense; Kollsman; Motorola; Navy Federal Credit Union; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; R&W Construction; Tandberg; Taser; Telos; Tesoro Corp.; Thales Communications; Tompkins Builders; Trader Construction;
Wackenhut Services
Marine Corps Association Foundation Corporate Members:
ClearedJobs.net, CSC, & JWF Defense
Become a Corporate Member today by calling 877-469-6223.
Your subscription to MCA’s Flagship magazines - Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette is a key benefit that comes with membership in the professional association for all Marines. Another useful benefit is Member Value Pricing offered at all of MCA’s stores, including MCA’s ONLINE Store, The MARINE Shop at Quantico, Virginia, as well as at our Camp Lejeune Bookstore. Member Value Pricing gives you significant discounts on all of MCA’s professional reading and specialty gifts and includes discounts on many uniform items at The MARINE Shop.
Exclusive access to great deals from well-known companies who provide discounted computer prices, special deals on credit cards, insurance policies, rental cars, travel, educational programs and a whole lot more also comes with MCA membership. Check out the links below for additional information.
What other member benefits would YOU like us to offer? Email us at promotions@mca-marines.org with your suggestions.
Do you have what is needed to help fight the battle against cancer?
We care for our members, and we don’t want to see your nest egg wiped out in just a few months. Many insurance companies may not cover all of the costs to treat cancer so don’t be mistaken by thinking you have enough insurance to cover the costs. The statistics of being diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. for a male are 1 out of 2, and for women they are 1 out of 3 during their lifetime.* Don’t be caught off guard without the correct coverage.
The MCA Cancer Care Plan was developed to help MCA members. We would like to send you cash benefits if you are ever caught in a battle against cancer.
- These benefits, up to a lifetime amount of $300,000.00**, could help with many aspects of your treatment including: hospitals, operations, doctors, medications, and more.***
- In this plan we’ll pay you $30.00 for each insured member of your family so they may receive an outpatient diagnostic test for cancer this year, and each year afterward while you’re in the plan.
You are guaranteed acceptance into this plan if you’re an MCA member (or the spouse of a member), you’re under 80 years of age (under 65 in CA), and you have not been medically treated for or advised of cancer (with the exception of skin cancer) for the last 5 years (6 months in CA; 12 months in TX).
CLICK HERE to request more information about the MCA Cancer Care Plan, and find out why it makes sense for today’s military family.
Underwritten by: Monumental Life Insurance Company, an AEGON company, Cedar Rapids, IA.
*Cancer, Facts & Figures, 2008.
**Plan pays up to $300,000.00 lifetime maximum subject to specific plan benefit schedules and individual benefit maximums.
*** THIS IS A CANCER ONLY POLICY.
This plan only pays for expenses associated with cancer. This is not major medical insurance. Exclusions and limitations may apply. Not available in all states.
8932894
Grantham University’s special program for MCA helps Marines and is an especially good deal for MCA Members for several reasons:
- Cost – MCA members save up to 24% on tuition and educational materials fees - a substantial savings!
- Eligibility - The program includes MCA member dependents as well as the member.
The academic programs Grantham University offers are both flexible and portable and offer a wide range of academic disciplines at the Associate, Bachelors and Masters levels. All programs are conducted entirely ONLINE and at the convenience of the student. Take the courses you want, when you want and wherever you are.
For Marines making lengthy deployments that interfere with the ability to participate in traditional education programs, Grantham University provides a first rate option allowing them to continue their education anywhere in the world.COMPUTER SAVINGS
The ultimate all-in-one iMac desktop computer is now even faster and offers the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. At speeds up to 3.06GHz, the latest-generation dual-core Intel processors powering iMac are faster than ever, offering greater performance for everything from enhancing photos to playing games and more.
Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. Throw out your clunky old PC and make way for a kicking new Dell.
Visit www.dell.com/USMC or
call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. A tool and die machinist and golden gloves boxer from Ohio, he salvaged a .30 caliber machine gun from a downed Navy plane on a Pacific island and converted it into a man-portable machine gun with a much higher rate of fire than the version issued to ground troops. Months later, on another island he used his improvised machine gun, which he referred to as his “stinger”, to heroically combat the Japanese leading to his subsequent, posthumous award of the Medal of Honor. Forty-five years later, a building on MCB Camp Pendleton was named after him. Who is he? What is this building that was named in his honor and what significance does this building have to his improvised machine gun?
A.
The first person to e-mail the correct answer to comments@mca-marines.org will receive an exclusive MCA Coin. Please include your name and address in your e-mail. Good luck!
Here's our August trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Q. Legally too young to join the Marine Corps, he lied about his age and bribed a drunk with a half a pint of whiskey to fraudulently give permission as his guardian to join and served 3 years in the 4th Marine Air Wing and was discharged as a sergeant at the end of the war. Following his USMC service he enrolled in an elite west coast university on the GI Bill but was deemed ineligible for a degree because of the lack of High School diploma. Following college, he bought a one-way ticket to Paris and became a humorous columnist achieving wide fame on both sides of the Atlantic for his wit and sarcasm. His column explaining the Thanksgiving holiday to the French was so popular that after he became famous it was re-run every Thanksgiving during his lifetime. Who is he?
A. Art Buchwald ( 1925-2007 ). Pulitzer prize winning columnist and humorist, Art Buchwald joined the Marine Corps while underage in October 1942 and served in the western Pacific with the 4th Marine Air Wing during World War II until his release from active duty in October 1945 as a Sergeant.
Congratulations to veteran Marine and former Lance Corporal (1968-1970) Robert Hauser of Middletown, PA for being the first with the correct answer. Here is his lean and mean graduation picture from 1968.
COMMENTS? Does MCA Today have what you would like to see in it? Send your suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org. We enjoy hearing from our readers and seriously consider all reasonable suggestions!
MCA MAILING LIST. Get on our mailing list! All you have to do is send us the names and email addresses for those you would like us to add to customercare@mca-marines.org and we will include them. Getting your monthly edition of MCA Today provides a great way of keeping up with all the happenings at YOUR professional association!
Semper Fidelis!
Robert Rubrecht
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org