Vol. 10 No. 3 Newsletter of the China Lake Museum Foundation Summer 2004 SEMPER FI! The Few, The Proud The United States Marine Corps Part 1: The Early Days It was October 5, 1775. The second Conti- nental Congress directed General George Washing- ton to give “proper encouragement to the Marines and seamen.” On November 10, 1775, the Congress passed a resolution stating that “two Battalions of Marines be raised.” Thus, the United States Marine Corps was born and they have celebrated this birthdate for over 200 years. The Marines have participated in all major wars in which the United States has been involved – War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War, Spanish American War (“Remember the Maine”), World War I (“war to end all wars”), World War II (“Remember Pearl Harbor”), Korea, Vi- etnam, the Gulf War and the current War on Terror. In addition, they have served in many special operations – for example, Bahamas (1776), Tripoli (1805), Columbia (1873), Cuba (1906-09), Philip- pines (1899-1902), China (1900), Nicaragua (1912, 1928), Mexico (1914), sev- eral times in Haiti (1915- 34, 1919, 1922, 2004), Do- minican Republic (1916- 24, 1965), Beirut (1958, 1983), Grenada (1983), Panama (1989), Somalia (1993, 1995), Bosnia (1995), as part of the War on Terror in Afghanistan (2001+) and Iraq (2003+) and many other places – wherever needed. They also help in other capacities: flood vic- tims in Ceylon (1957), hurricane victims in Kauai (1992), disaster relief in Bangladesh (1991), storm assistance in New Orleans (1995), quieting a rebel- lion at Alcatraz (1946). In 1959, a Marine named John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. These are but a few of the accomplishments of the United States Marine Corps The Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) came to Harvey Field in Inyokern effective May 10, 1944. On May 30, 1945, Armitage Field and NOTS officially relocated to China Lake. Sixty Marines ar- rived July 17, 1945, under the command of Captain Jere T. Tilton, USMCR. Marine Corps policy was to assign personnel scheduled for discharge in the near future to activities close to their home. Thus, John Gonza- les, whose home was in Bakers- field, came to China Lake in Oc- tober 1945 for a nine-month tour. Most Marines stationed here had served in the Pacific area battles of World War II. Gonzales, who was wounded at Tarawa, still lives in the local area and provided a summary of life in those early days. All the Marines at that time were responsible for guard duty at the various gates as well as patrol of the base perimeter. Gonzales’ main du- ties were involved with the Atomic En- ergy Commission, which meant he spent much of his time on the “hill” and out at Salt Wells. Two Marines in a jeep patrolled the base pe- rimeter, checking magazines and other sensitive areas. The Marine Barracks was at the corner of East Inyokern and Hussey Roads. The Marine Mess was also at the Marine Barracks but the Marines escorting prisoners ate at the nearby Navy Mess. NOTS Front Gate, 1957 Note ID required both entering and leaving LtCol Joslin Collection Don’t forget the Shrike Event in October! Schedule Thursday, 14 October 2004 Shrike Museum Exhibit Ribbon Cutting and Reception Noon Shrike Forum (Station Theater) Afternoon Code 12 Reception Evening Friday, 15 October 2004 Dr. Karen Higgins speaks at Station theater Morning Alumni Picnic on the Lanai behind Museum Afternoon China Lake Memorial Wall Dedication TBD , OCR Text: Vol. 10 No. 3 Newsletter of the China Lake Museum Foundation Summer 2004 SEMPER FI! The Few, The Proud The United States Marine Corps Part 1: The Early Days It was October 5, 1775. The second Conti- nental Congress directed General George Washing- ton to give “proper encouragement to the Marines and seamen.” On November 10, 1775, the Congress passed a resolution stating that “two Battalions of Marines be raised.” Thus, the United States Marine Corps was born and they have celebrated this birthdate for over 200 years. The Marines have participated in all major wars in which the United States has been involved – War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War, Spanish American War (“Remember the Maine”), World War I (“war to end all wars”), World War II (“Remember Pearl Harbor”), Korea, Vi- etnam, the Gulf War and the current War on Terror. In addition, they have served in many special operations – for example, Bahamas (1776), Tripoli (1805), Columbia (1873), Cuba (1906-09), Philip- pines (1899-1902), China (1900), Nicaragua (1912, 1928), Mexico (1914), sev- eral times in Haiti (1915- 34, 1919, 1922, 2004), Do- minican Republic (1916- 24, 1965), Beirut (1958, 1983), Grenada (1983), Panama (1989), Somalia (1993, 1995), Bosnia (1995), as part of the War on Terror in Afghanistan (2001 ) and Iraq (2003 ) and many other places – wherever needed. They also help in other capacities: flood vic- tims in Ceylon (1957), hurricane victims in Kauai (1992), disaster relief in Bangladesh (1991), storm assistance in New Orleans (1995), quieting a rebel- lion at Alcatraz (1946). In 1959, a Marine named John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. These are but a few of the accomplishments of the United States Marine Corps The Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) came to Harvey Field in Inyokern effective May 10, 1944. On May 30, 1945, Armitage Field and NOTS officially relocated to China Lake. Sixty Marines ar- rived July 17, 1945, under the command of Captain Jere T. Tilton, USMCR. Marine Corps policy was to assign personnel scheduled for discharge in the near future to activities close to their home. Thus, John Gonza- les, whose home was in Bakers- field, came to China Lake in Oc- tober 1945 for a nine-month tour. Most Marines stationed here had served in the Pacific area battles of World War II. Gonzales, who was wounded at Tarawa, still lives in the local area and provided a summary of life in those early days. All the Marines at that time were responsible for guard duty at the various gates as well as patrol of the base perimeter. Gonzales’ main du- ties were involved with the Atomic En- ergy Commission, which meant he spent much of his time on the “hill” and out at Salt Wells. Two Marines in a jeep patrolled the base pe- rimeter, checking magazines and other sensitive areas. The Marine Barracks was at the corner of East Inyokern and Hussey Roads. The Marine Mess was also at the Marine Barracks but the Marines escorting prisoners ate at the nearby Navy Mess. NOTS Front Gate, 1957 Note ID required both entering and leaving LtCol Joslin Collection Don’t forget the Shrike Event in October! Schedule Thursday, 14 October 2004 Shrike Museum Exhibit Ribbon Cutting and Reception Noon Shrike Forum (Station Theater) Afternoon Code 12 Reception Evening Friday, 15 October 2004 Dr. Karen Higgins speaks at Station theater Morning Alumni Picnic on the Lanai behind Museum Afternoon China Lake Memorial Wall Dedication TBD , China Lake Museum,China Laker - Newsletter,China Laker 2000s,China Laker 2004,Vol+10+No+3+Summer+2004.pdf,Vol+10+No+3+Summer+2004.pdf Page 1, Vol+10+No+3+Summer+2004.pdf Page 1