A Belated Memorial Day

I was in recent contact with a Marine friend. We had served together in the 81mm Mortar platoon of Weapons Co. 2/3 almost 2 decades ago. He was a forward observer. I was the Platoon Corpsman

He reminded me of a mortar accident that occurred on this day, July 9, in the summer of 1988 at Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island.

I was temporarily assigned to Golf Co. and sitting with 60mm mortars when the accident occurred.

Golf Co's mortar were firing illumination rounds to light up the impact range. Because of the high winds, they had adjusted their guns so that they were firing over the heads of the 81mm mortar's position. The illume would pop and then float quickly into the impact range.

When the FPF (final protective fire) signal occurred, 60mm switched to high explosive rounds. Regrettably, they never switched the data on the guns. Seven high explosive rounds were dropped into the position of the 81mm platoon.

The call came up immediately on the radios, "Cease fire! Cease fire!" and also "Corpsman up!"

It took several minutes to run across the lava dogs, in the dark, to get back to my platoon's position.

Upon arriving, I was immediately led to Cpl. Carlisle. He had been hit in the armpit, above where the flak jacket covers and had been killed immediately. I had two marines begin CPR, load him on a HumVee and transport him back to the Battalion Aid Station. The doctor worked on him agressively, but ultimated gave up hope and pronounced him dead.

I was then led to Gunney Harris. He had been hit in the left eye and in the stomach/lower chest. He was vomiting up blood and food, and trying to mumble something about his wife and children.

I worked on him briefly, put then got him loaded and transported to the BAS. I do not know what happened with him at this point, but that he had ultimately died.

By then, several other corpsman had arrived from our battalion as well as personnel from PTA. The situation was now in control; birds had landed, and the remaining wounded marines were flown to Trippler Army Hospital.

The battalion was sent in from the field and I went back to the Quonset. I was emotionally drained. I layed in my rack and thought of Cpl Carlisle and Gunney Harris. I knew that Carlisle was gone and I was fairly sure that Gunney Harris was not likely to make it.

It was my first exposure to trauma and my first exposure to combat type injuries and I felt like I failed.

This, though, is a memorial to Cpl. Carlisle and Gunney Harris.

Carlisle was a gawky kid from Roswell, NM. At that time, I tolerated him, thinking him sort of nerdy. I recognize in him now, with some of my own maturity, qualities that make good leadership.

I can tell he came from a good home, that he was well-loved by his parents, had done well in school and tried hard at whatever he put his hand to. He was humble to a fault, which demostrated itself as insecurity, but as he gained confidence, I can now see that with greater confidence he had strength to lead, and the humility not to lord it over others.

Carlisle was a good man, cut short. I would be willing to serve with him and under him if he had been given the chance.

I know less of Gunney Harris. I served under him and tried to serve well and give him little grief, but I had little interaction with him, outside of work and outside his circle of friends within the platoon.

He was a likable man, always cheerful and quick with a joke. He was easy to get along with, but tried to keep an appropriate distance to those in lesser ranks.

Gunney Harris knew his job well and made sure it got done, either by himself directly or by others through delegation.

He seemed to love the Corp, but understood it for what it was -- a means to and end and not the end itself. From him I learned, "Hey Doc, don't sweat the small stuff; it's all small stuff."

He loved his family and did what he did for their sake. I'm sure he is missed by his family.

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And so I remove my cover for two men whose lives were taken too soon.

Semper Fi, Cpl. Carlisle, Gunney Harris -- I'll never forget you.

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