Fritz Gemeinhardt was born in July, 1923. In July of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. This action made a profound change in his life. Following boot camp at Parris Island and the rifle range, his first outfit was "H" Company, 23rd Marines. Next, he volunteered for parachute training. This led to Camp Pendleton for intensive training and fifteen chute jumps. In late 1943, it was overseas for him- to Guadalcanal. Here, he joined the Air Delivery Section of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Corps. Fritz made four campaigns in WWII. After WWII and a brief tour of the Naval Ammo Depot at Earl, New Jersey he was discharged to the reserves. in 1950, like many Marines, he was called up for the Korean War. This tour included aircraft carrier and land action. In 1952, Fritz shipped into the regular Marine Corps. In 1953, he went to the Marine Corps Air Station at Opa Locka, Florida. He served with HMR 252 and VMJ-3, his first jet squadron. After several years at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, California, the tour ended with a year at Iwakuni, Japan. Then there was his eighteen-month "hell tour" at the Naval Air Station at Floyd Bennett, New York. In 1960, Fritz was ordered to the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico to help build the first Marine Corps Museum. This tour with History and Museums Headquarters would last for around eight years. Then, Vietnam came along, and, in 1965, despite being due for retirement, it was another overseas tour for Fritz. In 1968, he at last retired, or so he thought. In 1976, Fritz was recalled for special assignment to assist in building the Ground-Air Museum at Quantico, Virginia. This was to be a 90-day assignment, which turned into a three-year tour. Fritz retired for good in 1978, after thirty six years and with four war services under his belt. There were no heroics or glories for this Marine. Just a lot of satisfaction knowing that he saved the lives of over a dozen souls, including nine Marine airmen, one female Marine and a boot sailor, not to mention others. These duties simply go with being a Marine. SEMPER FI says it all.
