The trip to Yerba Buena Island wasn’t remarkable in any way, except for the fact that I remained entranced with the passing scenes of difference and beauty that the entire San Francisco basin always offered. Pat drove her low-powered Pontiac to the parking lot and I got out, much more comfortable in my Saran-wrapped body than I’d been the day before. Because of the usage of the NVA preparatory wrap I’d given in, and not worn my Class “A” blouse, as I’d planned.
It was a few minutes before 0700. I had not given in on the Colonel’s order to be fifteen minutes early.
I’m glad to hear that the Sergeant Major was decent to you. The Gunny had your back in so many ways and most of the junior NCO’s had at least respect for your abilities. I retired an Army senior NCO and was raised to ‘help along’ a junior officer. I knew some E8s and E9s that could look clean through an inept officer, but almost all respected those officers that had their crap together and didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. You, Lt were obviously one with his crap in order and mud could be your friend. Way to go on standing up to Lightning Dick.
Great story, as always.
Thank you for another great read.
Missed ch. 16-17 don’t want to get ahead of myself by reading ch.18
Thanks again Lt you keep bring back a lot of memories.
Here is chapter XVI and XVII
https://jamesstrauss.com/the-cowardly-lion-chapter-xvi/
https://jamesstrauss.com/the-cowardly-lion-chapter-xvii/
Thanks for your support
Semper fi
Jim
Thank You,I really look forward to reading the next step. Great writing and an inspiring life.
I’m not sure who used it, but in the ‘50’s and 60’s Navy, the term “piss cutter” was commonly used. I assume it was used by the Navy officers for their own peaked caps. It’s been awhile so I don’t really remember.
Thank you James. I always look forward to these installments.
Outstanding Chapter, James.
Hope we get introduced to Danny Ongais, one of the best drivers of that era.
Great chapter working together with the NCOs & a reward lunch they won’t soon forget !! Just can’t believe how you fell in with Mickey Thompson & now the Fly’n Hawaiian too, surely right then life is good !!
Love it as it is. I know it’s gotta be tuff just to remember the happenings and then putting them in words for others to read. Kinda like dropping your panties for all to see! That takes guts and is more than some of us can do without a major battle with PTSD. Love it and appreciate you opening your soul for us . Thank you Lt Jim.
I appreciate your comment, Cary
Semper fi
Jim
Thank you, Sir, for another intriguing chapter. I was snooping and pooping yesterday to make sure I hadn’t missed this.
Semper Fi
After reading all your works, my opinion of Marine officers remains unchanged. The Marines are some of the best fighting men in the world, but they get wasted by officers that follow the “charge that hill, do not question orders leaders.” I saw Marines being forced to go on patrol in Nam wearing flack jackets because it was orders. Put a flack jacket on a man in 100 degree temp in the jungle and he was not a fighting man anymore he was a heat causality. I saw Marines waste good men for stupid antiquated reasons. I did like the Recon Marines, they were wild crazy, undisaplined and very effective. I was 101st Airborne, and at times we were allowed to do what was right, not exactly what was by the book.
Thanks for your input, Jim
Amazing how the system continue to ‘work’
Semper fi,
Jim
Been reading since I first came across “Thirty Days”, first comment, well more of a question. I grew up military (Army) so I’m familiar with most Army uniforms since the early 60’s. My dad wore the flat folding cover, as did I in high school ROTC. However, in all that time, and until reading “Cowardly Lion”, I had never heard it referred to as a “piss cutter”. Can you explain the origin of the term, and is it a peculiarity to USMC?
Enjoying your writing and look forward to each installment.
Eric, the term is used informally to describe a garrison cap, a very narrow peaked cap that some think make a man’s head resemble the head of a penis. Convenient as hell because of its thin foldability.
Semper fi, and thanks for the loyalty and compliment on here.
Jim
In 1970 during Army Basic Training we were told our garrison caps were called c*nt caps by the Drill Sergeant. And so I referred to it during my 8 years, 2 months, and 22 days of active duty. Recently, not thinking, when I was getting one issued at the VFW for funeral details, I called it such at the bar. The middle aged woman behind the bar was horrified and the other Army vets had quite a chuckle at my expense. They knew damn well it was a c*nt cap!
I am glad I always had to the piss cutter variation. The other would not have gone anywhere I inhabited.
Thanks for the different slant. I never hard the other variation but, outside of Quanitco, Vietnam, the hospitals, San Francisco
and then Camp Pendleton I never got around much while still in the corps.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for the lesson. Never thought about why Marines don’t just call it “the hat”.
But there’s the Army Airborne, back in the day. The 101st Airborne gave me Basic Training and Jump School, then assignments with the 187th Infantry and the Division PIO. The hat in question was always called a cunt cap, except in the company of females and tender-eared civilians. And I never heard anyone ask for an explanation of the name.
That Garrison Cap was the only headgear authorized, aside from the goofy excuse for a ballcap. The Airborne put that Parachute and Glider patch on the Garrison Cap, bloused pants in the Jump Boots. Only “Legs” (anyone not able to step out of a perfectly good aircraft, at 1200 feet or less) wore the saucer hat. Which was fine with me, since the saucer cap gave me a headache.
Loev the input.
Thanks, Neil
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt., I grew up in an NCO’s home, MY dad topping out as a Command Sargent Major. When I became a Warrant Officer I made sure I didn’t forget the lessons my dad and his friends taught me. The greatest lesson was that the NCOs are the backbone of the armed services, they are walking history, with a life of hard-earned knowledge they are willing to share with those who earned the right to be in their presence. Your two enlisted men already show that they are Marine material and you and the Marine corp are lucky to have had them.
Jim, “Hell yes” on things improving. Regards, Doug
I really appreciate your loyalty and supporty=t along this journey, Doug
Semper fi,
Jim
I’m smiling ear-to-ear reading this chapter. You respected the knowledge and
abilities of Church & Pugh and they reciprocated with whole hearted cooperation.
That’s how a team should work. …and they have your back. The O’Club lunch on you
was gracious and meant a lot to them.
I really like your using the SMAJ insignia as the graphic for this chapter.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
I’d given in, because of the usage of the NVA preparatory wrap, and not worn my
Class “A” blouse, as I’d planned.
Reads a bit easier if word order changed.
Because of the usage of the NVA preparatory wrap I’d given in and not worn my Class
“A” blouse, as I’d planned.
would swell later, on all the lanes across the Bay Bridge, then throughout the
remainder of the downtown streets of the busy city.
Maybe add “first” before “on all the lanes”
would swell later, first on all the lanes across the Bay Bridge, then throughout
the remainder of the downtown streets of the busy city.
The myth of Lombardi Time would not be retired by me, in fact, it would likely
Maybe end the sentence after “me”
Start new sentence with “in”
The myth of Lombardi Time would not be retired by me. In fact, it would likely
identical to the government issue one’s we all used.
Maybe change “one’s” to “ones”
identical to the government issue ones we all used.
and then on hour to spend at the Officer’s Club
Maybe “one” instead of “on”
and then one hour to spend at the Officer’s Club
“How do we get them over to S-4 Logistics,” I asked
Maybe add ? after “Logistics”
“How do we get them over to S-4 Logistics?” I asked
I didn’t say anymore, remembering the days
Maybe split “anymore” into “any more”
I didn’t say any more, remembering the days
vehicle and the three uniform Marines inside.
Change “uniform” to “uniformed”
vehicle and the three uniformed Marines inside.
They hadn’t passed Pugh along the way
Maybe “We” instead of “They”
We hadn’t passed Pugh along the way
suit and a tuxedo, greeted him.
Maybe “me” instead of “him”
suit and a tuxedo, greeted me.
“
I see,”
Backspace to line up quote marks
“I see,”
“What is the nature of your invitation? he asked,
Add quote mark after invitation?
“What is the nature of your invitation?” he asked,
officially awarded, they are real, however, I truly
Maybe end sentence with “real.”
Begin new sentence with “However”
officially awarded, they are real. However, I truly
You got sand
I had to look that one up. True!
Enjoy the blossoming Spring weather. Blessings & Be Well
Thank you for the fabulous work and kind words. All corrected and updated.
You are so very appreciated.
No sh*+. Danny Ongais?! Used to watch him race at the Ramona Airport, Orange County International Raceway, Pomona.
Just one great segment after another. Well done!
As an NCO James in ARMY not Marines, officers couldn’t make it with out us. No offence meant.
What an encouraging and u[lifting chapter! Those 3 Marines were just what you needed and not to mention a stamp of approval from Mickey Thompson himself! A fun read instead of an uh oh what’s next ending to the chapter
Another great chapter, James.
Can’t wait to see what reaction will come from “Lightning Bolt.”
Unbelievable, Danny Ongias is going to be driving your GTO in a match race for Mickey Thompson. Hard to fathom your good luck in meeting famous people. Later in Danny’s career he became a very good Indy racer. The sergeant and the corporal are showing you a lot of respect apparently without knowing your story. WOW, great read.
Thanks, JT,
Remember to share this with your friends.
Semper fi,
Jim
Awesome story playing out. Thank you!
Another great chapter.
I enjoyed reading this one too. Thank you Lt.
I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Keep it coming LT!!
Love this story …thanks for sharing it.
55 years ago tomorrow I stood on the yellow foot prints. Celebrating the memories and dealings with the Staff NCO’s and officers.
Always interesting.