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GySgt (Ret) Spencer

4th MRB
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Posts posted by GySgt (Ret) Spencer

  2. Spencer's USMC History Thread

    in Welcome Aboard

    Posted

    For any of you interested, information about my father’s destroyer during World War II, the most decorated destroyer in the US Navy, Pacific Theater, the USS Buchanan DD484.

    484buchanan_03.jpg

    The USS Buchanan, aka the “Buke” was a Benson – Gleaves class destroyer.  Ships were ordered based on a plan, but different ship builders added their own modifications to improve the original plans.  No two ships were exactly the same.

    The Buchanan and Aaron Ward, DD485 were built together and launched in November 1941.  These were the destroyers that were designed to hold off the Japanese Navy.  Note, the Ward, known as the “Double A”, was attacked by Japanese dive bombers in April 1943 in Iron Bottom Sound near Tulagi, and sunk.  In 1994 divers discovered the Ward in 240 feet of water in remarkably good condition.

    The Buchanan was dispatched to the South Pacific where she was assigned a multitude of assignments as were all the destroyers at that time.  The Area of Operation was so large, and the US Navy so small, these fighting ships became the work horses of the Navy when things were most desperate.  She was assigned carrier escort duty with the carrier, USS Wasp, CV 7, but was detached on another assignment before the Wasp was attacked and sunk.  The Ward was with the Wasp at the time.  The Buke was attached to the newly created Destroyer Squadron 12 (Desron 12). This fighting squadron of destroyers participated in the entire Solomon’s campaign and were involved in numerous naval engagements.

    During the invasion of Guadalcanal, the Buchanan supported the 1st Marine Raiders and a Paramarine battalion who assaulted Tulagi.  While the 1st MarDiv was landing unopposed on Guadalcanal across the sound, the Marine Raiders encountered heavy resistance from  Japanese Rikusentai, Japanese Marines, the toughest fighters Japan had.  The fighting at Tulagi was brutal with both of these two elite fighting forces slugging it out; neither side willing to accept defeat.  The Buchanan’s Captain saw the heavy fighting and ordered his ship in dangerously close to shore so they could put direct fire on Japanese fortified positions.   The Marines later commended the Buchanan for her daring and heroic action which saved many Marine lives.

    The Buchanan and her sister destroyers fought the Japanese navy while being outgunned, outnumbered and with less experience.  They held the line during the most desperate time of the war.  Desron 12 later made a daring raid on Kavieng and Rabual for which they were commended, and given the nickname, the “Scrappers.”  Desron 12 later was referred to as The Scraperoos”.

    The Buchanan participated in the entire Solomon’s campaign, including Guadalcanal, Bougainville, raids on Rabaul and Kavieng, and supported the invasions at Pelilu, Philippines, Formosa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and raids on Japanese mainland with the 3rd and 5th Fleets.

    Admiral Halsey remembered two of his old war horse destroyers with special honors during the surrender ceremony in Japan in August 1945; the Buchanan and Lansdowne.  The Buchanan was assigned to escort the flagship for Admiral Nimitz, the battleship, USS South Dakota into Tokyo Bay.  The Buchanan was assigned to ferry Admirals Nimitz and Halsey around Tokyo Bay and a couple days later transported General McArthur to the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri.

    Eleven Benson-Gleaves class destroyers were decorated for action in WWII, two for actions in the Solomons; the Laffey and the Buchanan.  The Laffey was sunk during the battle of Cape Esperance (Guadalcanal) in November 1942.  Sixteen Gleaves class destroyers were lost during the war.

    The Buchanan was awarded 16 battle stars, the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation for Task Force 38, and ended up being one of the most decorated Navy ships of WWII, and the most decorated Navy Destroyer in the Pacific Theater.

    Note:  My father joined the Buchanan as an 18 year old new sailor shortly before the invasion at Guadalcanal.  He was a signalman.  His station on ship was the radio room directly behind and connected to the ship's bridge and the bridge wings where the signal lamps were mounted.  I have often wondered if my father is in the photos of the Buchanan taken from the carrier Wasp while she was alongside taking on fuel and provisions.  You can see the Buchanan briefly in the famous John Wayne movie, “The Sands of Iwo Jima”.  My father saw the US Marines in action many times in the war.  The night before I went to Boot Camp we sat and he told me stories about what he saw.  He said the Marines were the toughest fighters he ever saw.  He said everyone knew, once the Marines landed the battle was won!  The Marines would not accept defeat and it was just a matter of time.

    More stories for another day. 

     

    80-G-220760.jpg

    The "Scraperoos" returning from THE famous raid on Rabaul.  Savo Island in background, Guadalcanal to their south (or right).  

     

     484buchanan_05.jpg

    Along side CV7, USS Wasp in Coral Sea area south of Solomon Island chain.

     

    PS  I wasn't even a twinkle in my father's eye yet !!!

     

  7. Spencer's USMC History Thread

    in Welcome Aboard

    Posted

    Short clip from the movie, "WORLD TRADE CENTER".  I have not seen the movie.  I don't know anything about the movie except this clip, which my Marine son sent me.  It shows two Marines who responded to the WTC.

     

    The reactions in the comments from people who saw this clip clearly were moved by what was called, the best movie line ever.

     

    Watch for yourself.

     

    This is a true story.  These were two Marines who responded on their own to help out.  

     

     

  9. Spencer's USMC History Thread

    in Welcome Aboard

    Posted

    FOLLOW UP ON BRITISH ROYAL MARINES AND US MARINES AT CHOSIN.

     

     

    I intentionally did not include the following with the last post about 41 Commando and the US Marines at the Chosin Reservoir to keep the length of the text from getting too long.  I did however want to share this so after waiting a few days, I am posting this now.

     

    The Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, MajGen Oliver Smith, sent the following message to LtCol Drysdale of the 41 Independent Commando.

     

     

    As Commanding General of the First Marine Division, I desire to take this opportunity to acknowledge the high qualities of leadership, heroism, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice displayed by officers and men of the 41 Independent Commando of the Royal Marines while serving with this division in North Korea.  I am familiar with the long and glorious history of the Royal Marines. This history records many outstanding feats of heroism, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice by units and individuals alike. The performance of the 41 Commandos during the drive from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, during the defense of Hagaru-ri, and during the advance from Hagaru-ri to the south will, in the perspective of history, take equal rank with the past exploits of the Royal Marines.

     

    I can give you no higher compliment than to state that your conduct and that of your officers and men under your command was worthy of the highest traditions of Marines.

     

     

    Following the battle, 41 Commando spent Christmas with the 1st Marine Division at Masan.  41 Commando suffered 50 percent casualties, killed, wounded or taken prisoner.  It was decided they would be withdrawn to Japan to await reinforcements.  LtCol Drysdale, RM, sent the following message to the Marines of the 1st Division.

     

    This is the first time that Marines of the two nations had fought side by side since the defense of the Peking Legation in 1900. Let it be said that the admiration of all ranks of 41 Commando for their Brothers in Arms was and is unbounded. They fought like tigers and their morale and esprit de corps is second to none.

     

     

    Note:  Before the Korean War, LtCol Drysdale had been an instructor at the Royal Marines Officer School.  He retired a Colonel in 1961.  Drysdale would say, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was the highlight of his career.

     

    Col%20Drysdale.jpg

  10. Spencer's USMC History Thread

    in Welcome Aboard

    Posted

    This story is dedicated to our Commanding Officer, Captain Childs.  As you all know, the Captain is British.

     

     

    When the American Congress directed that two battalions of Continental Marines be formed for service with the Continental Navy (we were not yet officially the “United States”), in 1775, we were starting something new.  To try and create a respectable military unit, the first Commandant of the Continental Marines looked to the British Royal Marines as a military organization to copy.  Over the history of the US Marines, there have been very few opportunities for the two organizations to fight together side by side.    This is one of those stories!

     

    In 1950, 1st Marine Division was engaged with the Chinese army at the now famous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.  Attached to the 1st Marine Division was 41 Commando of the Royal Marines.  In 1951, the 1st Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).  Attached units were eligible to receive this award, however, unfortunately, at that time there was no authorization to present the award to foreign units, thereby leaving 41 Commando out.

     

    Marine Chosin veterans who were displeased the Brits weren’t included petitioned to have the PUC issued to 41 Commando of the Royal Marines.  That took a great bit of doing for a couple reasons.  Not only did they need the US government to make a special authorization for a foreign unit to be issued this award, but also it required the British government to allow 41 Commando to receive it!  After fighting through many difficult diplomat channels, most of the permissions were obtained.  One final step, and the most difficult step, required the Queen to grant special “dispensation for the battle streamer representing the PUC to be displayed on the 41 Commando colours.  No British units have any streamers on their colours so this was a very big deal.  In fact on all Royal Marine Colours, the only battle represented is Gibraltar.

     

    In 1957, the Queen granted the special dispensation.  41 Commando is the only organization of the United Kingdom authorized to fly a foreign streamer from its colours.

     

     

    Note:  41 Independent Commando reported with around 235 men to the 1st Marine Division on 15 Nov 1950 in Hungnam to be used for reconnaissance.  They had previously worked with the Marines during the Inchon Invasion months before so this was a reunion of sorts.  Initially, they were assigned to “Task Force Drysdale” which also include a company of US Army troops, all under the command of LtCol Drysdale.  TF Drysdale was split up by a Chinese attack and less than 100 of 41 Commando emerged.  In 20 degrees below zero temperatures, the Brits assisted during the “Advance to the Sea” which started on 6 Dec.  Men of 41 Commando even conducted a unit inspection and shaved in this frozen hell, to impress their brother US Marines with their discipline.

     

     

    Chosin%20Marines.jpg

  14. Spencer's USMC History Thread

    in Welcome Aboard

    Posted

    OCTOBER 23, 1983

     

    A couple weeks from now will be the 35th Anniversary of the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima.  On that day, a terrorist drove a truck full of explosives into the temporary barracks building for the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1/8) in Beirut, Lebanon.  The attacked took the lives of 220 US Marines and 21 other US personnel.

     

    Two days later, Marines landed on Grenada to carry out Operation Urgent Fury to protect the lives of over 600 Americans who were students at a medical school.  Among other things the Marines secured Pearls Airport, Grenada's principle civilian airport and temporarily named it MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Douglas in honor of the 8th Marines Sergeant Major F. B. Douglas who died in the Beirut attack.

     

     

    One other quick comment about Operation Urgent Fury.  The Marines who participated in Operation Urgent Fury were from the 22nd MAU (Marine Amphibious Unit).  The 22nd MAU was the reinforced 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines who were already aboard ships and heading to Lebanon to replace their brothers of 1/8.

     

    You may not recall this incident but it was conducted very quickly with very little intelligence.  The first units there were the US Marines of the 22nd MAU and Army Rangers, followed shortly after by SEALS and Army Special Ops personnel.

     

     

    The following notable quote came from General John Vessey, US Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

     

      "We have two companies of Marines running all over this island and thousands of Army troops doing nothing!"

     

    This was absolutely true as the US Army commander for this operation kept ordering more 82nd Airborne battalions to the island, while a few companies of US Marines kept overrunning the island by themselves as they are known to do!

  22. Spencer's Video Thread

    in 4th MRB Arma Media Gallery

    Posted

    This is not your typical training or Operation video.  This is a short video showing a couple recent training accidents.

     

    I intended for people to see the lighter side of our unit and a little more about your personalities.

     

    I want to make different kind of videos to make it fresh and different; especially different from anyone else's Arma 3 unit videos.

     

    I hope you enjoy this.

     

    Watch in High Definition!

     

  23. Spencer's Video Thread

    in 4th MRB Arma Media Gallery

    Posted

    Riverine / RHIB:  Instruction, Training, Practice, SOP.

     

    Edited for your pleasure.

     

    I am experimenting with different video formats, including different audio systems, such as Dolby and Theater Sound, so if it sounds or looks a little different, thats why.  I always use high definition in all productions.

     

    These Instructional Videos are intended as a training resource for our unit, and not as much for theatrical entertainment as my other productions.

     

     

     

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