Thomas K. Carter, SGT USMC, 1959-1964


Interesting that this came up now as the 50th Anniversary of my Platoon's 
graduation at Parris Island is in three weeks.

I was wondering, too, how I got picked for CT school since I thought they had 
a grunt job in mind for me; wet-net landings, bayonet in the teeth, learning 
how to say, "Now listen, Pilgrim" like John Wayne, etc.

But they packed me off to Imperial Beach in June 1959 for CTO school, and it 
now occurs to me that they thought I was too small for the Fleet Marine Force. 
It certainly wasn't because I had any untapped mental ability, I'm sure. 
Now, my comrades-at-arms Fred Shoninger, Gordon Anderson, and Mike
Wargo are different stories; they really are smart.

Tom Carter
Sergeant
Bremerhaven 1959-1961
Sabana Seca 1962-1964