The official dedication of the Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig Sr. Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday November 17. Former winners of the USMCCCA’s prestigious Denig Award will be invited to attend the dedication. A no host luncheon Read more…
Dr. Linda Canup Keaton-Lima, winner of the 2012 Denig Award
In our long and storied history, our premier award has never been bestowed on the son or daughter of a combat correspondent. This changes in 2012 as Dr. Linda Canup Keaton-Lima, daughter of the late, long-time CC Claude “Red” Canup, and author of “War Is Not Just For Heroes” is awarded the 2012 Denig award.Her book, a collection of 398 “dispatches” and personal letters sent by her dad from the Pacific represents nearly 12 years of tenacity, stubbornness and perseverance. Marine historians are now calling this one of the most complete accounting of Marine aviation in World War II.
Given that “Red” had pack-rat tendencies and saved a copy of everything he wrote, it is doubtful these “flimsies” would have seen the light of day except for Linda’s stubbornness. “In 2000 I began bugging my brother Buzz in Texas, to send Dad’s works to some Marine connection. He finally sent them to me in 2009 after they were nearly destroyed by a water leak.”
After sorting through them, Linda contacted her Dad’s old friend, CC Past President Keith Oliver for advice: “Could they be published?” More importantly, “would anyone read them?” Keith assured her they would be read and suggested she contact the Naval Institute, publisher of the Proceedings.
The weather was spectacular and the golf course was in outstanding condition on June 12 as 98 golfers kicked off the 2012 version of the Foundation’s (Florida Chapter) golf tournament to help America’s wounded Marines at the Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club in Davenport, FL. Tournament Chair James E. “Red” Carpenter Read more…
Mert was an old China Marine and later an excellent motion picture cameraman who served in that capacity in many places where Marines serve
Defense Media Activity, Broadcasting – AFN Pacific, is looking for an Audiovisual Production Specialist, GS-1017-12. The Job Opportunity Announcement (DMA-12-675776-B) opens on Friday, June 01, 2012 and closes on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. This announcement is open to current DMA Employees Only. For your convenience, the JOA is located at Read more…
Long-time USMCCCA Treasurer Tom Kerr has announced his intention to retire from the job as of this coming December 31. In order to provide continuity, we are asking that anyone interested in assuming this volunteer position please contact Jack Paxton, Executive Director, at either 352 748-4698 or email him at Read more…
CCHQ has had six newsletters returned due to members moving and not forwarding a good snail-mail address. If you know the whereabouts of the following, please let CCHQ know using the following link: Update Your information George T. Brown, Braintree, MA Tyler Balzer, San Diego, CA Steve Berntson, Tacoma, WA Rebecca Read more…
World War II Dispatches and Letters of U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondent Claude R. “Red” Canup
Review by Capt Jack T. Paxton, USMC (Ret)
Reprinted courtesy of Leatherneck Magazine
At the outbreak of World War II, Brigadier General Robert L. Denig Sr., then heading the Marine Corps’ Department of Public Relations and tasked with finding experienced reporters, photographers and broadcasters to cover the Pacific campaigns, put out the word to civilian newsmen: Make it through boot camp and we will make you sergeants and send you to the Pacific.
Two years later a 33-year-old sports editor from South Carolina answered the call. His friends in Anderson, S.C., thought Claude “Red” Canup was several bricks shy of a full load. No spring chicken, Red made it through Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and soon found himself attached to Marine Aircraft Group 45, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and on the tiny atoll of Ulithi, soon to be in support of Iwo Jima combat operations.
The first order BGen Denig gave to his new group of correspondents in 1942 was, “[G]ive most of your time to the enlisted man, what he thinks, says and does. If Pvt. Bill Jones of Cumberland Gap wins the boxing title, tell the people of Cumberland Gap about it.”
Canup took this to heart and, by wars’ end, had produced 398 “dispatches” about Marines of his unit for various hometowns across America. Fortunately for us, Red was a pack rat and kept copies of everything he wrote.
Now, 68 years later, his onion-skin dispatches are brought to life in the book “War Is Not Just for Heroes,” edited by Red’s daughter, Linda Canup Keaton-Lima. This work has captured some of the best reporting of flight operations ever to come out of World War II. More interesting is how and why this combat correspondent came to produce them.