I worked in the office next to Ben when I worked at the USMC museum. He was head of Oral Histories then, I believe that he is the chief historian now. He wrote an excellent history of the Korean conflict.
When I went to the Air Command and Staff College, a female USAF Captain said, "That's what I like about Marines; you have traditions. We haven't been around long enough to have any."
And from "Full Metal Jacket"
http://161.58.5.90/fmj/forever.wav
Thank you for responding--I only know Ben thru the Internet--as you can see, the post of his that I posted above is dated 1999.
A few years ago he was active on several e-mail discussion groups that I subscribed to, but I seldom ever see anything of his anymore.
I do, from time to time, e-mail him on topics I know he'll have the answers to--see him on the History Channel every now and then.
I think he retired about 5 or so years ago.
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines