Long before Americans began saying “whatever,” Marines in Vietnam had their own expression: “There it is.” Two words that could convey resignation, frustration, acceptance, dark humor, and survival.
War isn’t just firefights and history books. It’s also rumors, practical jokes, wildlife, and the strange folklore that soldiers tell each other to survive. These are some of the unforgettable legends of Vietnam.
Some memories fade with time. Boot camp stories don’t. From a daring trip to the bowling alley and the infamous GG Shot to the Bird Shooter and the legendary Lindbergh escape, these are the stories Marines still laugh about decades later.
A funny but heartfelt Vietnam story about using the military’s MARS radio system to call home—only to have my mother’s babysitter think it was all a prank.
A poor student looking for adventure, a World War II Marine uncle, a furious father, and a one-way ticket to boot camp. This is the story of why I chose the United States Marine Corps.