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One of the funniest events of the 1950's was the effort by Col. Chapman to rid the Barracks of the "salty" ceremonial appearance of the uniforms worn by the troops. To view the problem, Col. Chapman's solution, and its lasting effectiveness, click here.

1958 was the banner year for great trips! In August the 1st Platoon went to Edinburgh, Scotland and Brussels for the World's Fair. The Edinburgh trip is featured on the "Historical - the 1950's" and "Photos - The 1950 's" pages. Another collection of photos on the Edinburgh trip, emphasizes that part of the trip to Brussels, Belgium for participation in the 1958 World's Fair, click here.

In June, the Second Platoon boarded a newly commissioned aircraft carrier for a tour of South America. To see the South American trip, click here.

For Ron Burton's interesting, and often hilarious recount of his days in CGC between 1955-59, click here.

For Denny Harris' highly amusing story about "Officers and Swagger Sticks", click here.

Denny's story prompted another swagger stick story by Joe Larkin, which can be viewed by clicking here.

For Jim Sottile's account of his first "re-visit" to Newport, RI since accompanying President Eisenhower there in 1957, click here.

For Dan Grady's "Sunset Parade" program for 19 August 1954, click here.

For Steve Evans' Evening Parade program for August 16, 1957, click here.

For Del Bunker's published "Island Veteran Shares Memories - Once a Marine, Always a Marine" article, click here.

For an excellent group of photos of the late 1950's era submitted by Dave Melchior, click here.

For Steve Trimble's amusing 1958 story of the eagle-eyed bird that overlooked its own nest, click here.

For an excellent 1959 Evening Star article on a Sunset Parade submitted by Tom Holstein, click here.

To view the 1953 M1 Manual Of Arms which was submitted by Drew Graham, MCI Company, 1954-1957 ... Source: Guidebook For Marines, Third Revised Edition, First Printing, July 1, 1953, published by The Leatherneck Association, Inc., Washington, DC ... click here.

Ordered to 8th & I !

The original orders transferring Russ Curtis, Bill Rogers, George Collier,
Don Picard, and John Novosel from Camp LeJune (ITR) to 8th and I:



(Submitted by Russ Curtis)

The 1950's in Perspective - A View Down 8th Street



Urban transit at its best!

(Submitted by Bob Rowe)

The Old Corps" - Vintage 1950


Cpl Nick Nickerson at the Main Gate in 1950
(Note the blue cover on the Barracks Hat)


The view past the Main Gate - 1950


the 8th & I basketball team in March of 1951.
(L - R:: Cpl Don Nickerson, 18, of Warren MA; Cpl Don Hann, 21 Mechanicsburg PA;
Pfc Dick Weand, 22, Phil. PA; and Pfc James Murray, 18, of Holidaysburg PA.

(Submitted by Nick Nickerson)

This photo of Wayne Pilny was taken during the winter of '52-53, to show the then-new Drill Team Jacket, which was fashioned by the post tailor (thus the jacket was introduced several years prior to the earliest ones yet reported). The photo was taken near a horse barn in a nearby park, where Wayne, Joe Qualtier, Joe Maglione, Patterson and a few others had stayed overnight and decided to start cracking a 10-foot long bull-whip. The Park Police responded to several reports of gunfire in the area. They hadn't anticipated a bull-whip, and left after they saw the Marines having a good time.

(Item submitted by Wayne Pilny)

In 1956, Col Chapman (later Commandant) had a Barracks-wide track meet.
Pictured here are the members of the 2nd plt, CGC, receiving their trophies
from Col Chapman.



1956 - PFCs Juneau and Thompson at the Main Gate.

(Items submitted by Ben Juneau)

Rich Shanoskie at Camp David - 1957

(Submitted by Rich Shanoskie)

John Hershiser in dress blues.

George Ryan with "Chesty I" prior to this debut during the 1957 parade season. At that time, Chesty followed the handler from the ship's bell to a position beside the CO of troops, did an about face, and stood at parade rest for the remainder of the parade.


The Silent Drill Team's trip to Endicott, NY (the home of IBM) during the summer of 1956.



George Ryan receiving the CO's trophy from Col. Leonard F. Chapman for the Barracks-wide weight-lifting competition .

(Items submitted by George Ryan)

Joe & Lil Larkin were married on May 5, 1956 in the Chapel at the Naval Receiving Station, Anacostia, MD. From rear to front, the Sgts. with the swords are (left side) Bud Belanger, Hank Kammen and Dick Cirka. On the right side are Dick Blakeslee, Dick Stroup and Buzz Sawyer.

(Item submitted by Joe Larkin)

1954 honor guard for Glenn Lambert's wedding.
(Front row l - r): Don Manley, Blaine Singer, Chet Gnatt, unidentified.
(Back row l - r): Joe Storm, ? Olson, unidentified, ? Oldson.



Don Manley in 1954 (Barracks Detachment)

(Submitted by Don Manley)

3rd Plt, CGC in 1955
Lt Coulter was plt. ldr., and S/Sgt Sherman was plt. sgt.
Dwight Price (former USN) is 4th man in 1st rank, and ____ Hestor is 9th man, 1st rank
Gene Smallwood is 4th man, 2nd rank.

(Photo sbumitted by Richie DelVecchio
identifications by Gene Smallwood)

The Do's and Don't's When Reporting to 8th & I - 1956





(Submitted by Joe Ruszkowski)

USMC Birthday Cake - November, 1958

(Item submitted by Jim Harris)

Joe Westner being questioned by Commandant Randolph McCall Pate
(Col. Leonard F. Chapman is behind General Pate,
and in the foreground is Sgt Juneau)

(Item submitted by Ed Croghan)

The 4th plt. being inspected by a foreign Admiral in gym at 8th&I. Lt.Stewart is the officer at far left. Next officer is Commandant Pate, then Capt. Richard Hatch, Fred Sheeder over the Admiral's left shoulder, then unknown, Madix, & MacMichael.



The 4th plt.performing drill at Newport,R.I. for President Eisenhower in 1958. The Sgt standing alone with his back to camera is Sgt Ron Burton.

(Items submitted by Ralph MacMichael)

Marine Band in 1956, led by CWO Dale Harpham



SSgt Bob Capeci and Sgt Ron Burton in May, 1957



Pfc. Vic Usin, Sgt Ron Burton and Cpl Ralph Reimers



Sgt. Ron Burton as artist - Cpl. Denny Harris as subject



1st Sq; 4th Plt. in May 1957 at the Barracks. L-r; Pvt Gwinn, Pvt. Gene Ledford, Pfc Perry and Pfc Cuffe.



3rd CGC Silent Drill Platoon Passing in Review during a Sunset Parade in 1956. The Platoon Leader is 1st Lt. Frank Mitchell, the Platoon Sgt. is SSgt. SSgt Sherman, Sgt. Bill Keller (left) and Sgt. Bob Capeci (right), Pvt. Van J. Potter (deceased 2000) (3rd Marine in the rear rank), Pfc. Warren Roseland (4th Marine Rear Rank), Pfc. Ralph Reimers (9th Marine rear rank), and Pvt. Dave Almer (6th Marine, front rank).



Cpl. Ralph Reimers being questioned by HRH Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Captain General, Royal Marines. Col. L.F. Chapman standing at the right and to the rear of the Prince, and Commandant R. McCall Pate standing behind the Prince. October, 1957.



Parade through Edinburgh, Scotland in connection with Edinburgh Tattoo in 1958. The last Marine to the right, in front of the Navy Corpsman, is Sgt. Ralph Reimers

(Above items submitted by Ralph Reimers)

Cpl Jim Meskan, with Piper Dave Boyle of the Black Watch,
taken in "The Castle on the Rock" prior to the Edinburgh Tattoo.


John Hopkins, of MCI Company in front of the Arcade.

(Items Submitted by Jim Meskan)

1st Plt. CGC at Anacostia Naval Air Station - 1956
Prior to trip to Lynchburg, Virginia
(Item submitted by Jack Badyna)

Bob Moroni at the front gate
(Items submitted by Bob Moroni)

Bob Moroni and Joe Rodino dressed in their finest "civvies"
ready to "hit the town" in 1959.

(Item submitted by Ralph Reimers)

Pepper, Gannon and Eaton


Dick Doyle (dressed)


Dick Doyle (undressed)


Walt Petersen, Orin Howard, George Harriett, Pat Rochford and Art Gannon


Harold Sushansky and Seymour "Pattie" Ginsberg


Bob Rubachko
(items above submitted by Dick Doyle)

1952 1st plt. (Drill Team) in front of CMC House.


Drill Team parades through Miami before its 1953 Orange Bowl appearance



1952 CGC pistol team - "Gallery League"


Lt. Earl Roth (1st Plt.) dancing with Gov. Earl Warren's daughter
(Eisenhower Inaugural Ball)


Jim Brunner relaxing on second deck next to gym


Jim Brunner on duty at main gate


Awaiting inspection of guard (long before today's blue overcoat)


Duty in the guardshack.

(Items above submitted by Jim Brunner)

Drill Team Squares away for ceremony
Ft Henry, Canada - 1952
Submitted by Jaime Layhew (Drill Team 2003 -2004)
Platoon Historian

Sunset parade honoring Commandant Randolph Mc. Pate.

(Item submitted by Bob Rowe)

The 1954-55 Silent Drill Team led by 1st Lt. Love


Bob Doster being inspected by 1st Lt. Francis X. Quinn - 1955

(Items submitted by Bob Doster)

 
The sottille twins (Jim and Vincent)
in Beirut, Lebanon - July, 1958
(submitted by Jim Sottille)

Third Platoon CGC - 1956-57
(Photos submitted by Joe Mryncza)

H&S Co. First Sgt. John Greer and Gy Sgt. Joe Larkin

1957 Guidebook for Marines featuring 1st Platoon, CGC

Evening Parade program form 26 June 1959.
(Submitted by Bill Hanley)

The Old Cannon

CHARLIE HUHA'S & WHITEY LEINES' 1959 MEMORIES

Larry Hess and I were at ITR together from P.I.. We went home on leave Christmas Eve 1958 and departed for Quantico on January 1st. We took the long way down Route 1 along with Lefty Keegan and someone else I can't remember, unless it was the Carroll brothers, arriving at Quantico on the 2nd, our reporting day and time. We were greeted by John T. Evans, Bill Blumberg, and Jim Robinson and felt as though I was back at P. I.. We then met then Sgt. Burton and Sgt. Croghan and at some point then Lt. Stewart. We went through a grueling 3 months of training, but, it was terrific. It was a wonderful experience especially working with the caliber of Marines conducting our training. Then Lt. Stewart was our Platoon Leader, Sgt. Burton was our Platoon Sergeant, Sgt. Croghan was our right guide, Cpl. Robinson was the 1st Squad Leader, Cpl. John Evans was the 2nd Squad Leader, and Cpl. Bill Blumberg was the 3rd Squad Leader. I think I have all the ranks and positions correct.

We arrived at the Barracks and only stayed there a month when we were shipped out to Building 58 at the Naval Gun Factory because the Barracks was too crowded. At that time a one Platoon Drill Team was established for which I was honored to be selected and to serve as the 3rd squad Leader. This required additional extensive training outside and at the National Guard Armory. We always joked how we could sleep well that night because the National Guard was awake or so the signs in the armory indicated. I don't believe we ever saw a Guardsman, I guess they were sleeping so they could be up during the night. I can't respond to everyone as my email sent book won't let me. I don't have Col. Stewart's email address. Some of my fondest memories are of the time at Quantico and, of course, at 8th & I. The fondest are of some of the finest Marines I ever served with and for and they are:

Arthur L. Stewart
Ron Burton
Ed Croghan
John Evans
Bill Blumberg
Jim Robinson
Semper Fi to all.

Charlie
8th & I Marine CHARLIE HUHA, Ceremonial Guard Company, Silent Drill Platoon, 1958-1961, Pompton Lakes, NJ

John - You can add to Charlie's notes the fact that when we arrived in DC., one of the first duties we received was the graveyard shift for John Foster Dulles at Wash. Cath.; guarding a casket in the catacombs. One of my memories of Lt. Stewart was the hike at Camp David where he made the platoon put chewing tobacco in their mouths and keep up with his long legs. Only two people didn't get sick

Regards, Semper Fi

Whitey
8th & I Marine EGIL "WHITEY" LEINES, Color Guard, 1958-1961, Alpharetta,GA

The above letter, dated June 21, 1957, was written by the widow (Jean) of U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy ... and was sent to 8th & I Marine Cornelius "Nick" Bailey, 1957-1958, Greenwich, CT. The 4th Platoon participated at Sen. Joe McCarthy's funeral in Washington and I believe that everyone got one.

7-30-10 ... Joe Westner ....super picture of Ernest "Dick" Savoy. I arrived at the barracks in January 1957 and was assigned to the newly formed 4th Platoon. Lt. Savoy was my platoon leader. Fair, quiet and articulate...looked like a Marine officer and acted like one. I saw him mad or perhaps better said, upset...once. The platoon was at Camp David in early spring of 1957 and I had met a young, good-looking gal that lived in Gettysburg. I borrowed one of my platoon mates (Bob Moroni) new Chevrolet and decided to go see her see her one evening. Ron Gaydosh went with me to meet one of her friends. After a wild evening and a snout full of beer, we headed back to Camp David and on that long lonesome drive I fell asleep at the wheel, turned over the car and completely destroyed it....luckily both of us never got a scratch. The state police arrested me and offered jail or a $25.00 fine. I was flat broke and said if you will drive me back to Camp David, I will get it from Lt. Savoy. The Trooper was a former Marine and said, lets go. I arrived at the gate about 0300 and walked up to the door of Lt. Savoy's hut (we all lived in separate little huts in 1957) and knocked on the door. Lt. Savoy came to the door in his shorts and I explained my problem to a very p--ssed off Marine Corps Lieutenant. He gave me the $25.00. The next morning walking down to the big house for chow....he walked down with me and put his hand on my shoulder and with a big smile, said "just pay me back when you get in". I never heard another word about it....what a wonderful gesture that I sorely needed that cold morning at Camp David.

As I worked my way through my own military career, I tried to emulate men like Dick Savoy, Richard Hatch, Bob Capeci, Ron Burton and even old 1Sgt Alsop. At the tender age of 19, I was quite fortunate to have had such a fine bunch of mentors.

Sorry for the windy note, but the picture brought back some very pleasant memories,

Semper fi....Denny Harris, CGC, 1957-58

Joe Ruszkowski guarding president Eisenhower at Newport RI. 1957

For items collected since the 1950's, Click here

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