Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 12, 2012 Marine Corps Test Unit #1 in the late 1950's evolved into the 1st Force Recon Company (and the 2nd FRC). Most of what's posted xame from a Marine who was assigned to MCTU #1 in 1954, was one of 20 Marines sent to Army jump and pioneer schools in 1956. I had a couple of his original orders, some uniforms, jump wings and a 2nd Force Recon Company pin. You can read about the MCTU here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_...issance_Platoon and this Marine was involved in pretty much everything described there and there are some cool photos. But for now: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted July 12, 2012 This pin is shown at about twice actual size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted July 12, 2012 Share #3 Posted July 12, 2012 FS, Very sharp grouping, never heard of the Pioneer School, Maybe Pathfinder School and now Sapper School? Still very neat group from a plank holder of a very dedicated unit. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted July 12, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 12, 2012 Can't wait to see the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted July 12, 2012 I suspect he was still wearing this piece when his started with MCTU#1: He did time as an Embassy Guard so perhaps this dates from that duty: No name in this one but look at those service stripes (which don't even reflect his last four years). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted July 12, 2012 He joined the Marines at age 16 - he'd earlier joined the Navy but they found out he was 14 and discharged him (I saw the discharge paper and have his Navy peacoat). He volunteered for the draft and that someone got him into the Marines, and when they found out his age, he was able to get parental permission to enlist according to his son. Here's a couple of WWII Muster Roll entries for him: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted July 12, 2012 He was born April 1927 and the above Muster Rolls shows him in a replacement battalion in April 1944, which means he must have in fact enlisted before April 44, before he turned 17. He made PFC by July 44, when he was 17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted July 12, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 12, 2012 Is this new TODAY? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted July 12, 2012 FS,Very sharp grouping, never heard of the Pioneer School, Maybe Pathfinder School and now Sapper School? Still very neat group from a plank holder of a very dedicated unit. Regards, John No pioneer school - just a pioneer of the Marine recon system. The first CO of the 1st Force Recon Company wrote a book "Fortune Favors The Brave" and outlines what happened when the Test Unit phase ended: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted July 12, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 12, 2012 oh wow...great group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted July 12, 2012 Is this new TODAY? Yes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted July 8, 2020 Someone has emailed me copies of documents from another member of Marine Corps Test Unit 1 - Sgt. Lyle Root. He shows up on the set of orders I posted at the beginning of this thread. Before being assigned to MCTU #1, Root was with Recon Co Hq Bn 3Rd Mar Div. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted July 8, 2020 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted July 9, 2020 Sgt Root had served in the Recon Co Hq Bn 3Rd Mar Div with Lt. Joseph Z Taylor who became platoon commander for MCTU 1. I found this document online that explains a little bit of the start of what really was a recon research and development unit, R&D. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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