John N Cole, Jr/USMC/Vietnam 63-67

[jobriant]

I am the surviving spouse of John N Cole, Jr/USMC. He served active duty during 1963-1967. Anyone knowing him during his service PLEASE contact me.

[Cpl Miller]

any of his boot camp information as in where he went to boot camp, what year, and his platoon number?

[jobriant]

He entered the USMC in Houston, 01/23/63 until 02/13/63/.
San Diego to Camp Pendelton for training 02/14/63-06/06/63.
Assigned 'DUTY' 06/19/64-04/08/65. The 'STATION' is marked out on his medical record. He was assigned B Btry 2nd LAAMS 04/08/65.
Transferred to 20 Palms 06/28/65. Then, 'DUTY' again 07/09/65-07/17/66 with '1st Lignt AA Missile Battalion' . T
hen to Cherry Point from 08/25/66-02/11/67 whereupon he was discharged.

[jobriant]

I am confused by the term 'stumps'? And, I don't remember a reply as to such matter? Can you please clarify fo me. Thanks

[Cpl Miller]

is the fact that there was NO boot camp at the stumps (29 Palms, Ca).

This is why this site is so important in retaining boot camp information. You are not the only family member that will want to know about their husband, father, sister or brother's past in the Corps. Don't get frustrated, your search could take some time before someone may come up with an answer for you.

[jobriant]

His medical records indicate he arrived at MCRD, San Diego, Calif 02-1-1963 - May 3, 1963.
The next station, which is very difficult to read, indicate "Infantry Training Regiment Marine Corps Base Camp Pendelton, Calif May 8, 1963 - June 6 1963.
Then, the records indicate 'MCRD, San Diego, Calif. July 5, 1963 - Jan ?, 1964.
Then 'Duty'....

[Cpl Miller]

Back in his day as mine Infantry Training Regiment refers to ITR as we called it. That is the four week course wright after boot camp all Marines go through that is located at Camp Pendleton, Ca.

[jobriant]

So how do I know where he went to boot camp? Can I tell from his medical records? If so, I can search the boot camp database and see if I can see what platoon he was in?
Thanks so much for your assistance.

[Cpl Miller]

medical records he arrived at MCRD San Diego, Ca which IS boot camp. Although it sounds a little fishing he was at SD for only 20 days yet he was at Camp Pendleton for a little less than four months.
IF his records are in error he would have been at SD for three months (boot camp) with his last month of training at ITR (Pendleton).

[JITB]

I think the Corps shortened its boot camp stay in 1965 or a little later when troop commitment to Vietnam was increasing. ITR was a month or less for non-infantry MOS's and up to 2 months for infantry. The same basic format continued when they changed the name from ITR to SOI (School Of Infantry).

[jobriant]

I guess I can 'ass-ume' John attended boot camp at Camp Pendelton? If so, how do I find anyone who might have been with him there? And what battalion was he in - according to the database list posted on this web site? Man, and I get all 'worked up' going to the vehicle registration office - that is nothing compared to trying to retrace John's military record.:confused: My tax $$ at work.

Why would his medical records have the 'STATION' marked through for 'Duty' for dates 6/19/64-4/8/65? It is a copy and you can tell that it was erased or whited out?

[Cpl Miller]

would have been at San Diego not Camp Pendleton. Pendleton ONLY at ITR training.

[cmyr]

He entered the USMC in Houston, 01/23/63 until 02/13/63/.

(This would be what today they call the Delayed Entry Program - he enlisted on Jan. 23 and then left for boot camp on Feb. 13.)


San Diego to Camp Pendelton for training 02/14/63-06/06/63.

(He arrived for boot camp on Feb. 14. The key to finding his platoon number would be to find out which platoons formed up on Feb 14. After 3 months of boot camp ((Feb - May)), he went to ITR for a month (May-Jun).


Assigned 'DUTY' 06/19/64-04/08/65. The 'STATION' is marked out on his medical record. He was assigned B Btry 2nd LAAMS 04/08/65.

(He successfully completed his Military Occupational Specialty (job) training. This would be why the 'STATION' is marked out and changed to 'DUTY' because he was stationed there to learn his job and after doing so, he was assigned duty there awaiting orders to his first permanet duty (job) station.)


Transferred to 20 Palms 06/28/65.

(He moved his first permanent duty (job) station at 29 Palms.)


Then, 'DUTY' again 07/09/65-07/17/66 with '1st Lignt AA Missile Battalion' .

(After some time for leave and travel ((Jun 28 - Jul 8)), he worked at 29 Palms with this unit.)


Then to Cherry Point from 08/25/66-02/11/67 whereupon he was discharged.

(After a month for leave and to transfer ((Jul-Aug), he worked at Cherry Point until he was discharged.)


So.. he started boot camp on Feb. 14, 1963 at San Diego and graduated sometime in May, 1963. :)

[JITB]

Thanks and a tip of the hat to cmyr.

[Big Al]

And God help us if we can't remember as records don't show platoon#s on them just units and it is hard to remember that long ago. My boot camp was 108 San Diego 7Jan66 to 11Mar66 Then on to Cam. Pen for ITR until 1Apr66.

[jobriant]

Thanks so much for the information. NOW, how do I find anybody who might have served with him? in boot camp, in 'Nam?