January 12, 2022

Remembering Sgt John Edwards

January 12, 2022/ Operation Meatball/ Liberty Phillips

A few days ago the little world of Operation Meatball took a personal hit when we lost board member and dear, dear friend Sergeant John Edwards USMC.

John/Gunny/Top… was an impeccable Marine, a brilliant mind, and the most reliable of humans - epitomizing the Marines motto Semper Fidelis. He has been a standard in my mind of what a Marine looks like.

Whenever I think of my first meeting with John, I get the biggest grin. I was sat next to him on the flight from Honolulu to Guam a number of years ago. Before the plane took off, he started the conversation by telling me that if I was a dull companion for the flight he would have to partake of his whiskey flask. 7 1/2 hours later, after talking all sorts of subjects (from the Marine Corps greats to philosophy to how to solve the orphan problem in America), our flight landed and John turned to me and with a wry grin said, “Well look, I didn’t even have to touch my flask.”

From then on he was my hero and we became wonderful friends.

“Liberty - Remember the two USMC mottos 1. Semper Fidelis 2. 240 years of tradition unhampered by progress. We are the only service that has two. ”

— John Edwards

Having John, someone I admired so much, as a board member was just one of the greatest honors for me. I have many little memories I shall treasure… as I know each of his friends share with me, as well as the countless lives he touched. I would’ve loved to have made the trip to Peleliu with him and experience that magic which I heard so much about from others. But I’m pretty sure I’m okay missing out on his specialty: Spaghetti MRE.

Semper Fi Top.

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May 16, 2018

Visit with a Marine Raider

May 16, 2018/ Liberty Phillips

While in California, I was able to pay a visit to one of my Marine Raiders, Joe Harrison. Some of you may remember Mr. Harrison from an article I wrote last fall after my trip to the Marine Raider Reunion.

Here is an excerpt from the article, "Gung Ho! The Marine Raiders Reunion."

One of the most remarkable "miracle" stories I've ever heard was from Raider, Joseph Harrison. During one encounter with the Japanese, Harrison was called on to help carry a stretcher to the field hospital. The man had been hit in the head, but all they could find was an exit wound in the back of his skull. They carried him back and a little while later Harrison learned that the Marine had indeed survived, but the cause of his wound was most curious: - the bullet which had struck him had entered his right eye, circled a less-important part of the brain, and exited through the back of his head. The total long-term consequence was that his vision went from 20/20 to 20/40. Otherwise he was A-Okay.

Another similar instance Harrison witnessed happened to his unit's chaplain. During another fight with the Japanese, he saw the chaplain fall to his knees, presumably hit. He rushed up and called for a medic, but when he examined the chaplain he saw that the bullet had only hit the helmet, made a hole, ricocheted around the inside of the helmet, and exited, leaving the chaplain unharmed - though significantly deaf. The chaplain never fully recovered his hearing, but his life had been spared!

I asked Mr. Harrison about his return home and the first meal he had. This is a fun one to ask because you hear all sorts of things. I wasn't disappointed. He told me he hadn't had a proper salad or any greens since he had left for the Pacific, 30 months before, so he bought himself several bunches of Celery stocks (made me think of the song, "Celery Stocks at Midnight"), and promptly consumed them. They've been a favorite dish of his ever since.

It was wonderful catching up with my Raider and listening to new stories I hadn't heard before. But one of the things I was struck with most during my visit was the personal integrity and work ethic he had carried with him his entire life. Whether it was on the battlefields of Guadalcanal or raising his 4 boys later in life, he never had to be told what to do. He just knew what he had to do, and he did it. What an example for all of us!!