Meant to post this days ago about "A'' Merrils Marauder.

[the ringo kid]

Now, I don't know if something here is due to a lousy job of writing on the initial authors writing or not? but here goes.

Vincent Melillo, last original member of Merrill's Marauders, dies. First off, many original members of the Marauders are still alive last I looked. I know that several men I guess can't be equalled to 'many' but certainly the last man from the: 5307th Composite Unit Provisional, who wes led by Brigadier General, Frank D. Merrill, has not passed away.

Anyway I wish Vincent, to rest in peace. He's done more than his fair share. Also, the other problem I have with thast story, is they can't seem to agree with the mans exact age. He was either 93 or 97.

 

[cmort666]

Let me recommend "Shots Fired in Anger" by John George.

He was a Marauder (as well as a National Match shooter) and he has a lot of interesting things to say about firearms in the book.

It used to be available at a discount from the NRA. I got mine from the NRA store at Camp Perry one year.

 

[Bat Guano]

One of my favorite books is "The Marauders", by Charleton Ogburn. He had a lot to say about the philosophy of "What the hell did you expect?"

Way back when, in a galaxy far away, working on a case from hell, I had a copy of a picture from his book posted on my wall. It was a picture of several of the unit's officers swaying in formation, in rags, awaiting the award of medals during the fighting. One officer was bare chested. They were so zonked out that they forgot you couldn't (shouldn't?) pin a medal on a bare chest.

It was inspirational in a bizarre sort of way.

 

[the ringo kid]

Let me recommend "Shots Fired in Anger" by John George.

He was a Marauder (as well as a National Match shooter) and he has a lot of interesting things to say about firearms in the book.

It used to be available at a discount from the NRA. I got mine from the NRA store at Camp Perry one year.

I've heard of his book and do want a copy. I'm going to see if I can get it at one of the stores here. Also, before the movie( Merrill's Marauders saw public release on DVD), the mm vets were offered the movie first. Two of them bought me a copy. This was sometime in 2010.

 

[the ringo kid]

One of my favorite books is "The Marauders", by Charleton Ogburn. He had a lot to say about the philosophy of "What the hell did you expect?"

Way back when, in a galaxy far away, working on a case from hell, I had a copy of a picture from his book posted on my wall. It was a picture of several of the unit's officers swaying in formation, in rags, awaiting the award of medals during the fighting. One officer was bare chested. They were so zonked out that they forgot you couldn't (shouldn't?) pin a medal on a bare chest.

It was inspirational in a bizarre sort of way.

Your absolutely correct on their condition. Also in 2010, a few sent me copies of a few photos of them ( which have now disappeared) and many were wearing rags of uniforms, several were wearing Japanese uniform items and a few were barefoot.

 

[Dennis The B]

I used Colonel George's book almost as a reference. He was brutally honest about the assets and liabilities of our fighting weapons in the tropical areas of the South Pacific.

He also presented an honest appraisal of the Japanese, both weaponry and tactics.

Great book!