Operation Phoenix

3rd Marine Regiment Operation Phoenix March 1972 Master Gunnery Sergeant L. Consijio 3rd Marines S-3 Chief

Lance Corporal R.E. White

Colonel Lewis B. Chesty Puller (Korea) (June 26th, 1898 October 11th, 1971)

Chesty Puller died during the planning phases of Operation Phoenix. Rumor had it that the name of our operation was offered up by our crusty old Top (Master Gunnery Sergeant Consijio) who was speculating what new old bird1 might rise (like the legendary Phoenix) from the ashes of the old one. What I remember most from the planning of Phoenix (besides working 12 to 14 hr days) was starting a calendar counting down to my RELAD2 date. It hung on the wall of the S-3 Op center. I also put a photo of our beloved Chesty just above it. Our air liaison officer (a jovial jet jockey named LaGrange) had some of those little yellow smiley face stickers and one day he stuck one in the middle of Chestys face. He was all snickerin and tee-hee-in about it, waiting to see what Id do when I noticed what hed done to my little shrine. It wasnt but minutes later the 3rd Marines Sergeant Major strutted in and immediately noticed that sticker pasted over Chestys mug. He sharply grunted out his disapproval, demanding who in hell would be so irreverent as to do something so despicable. Being the loyal Marine that I was, I took the heat for the deed, begged the SgtMajs pardon and removed the sticker from Chestys puss while LaGrange sat at his desk in utter silence. Well I never got the ride in the back seat of a F-4 Phantom that I demanded in trade for covering Lt Ls six on the smiley face no-no, but he did fix me up with an afternoon off and a helicopter ride around the Island of Oahu Bob White reflecting on March 1972

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A bird is Marine Corps slang for a full-bird Colonel that sports a spread Eagle for his rank insignia. RELAD = Release From Active Duty i.e. the official date youre done serving.

4/28/2009 10:28:00 PM BOB WHITE