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a lot of pockets for c rations, ammo—anything—something our regular uniforms didn’t have. We also heard about the new ‘jungle boots’ that were ventilated and dried out quickly.
I did make an observation on one of my brief visits to Battalion HQ that everyone in The Battalion staff and army soldiers walking around the compound all had the new uniforms along with the new boots which were made to drain easier and prevent ‘immersion foot’ which many of our troops were coming down with. It was obvious that those Marines in the rear area closest to command were enjoying the privilege of proximity to the warehouses and the senior staff—sad but true! The Marines on the hills surrounding the base were apparently last in line to receive the new goodies—of course I raised hell with anybody who would listen. Finally, after a couple of weeks we received a nice surprise from Company and Battalion HQs—a daily supply of beer and soda ON ICE in huge buckets again delivered by chopper to our positions. The rule from on high was that no Marine could have more than a two beer ration per day. Each Marine could have three drinks (two beer + one soda or one beer and two sodas or three sodas) this was wonderful of course and we looked forward to that ration arriving
while on top of that hot, dirty hill! We also began receiving mail from home— again delivery by the chopper. I can’t emphasize too much the tremendous boost
in morale the effect the
had on these young ‘something from home’—and
simple ice cold drinks Marines. It was
the familiar logos of
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