Authors Note
 

 
My Mom & Dad Greeting Me 
On My Return from Korea (Chosin)

 
 
This page is dedicated to my Dad, Ralph Sanner. I want to call the attention to the viewers of this page that my dad was not a Medal of Honor Recipient, but nonetheless, he was a real hero, not only to me, but to all that knew him. It is also dedicated to all Marines, living and deceased, that have served and risked their lives so that all of us can live our lives in what we believe in. Freedom is not Free. It has cost us dearly.

My dad joined the Corps in March of 1941 and was a member of the 20th Platoon at MCRD San Diego, California. Upon completion and graduation from (bootcamp) his recruit training, his first assignment was at the USMC Rifle Range at Camp Matthew's. While there he was instrumental in the construction of the "E" & "F" firing lines and their respective "Butts". He was also instrumental in the building and erection of the infamous "Tent Camp City".

In 1942 he was reassigned to Camp Elliot where he received advanced training with a machine-gun and mortar platoon. Later that year he received orders and was shipped out overseas for a combat assignment.

My service with the Corps began when I joined the Corps on July 16, 1948  (MCRD San Diego). After recruit training (boot camp), and Sea School and a short stay at the Oakland Naval Supply Center in Oakland, California, I transferred to Camp Pendleton and was assigned various duties which included driving a dump truck and as a driver for Chesty Puller (very short period) and then Colonel Krulak (Present Commandant's dad).

After joining a newly formed Battalion (1st Ordnance Battalion) and assigned to Ammo Company we were trained extensively to setup and operate Ammunition Dumps in Combat Operations. Then in July of 1950, we boarded ship to Korea as part of the First Provisional Marine Brigade.
After the "Winter Games" called the Chosin Reservoir I was sent home and later was privileged to be a member of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol team as a Master in the NRA with the Pistols, and a Expert with the rifles until my return to the states for discharge in 1956.

My dad and I had the honor and distinction of both serving with the same Commanding Officer two wars apart. General O.P. Smith was his Commanding Officer at Cape Glochester and New Britton during WWII and my Commanding Officer in Korea (Chosin Reservoir). Both within the 1st Marine Division.

In closing this authors notes,  I would like to remind the visitors to these pages of Marine Heros, that not all heros receive a medal or recognition for truly heroic actions  they have performed. As many Veterans of combat will agree, heroic deeds sometimes are the order of the day and become commonplace.

Bob Carr

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