Search Results for: denig

Meet the Author of “Twice Heroes” — Tom Graves

Book by Tom Graves

Joe Rosenthal Chapter member, Tom Graves talks about his interviews of Nisei Veterans, their battles against wartime suspicion and racism, and overcoming them with their courage and patriotism.

Tuesday  •  June 11, 2013  •  6:00 pm
Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Registration at 5:30 pm | Program at 6:00 pm

TWICE HEROES: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea, tells the story of true American heroes, up to now, a piece of history known to few of their countrymen.

Through his interviews and professional portraits, author and photographer Tom Graves shares the experiences of Japanese American veterans before, during and after World War II.

At first denigrated and mistrusted, the Nisei veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, earned the praise of a nation, and ultimately, a Congressional Gold Medal, America’s highest civilian honor. The Congressional Gold Medal comes to San Francisco on June 29 for display at the de Young Museum until August 4, 2013.

In the panic following the December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, the Nisei, American citizens, were prohibited from joining the U.S. armed forces, and along with their families, many faced forced incarceration in bleak internment camps.

They took up the fight for their country, for civil liberties, for the freedom of their families and recognition for themselves as full American citizens. Along the way, they became the most decorated military unit in United States history, fought their own civil rights battle, championed Hawaii statehood and acceptance of Asian Americans into our society.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Scholarship deadline June 1

Scholarship Deadline:  June 1 is the deadline for USMCCCA Foundation scholarship funding.  Members, dependents of members, and active duty Marines in both the 43 and 46 occupational fields are eligible for scholarships.  If not already a member, active duty winners must agree to join the Association and remain a member […]

By Jason Fudge, ago

Sam Stavisky’s dream came true

By Jack T. Paxton, Executive Director
For photos of the event click here

There have been many highlights in this organization’s long and glorious history dating back to the late 1940s but none would match that associated with the dedication of the Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig Sr. Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Va., on November 17.

With more than 70 members, friends, and relatives of two of the original “Denig Demons” looking on, the Memorial was officially unveiled by Mrs. Bernice Stavisky, Mrs. Maria O’Leary, and Brig. Gen.  Paul A. Kennedy, Director of Public Affairs, and Bill Hauptfleisch, President of the USMCCCA. 

Bernice, wife of Sam Stavisky, said at the unveiling, “This was Sam’s dream. He loved this Association and loved being a Marine…”

Bernice and Maria are the only two surviving wives of Denig’s Demons and, if you went by the smiles (and some tears) each was thrilled to be included in the festivities.  Bernice said, following the unveiling, “This was Sam’s dream.  He loved this Association and loved being a Marine in World War II although it took a waiver from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for him to serve…”Fred Lash, past USMCCCA President, read a letter that Sam wrote to him just prior to his death requesting that the Association do everything it could to honor Brig. Gen. Denig and the concept of the combat correspondent program which started in 1942 and continues today.   The Denig Memorial is the only edifice of its kind at the Museum that recognizes Marines serving in the 4300 and 4600 occupational fields.

The program began inside Semper Fidelis Chapel with President Bill Hauptfleisch welcoming everyone and introducing special guests.  He then introduced Chaplain (Commander, CHC, USN) William D. Stallard for the invocation.  Bill then turned the program over to Brig. Gen. Paul A. Kennedy, Director of Public Affairs, HQMC.In his comments, General Kennedy reminded the audience that what General Denig started in 1942 continues today.  “Today’s Marines recognize those who came before them and are definitely aware of the legacy they have inherited.”  He assured the audience that they, too, are continuing to tell the Marine Corps “story” to the American public.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Back in Print

Honorary Life Member and 1982 Denig Award winner Marvin J. Wolf has a new book out–and one of his earlier works, considered a classic of its genre, is back in print. The Tattooed Rabbi is a mystery thriller set in Southern California. The protagonist is a rabbi working as a […]

By Jason Fudge, ago

Review: War Is Not Just For Heroes

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.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Still time to contribute

This is an update for all members and friends.  Old Corps sportscaster Bob Kinsman used to close his AFRTS radio show in the mid-60s saying:  “Well, folks, this is Bob Kinsman rounding third and heading home.”  That is precisely the situation your USMCCCA Foundation is in.  We are close and […]

By Jason Fudge, ago

A Family Of CCs

Dorothy Jeanne Crane

(Ed. Note:  We learned two things recently:  One, old timers do come back to us and, when they do, it can be gangbusters!  The second thing we learned was there were Woman Marine combat correspondents in World War II, at least one we now know of.  In an email, former CC Crane Davis notified us he was making a contribution to the Denig Memorial Fund and wanted to know if we could list it in memory of his Mom and Dad, both CCs during that war.  While space is limited on the left side of our web page we assured Crane we would do our best if he could enlarge upon his parents’ service.  Here’s Crane’s reply with a great photo of his mom with the World War II CC tools of the trade:  typewriter, steel pot, and the-then traditional cigarette.  P.S. He also sent in his membership application.)

In early September 1941, my dad,  Bob Davis,  was a junior at University of Maine and a reporter at the Bangor Daily News, with a beat that included recruiters. The Marine Corps announced a program to recruit radio and print reporters, then train them as publicity men for local recruiters and return them to their hometown.  Bob ended up working in Portland, then set up a new office in New Hampshire.  My guess is that he put in for combat correspondent in the winter of 1942-43 and he said that he was almost immediately sent to Londonderry for almost a year.  In early 1944, he went to Camp Pendleton, where the 5th Division was just forming.

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By Jason Fudge, ago