Mel’s Military History
Click Here for Mel's LST 1096 Service and History
Military Information: Includes time in a particular Service; Position or Rank structure; Duties performed.
U.S. Navy, 1 March 52 – 1 July 58: Seaman Apprentice, Seaman 2nd. Deck Crew. 1st/2nd loader/40mm anti-aircraft guns and 1st loader/20mm cannon. Accident at Inchon, Korea, 52 -( not caused by any enemy action.) Final determination, Zinc Chromate poisoning /30% disability list. Received Honorable Discharge, June 1958.
U.S. Marine Corps, 22 June 60 – 21 June 64: Corporal. Boot camp and advanced combat training, San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California. Assigned to Artillery Unit, 29 Palms, CA as Company Clerk, (0141). Later transferred to Military Police Unit. Later, received TAD orders to Provost Marshal Office, Camp Pendleton, CA and assigned as Criminal Investigator in CID, (0111). Later volunteer transfer to new unit of Accident Claims Investigation at Camp Pendleton CA. Received Honorable Discharge, June 1964.
Oregon National Guard, 20 August 73 – 7 September 79: Corporal, Sgt E-5, SSgt E-6. Assigned to the 1249 Engr Bn., Camp Rilea, Warrenton, OR. Assigned as Unit Training NCO.
U.S. Army Reserve, 7 September 79 – 4 April 83: SSgt E-6, Sgt 1st E-7. Assigned as Supply Sergeant to Drill Instructor unit of Co E 1/413/ITB/104th Army Reserve, Camp Rilea, Warrenton, OR
I.R.R. (Inactive Reserve) 4 April 83 – 29 July 86: (Kept rank of Sgt 1st class)
U.S. Army Reserve 29 July 86 – 29 October 87: Sgt 1st E-7. Assigned as Training NCO for Co D 3/415/ITB/104, at Longview, WA.
U.S. Army Reserve 29 October 87 – 15 May 92: Sgt 1st E-7. Assigned as Company Supply NCO for Co A 2/414/ITB/104 at Roseburg, OR
I.R.R. (Inactive Reserve), 15 May 92 – 94: Began drawing military Retirement pay
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Military Schooling/Training:
U.S. Navy basic (52) U.S. Marine Corps basic (60)
Atomic, Biological & Chemical Defense, USMC (61)
Criminal Investigation School, USMC, Camp Pendleton, CA (62)
Defensive driving, USA, Fort Benning, GA (81)
Unit Supply School, USA, Fort Lewis, WA (88)
Defensive driving, USAR, HHD, Medford, OR (89)
Logistic’s School, G4/S4, USAR, Vancouver, WA (90)
Military Correspondence:
Evidence, Apprehension, Fingerprinting, USMC (61)
Combat Engr, II, OR Nat Gd (77)
“ “ 12B30, OR Nat Gd (78)
Recruiting/Retention, OR Nat Gd/Army Reserve (78)
Criminal Investigation 95B and all sub courses, USAR, (80)
Unit Supply Specialist, USAR, (88
Military Decorations: (Listed in order of uniform wearing
Army Achievement (USAR) 1 June 88 – 10 October 89
Good Conduct (USMC) 22 June 60 – 21 June 63
Army Nat Guard/Reserve Good Conduct (Achievement) 20 August 73
3-bronze oak leafs= 20 August 77 – 19 August 83
20 August 81 – 19 August 85
19 August 85 – 19 August 89
Army National Guard Faithful (OR) 20 August 73 – 19 August 77
National Defense Service 3-bronze oak leafs= 1 May 52 – 1 March 53 (USN)
1 January 61 – 21 June 63 (USMC)
2 August 90 (OR Guard/USAR)
Korean Service (2-battle Stars) 1 March 52 – 1 March 53
Armed Forces Reserve (10 yr) 20 August73 – 19 August 83
Army Service 1986
United Nations Service 1 March 52 – 1 March 53 (USN)
Korean War Service (issued by South Korea 1 March 52 – 1 March 53 (USN)
Other Awards:
Recruiting/Rentention badge 4/91 NG/USAR
Expert Rifleman badge 60/64 USMC
“ “ “ 73/91 NG/USAR
Award for High performance for excellence, (Major General
John Herrling, Cdr, Fort Dix, N.C.) 19 July 91 (AT 91) USAR
Several certificates of Appreciation from 1249 Engr Bn, 1973 – 1979 NG
Units from within the 104th USAR 1974-1991 USAR
Other Military information…..See LST 1096 and photos………
GOD BLESS AMERICA……IN GOD WE TRUST……HONOR YOUR FLAG AND COUNTRY….
PERSONAL OPINION…………….
There are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand. First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend you in any way. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the “American Way” has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled, and died at places such as Bunker Hill, San Juan, Bataan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam…..We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society—–learn our language!
“In God we Trust” is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall Christian Right Wing political slogan—-it is our National Motto. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation and this is clearly documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools….God Is our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and in our founding documents. We honor his birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him. We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms…..We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag. As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose. If the stars and stripes offend you, or you don’t like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.
The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don’t care how you did things where you came from. Like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his/her own opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. BUT once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom. THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Oh, and think about this: To those who do complain about the usage of words like “God” and “American” and speaking the language of our great Nation, try going to another country and speak against what you don’t like. In many cases you will more than likely end up in jail, injured….or even dead…….In America, you take your right to complain for granted. The more patriotism that is removed from where our children are taught, the less our children will learn about what it is to be an American and our Nation’s spirit will slowly die.
Mel Jasmin