1st, 2nd and Weapons Platoons of G-2-6 in 1960-62

1st, 2nd and Weapons Platoons, "G" Company
2nd Battalion, 6th Marines
2nd Marine Division
November 1960 - March 1962

1st Platoon	2nd Platoon	Weapons Platoon	Headquarters
1st Lieut. K. R. Maloney - Deceased T/Sgt.(E-6) R. D. Pelky S/Sgt (E-5) J. M. Kent Cpl (E4) J. O. Baker Cpl (E4) Edward J. Hart Cpl (E4) R. Labash Cpl (E4) Paul Malone L/Cpl Jose P. Balboza L/Cpl R. H. Chichester L/Cpl C. L. Frost Pfc. F. H. Haussmann L/Cpl O.M. Jones L/Cpl R. E. Joseph* L/Cpl Harold A. Moore - Deceased L/Cpl S. M. Morris Pfc. J. R. Davis Pfc. R. R. Davis Pfc. G. W. Lake Pfc. Albert A. Sears Pvt. Thomas E. Crawford Pvt. T. Kaminsky	2nd Lieut. Douglass. M. Carver G/Sgt (E7) D. M Bolick S/Sgt (E-5) Delbert J. Jones Sgt (E-4) Richard R. "Frog" Gunn L/Cpl ___ R. Franks Cpl (E3) Emmit S. Holmes L/Cpl Gary Lewis L/Cpl Nathaniel Martin L/Cpl W. R. O'Neil L/Cpl Harold G. Shook Pfc Lee C. Davis Pfc. Richard Landry Pfc. D. P. Laux Pfc. R. D. Michaels Pfc. W. W. "Monk"Moxley Pfc. William E. Port Pfc David Clay Prescott Pfc. Gary D. Rodwell Pvt. Francis F. Rose Pfc. A. J. Sikora Pfc Junius F. Sosebee Pfc. L. D. Stone Pfc Charles E. Wilson - Deceased	1st Lieut. J. R. Curl T/Sgt (E-6) L. H. Dade Sgt. (E6) R. D. Pelkey Sgt. (E-4) J. T. Handrinos L/Cpl George Astorga L/Cpl K. E. Barber Pfc. J. M. Austin Pfc. Lee J. Duncan, Jr. - Deceased Pfc. Willy C. Jones Pfc. Rocco Minicone Pfc. Richard A. Mische Pfc. Rodney J. Parrott	Capt. Kenneth J. Skipper 1st Lieut. Merrill. A. Sweitzer 1st Sgt. (E8) E. J. Perkins Co. G/Sgt (E7) R. F. Lykens Pfc. J. P. Bowman (Flames) Corpsman Steven P. Fetterly

*L/Cpl Joseph was last seen by Ed Hart in Okinawa in 1965. Joseph was on his way to Vietnam.

George Astorga: Born in Cuba in 1940, from the age of nine, I grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
While studying Architecture at Pratt Institute I was approached by the recruiters and signed up for four years with the Corps because of the sharp uniform and because after eighteen months in Pensacola, Florida I would be a Second Lieutenant and a pilot, they said.
In April 1959 I was greeted by the DIs in Parris Island and graduated with Platoon 321 thirteen weeks later with a 0300 MOS. The pilot thing was denied first because I had a tooth cavity (you had to be perfect) and the second time because I missed the College equivalency test by five points. So be it. I was a Marine!
After ITR, I was assigned to F-2-6 as a rifleman and we did Vieques, I think; then I heard about G-2-6 next door going on a trip and volunteered. There, I was assigned to Weapons Platoon and a 3.5 rocket launcher.
After Solant Amity I transferred to M-3-8 where I became a fire team leader and did a Med Cruise.
In 1962 I was transferred to Headquarters Battery-1-10, with a new MOS at Battalion Intelligence (S-2) as an Interpreter/Interrogator during the Cuban Missile Crisis because I could speak Spanish. We wound up on a carrier off the coast of Havana and things got tense for a while. I was too short for this!
On April 1963 I made the cut and got out after serving only three years, eleven months, and twenty-seven days.
After leaving the Corps I worked in the stock transfer department at Citibank in Wall Street, studied at night and became a computer programmer.
In 1970 our family moved to Miami, Florida where I slowly rose thru the ranks and became a systems analyst and later an applications development manager in the computer industry.
I married in 1977, have one son and a beautiful granddaughter, was downsized and retired in 2002, and now enjoy being a soccer granddad and dabbling in real estate.
So much for my story.This website has brought back so many memories of the Corps, G-2-6 and Solant Amity, and I’m really proud to have served with you guys. As I read comments and see all of the pictures a lot of it comes back, although I now suffer from CRS (Can’t Remember Shit) which affects many of us Floridians with too much time in the sun.
Thanks for the memories. Semper Fi. [ Email me at: georgeastorga@comcast.net ]

Jose P. Balboza: Born 1941 and entering USMC in April 1959, graduated with Platoon 220-59 and, after infantry training at Camp Geiger, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC.
It was late September 2004 that we reached Jose.
He has chosen to maintain his privacy.

Should you, as a former member of G-2-6 only, have an interest in contacting him, please send any inquiries to this Site's webmaster , who will forward your request to him.

Douglass M. Carver: [ Editor's Note: Former 2nd Lieutenant and now, long ago releaased from active duty, Captain USMCR Carver is the first of our Company's officers "recovered." I look forward to seeing more.
A big Semper Fi to Doug and a thank you for reaching out to us. ]
Born in 1938 and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and the middle Atlantic states, I joined the Marine Corps in September 1959, out of ROTC at Harvard University, beginning my Basic at Quantico, Virginia. For a short period thereafter, I was in charge of two platoons of officer recruits. Then, off I went, sent to the pine barrens of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to serve in the 6th Marines as an infantry officer until leaving the Marine Corps, in September 1961, with the rank of 1st Lieutenant ...anything less would have been surprising.
After my brief Marine career, I went to graduate school at Boston University [African Affairs, no less, as I was likely still under the influence of those many nights in Pointe Noire] and Political Science at the Ecole de Sciences Politiques, in Paris. The latter interest, I've always thought, being a direct impact of my many experiences as a Shore Patrol Officer in those french language ports in Africa. Finally, however, as life would have it, there came a time when all of this background and education need be put to making a living. First stop: Chase Manhattan Bank.
With it being tough as a RABID Red Fox fan such as myself to live in a Yankee town, I've always appreciated their kindness in sending me to Europe, in 1966. After "tours" in Switzerland and Belgium, I "jumped ship" to McKinsey in 1969 and began what has been the balance of a lifetime in Paris. Hardly a tragic circumstance.
Following my efforts for McKinsey, I worked for a French construction company, which provided many a trip to Africa and South America. Then, there was a German manufacturer of pharmaceutical packaging and, for the last twenty years, I've been running my own...very small...consulting firm and teaching at France's answer to the Harvard Business School.

March 1961 - Cape Town, SA.

Though contemplating retirement, I can't bring myself to do so. Perhaps because I'd like to believe myself the "fit young thing" of 50 years ago.
I met and married, Anke, a German woman living in Paris and remain so, though I wonder what she's in it for. We've two children, Kai and Astrid, neither of which you will notice bear Scottish names...sSomething very telling about who runs the family. You know, running a platoon of hard-charging, young Marines was a lot easier than getting a strong-willed-and-minded wife and two children to follow orders.
My daughter upped-and-married a Frenchman few years ago, thus, Anke and I have two young grand-daughters.
The Solant cruise was a wonderful experience. I have often bored my family with tales of Viegues, where Captain Skipper couldn't find my platoon for hours as we were on the wrong hill; a visit to a house on stilts in Recife where, as but a tourist mind you, I saw the largest heart-shaped bed imaginable and ne'er seen since; shore duty on Dakar where, after getting Marines and sailors alike back to their ships, my sergeant an myself went to the beach and hauled nets with local fishermen; a day spent with the crew and officers of a wine tanker(!) in Pointe Noire; the idyl [ wonderfully carefree experience] in Cape Town, where to everyone's surprise and pleasure our black Marines had a better time than their white comrades; then there was that great weekend in Madrid, where I allowed my imagination to get ahead of reality; and much, much more.
As for the USMC, I owe it for the education I received in how to lead men: to respect them and ensure that they respect you. It provided lessons applied my entire business life, which has not necessarily guaranteed success but has provided endless satisfaction in the feeling that people who have worked for me benefited from the experience, though not as much as I have in working with and for them.
I can be reached at: dmcarver@post.harvard.edu
Semper fi to "All Hands."

Steven P. Fetterly : Born in 1934 and now in Independence Missouri, joined the Navy through the Naval Reserve at the age of but fifteen in 1949.
I served nearly all of my 20 plus years of service time with the Fleet Marine Force. The years of exception were from that of my first enlistment …as Machinist’s Mate through Striker … until 1951, when my MOS changed to that of Corpsman. In 1952, I was assigned to Camp Lejeune’s hospital. Thereafter I was at different times assigned to still more duty with the 2nd MarDiv, Quantico’s Air Wing detachment, the Naval Air Station at Naha, Okinawa and the 3rd MarDiv’s Camp Schwab, also in Okinawa.
It was during one of my stints with the 2MarDiv, I served with both G-2-6 during Solant Amity I’s “Good Will” Congo Rebellion period as part of the 3rd Medical Battalion aboard the Hermitage and with F-2-6 on Solant Amity III for more of the same. Later still came the Cuban Crisis. And, somewhere around the house, I’ve a letter from the Graham County indicating that I had crossed the equator 12 times and 6 more on the Suffolk County, twice through the “eye.”
While serving with the 3rdMarDiv in Vietnam, I did stints with VP-47 and some time later with VP-50.
In 1974, I retired from active duty and remained attached to the Fleet Reserve until 1980. And while I’m now 74 years old, I feel confident I could still pass the old Navy fitness test, as I’ve no problem practicing Bulgarian style weight lifting with kettle bells, carrying my 235 pounds at 18-20%.
Until it closed shop, I was the Missouri Commander of the Association of American Veteran’s That Enlisted Underage. And, even now I frequent the Marine and Navy recruiting offices and serve on the Honor Guard.
In 1965, while serving in Okinawa, I married and remain so to the same wonderful woman. And we’ve two wonderful children.
After leaving the Navy I worked my way up to foreman at a trucking firm and in 1982 bought my own truck and drove it until completely removing myself from the labor/business arena in 1985.
Life’s been good and I’m here to prove it. Semper fi to all those Marines and Corpsmen I’d served with over those many years of the last century. Drop me a line at 16601 East Third Street, Independence, MO 64056-1623 or s.fetterly@att.net.

Edward Hart: Born in 1934, I'd been part of USMC for about eight years before the SolantAmity "excursion." Joining the Corps in 1951 at 17, I did a stint in Korea beginning in '53. By 1959, I'd accumulated a few more assignments before becoming one of the original input members of G-2-6. I was a Corporal in the 1st Platoon at the time. And, I recall that, when the company was divided up and temporarily separated from the USS Graham County, my squad went aboard the Vogelgesang and remained there throughout the Santa Maria incident.
After Solant and leaving the 6th Marines, I found myself with the same Pathfinder unit that had been aboard the Hermitage. Great guys, all. Then, in '65, I left the States for Vietnam and assignment with the 9th Marines and remained there for most of the balance of my career. I did four tours in Nam, returning to CONUS in '69 and retired as a Staff Sergeant at the San Diego, Amphibious Base in 1972.
Thereafter, I went to college, got a degree and performed all manner of meaningless jobs. One child and a marriage later, I sailed to Hawaii and worked for five years with the Post Office, when I finally deciding that life is too short for one to accept only the tedious. After owning, some more ocean sailing, and the selling of a few more boats, I returned to the mainland, bought Hooligan and sailed around the globe.
When I received an email from George Bitsoli, he sent me to the Solant Amity web page. And, "WOW!," was it ever so great reliving the past for a while. Those were great days.
Like many others, I always said I would return to Cape Town, South Africa one day. Well, in 1995, as part of that three-and-a-half year sojourn around the world, I did return. And, man-o-man how things have changed. About the only thing the same is Table Mountain.

Ed, after 52 days at sea.
Believe me, today, he's a good deal more charming in person. [Editor]

I'm now divide my living between Rock Hall, Maryland, where I listen to Ron Smith on WBAL all the time, and northern Florida. That is when I'm not sailing out of either and/or preparing for another trip somewhere along the eastern seaboard or offcoast.
Reach out and contact me at hooliganx6@aol.com .Florida.
To read published articles about Ed Hart's solo-circumnavigation on a 29 foot sailboat, see the following: 1) Around the World; 2) One storm, two muggings, a collision and circumnavigation. And, for no particlular reason, I thought I'd let you know he loves his "Wawa Coffee."

Richard Landry: Born 1941 and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts, I attended Waltham High School until Feb59, when for some reason I will never figure out, I just went down and joined the Corps. I went through Parris Island in Platoon 118. After boot camp I was assigned to Cryptograph school at Twenty-Nine Palms; B U T, I could not get a "Crypto" clearance because my father was Canadian. What a bummer, Dad!
Soooo, I was assigned the dreaded 0300 MOS and sent on to Geiger for Advanced Infantry Training. From there it was 2nd Platoon, G-2-6, a BAR and several trips to Vieques, with which I believe you're all familiar. It was there that I was so cordially introduced to the dynamic bar-fly duo of Messrs. Don Q and Ron Bacardi. We became intimate friends, the duo and I.
Then along came Solant Amity and a chance to see the world. It was after Solant that I realized how much I really loved traveling at Uncle Sam's expense, so I transferred to the 8th Marines and did a Med Cruise. That was also a blast. After that, I was sent to NBC school at Geiger and became an assistant instructor there running the infamous gas chamber, where you will all remember having sung the Marine Corps Hymn so awfully and to the point of tears.
What a bunch of cry-babies Marines are when you put them in a room full of CS gas and make them sing!
I got out in '63 and went back to Waltham. After about a year of screwin' around, I got married and got some odd jobs but finally got on track and ended up owning a small chain of sporting goods stores on the North Shore area of Boston. I had stores in Salem, Danvers, Woburn and Cambridge. It started out as Salem Army & Navy, then changed to Colman's Sporting Goods, then to MVP Sports Stores. I worked at that for about seventeen years. My wife and I raised three great kids and I now have four grand-kids who are just a hoot. I sold the business in '86 and slid back south to Florida where I've been beaching and golfing ever since. Still a lousy 18 handicap. Dammit I hate golf!
Now I'm messing around with real estate and making a few bucks here and there. That's my happy story, "and I'm stickin' to it."
I'd love to hear about what the rest of you grunts have been doing. Drop me a line at fivestar1@gmail.com.
A very big Semper Fi to you all.

Rocco Minicone: Born in Utica, in 1942, I was raised in Rochester, New York. After high school, I entered the Marine Corps in March of '59 and finished my stints on Parris Island with, first, Platoon 121, then a short gig with the "Fatman's" Platoon and finally graduating with Platoon 320.
Thereafter, I was assigned to ITR at Camp Geiger, North Carolina followed by a transfer to "Fox" Company of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines at Lejeune. Then, things got real cool.
I was detailed to perform Military Police duties for the 6th Marines, was sent to the FBI training center in Quantico for six weeks and returned to Lejeune. In October of 1960, word of a good will cruise came up that required seven military police. Ooorah! I signed up.
It was the best move I ever made. The greatest time of may life was on Solant Amity. I went places I would never seen in some other life, and made friends that would last forever...the proof of that being this very website.
After return to CONUS, I re-enlisted and was reassigned to the Marine Barracks in San Juan, P.R, again with the Military Police, was eventually

promoted to E-4 Corporal and became the Assistant Brig Warden.
In June of 1962, I met the woman that I would spend the rest of life with. I've been married now for 40 years, have three wonderful daughters and seven equally great grandchildren.
Staying in San Juan for 5 years, I was reassigned to MP service at Camp Lejuene until 1966 when I was transferred to the 3rd MP at Chu Lai, then on to Con Thien and, finally, Da Nang where, in November of '67, I was wounded, returned to CONUS for recuperation and reassigned. I spent my last 6 years in the Corps on recruiting duties in my home town and, in 1973, was medically retired at the rank of E7 Gunnery Sergeant.
Returning to the real world, I did two years with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in Rochester, New York. Then, while finishing off the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Rochester, I simultaneously acquired an itch to move to Las Vegas, Nevada where I quickly found I was too old, at 36, to work with the Nevada police. Go figure. Sooo, boo-hoo, to compensate, I got a job with a liquor and beer wholesale outfit. A really great job for a Marine.
Retiring from that "effort" in 2001, I've been enjoying life while doing nothing more than hunting, fishing and traveling. Recently, I went back to work for a good friend of mine, as the executive vice-president of his construction company. But, I've also been finding that I seem to be thinking more and more of the good times and friends from my days of [Marine Corps] yore. We should all get together again.
Any one who want reach me by E-mail can do so by dropping me a line at Sgtrock126@aol.com . God bless and Semper Fi.

Richard A. Mische, Sr.: Born in 1939 and entered the Corps on 14April59 and graduated with Platoon 320.
Like most of us in "Golf" Company, I was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines after ITR at Camp Geiger. At first I was sent to "Fox" Company and when the call for volunteers went out for the Solant Amity cruise in the fall of '60, I was reassigned to G-2-6 for the "duration plus...." In 1962, when "G" was being broken up, I went to the 8th Engineering Battalion at Lejeune and was sent to Camp Garcia in Viegues, PR to assist in construction projects there. Later, as time closed in on what proved to be a not too early release, I was again reassigned to Food Services Division at Lejeune. I was released from active duty 12Apr63, one entire day earlier than I might have expected. Ooorah!
I married Barbara in 1973 and remain so to this day with a daughter [ Dawn ] and two sons, Richard, Jr. and Brian. After forty years as a machine operator, I retired and work now when I please.

Service in the Corps, though so very far in my past, remains important. Aside from doing the right thing for my country at the time, it provided direction and purpose to a life probably not much different from your own. And, along the way, there were some very good times in places far removed from East Hartford, Connecticut. I remain particularly fond of my Cape Town, SA recollections.
I'm so really glad to learn that efforts are being made to recapture those times and reestablish relationships with comrades from so very long ago.
I've no email address but I can be contacted at 3574 Country Lane Cove, Bartlett, TN 38133-2802 or by phone at (901) 377-2313.
Semper fi to you all of .

Rodney J. Parrott: Born in Columbus, Georgia in 1942 and raised in Pheonix City, Alabama I joined the Marine Corps in 1959 in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 17 and graduated from Parris Island Platoon 222. I proceeded to Camp Geiger for my infantry combat training and, from there, to Lejeune, where I served 30 months in the 2nd Weapons Platoon of H & S Company, as a mortar man. It was from there that I was detailed to G-2-6 for the duration of the outstanding Solant Amity I cruise to South America and Africa.
I remember fondly those times and six of us in particular that were very close: Mike Obergfoll, Albert A. Sears, William Akey, John P. Bowman, Johnny Ricks and J. P. Walsh. We were a wild bunch! Just looking at the website’s platoon roster brought back some fond memories. I can’t but wonder what the impact of seeing the entire Company Roster will be like.
After exiting the Marine Corps and while still working on acquiring the skills of a finished carpenter and builder.

Ron & Barbara - 2007

I married in 1964 and remain so to this day to a wonderful woman, wife and mother: Barbara. We have six children, three boys and three girls, who are grown now and married with the exception of our youngest son, Joshua. He has one more year of school before he graduates.
In 1967, I answered God’s calling to be a preacher and missionary. Four years later, graduating from Tennessee
Temple Bible School in Chattanooga, incredibly, I wound up working with our armed forces, in Europe. “Transferred,” so to speak, to Rota, Spain of all places, I pastored the Bethel Baptist Church for the military for nearly a decade. Would you believe my church was in a building that used to be a night club we drank and fought in when pulling liberty, on our way back to CONUS at the completion of the Solant Amity I Cruise!!!
Well, now I'm 63 and still an active, though old, Marine. The young can be dangerous but we “old” Marines can be lethal.
Hey, when I preached a message in a church in Newport, NC the title of my sermon was "Semper Fi; Do Or DIE!" Those Marines near shouted the roof-rafters from the building.
I’ve spent nearly my entire adult life working with the greatest people on earth, our military personnel stationed all over this world.
I have, in fact, been the pastor of five different military churches in Spain, Italy and Germany. More recently, I’ve been working world-wide, filling-in the pulpits of near vacant churches, long-ago established and awaiting full-time pastors. Just this past year alone, I have been to Germany, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Guam, Alaska; and, right now [August 2005] I'm in Yokosuka, Japan.
God has given me an exciting life, starting with the Marine Corps’ making a man out of a 17 year old boy.
I went into the Marines as Ronnie J. Parrott instead of Rodney. At that time I thought Rodney was a little "Sissy". Also, when I went for my physical the recruiter made me eat two pounds of bananas so I could top the scales at 120 lbs. I was 6'1" and weighed 118 lbs. Now I have a whole lot of Marine muscle packed in "cosmolene!!!"
If you know how to reach our fellow Marines and/or how to get a yearbook from our boot camp days, I would appreciate it. Stay in touch Marines. Send me an email at rodneyparrott@bellsouth.net . And, a roaring SEMPER FI!!! to you all.

William E. Port: Born Boston in 1940, I lived there until entering the Marine Corps 6Mar59, suffered the abuses of Parris Island with Platoon 218 and was, after ITR at Camp Geiger, assigned to "E" Company, 2nd Battalion of the 6th Marines. Along with a great many more of us, I volunteered for the Solant Amity Cruise and was reassigned to "G" Company in the fall of 1960. Because of an injury later sustained to my back, I was after leaving "G" Company assigned to a variety of administrative positions, the last of which being at the Material and Maintenance unit of Lejeune's 2nd Force Services Regiment. I left active duty on 5Mar63 but didn't, for some time, get away from J-ville.
Married while still in the Corps of 1961 to a gal from the Jacksonville community, I remained there for the better part of 15 years, working first as a brick layer/welder and later as a contractor. By 1985, I had moved back to Boston, the marriage had dissolved...after three children: two sons (Scott and Jeffrey) and a daughter (Shari) all of whom pursued careers in the Army and I'm quite proud of...and I continued to make a living as a contractor in Boston. But, that old back injury had followed me through the years until I found it necessary to obtain a spine fusion operation and a veteran's disability.
Thereafter, I owned and operated a shoe repair shop in the Cape Cod area, where I've remained ever since, retiring from all working efforts in 2001.
The Solant Cruise, my four years in the Corps and a host of my more youthful transgressions appear to become more vivid and more exciting as the years begin to slide by, ever the more fast. To all those that shared with me those times, those experiences and the lasting memories I send a heart felt Semper fi.
My email address is usmcportwp@wmconnect.com . Or, if you'd chose a long handed approach, write to 42 Wareham Lake Shore Drive, East Wareham, MA 02538. I can't begin to express how glad I would be to hear from you. But, as I do a lot of traveling about the country with my significant other, please be patient in waiting for a response.

Albert A. Sears: Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1939 and raised in Massepequa, Long Island I entered the Marine Corps in April of '59 and graduated Parris Island with Platoon 220, did 30 days of mess duty at Geiger...feeding summer reservists...then received the required month of infantry training and was then sent to "E" Company, 2nd Battalion , 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune.
After finishing a near 15 month stint of controlled input, I volunteered for "G" Company for what has become recognized as the greatest of all known "cruises:"SoLant Amity.
Leaving G-2-6, I spent my remaining months in the Marine Corps with Lejeune's Combat Engineer's 2nd Bridge Battalion.
Returning to New York I reestablished a trucking carreer I'd started before entering the Corps [ at 20 years of age] and by 1957 was well established and delivering sand, gravel and concrete for construction projects throughout the Long Island region. I continued to do so until 1972 when I opted for a one year sabbatical from all labor.
Packing an MG with camping equipment I drove and camped throughout the nation with it for nine months until, for security reasons, "stepping up" to a Nomad truck camper...with which I hauled the MG...for another two months. By '73, and in Savanna, I was back in harness and for seven years humped not yet world recognized hazardous materials like sulfuric acid and anhydrous ammonia. The sort of things the vapors of which melt your lungs.
By 1980 I'd opted for something a bit less dramatic and hauled furnishings for Pier One to all points north to Portland, Maine for four years when I began to haul phenolic resins used in adhesives for Georgia Pacific.
By 1988, I'd wearied of the long haul life-style, returned to New York and started hauling diesel fuel locally and more recently preparing to change to the transport of large propane storage tanks.
With all of this moving and "rollin-rollin'-rollin" about, I managed to marry, have two wonderful children, divorce and settle down for the past twenty years with Lei-lani [ which means Heavenly Flower ]. I'm living in a 107 year old historical monument, of sorts, in Amityville [ home of the Amityville horror] on Long Island.
The Marine Corps, Solant Amity, the many and incredible stories of those years have never really been to far from my thoughts. AND, I can't tell you how often I've spoken of those six months of ocean sailing, the people, places and varied adventures encountered all at government expense.
Those wishing to contact me can do so by mail at 25 Wellington Place, Amityville, New York 17701; by phone at (631)-691-7320.
Then, of course, there is email. Now, keep in mind, I'm not much into the internet so anything sent will have to wait the relay required: you send it, Lei-lani reads it and passes it on to me. Whereupon, I have to struggle through some hunt-and-peck responce or persuade Lei-lani to "HELP me!!!!" So, I ask that you be patient. My email address is laniy@optonline.net .
Semper fi to you all; "Albee"

Here's our "blast from the past" at the helm of sailboat Highlight, Ed Shea's 37' Pacific Seacraft, in Long Island Sound:

The former Private First Class and now "Captain" Albert Sears on 1 September 2009

Kenneth J. Skipper : [ Editor's Note: The former Captain and Company Commander of G-2-6, after a long and distinguished career, left the Marine Corps as a Major in June 1972. I thank him for his long and exemplary service to his country.
Then, too, I must express how extremely grateful I and other former members of the Solant Amity I adventure are for the efforts of Ed Hart in finding the Major.]
Born 1928 in Galveston, Texas, I was raised in Mobile, Alabama. In 1946, I enlisted in the Marine Corps for the first time, did the usual stint in Parris Island and was immediately transferred to China to serve in various units until discharged in May of 1948. Returning stateside, I entered Spring Hill College, in Mobile, served with the Army ROTC while attending, graduated with a degree in history, reentered the Marine Corps in 1953 and began six months of training at the Officer's Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
That done, the Corps in late '53 shipped me off, first, to Japan for but a few months and then, until 1955, to Korea. With no complaints, I'd spent four of my split five Corps' years in the Orient and it was time for some CONUS duty time.
In Mid-'55, as a recently promoted First Lieutenant, I was assigned to MCRD, Pendleton, California for three years. Thus it was that I served first as Aide to General Bowser, who was instrumental in establishing safeguard and oversight standards for west coast recruit training following the 8Apr56 drowning of six Parris Island recruits. Later, I would serve in the then newly established capacity of "Series Commander" overseeing the ongoing training operations of Marine recruits.
By 1958, I was once again transferred, this time to the infantry and H&S Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines at MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There, in little more than year, the 2nd Batt-6th had sailed and landed in Lebanon, did a six month stint in the Med and, with myself as Operations Officer, a St. Lawrence River "cruise" to Lake Erie, with landings in Chicago, Cleveland, Rochester, Milwaukee and more.

2nd Lieutenant Kenneth J. Skipper, 1953

In August 1959, I was given command of G-2-6, met with Division Staff and discussed the specific objectives, training and logistical requirements for Solant Amity I.
Designed and initiated by the then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, SoLantAmity had something of a three fold purpose. First; it was to "show the flag" during a time when so many of the West African nations were obtaining their independence from their European protectors. Second; we were to provide something akin to American "police presence," as much of the region was subject to communist influences and, particularly in the Congo, revolution. Third; we might have been needed to protect American lives, political and economic interests. To accomplish these things, the Navy had its part to play: transport and provide new flags. The Marine Corps was to furnish the young men and armament required of a "police force" to protect American interests and provide the tip of some greater military spear should it become necessary. And, to that end, I set to finding and securing personnel, training and equipment I deemed necessary to fulfill those obligations.
Personnel were handpicked and interviewed by myself and the Company brought to T.O.. The latter providing a "no promotion" environment for the duration of the assignment to G-2-6. Stateside training incorporated some elements common only to Recon, such as familiarity with parachute landings and ever memorable inflatable craft exercises at Onslow Beach. After mounting out and arriving in Viegues, extensive and intensive weapons and tactics training became the order of every day. This done, G-2-6 set to sea, ready for whatever we might encounter.
Fortune smiled upon us. None of the negative imagined scenarios occurred and SoLantAmity I became and remains a positive and memorable experience for all hands.
Returning to CONUS in May 1961, I was one month later reassigned to Pickle Meadows, in the High Sierra Mountains of California. There I served in a variety of executive and commanding positions in the Cold Weather Survival, and Mountain Leadership Programs as well as Camp Operations Officer until 1963 at the Marine Corps' Mountain Warfare Training Center(MCMWTC). Thereafter, I was transferred to the 1st Marine Air Wing, assigned to its G-1, promoted to Major and remained until 1964. Clearly, I was acquiring broad experience with a wide range of Marine Corps offerings. And it was time to share some of them and their impacts upon me over my, then, twelve years in the Corps.
In 1964, I began what was to be three years at the USMC Basic School, in Quantico, Virginia. And, while there, I served as an Instructor, then Executive Officer and lastly as the Commander of the Basic School's H&S Company until November of '67, when transferred to and assigned as Operations Officer for Headquarters Unit, 1st Marine Division...Vietnam. In March or April of'68, following the Tet Offensive, I was once again reassigned, this time as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, located in north central Vietnam's Quang Nam Province which extended from the South China Sea on the east to the Laotian border.
By June, I had become the Commanding Officer and remained so until reassigned as executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division in February 1969. After some twenty months in Vietnam, I returned to CONUS to serve with the Division of Reserves in Washington, D.C. for a year.
In August '70, I began an eighteen month stint in Okinawa, returned to the U.S. in 1972 and retired from the Corps that June. The twenty-one year adventure begun in 1946-48, renewed in 1953 had come to an end.
In retirement, I tried my hand at teaching Government and History for the local school district for a year, changed direction in 1973 and began working in the Marketing Section of what is now Regions Bank, retiring-from it in 1993.
And now? Well now, I'm enjoying the fruits of my many labors over the years. With a full social calendar, the occasional and appreciated contact with the souls of my past and the required exercise provided by four days of golf a week, I'm enjoying it all along with the many fine memories of the past.
Not being on the internet, I ask that you reach out and snail mail me at 3713 Claridge Road [South] in Mobile, Alabama 36608.
Semper fi to you all.

Merrill A. Sweitzer, Jr. : Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Retired (msweitzer@webtv.net) was the Executive Officer of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, during the Solant Amity I Cruise (November 1960 – May 1961) and summed up his long remembered observations as follows:
Solant Amity I truly made for an exciting six (6) months. There was never a dull moment. From the equator crossing at sea initiation to the “recapture” by a USN destroyer with a platoon of Company G Marines embarked of a high seas “piracy” of the SANTA MARIA, a sleek Portuguese liner; to crossing the equator eight (8) times to include zero-zero latitude-longitude making the crossers royal shellbacks; to an amphibious landing from the sea over the beach utilizing Navy amphibious ships with embarked Marine helicopters, Marine surface amphibious landing craft and Marines at Monrovia, Liberia to another like landing at Cape Town, South Africa witnessed by some 30,000 spectators; to navigating an LSD and LST up the Congo River over 50 miles to the port of Matadi conducting a UN troop evacuation of Guinean military troops from the Congo returning them to their home country at Conakry, Guinea; to a Company G honor guard in Monrovia, Liberia for the President of Liberia.
What was particularly noteworthy was the conduct and performance of the embarked Marines. At no time in the six (6) month deployment did we have an embarrassing situation ashore, thus fulfilling our people to people mission of spreading good will and friendship with each Marine being an ambassador for his country in the African countries bordering the west coast of Africa when old colonial powers were being replaced with new nations with a choice between communism and the democratic way of life.
In a unique Navy Marine Corps team assignment, the individual Marines distinguished performance upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Semper fi to all. (msweitzer@webtv.net)
Biography:
Lieutenant Colonel Merrill A Sweitzer, Jr. was born on February 20, 1935 in Oval (Jersey Shore), PA. He graduated

from the Jersey Shore Area School District in 1953 and entered Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA graduating in 1957 with a B.S. degree in Education, winning 46 consecutive track races and States in the mile in 1956 and 1957. He was commissioned a Marine Second Lieutenant in December 1957, marrying his high school/college sweetheart on December 28, 1957. He completed the 20th Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the Training and Test Regiment, Quantico, VA. and entered The Basic School (TBS) at Camp Barrett, Quantico in January 1958 (BC1-58). Upon completion of 32 weeks of school (Sept. 1959), he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he was a rifle, weapons, mortar and 106 recoilless rifle platoon leader. In July 1959 he was promoted to First Lieutenant (01).
From November 1960 to May 1961 he was the Executive Officer of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines during SOLANT AMITY I, a six (6) month good will deployment on embarked US Navy ships to Africa. From June to October 1961 he was the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines Training Officer (S-3) in charge of rifle requalification with the battalion winning the Commanding General’s Markmanship Trophy. On October 10, 1961 he was commended for his performance of duty as Battalion Training Officer by the Battalion Commander. He was aide to the Commanding General’s 2nd Marine Division Berkley and Weisman from Oct 61 to Sept 62.
During this period when Major General Weisman was the Commanding General, the 2nd Marine Division, conducted an amphibious landing over Onslow Beach near Risley Pier. This demonstration incorporated the Navy Marine Corps Amphibious Assault doctrine and the Marine Air/Ground Team tactical concept. The presentation was for President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson. Many Washington dignitaries including the Joint Chiefs of Staff accompanied the President and Vice President.
He was promoted to Captain (03) in July 1962 and was assigned to the USS Hunley AS-31, a polaris submarine tender, in September 1962, home ported in Holy Loch, Scotland as the Commanding Officer of a Marine Detachment of 26 Marines for 25 months. On June 9th, 1964 he received a commendation for outstanding performance by U.S. Navy Commander Submarine Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In November 1964 he was assigned to The Basic School (TBS) Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA where he was a Staff Platoon Commander of Second Lieutenants and a tactics instructor. From February 1967 to July 1967 he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS), Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, graduating in July 1967.
He was promoted to Major (04) in June 1967. Deploying to Vietnam in September 1967, he joined the 1st Marine Division Reinforced, FMF. From Sept 1967 to Sept 1968 he was Executive Officer and Acting Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and the Regimental Logistics Officer (S-4). He participated in the TET Offensive. In September 1968 he was assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit (NROTC), Miami University, Oxford, Ohio as the Marine Officer Instructor (MOI). In August 1971 Miami University presented him with a Masters Degree in Education Administration (MED). He was a member of the University faculty holding the academic rank of Associate Professor teaching a three (3) credit course titled “the evolution of the art of war”. In August 1971 he returned to the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC where he was the S-3 of the 6th Marine Regiment and the 34th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) and G-3 8th Marine Amphibious Brigade (MAB) for the NATO training exercise DEEP FURROW 1972, receiving a commendation from Commander Sixth Fleet. Returning from the Mediterranean Sea six (6) month deployment, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division G-3 as Assistant Operations Officer for Colonel Alfred Gray who later became Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). On May 2, 1973 he was commended for his performance as Joint Opposition Forces Ground Operation Officer for exercise EXOTIC DANCER VI. The Major left the 2nd Marine Division in August 1973 and was assigned to the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA as a student graduating with distinction in January 1974. He then was assigned to Headquarters Company, Marine Security Guard Battalion (MSGBN), Headquarters Marine Corp (HQMC), Arlington, VA and served as a United Nations Military Observer (UNMO) from Feb 1974 to Feb 1975 assigned to the United Nations Outpost, Tiberias, Israel reporting cease fire breaches in the Israel/Syria cease fire sector on the Golan Heights and as Operations Officer of the Tiberian Control Center receiving a commendation from the Chief of Staff, UNTSO.
He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (05) in July 1974 and completed the Marine Corps Command and Staff College Extension Course November 1974. From there Colonel Sweitzer was assigned to Company B, Headquarters Company, HQMC, Arlington, VA April 1975 where he was assigned to the HQMC Plans and Policy Division, Western Regional Branch as an Action Officer on the Middle East/African desk dealing with Pentagon military issues pertaining to these geographic regions. On June 30, 1978, Colonel Sweitzer retired from the Marine Corps for family reasons. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal with combat “V” for valor and a gold star in lieu of a second award, Purple Heart Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Actions Ribbon, two (2) Presidential Unit Citations (PUC), one Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with four (4) stars. Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer is married to the former Helen Therese (Terry) Lauler (deceased April 30, 1981), the daughter of John and Ruth Lauler, M.D. of Jersey Shore, PA and has seven (7) children: John, Terry, Tim, Dave, Mike, Andy and Doug. Terry, Tim, Mike (CH-46 Pilot) and Doug were Marine Officers.
After retiring from the Marines Colonel Sweitzer and his family moved to State College, PA (home of Penn State University) in July 1978. Here he was employed by the State College Area School District (SCASD) as the Director of Physical Plant until 1998. Retiring at the age of 63, after 20 years of military service and 20 years of service to the SCASD, he currently is residing in the country in an “old” country home on 11 acres of land near Salladasburg, PA where he is enjoying hunting, fishing, gardening, wild life photography, reading, children, grand children and morning coffee/breakfast with the local folks.

Charles E. Wilson : Born in 1939 and being of divorced parents, I was raised in Montclair, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, kind of back and forth situation. My USMC active duty began in April 1959 at the age of 19, when I left the parental disapproval of Philadelphia for the world's long acknowledged nurturing environment of Parris Island, South Carolina. There, the drill instructors of Platoon 122 picked up where my parents had left off, only the DIs were much, much L O U D E R.
After graduating from boot camp, like the rest of the gang, I continued on to Infantry Training Regiment (ITR), at Camp Geiger. Upon leaving ITR and taking a short leave, I was reassigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd MarDiv, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, where I spent my whole 30 month input with the 2nd Platoon of Golf Company. After making several trips to Vieques, Puerto Rico, it was time for Solant Amity, South America and Africa. I remembered the short timers in G-2-6 were always talking about how great GOOD WILL cruises were, so when Solant came along I was ready to go and sure wasn't disappointed - Brazil, Cape Town, Canary Islands, Spain, it was great.
Upon returning to Swamp Lagoon and the 6th Marine area, I figured it was time for a change, as I was wearing out the main service road with my boots. It was clear that what I really needed was something easier on my feet. However, not wanting to appear as though I were pampering myself, I chose the path of "tough love" and volunteered in 1962 for a tour of duty at Marine Barracks, Bermuda where I made corporal and found the duty...OUTSTANDING!!!
There were 35 Marines, 5 Staff NCOs and 3 Officers on that island paradise. I never took any leave. I was afraid the island might not be there when I returned. It was there I busted up my left knee pretty bad and was med-evac'd to the USNH Philadelphia (home), where there was another windfall.
I was reassigned to the Marine Barracks Philadelphia upon being discharged from the hospital, made sergeant, and drove COM4, Admiral Thomas Cavanagh for about 18 months.
Things were going well when the Sergeant Major stepped in and talked me into a re-enlistment to go aviation. And, after a short school in Pensacola, Florida, I was once again banished to the badlands of North Carolina, assigned to a photo recon squadron, VMCJ-2 at Cherry Point, just up the road apiece from that never forgotten "main service road" and Camp LeJeune. Well, as life and even a little bit of intellect would have it, by 1966 I figured "enough was enough." I took a small disability for my knee and headed back to Philly, eliminating entirely the prospect that I would ever walk that main service road again.
Now, being lost without a rank structure and adult supervision, I decided to try the color blue. Joining the Philadelphia Police Department, I thought it would be great not having anyone yelling and telling me what to do. How wrong I was. Very quickly, I learned that I was to continue working for corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, the equivalents of colonels and executives thinking themselves generals. All I did was trade green for blue. Spending my "blue suit" time in a uniformed patrol district, then transferring to Gang Control, then to Juvenile, Juvenile to City Wide Vice...where, for a time, I worked alongside Lieutenant De Bonaventura...then, and finally, I moved onto Organized Crime. After twenty years and all that fun, however, it was 1987 and I was beginning to think that it was time to retire. So, I did, for the first time. Along with Debo by the way.
During this time of laudable and intelligent performance with the Philly P.D., I married Margaret Catherine Mahoney. She worked for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) at the time and we did a lot of traveling. Sadly, though, never to Capetown.
After giving up the blue suit of the PPD, Margaret and I moved to Orlando, where the Navy was looking for criminal investigators. Margaret had worked for Universal Studios as a marketing manager (obviously, being the smarter one of the family) until we decided it was time for a dual retirement and my triple-dip pension plan: PPD, Federal and SS. Thus, in 2004, we packed everything up for a second time and relocted still further south to Naples, Florida.

[Editor's Note: It is with regret that we announce the death of Charles Wilson on 11 September 2009. Below is posted the notification provided by Charlie's wife, Peggy:

I am so sorry to be sending an e-mail to give you this news, but feel it is the most efficient way to contact you all.

We lost Charlie on Friday morning following what was a very long and valiant fight against cancer. He kept his wonderful sense of humor to the end and never asked “why me?” I was and continue to be so proud of him – he was such a fighter and so courageous – he made his Marine Corps proud I’m sure.

We are having a memorial service here in Naples at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15th, at the Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road. It will be very brief, but will provide an opportunity for closure for all of us. If you are in the area, I’m sure we’ll see you there. If not, please remember him in your prayers. Please do not send flowers – he wouldn’t want that, nor do I. We both love animals so very much so if you see fit, a donation to your local animal shelter would go a long way toward making their lives a bit easier. If you would prefer, we couldn’t have made it through these last weeks without Avow Hospice of Naples – their care allowed for Charlie to maintain his dignity throughout and allowed for a peaceful passing. They could also use your support.

Your calls, your cards and your letters meant so much to both of us during the past three years and helped him to know he was never alone in this fight. We are so fortunate to have you all in our lives,

Much love, Peg

May his soul rest in peace.

If you have access to Parris Island graduation photos, know the whereabouts or information concerning any of the above individuals, you are urged to contact the site webmaster.

Return to Home page, view the Biographies of 3rd Platoon members thus far contacted, see Solant Amity Cruise or Santa Maria Incident related photographs. To see service and cruise related Anecdotes... both literal and photographic or a tribute to the Marines on the Hermitage.
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