Master Sergeant (Retired) James Conover

Trenton, NJ

In 1964, I joined the US Marine Corps while a senior in high school. At 16 years old, I thought of quitting school. Upon graduation from Trenton Central High School in Trenton, NJ, I reported to Parris Island, S.C. for 13 weeks of "bends and thrusts." I thought about quitting. Upon graduation, I reported to Camp Gieger for Infantry Training. I met the singer, Bobby Vinton there. Later, I was assigned to Sea School in Portsmouth, Virginia. Upon graduation, I was asigned to the Marine Detachment, USS Enterprise (Big E). While on the Big E, I traveled to Gitmo, Cuba; Philippines, Hong Kong, California, Hawaii and the Coast(twice); I provided honors for the president of the Philipines, Taiwan and South Viet Nam. I played basketball against the Harlem Globe Trotters and I met Hugh O'Brian (Actor and the youngest Marine Drill Instructor). I did all of this within two years of my Marine Corps enlistment. Prior to that, I had only been to three American states. In 1967, I left the Big E as a Corporal and reported to L 3/2 at Camp Lejeune. On Sept. 1, 1967, I was promoted to Sergeant. Now that scared me because I had decided on just being a Corporal within my four years. But my Platoon Commander thought otherwise. He, like my Senior Drill Instuctor, like my Detachment Gunny saw something in me that I did not see in myself. In 1968, I was assigned (TAD) to Camp Gieger as a Troop Handler of "student" Marines. Three years ago, I was going through the same training. Here at 22 years old, I was in-charge of a large training company. Later, I went back to Gitmo, Cuba because I would not extend for a Med Cruise. I was disappointed so I quit the Coprs and was honorably discharged as a sergeant on 4 October,1968. In December, 1968, I reenlisted in the Corps for 6 years because I don't like the feeling of quitting. Febrauary 1969, I was deployed to Viet Nam as a infantry Platoon Sergeant with M 3/7 ( Capt Paul Van Riper). I was awarded two Purple Heart Medals and the respect of my first combat platoon. Later, in my Marine Corps career, I would lead two more platoons with K 3/4; and First Platoon, MCI Co, Marine Barracks 8th & I; Company Gunny for two companies; NCOIC, NCO School at Quantico, Tactical Instructor (Land Navigation), OCS, Quantico, Virginia; NCOIC, Post Grinada Operations Study Group and the Staff NCO Enhancement Program also at Quantico, Virginia. On 26December, 1984, I retired from the United States Marine Corps as a 0369 Master Sergeant - there are no "tops" in the Grunts! At 52, I was accepted into Graduate School. In 2001, I recieved my Masters Degree in Human Services. Today, I teach National Guard soldiers and their families how to cope with pre and post combat deployments. I was a first responder to support Hurrican Katrina Victims. I often think of what I would have missed had I quit and not EARNED my title, United States Marine when I was 18 years old. I am 62 years old now and I shall never quit! Semper Fi.