Marine Corps Tankers Association

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Marine Tank History

Everything I Ever Needed To Know About Life, I Learned As a Marine Tanker In Vietnam

A compilation of one-liners from the era. No credit is taken, just the hope that other Marine Tankers will appreciate the humor.

Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea. The Tanker’s “Principle of War” is not to die for your country, it is to make the enemy S.O.B die for his country. Tanks are cool! It is a fact that Tank tracks are instinctively drawn toward mines, deep mud, etc. ..read more
Marine Tank History

Korea: Pohang to Wonju

While in Pohang I got assigned as the loader on Y51, the Battalion Commander’s M26 tank. We got the word that we would be moving out and would have a full gear inspection. This meant that we had to take all of the tools, radios, machine guns, etc., and display them on a tarp in front of the tank. We had to stand at attention before the inspecting officer. Since it was February, needless to say we froze.

We ..read more

Marine Tank History

GI Film Festival “Chosin”

GI Film Festival: Memories of the Coldest War

In the winter of 1950, 15,000 U.S. troops were surrounded and trapped by 120,000 Chinese soldiers in the frozen mountains of North Korea. Refusing surrender, the men fought 78 miles to freedom while saving the lives of 98,000 civilian refugees. Chosin is the first documentary on the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. The survivors take us on an emotional and heart-pounding journey through one of the most savage battles in American history. These ..read more

Marine Tank History

The Tank Invasion of Del Mar, California

Marines sent to seize the racetrack in 1942 met some obstacles.

DEL MAR – When World War II veterans sit around telling stories, Phil Morell has a doozy: the time tanks from the U.S. Marine Corps seized the Del Mar Racetrack.

In July 1942, Morell was a second lieutenant tank platoon leader in D Company in the 2nd Tank Battalion stationed at Jacques Farm, now known as Admiral Baker Field in Mission Valley.

A Japanese submarine had shelled an oil field ..read more

Marine Tank History

One of the Chosin Few

Introduction

As a recently retired school administrator, former American history teacher and college instructor in English composition, and as one recently relocated in a retirement community, I quickly came face to face with many veterans of the American armed services.  One of those veterans, John Wedel, was introduced to me on a tennis court near my new home.  After our first tennis match, I learned that John had served as a marine in the Korean War and had strong ..read more