Davis C. Bruce, former SGT(USMC), 1963-1967


I was born in Boston but raised in Ventura and Bakersfield, California, lived in Texas many years. 
I began high school in California when my parents divorced in 1960. My mom and sister went back to 
Boston, I stayed out in California. The middle of the very first year of high school I was required 
to join my mom in Boston. It was February 1961, cold, I was on a plane to Boston, had not been there 
since I was six years old, Moved to a very tough neighborhood right in the inner city, attended a 
school where suspensions and fighting were commonplace. I lasted a couple of years, rebelled, got 
thrown out of high school many times, finally quit.

Decided to go into the military for four years, not three not two, went to all the recruiters, 
figured if I am to go in for four, it might as well be the Marine Corps....my mother signed for me, 
and two weeks after turning 17 I found myself at Parris Island, Halloween Night, October 31, 1963, 
trick or treat. Smile

While there, we took Classification Tests, as they called them. Apparently I did well on the 
Morse Code test. Marine MOS 2571 then, now it is 2621. After boot camp, advanced infantry training 
in NC, then to USNCTC Pensacola from April to Sept 1964. When I graduated I had to wait for an 
opening somewhere in the world, so they sent me to 2nd Marine Division Camp Lejeune NC for a year. 
I was in supply and also raking leaves, as the entire base was way in Spain on Operation Steelpike.

I was unloading a truck one day and my Sergeant told me I was going to Puerto Rico (Sabana Seca NSG Activity). 
I said, sure, Sarge, just as soon as I finish unloading these supplies, I’ll be on my way. He said you 
have ORDERS, and I said, as soon as I get done, I will go to the PX and stock up on Caribbean items. 
I still thought he was pulling my leg. Then he said get down off that truck and look at this. 
 couldn’t believe it, a change from North Carolina to Puerto Rico overnight.
Flew on a C-130 from Charleston AFB to Ramey AFB Puerto Rico. Ramey is a long long way from Sabana Seca. 
I was just a kid, thought the wildlife etc would be similar to that of South America, was looking out 
the window of the Navy bus looking for exotic wildlife.

Got to Sabana Seca, was an R brancher there for two glorious years, Building 40. The best job I ever had.

My fellow Marines and I, and a few sailors, keep in touch by email every few days.
Those two years were the most enjoyable of my life, 2 years in Puerto Rico out of my four years in the USMC.

Was in PR 12Oct65 to 30Oct67. -----Dave Bruce/Davis C. Bruce