"May we never forget our fallen comrades. Freedom isn't free."

--SGTMAJ Bill Paxton
Camp Pendleton
Main Gate
August 26, 2021
Hamid Karzai International Airport
Kabul, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, a 20-year-old Marine from Wyoming who “wanted to help people” and often stood up for classmates who were bullied, his father Mark Gordon told The New York Times, had been guarding a checkpoint when the explosion happened, leaving behind a wife and a baby expected to be born in September.

Another 20-year-old Marine from Missouri, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, graduated high school in 2019 before joining the Marines, something he “always wanted to do,” his father, Mark Schmitz, told radio station KMOX, saying he’d never seen anyone "train as hard as he did to be the best soldier he could be.” 

Cpl. Hunter Lopez, a 22-year-old California Marine and the son of two Riverside County sheriff’s deputies, was a Riverside sheriff’s explorer scout for three years and planned to join the force after deployment, the Riverside Sheriff’s Association told the TV station KTLA, saying Hunter “chose to follow a life of service, selflessness, courage and sacrifice, like his parents.” 

Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, a 20-year-old Marine from Texas who graduated from Lyndon B. Johnson High School in 2019, “embodied the values, the grit and the dedication” of a U.S. military service member, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar told the Washington Post.

Another California Marine, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, who joined the ROTC and graduated high school in 2019 before enlisting, was identified by his hometown, Norco, in a Facebook post as one of the soldiers killed in action, and the city says his name will be added to its memorial for fallen soldiers.

The only sailor killed in the attack, PO3 Max Soviak, a 22-year-old Ohio Navy hospital corpsman, was paid tribute by his former high school, which said Soviak was a good student and “full of life” on social media, and by his sister Marilyn Soviak, who wrote on Instagram, “my beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother was killed yesterday helping to save lives … and my family will never be the same.”

The Navy posthumously promoted Corpsman Soviak to Petty Officer 3rd Class.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, a 23-year-old Special Forces soldier from Tennessee with the 8th Psychological Operations Group, was the only Army fatality in the bombing — he was looking forward to returning to the U.S. with the intention of moving to Washington, D.C., according to WVTD-TV, and is survived by his wife.

Marine Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, a 31-year-old from Salt Lake City, was the oldest U.S. service member killed, having served with the Marines for 11 years, while he also served as best friend to his two sisters and had a girlfriend in California, his father told The Associated Press.

Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was 23 years old and from Sacramento, California, had posted a photo of herself on Instagram just days before her death declaring, “I love my job.”

Marine Cpl. Daegan Page, 23, played hockey and was a longtime Boy Scout in Omaha, Nebraska, a place his family said he was “always looked forward to coming home and hanging out.”

Cpl Humberto Sanchez, a 22-year-old Marine Corps corporal, was a 2017 graduate of Logansport High School in Logansport, Indiana, Mayor Chris Martin said in a statement, saying: “This young man had not yet even turned 30 and still had his entire life ahead of him.”

Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, was a graduate of Los Osos High School, where students honored the 20-year-old during Friday night’s football game by wearing red, white and blue, according to KABC-TV.

Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, who also used the surname Rosario, joined the Marines after graduating from Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where Mayor Kendrys Vasquez said residents are “heartbroken” about the death of the 25-year-old.

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members,
As I begin my term as your President, I first would like to thank all of you for your confidence in me. I promise to you that I will faithfully serve the 1st Marine Division Association with integrity, honesty, and determination to help bring our Association to prosperity and growth in membership and to be responsible for its financial stability. I hope you will join with me in fulfilling these objectives and in growing our beloved Association.

Our next event is the Last of the First Salute, 6 November, at 1st Division's Birthday Ball, in Carlsbad, California. The evening is a combined effort of the FMDA, and Camp Pendleton Historical Society. Ticket sales details will be announced in this space as they become available.

Please contact us if you know a combat veteran Marine who served in the WWII Pacific Campaign, and is able to travel. We are fundraising to find sponsors to help get WWII veterans and their escorts to the event. Your help would be much appreciated.

The three Deputy Vice Presidents are working with their Regions' Chapter Presidents to contact candidate veterans. Please let us know if you want to volunteer in that effort.

The data entry for the donations and raffle tickets is complete. The tickets sales total $5,650, for a prize of $2,825. We will be meeting with Division staff next week, and will ask one of them to draw the winner. Good luck.

Donations coming in with the ballots sum to $14,175 for the Association, and $100 for the FMDA Scholarship Fund. We were facing an uncertain time, and you members pulled through when we needed it. Thank you all for your support of our Association.

Stay safe I will see you soon.

Semper Fidelis!
Jerry Corrento

DJC
LAST OF THE FIRST SALUTE
SAVE THE DATE: 6 Nov 2021

We will be honoring 1st Marine Division WWII Marines with the opening of the "Last of the First" bottle of French cognac.
The ceremony is planned for
6 November, 2021, at the 1st Division's Birthday Ball,
Omni La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, California.

We are looking for Marines and Corpsmen who served with
1st Marine Division in the WWII Pacific Campaign.

Please contact us if you know any Marines or Corpsmen
who are able to attend.



Contact HQ at
email june.oldbreed@fmda.us
Phone (760)763-3268
CHAPTERS
Central Florida Chapter
July/August 2021 Newsletter
From the Desert:
Southern California Chapter
The Breed September 2021
MEMBERS
From: Chicago MARINES<lz4vets@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2021, 2:44 PM
Subject: Fwd: Music video SEMPER FI by Trace Adkins 2il
To: George Mulvaney (LZ4Vets@gmail.com) <LZ4Vets@gmail.com>



We Own it, this is for each of Us, this One is OURS: 
They all served with Bravery and Honor defending our nation. In recognition of their selfless sacrifice to our eleven (11) Marine Brothers & Sisters, we could not find a better tribute than to share where it all began for many of us, from the early morning bus ride, stepping onto the Yellow footprints to forge after the crucible, earning the Eagle, Globe & Anchor. 
 
The common bond we share, like no other mil-service branch. From every stitch of thread in our uniform to the blood stripe down the trousers, to the embedded emblem hidden into our digital cammis.  
 
In reflection we also pay respect to the fallen Army Soldier and Navy Hospitalist and the many service personnel wounded from this horrific act last week.  

Some of you may have seen and heard this before, but feel it's time to revisit our past, where we first grew strength from each other then. That time has come once again.  Enjoy and please share with others this short video presentation, accompanied by music sung by Trace Adkins titled "Semper Fi" 
 
“There are many like it, but this one is ours. I hope you like it as much as we enjoyed making it”:  ( vidCR = Leatherneck Lifestyles).  


S/F chiMAR george
MCL Burbank Det# 072, Dept of IL.  MODD PDD Chgo Pd# 12, IL Pack.
Click below to view the video.
FROM AUSTRALIA

From: Colonel Michael Marletto USMC (Ret.)
Subject: 11th Marines in Australia WWII
Phone: 7605056482

Message:
I am a retired former Commanding Officer of the 11th Marines residing in Australia. I have two questions for the FDMA:

1. I am working on a project with representatives from Ballarat, Victoria and the Ballarat City Council to commemorate the stay of the 11th Marines in Ballarat's Victoria Park from January to September 1943. The goal is to unveil a historical plaque at the new Victoria Park Pavilion during 2023 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Regiment's stay in Ballarat. We are looking for any material that highlights the interactions between the Marines and local population.

Many Marines and Australian families formed long lasting friendships during the time the Regiment rested and refit in Ballarat. The best information that I have come across has come from letters and diaries/memoirs of Marines who served in the Regiment.

Would it be possible to post a message in an upcoming edition of the Old Breed newsletter to request anything that members or their families may have relating to the 11th Marines in Ballarat?

2. At one time their was a FDMA Chapter in Australia. Are there any current FDMA members residing Down Under that I might be able to reform a new Australian Chapter with? Additionally, I'd like to invite any FDMA members residing in Australia to our future historical marker dedication in 2023.

Thanks and Semper Fi,

Mike Marletto

PS - As long as I've been a FDMA member I've noticed that the newsletter has an incorrectly colored 11th Marines logo. The correct background colors are red and gold, not red and gray. I'd be happy
to send you a PDF or JPEG of the 11th Marines logo.
SEMPER FI & AMERICA'S FUND

The Semper Fi & America's Fund is caring for veterans from all
U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
REUNIONS & EVENTS

1/5 Vietnam Veterans Chapter and
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
will hold their annual
Sergeant Dougherty Memorial Shoot
25 September 2021
Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays
near Allentown, Pennsylvania


Contact: HM3 John Chang jschang1829@gmail.com
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome Aboard to our newest members:

CWO5 EUGENE MICHAEL KLABENES USMC(RET)
GEORGE A. MARTINEZ USMC
JADEN MARTINEZ USMC
SGT E-5 LEROY W. THOMAS
TAPS REPORT

Reporting period is 7 July 2021 through 9 September 2021.
Some of these were reported from returned ballots in a previous edition,
when the full database report was not available.
Recent reports are in boldface.


F. R. ADAMS JR, 8 Aug 2014
SGT JAKE I. ALARID, 3 May 2021
COL LOWELL ERSKINE AUSTIN JR USMCR(RET)
PFC HARRISON A. DEDMOND, 18 Jul 2020
CPL RICHARD J. DONOHUE, 27 Dec 219
GYSGT JOHN A. EDGECOMBE, 31 Jul 2017
CAPT DAVID W. FOWKES, 14 Jul 2021
CPL GILBERT L. GREEN, 3 Aug 2016
CAPT JAMES R. GREEN USMC(RET), 10 May 2016
SSGT LEONARD W. GREEN JR, 30 Dec 2020
LT LAURENCE W. GREENE JR, Jul 2009
MRS JACKIE GREENFIELD, 21 Dec 2020
CAPT DONALD B. GREENLAW USMC(RET), 21 Sep 2018
PVT RAYMOND J. GREER SR, 25 Jul 2017
JOHN K. GREER, 13 Mar 2016
CPL GEORGE J. GREGESICH, 6 Mar 2008
SGT EUGENE H. GREGORY, 17 Aug 2020
SGT JOHN T. GRIESELDING, 18 Nov 2018
CHARLES W. GRIFFIN, 2 Feb 2009
SGT DARRELL D. GRIFFIN, 13 Jun 2016
SGT FARRIS F. GRIFFIN SR, 24 Oct 1995
CPL MICHAEL E. GRIFFIN, 4 Jan 2021
MGYSGT DONALD F. GRIFFITH USMC(RET), 29 Jul 2016
JAMES A. GRIFFITH, 16 Oct 2014
PFC JOHN R. GRIFFITH, 16 Apr 2003
MAJ RAY C. GRIFFITH USMC(RET), 6 Dec 2017
SGT ALVIN B. GRIGSBY JR, 10 Jun 2010
CPL IGNATIUS K. GRIMALDI, 2 Sep 2014
1STSGT STANLEY GROCHOWSKI, 15 Oct 2018
KENT R. GROSSHAUSER, Jan 2007
SGT LLOYD W. GROTE, 31 Dec 2020
SSGT DAVID E. GRUNDEN, 7 Sep 2016
LTCOL CHARLES R. GRUNING USMC(RET), 11 May 2020
SGT KENNETH N. GRUVER, 19 Dec 2018
MGYSGT RAYMOND C. GRYSKE, 7 Jun 2012
SGT ROBERT L. GUCENE, 8 Jan 2010
SGT RUDY GUERRA, 12 Nov 2017
SGT D. J. GUERRERO USMC(RET), 29 Jul 2016
SGT ROBERT R. GUERTIN, 23 Nov 2011
SGT WALLACE C. GUGLER, 5 Oct 2009
SGT JOSEPH T. GULAKOWSKI, 5 Aug 2009
CPL KENNETH E. GULLETTE, 10 Apr 2020
GENE G. GURDA, 23 Nov 1996
CPL HENRY E. GUTIERREZ USMC(RET), 31 Dec 2020
SGT DAN B. GYLLENSKOG, 12 May 2014
SGTMAJ WARREN 'PETE' HAAS, 3 Dec 2020
PFC JAMES J. HADAWAY JR, 15 Sep 2015
SSGT EUGENE E. HADEN, 2 Nov 2005
CPL CLAY R. HALL, 21 Jan 2013
SGT JAMES D. HALL, 7 Jun 2019
CPL WALLACE L. HALTER, 29 Dec 2012
CPHM WINTERS B. HAMES JR, 11 Oct 2012
SGT GEORGE A. HAMILTON, 5 Dec 2020
PFC GLEN G. HANNAH, 30 May 2018
CPL CHARLES L. HARDESTY
COL KENNETH HARRELL, 23 Jul 2009
PFC THOMAS HARRELL, 23 Sep 2013
PFC KEITH J. HARRER, 28 Jan 2017
1STLT MERWIN R. HASKEL, 31 Dec 2017
SGT WILLIAM L. HOUSE, 16 Mar 2020
SGT VICTOR J. KAY, 31 Dec 2019
MAJ CHARLES F. KEISTER, 27 Jul 2019
SSGT DONALD H. KETTNER
GYSGT PAUL T. KURAS USMC(RET)
HM3 GEORGE LIGOS, 25 Oct 2013
PLTSGT WILFORD J. LOOSE, 22 May 2021
RICHARD E. LOWNES, 19 Sep 2019
LT JACK A. LYONS, 20 Mar 2021
PLTSGT JOHN W. MARMET
SGT ROBERT C. MAXWELL, 18 Dec 2019
CAPT JOHN F. MEYERS USMC(RET), 12 Jun 2021
MR. JOSEPH P. MIRABELLA
MRS MARILYN PAIGE, 15 Jul 2021
EDMUND L. PETRAY, 12 Aug 2020
CPL BERNARD REIN, 21 Jul 2009
CPL ADOLPH A. REISIG, 27 Sep 2008
PVT JOE REISS, 13 Apr 2017
PFC RAUL R. RENDON (RET), 28 Jan 2016
PFC GRADY REYER, 14 Nov 2010
CPL TED R. RICHARDSON, 11 Jul 2021
CPL ARNOLD E. RILL, 26 Jan 2019
PFC KENNETH R. RIMMER, Sep 2009
ROBERT C. RINEHART, 25 Dec 2015
SGT PAUL RUSINKO USMC(RET), 9 Jul 2019
CPL HAROLD R. SCOTT, 29 Dec 2020
CPL MERLE E. SIMS, 25 Jul 2017
SGT JOHN G. SINNICKI, 9 Mar 2019
SSGT JAMES O. SMITH JR, 1 Aug 2010
JAMES LESENSE SMITH, 6 Jul 2021
1STSGT RAYMOND L. SMITH USMC(RET), 18 Jun 2012
SGT THOMAS J. SMITH, 19 Feb 2021
SGT JAMES A (JACK) SMITHHART, 19 Aug 2020
TOM SODEMAN, 17 Jul 2021
SGT FRANK J. STEWART, 16 Mar 2008
CPL LEROY STEWART, 24 Aug 2013
CPL RALPH E. STEWART, 9 Nov 2008
SGT WILLIAM F. STEWART, 24 Oct 2018
SSGT THOMAS F. TACHIS, 1 Mar 2018
CPL PETER TERREBETZKY, 5 May 2020
PFC DUANE D. TROWBRIDGE
RONALD EUGENE "RONNIE" TUNSTALL
WILLIAM T. VAN COURT, 9 Nov 2020
CAPT ROSCOE W. VANDRUFF JR, 22 Jul 2018
SGT WILLIAM M. WALLACE, 25 Jul 2019
COL ROBERT D. WHITE USMC(RET)
COL PAUL E. WILSON, 19 Sep 2019
MARY WOODS, 7 Feb 2016
ROBERT J. WOODS SR, 9 Feb 2009
Challenge Coin
Association's Challenge Coins
Contact HQ at (760)763-3268

SOLD OUT
These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968
have sold out.
Thank you to everyone who bought a few to support the FMDA.
Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Corrento's email: Jcorrento@verizon.net
Please visit our website: www.firstmardivassoc.com

First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051

(760) 763-3268

Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.

Semper Fidelis