History and Fandom

This isn't my typical blog posting, but bare with me.

So I have a cat named "Moose" and he is the current cat in my life in a long string of cats in my life.  I've had dogs and don't dislike them, but cats are just easier.  To be quite honest, they aren't as needy as dogs.  That says more about me than I'd like.  I digress. 

Moose showing me how to write

Because I enjoy cats, I enjoy people posting photos on social media of their cats (and dogs).  On twitter, somehow I came across an actor who has Maine Coon kitties, and enjoys posting their photos.  They are awesome and I was reminded how much I enjoy this actor.  First enjoyed watching him as Ritchie Valens, and most recently as Henry on "Longmire."  Yes, Lou Diamond Phillips.

Lou Diamond Phillips and kitties (from his Twitter)

I've liked his posts, and enjoyed seeing photos of his kitties and hearing about his latest projects (directing and acting). While I haven't started watching his latest show "Prodigal Son" (soon, I promise), the kitty photos keep me coming back.  I asked a question one day and his wife answered me AND he liked the tweets.  I was floored, and thrilled.  

I knew from my years as a Marine Corps historian that there was a tie between my work and this actor in the form of Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond.  I don't know if the story is true about Mr. Phillips' dad knowing the Master Gunns, but I thought this would make a great way to talk about MGySgt Diamond and the character he was.

Have a few hashmarks!

Leland Diamond was born in Bedford, Ohio on 30 May 1890.  When the US joined the fight against Germany in April 1917, Leland soon left his job as a railroad switchman to enlist in the Marine Corps on 1August 1917.  Like many Marines, he went through bootcame at Paris (as it was spelled) Island in South Carolina.  In February 1918, he was a Corporal, embarked upon the USS Von Steuben bound for Brest, France.

On 11 June 1918, Diamond joined the 83d Company, 6th Regiment as a replacement.  The regiment was in the midst of the battle of Belleau Wood and needed the manpower. 

June 1918 Muster Roll 83d Company, 6th Regiment Extract

Diamond saw combat in every battle the Corps fought in during WWI: Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne.  He marched across the Rhine to occupy Germany after the armistice, and was promoted to Sergeant on 8 January 1919.

After occupation duty, he returned home to the US and was discharged at Quantico with excellent character with the rank of Sergeant.  

August 1919 Muster Roll 83d Company, 6th Regiment Extract

He returned to civilian life for two years, but apparently did not find the same satisfaction, so in September 1921, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps at Detroit, and was sent to Pensacola as a Private once again.

Promotions were rapid for him and while serving as Assistant Armorer at Parris Island in February 1925, he regained his sergeant's stripes.  In the summer of 1930, Diamond was sent to Shanghai to serve with 3d Battalion 4th Marines.  In September 1932, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and the next year he returned to the US proclaiming that China duty "wasn't much of a war."  Less than a year later, he returned to China with the same company, in the same battalion.

Diamond returned to the US again in January 1937, and eventually to duty with the 5th Marines as a platoon sergeant in the howitzer platoon.  On 10 July 1939, Diamond was with 2d Battalion 5th Marines at Quantico when he was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant.  

July 1939 Muster Roll 2d Battalion, 5th Marines Extract

Before America's entry into the Second World War, Diamond found himself and his battalion at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for duty until early 1941 when it returned to New River, North Carolina (today's Camp Lejeune) until all hell broke loose at Pearl Harbor.  America joined the war and the 5th Marines found themselves headed across the Pacific to New Zealand to get ready for combat.  He had to fight for the chance to go to combat against those who thought he was too old.

 When the 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal on 6 August 1942, Diamond was with them and his fellow 5th Marines comrades.  He was 52 years old.  Think about that for a moment.  He hadn't seen true combat since 1918 and here he was landing on the beaches of the south Pacific at 52 years old.  

His fame takes off from here.  Among the many fables concerning his "'Canal" service is the tale that he lobbed a mortar shell down the smoke stack of an off-shore Japanese cruiser.  It is considered a fact,
however, that he drove the cruiser from the bay with his harassing
near-misses.

Diamond did his duty and was commended for it by the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, who soon became Commandant.  LtGen Alexander A. Vandegrift wrote:

The 'Canal was Diamond's last combat.  He contracted malaria, and had kidney trouble in addition to two broken ribs.  He was sent back to New Zealand to regain his health.  He returned to his Marines in Australia, but did not see combat again.  

While combat wasn't in his future, it was in his past and he could use that knowledge to teach the newest Marines before they would go to the Pacific.  Diamond was transferred to recruit depot at Parris Island, where he started as a Marine, to instruct recruits.  He continued through the end of the war to train recruits, but his time had come.  Diamond was retired in November 1945.

Just six years later, Diamond was gone.  His legend lives on.  He may not be as recognizable as Chesty or Ole Gimlet Eye, but Lou Diamond was loved by his fellow Marines.  Usually sporting his goatee, he was easy to spot. 

Leland "Lou" Diamond beardless

His Marines knew he would teach them how to fight, keeping them in line and when not fighting, how to remain ready. 

Leland "Lou" Diamond, you're remembered once again thanks to my love of cats, and a certain movie star.  Go figure.  As I've said so many times, if they are remembered, they live on!