"Ready for Anything 

Counting on Nothing"

01 August 2010 

44 Years Ago This Month

Echo Company Two-Seven Tooter August 1966 edition 

Photo taken August 1966 - Click to enlarge

Our Chapter's email newsletter, the "Two-Seven Tooter " is named in honor of the periodical we would get while in-country with Echo Company 2/7.

Echo Company 2/7 History - 04 August 1966

The original Echo Company Two-Seven Tooter, produced usually at base camp(s) was typed out using a typewriter - remember those? - borrowed from the company clerk. Using carbon paper, several copies were produced at a time and handed out to Echo Marines to be passed around. Fortunately for us, one made its way back to the world.

The original Tooter had a back page where you could just sign your name and mail it back home. It would read "The following letter is intended to inform your family and friends about the area you are living in. If you wish, send this copy home. Chu Lai, Vietnam, 125* today, August 4, 1966".

To see the original only-known copy of the Echo Company Two-Seven Tooter published in-country 44 years ago this month click here.

USMC KA BAR Combat Fighting Knife

The KA-BAR (trademarked as KA-BAR, (capitalized) was a fighting and utility knife issued to U.S. Marines fighting in the jungles of Viet Nam.

The KA-BAR is also the name of a related manufacturing company most known for the same eleven and three quarter inch fighting and utility Bowie knife adopted by the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy as the USN Fighting Knife Mark II.
A typical KA-BAR knife has a 7 inch clip point blade and weighs about 1.1 lbs. The KA-BAR fighting knife is made of 1095 carbon steel and features a leather-washer or synthetic handle made of Kraton (a non-slip rubber substitute).

How it got it's name
The name "KA-BAR" came to be after the company received a poorly written English letter in which the author wrote how the company's knife saved his life after he was attacked by a bear and his gun failed to kill it. All that was legible was "k a bar"-presumably fragments of the phrase "kill a bear"-and the company adopted that as their trademark.

The U.S. Marines bought many different knives and designs from a large number of knife suppliers. After extensive trials under field conditions, the KA-BAR fighting knife was found to be the most popular among troops because it was adequate for most tasks demanded by a combat Marine. The Marine Corps made several changes to the original design, these included the introduction of a small fuller to make a slightly longer but lighter blade for combat, a pinned pommel and a stacked leather handle for better grip. The blade, guard, and pommel were all finished in a non-reflective matte phosphate finish instead of the brightly polished steel of the original design. Millions of these fighting knives were made by the Union Cutlery Company (later renamed KA-BAR). The inexpensive knife was easy to manufacture and therefore easy to replace. It was also used as a diving knife in World War II though the model in use at the time disintegrated rapidly in saltwater. After the Second World War, the U.S. military continued to use the KA-BAR. Various forms of this practical knife also remained very popular within civilian markets, such as with hunters, fishermen, hikers, and outdoorsmen.

Still- and will always be- Together

 Click to enlarge

It's well known that the Marines of Echo 2/7 stay together for life. This photograph proves that. More than 40 years after the Vietnam War these Echo Marines still get together and share a bond.

From left to right:

Rene Raine, George R Ware, Howard Buford, Archie Phillips, Daniel Burress, and sitting low Mitchell Johnson. Semper Fidelis!

Our Heritage

Gyrenes, Jarheads, and Leathernecks
Ever wonder the origination of the terms people refer to us by? Here is some interesting information that may just surprise you.

Gyrenes: Around 1900, members of the U.S. Navy began using Gyrene as a jocular derogatory reference to U.S. Marines. Instead of being insulted, the Marines loved it! The term became common by World War l and has been extensively used ever since.
Jarheads: For almost 50 years, sailors had little luck in their effort to insult Marines by calling them Gyrenes. So, during World War ll sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marines Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.

Leathernecks: The nickname Leatherneck has become a universal name for a U.S. Marine. The term originated from the wide and stiff leather neck-piece that was part of the Marine Corps uniform from 1798 to 1872. This leather collar, called The Stock, was roughly four inches high and had two purposes. In combat, it protected the neck and jugular vein from cutlasses slashes. On parade, it kept a Marine's head erect. The term is so widespread that it has become the name of the Marine Corps Association monthly magazine, LEATHERNECK.

Marine Corp Motto
The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883 (Semper Fidelis is also the title of the official musical March of the Marine Corps). Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means "Always Faithful." U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, "Semper Fi," to voice loyalty and commitment to their Marine comrades-in-arms. Previous mottos of the Marine Corps were (1) To the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1805; (2) Fortitude, adopted in 1812; (3) From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1848; and (4) By Sea and by Land, adopted in the 1850's.
Now you know! Semper Fidelis

They Can't Take It Away

or steal our valor no matter how hard they try

Once again, there is another report of an individual who thinks, trys, and claims to be one of us. But no matter how hard they try, or what ribbons they place upon themselves, they will never be "us". They know that. We know that. But we need to pursue them. We need to pursue them not alone for our own pride but for those names etched in Granite. They count on us to uphold their sacrifice and their pride. If we don't do it, nobody else will. 

We believe the courts should uphold the law signed into effect (The Stolen Valor Act of 2005) that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006. As Vietnam Veterans, we feel very keenly the damage done by these fakes. Those who falsely claim service or medals for heroism, cheapen the recognition of our true war heroes. The phony war hero phenomenon tarnishes the service of thousands of Vietnam veterans who have served their country honorably.  

Semper Fi,

Echo Company 2/7 Vietnam Veterans Chapter