Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

COMBAT STORIES FROM World War II

Dan Magill | 1st Marine Division - Marines

2:21   |   Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point was Dan Magill's first post out of Officer Candidate school. There was some excitement, most notably the riot when he took the basketball team to Parris Island to play their team. Then there was his buddy's date at functions, who was soon to be famous. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

More From Dan Magill

Keywords   :     Dan Magill    Marine Air Station Cherry Point    Parris Island    basketball    Bob Rose    University of North Carolina (UNC)    national anthem    Ava Gardner

Videos ( 8 )
WWII
  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  5:09

    Every member of Dan Magill's fraternity joined the military services the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was allowed to finish college and then he reported to Parris Island. Alongside him was a great friend, Howard "Smiley" Johnson, who was quite a character. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  4:08

    The training at Parris Island boot camp was the best he had at any time in his service, says Dan Magill. He describes the steely toughness of the drill instructors as they pushed the men to their limits. He also learned how lethal the weapons were when a hand grenade exercise claimed the life of the instructor. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  3:27

    Dan Magill recalls a couple of funny stories from his boot camp experience. One involves the notorious aiming capabilities of the .45 caliber pistol and the other is about the dreaded last shot from the Corpsman. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  2:12

    After boot camp, Dan Magill reported to Quantico for officer candidate training. The newly arrived Marine was walking by the barracks when he spotted a beautiful redhead who was the spitting image of Maureen O'Hara. Once he picked himself up off the ground, he found out something startling. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  3:54

    There was a colonel at Quantico who was so tough the men called him "Ramrod." Dan Magill recalls when he and his buddies suffered the wrath of the commander. Suffering of a different kind occurred when whiskey was passed around on the way to a blind date. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  3:17

    Marine Lieutenant Dan Magill arrived in the Philippines after the enemy was on the run. Very soon, the islands were out from under the thumb of the Japanese, and he had an interesting idea for the colonel about a little commemoration involving a diving exhibition. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  3:54

    The battles were over, but Marine Lieutenant Dan Magill was ordered to investigate reports of straggler Japanese troops up in the mountains of the Philippines. They were a pitiful lot when he found them, and their leader presented him with a keepsake. Another assignment involved a Marine who had an eye for the local girls. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

  • Dan Magill  |  WWII  |  1st Marine Division  |  1:32

    When the war in the Pacific ended, Marine Lieutenant Dan Magill did two things. The first occurred with him on his knees in thanks. The second involved the stash of medicinal alcohol and coconuts. (This interview made possible with the support of ANITA E. MANUEL.)

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