3rd Battalion 4th Marines Association invaded the Combat Center during their annual visit to honor the ¾ Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and to observe the advancements of the Marine Corps.
For members of the association, the gatherings offer a chance for past and present Marines and Corpsman to come together and share insights and memories with one another and also to preserve the memory of those killed in action.
“We’re a group of 3rd Battalion 4th Marines veterans who found each other after a welcome home parade in Chicago around 1985,” said Dennis Thun, ¾ Association member. “The original group of seven founded the organization, wrote the charter and incorporated it as a non-profit veterans organization. From those seven, the association has grown today to over 1,200 members.”
“In the past we have visited the base and gone to the ranges to see the new weapons systems, sometimes fire them,” said Thun. “Then a battalion formation is usually held where we present the NCO of the Year with a sword.” This year the 10 retirees and former Marines dined at the 7th Marines mess hall for lunch with junior Marines who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Afterward, the battalion presented a video and slide show highlighting ¾’s actions in Iraq. Later, the members had a social with Staff noncommissioned officers at the Staff NCO Club for the rest of the evening. Despite being up late at the club the association members still managed to get up early enough to eat breakfast with their fellow brothers. This year’s NCO of the Year is Sgt. Timothy A. Hartmann, India Company.
“Sgt. Hartmann is a well-rounded Marine,” said Sgt. Maj. Dave C. Howell, Headquarters and Service Company. “He showed exceptional leadership in Iraq and in his ability to train his Marines.”
This excursion proved to be memorable for the former Marines as they witnessed first hand the Marine Corps progression in both camaraderie and technology.
“Needless to say, the technology seems to have grown faster than one could imagine. Global Positioning System Navigation Tool and laser designators are very impressive,” said Thun. “What’s really quite impressive is that the Marine Corps seems to have the same hi-tech gear as the other services, which is quite the contrary from the Vietnam era. We had to acquire good equipment using midnight supply raids.”
“I love coming back,” said retired 1st Sgt. Bob Weightman, “Leaping Lima.” “The Marine Corps is ten times better with the equipment they have today. It’s ridiculous.”
The association displays a great deal of pride in their history, especially in their crest which was originally conceived in 1967 by Cpl. Ned Broderick, a radio operator with the 81 mm Mortar Platoon. The laurel wreath depicted in green signifies “victory” and harkens back to the crowns worn by emperors and noblemen of the Roman Empire. The crossed officer and NCO swords signify the ties between the groups of Marines as the leadership of the battalion. The Torii Gate within the shield signifies the battalion’s links to service at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, and the bull’s head represents the battalion motto, “Thundering Third.”
“One thing we all do is complain how the corps is going to hell,” said Thun. “Bootcamp is too easy and our Marine Corps is going down the tubes. Then we come out and visit ¾ and leave with just the opposite feelings. The Marines in the fleet are far better trained and more Gung Ho than we were. Not taking anything away from us, we were still Marines and all but just didn’t train for war as much as they do now. It seems back in the old corps when we had some free time we’d be down at the club or in town on liberty. Nowadays Marines are out jogging or lifting weights during free time. All said and done, we all feel that today’s Marine Corps is in good hands, we just need to visit ¾ once a year to feel secure about that.”
“We want to let them know we think of them whole-heartedly, and we’re glad to see they’re still the best,” said Oscar Kergaluis, ¾ Association member.
“We are proud of our Marines. 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines has always been one of the best infantry battalions in the corps. I can say as an organization, we followed every move ¾ made once the war started and we are proud of them, especially when we saw our guys pulling the statue of Saddam Hussein down. We brag about ¾ as if they were part of our family – which they are,” said Conklin.
At the end of the ceremony, an astonished Weightman had a few comments to tell his fellow brothers. “Remember the camaraderie. Never forget our fellow Marines and Corpsman that were killed in action. And always carry on the traditions of the Marine Corps with pride,” said Weightman.
“The corps never ever leaves someone,” said Thun. “If anything, the attachment to it increases. This is especially true for combat Marines. The bonds they have made during their time under fire are as strong as family ties – maybe stronger. My closest friends to this day are guys that I was in Vietnam with. I’m sure the Marines who are part of ¾ today will have the same strong bonds 30 years from now. They may not realize it now but they will. I can speak for the association members in that these guys are family to us and always will be as 3/4 is as much of us as anything will ever be.”