True Warrior: Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth Goss

GySgt Kenny Goss enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from Orange, Texas and entered recruit training at MCRD San Diego on July 14, 1981.  A young Kenny Goss became interested in military service at an early age, inspired by his father’s service in the US Army during the late 1950s.  Following recruit training, PFC Goss attended the Construction Drafting School, Defense Mapping School, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  While at HQ Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Kenny reconsidered his occupation decision and submitted a request to become an infantryman. His request was approved one year after his obligated time on station was complete. He transferred to G 2/8 in January of 1983 for duty as an infantry rifleman (0311).

From October of 1983 to May of 1984, 2/8 participated in a historic deployment.  First seeing combat during the invasion of Grenada, then in Beirut, Lebanon.  Gunny Goss was a sergeant squad leader at the time and Golf acted as the track company during Operation Urgent Fury for the battalion landing team.  Once Golf landed, they were tasked with assisting in the extraction of Governor-General Paul Scoon, his family and staff, and the Navy SEALS out of the Governor-General's mansion.  They were next tasked with securing Fort Frederick, which they seized unopposed by the People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA).  During site exploitation of the fort, Gunny Goss’ squad located a large cache of communist weapons and documents.  After six days on the island, G 2/8 once again boarded the USS Manitowoc and landed, in conjunction with F 2/8, on the adjacent island of Carriacou.  The Marines quickly secured the island, and captured several groups of PRA soldiers.  Following the seizure of Carriacou, Gunny Goss and 2/8 once again boarded ship and set sail for Beirut, Lebanon. 

During operations in Lebanon, Gunny Goss recalls experiencing intense fighting with Shiite militiamen.  The M203 grenade launcher was employed with great affect to reduce enemy positions, as well as the use of Marine M60 Patton main battle tank, which were attached to the rifle platoon.  In one instance, an M60 actually had to be resupplied with 105mm rounds during the engagement, firing a total of 33 rounds.  During the course of the deployment, nine Marines from Golf 2/8 were killed and several were injured. 

Following his initial tour with 2/8, Gunny Goss went on to serve in a variety of billets and units.  Gunny Goss served as a drill instructor at Parris Island.  He served in Charlie 1/1, deploying on two WESTPACs; first as a squad leader, then as a platoon sergeant.  Gunny Goss then served on the Inspector-Instructor staff for Weapons Co. 1/23. 

In 1993, Gunny Goss was assigned to Fox 2/2 where he again served overseas in two separate hostile environments.  In 1994, Fox 2/2 participated in Operation Support/Uphold Democracy in Haiti.  Gunny Goss recalls confusion during the planning phase; as to whether or not this was an offensive operation or a peace keeping and humanitarian operation.  Early in the mission, local police instigated a fire fight with Marines, leading to numerous police officers being killed.  In 1996, Fox 2/2 deployed to the Mediterranean aboard ship.  During the course of the deployment, the US embassy in Liberia came under attack.  Fox 2/2, with Gunny Goss as 2nd platoon sergeant, conducted a heloborne insert and established a defensive position around the embassy.   

Following his years with 2/2, Gunnery Sergeant Goss went on to Inspector-Instructor duty in Louisiana, where he retired in 2001.  He has since worked for the US Postal Service in Louisiana and North Carolina.

Fellow 0311 Does Well - Brooks' Cycle Center

A couple of weeks ago LB (03XX Director of Operations) was out blanketing the Centreville, VA area with flyers for a charity bike wash. While stopping into all of the local motorcycle businesses he walked into Brooks' Cycle Center and saw a large Marine Corps flag hanging behind the desk. It wasn't your standard flag. It was one of those nice ones with the gold fringe around it. Come to find out the owner of Brooks' Cycle Center is a Marine Veteran and is an 0311 (Jason Brooks).

While speaking with Jason he shared his story of all the trials and tribulations in the job market after he got out of the Marine Corps. As an 0311 he kept charging the hill. He had a day job but also helped fix motorcycles out of his jeep in his spare time to make extra money for his family. A little over a year ago he took the leap and started his own business. When LB stopped in there was a buzz around the shop and there were several bikes out front awaiting service.

The 03XX Foundation wanted to share this story with you to show you that 03XXers can do anything they put their mind to in the civilian world. If anyone is looking for bike work drop Brooks' Cycle Center a line and support your fellow 03s.

Brooks' Cycle Center website: http://brookscycle.intuitwebsites.com/index.html

Hit them up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooks-Cycle-Center/147040879477?fref=ts

12/5,

03XX Foundation Staff - LB

True Warrior: First Sergeant Donald "Woody" Hamblen

1^st Sergeant Donald Hamblen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950.  After his initial training, he was assigned to D 2/5 in Korea.  1^st Sgt Hamblen served with distinction as a Scout/Sniper. During an engagement with Chinese Communists forces, he was wounded in a mortar barrage.  While being evacuated by a litter team, his group was ambushed by an element of Chinese infantrymen.  Hamblen was again wounded, after being shot in the leg.  Despite his wounds, Hamblen quickly made his way back to his unit and was promoted to squad leader.

During the next ten years, 1^st Sergeant Hamblen served in numerous units before being assigned to 1^st Force Reconnaissance Company as assistant platoon sergeant with the Pathfinder Platoon.  At the time, 1^st Force maintained a Pathfinder capability, allowing them to conduct deep reconnaissance missions, as well as the ability to conduct terminal guidance for drop and helicopter landing zones.  1^st Sergeant Hamblen was a skilled parachutist. He received training in air delivery systems and tested a variety of parachutes.  1^st Sgt Hamblen’s training included hunting and tracking in the Philippines, as well as attending the Navy’s Underwater Swimmer School in Key West, Florida.

On September 21, 1962 1^st Sergeant Hamblen was severely injured during a static jump at Camp Pendleton, California.  Strong winds forced him into high tension power lines causing third degree burns over much of 1^st Sergeant Hamblen’s lower body.  His wounds were so severe, that doctors were forced to amputate his left leg, below the knee.  Equipped with several prosthetic legs and a burning desire to continue his service, 1^st Sergeant Hamblen began his road to recovery.  A disagreement existed between the Navy and Marine Corps.  The Navy wished to know if Hamblen would ever be able to return to full duty.  The Marines Corps wanted to know when he would return to full duty. 

After his release from the hospital, 1^st Sergeant Hamblen began a demanding physical training program which included running, swimming, and weight lifting. A little over half a year after his injury, 1^st Sergeant Hamblen convinced 1^st Marine Division leadership to allow him to take the Physical Readiness Test.  The test included carrying a casualty, ruck marching, a twenty foot rope climb, and a boots and utilities run.  1^st Sergeant Hamblen successfully completed the PRT, then famously removed his prosthetic leg and poured out the blood which had accumulated from the torn scar tissue.  1^st Sergeant Hamblen had officially returned to 1^st Force Recon.

1^st Sergeant Hamblen went on to serve in Vietnam with the highly classified Studies and Observation Group, leading South Vietnamese forces in covert special operations in both North and South Vietnam.  Hamblen was again wounded in 1966 during an engagement with the enemy, receiving shrapnel in his armpit and chest.  1^st Sergeant Hamblen spent over two years in country and was eventually forced to leave Vietnam after newspaper reporters learned of his presence in country.  1^st Sergeant Hamblen retuned to the United States in 1967, where he served in various training and joint billets until his retirement on March 1, 1970.