13-076 Garand Picture of the Day

[Joe W]

Marines in Sept. 1957 during the Unit Combat Marksmanship Competition held at Quantico, Va. Notice that at this time Marines were still issued field gear dating to WW2.


During this competition the "Top Squad" from the 3 Marine Divisions was selected. The winner was the 1st squad, 1st platoon, Alpha Co. 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Mar. Div., Camp Lejeune, N.C. Members of the squad and umpires are pictured below.

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[frankderrico]

Thanks Joe, nice pic. Love the BAR in the middle and Thompson behind and possible carbine above left. Any one in there that you know?

Best regards.....Frank

[Snafu]

Thanks Joe
You covered Sunday

[Joe W]

Thanks Joe, nice pic. Love the BAR in the middle and Thompson behind and possible carbine above left. Any one in there that you know?

Best regards.....Frank

Frank, At that time, 1957, the Marine Corps did not use either the carbine or Thompson. The 13 man Squad in the group picture consists of 3 Fire Teams and a Squad Leader who carries a M1 rifle. Each Fire Team consists of 4 men, a Fire Team Leader (M1 Rifle), Automatic Rifleman (BAR), Assistant Automatic Rifleman (M1 Rifle) and Rifleman (M1 Rifle). That is how they are in formation. Not counting the umpires, the first row is the Squad Leader, Fire Team Leader, BAR man, Asst BAR man and the Rifleman. Next two rows are lined up the same so the BAR men are in a line, front to rear. You should only see 10 M1 rifles and 3 BAR's in the group photo. The other photo is also a squad and you would only see BAR's and M1 rifles. Not the clearest pictures to identify some of the weapons.

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the 2nd Mar. Div. at that time but in the 10th Marines, which was Artillery. I didn't know anyone in those pictures. They are from a 1957 edition of Leathneck Magazine.

[frankderrico]

Thanks Joe, I can see it now.....Frank

[maxim]

Would those be black Cocoran boots?

[Joe W]

Would those be black Cocoran boots?

The boots pictured in the first photo do look to be black and highly shined, but I would guess they are the same boots that all the marines at that time wore. When new they were a rough finished dark brown. Before wearing I recall that they were first stained. Don't know what the stain was but remember it was black but gave off a dark greenish appearance. After being stained they would be polished using a small bottle to work in the polish anmd work out the roughness of the leather. Some would first melt the polish which I think was a brown/black, but really can't remember for sure. I do recall that everyone wore issue boots. Can't believe I can still remember this stuff after 50 + years and forget things that happened yesterday.