6 Sept 2022 Garand Picture of the Day

[Bob Seijas]

Hector never went to boot camp. He joined the Marine Reserve in Dover, NJ because his pal said you get to shoot a lot and the ammo is free! Hector joined but dropped out because it interfered with his hunting. When the unit was activated he went to the train station and talked his way on, went without so much as a toothbrush. I figure he killed more than 200 Chinese that first night, then was shot by a sniper the next morning and evacuated down the hill to the medical tent.

[Ovidio]

Hector never went to boot camp. He joined the Marine Reserve in Dover, NJ because his pal said you get to shoot a lot and the ammo is free! Hector joined but dropped out because it interfered with his hunting. When the unit was activated he went to the train station and talked his way on, went without so much as a toothbrush. I figure he killed more than 200 Chinese that first night, then was shot by a sniper the next morning and evacuated down the hill to the medical tent.

He really got to shoot a lot...and free ammo too. His friend was right.
Just didn't tell him the whole truth.
Great story!!!

[jond41403]

Hector never went to boot camp. He joined the Marine Reserve in Dover, NJ because his pal said you get to shoot a lot and the ammo is free! Hector joined but dropped out because it interfered with his hunting. When the unit was activated he went to the train station and talked his way on, went without so much as a toothbrush. I figure he killed more than 200 Chinese that first night, then was shot by a sniper the next morning and evacuated down the hill to the medical tent.

There was a great interview with him on YouTube years back that I can't seem to find now where he told the story you just quoted. If I'm not mistaken he had a wounded friend with him that night that lost his boots or something to that effect. I also remember him stating that he fired his m1 so much he had to put snow on the handguard to keep it from catching fire. I believe his handguard was charred pretty good if I remember correctly. I wish I could find it so I could direct people here to it because it was an interesting interview to say the least. I hope I'm not mixing two different stories but it seems I also remember him complaining the president stepped on his newly shined boots and ruined them presenting him the metal haha

[jond41403]

Sorry guys the interview I'm referring to was not on a YouTube video, it was on a DVD I have called "America's rifle the m1 garand special collectors edition".

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Recommended reading for those interested in the Korean War, or anyone else for that matter.

Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice: Makos, Adam: 9780804176606: Amazon.com: Books