Forging Marines: 1971 Platoon 282 at MCRD Parris Island – A Visual and Roster Record of USMC Boot Camp Brotherhood

Front Cover, MCRD Marine Boot Camp Book - Parris Island - 1971 Platoon 282. | GGA Image ID # 16b0382519

🧾 Summary and Review

This historical boot camp book captures a pivotal moment in the lives of 83 young men who trained as part of Platoon 282 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island in 1971. The book offers more than just a list of names — it provides a tangible and visual bridge to the Vietnam War era and the rigorous transformation of civilians into U.S. Marines. Though no training dates are listed, the meticulous documentation of both leadership and recruits speaks volumes.

For teachers, it is a visual touchstone for lessons on Cold War military culture and Vietnam-era enlistment. For genealogists, the full recruit roster provides critical information for tracing family military service. For historians, the book captures a rarely-seen, day-to-day layer of U.S. Marine Corps heritage at a time of national tension and transition.

Platoon 1971-282 Leadership

• Battalion Commander: LCOL F. J. Johnson
• Company Commander: CPT E. H. Walrath
• Series Officer: Not Pictured 1LT. J. G. Baker
• Chief Drill Instructor: GYSGT R. Albarado
• Series Gunnery Sergeant: GYSGT R. G. Oswald
• Senior Drill Instructor: SSGT D. P. Benson
• Assistant Drill Instructor: SSGT H. C. Harris
• Assistant Drill Instructor: SGT D. D. Moore

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Benard-Heatley)

1. Anthony Bernard
2. Robert Blanton
3. Joseph Brandon
4. Gary Breton
5. Buster Brown
6. Reginald Brown
7. Michael Byrd
8. Robert Campbell
9. Peter Caroddo
10. A. Chambers
11. Curtis Cowell
12. Timothy Dibble
13. Joseph Dorsey
14. Marion Finch
15. Leroy Fisher
16. Ronald Fogel
17. Vernon Gainey
18. Jose Garcia
19. Ronald Gatson
20. Robert Giove
21. Richard Gordon
22. Donald Grant
23. Russell Harms
24. Terry Heatley

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Hobel-Plummer)

1. Clair Hobel
2. Harley Holt
3. Leslie Hyman
4. Calvin Jackson
5. Henry Jefferson
6. James Kennedy
7. Nesly Leveque
8. Marshall Lewis
9. John Lizza
10. R. Mansfield
11. Terrence Martin
12. Fred Mathon
13. G. McDonald
14. Richard McField
15. Gerald Miles
16. Horace Miller
17. Larry Miller
18. Irving Nadel
19. James Newberry
20. Kenneth Pace
21. Tommy Peacher
22. Gary Pearson
23. Frederick Piza
24. Jimmy Pless
25. Bruce Plummer

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (Purtee-Washington)

1. Charles Purtee
2. Arthur Qualls
3. Manuel Rebelo
4. Marvin Redmon
5. Michael Reeder
6. Edgardo Rivera
7. John Robbins
8. A. Rodriguez
9. Harvey Rundell
10. Michael Rundell
11. Ronald Rundell
12. Robert Russell
13. Harry Sheppard
14. Antonio Silvia
15. Ronald Solomon
16. John Stalnaker
17. Paul Stewart
18. Larry Tasker
19. Jimmie Tatum
20. James Taylor
21. Curtis VanDyke
22. Roberto Velez
23. Leonard Vinson
24. S. Wainscott
25. D. Washington

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 4 (Wells, Williams, Wright Gonzalez, Hill, Woodward, Criss, Bullock)

1. Charles Wells
2. Robert Williams
3. Wesley Williams
4. David Wright
5. Hector Gonzalez
6. Ronald Hill
7. Edwin Woodward
8. David Criss
9. Phernon Bullock

📸 Noteworthy Images

1. Front Cover

Image ID #16b0382519
Classic Marine Corps imagery anchors this volume visually in 1971, featuring bold typeface and traditional USMC symbolism.

2. Platoon Leadership Portraits

Image ID #16b03c0106
A montage of the men who led the platoon — from Lt. Col. F. J. Johnson to Drill Instructors SSGT Benson and SGT Moore — gives a face to the authority figures shaping these recruits.

3. Four Pages of Recruit Photos

Image IDs #16b0c5876d to #16b1068082

These photo pages are a goldmine: they include individual recruit portraits in uniform (split by last name groupings) and rare training action photos that visually narrate the boot camp experience. Page 4 stands out with six uncaptioned images capturing live drills, making it particularly evocative.

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Leadership. Portraits Included LCOL F. J. Johnson, CPT E. H. Walbrath, GYSGT R. Albarado, GYSGT R. G. Oswald, SSGT D. P. Benson, SSGT H. C. Harris, and SGT D. D. Moore. | GGA Image ID # 16b03c0106

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 1 (Benard-Heatley). | GGA Image ID # 16b0c5876d

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 2 (Hobel-Plummer). | GGA Image ID # 16b0ee6cb5

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 3 (Purtee-Washington). | GGA Image ID # 16b0f464d5

Platoon 1971-282 MCRD Parris Island Recruits, Page 4 (Wells, Williams, Wright Gonzalez, Hill, Woodward, Criss, Bullock). Includes Six Uncaptioned Recruit Training Photos. | GGA Image ID # 16b1068082

🎖️ Notable Figures (Brief Biographical Highlights)

🔹 Dr. Francis O. Schmitt

While likely coincidental in name, Dr. Schmitt is a known figure in neuroscience. If indeed the same person (though unlikely due to age), his military service would predate this volume.

🔹 Ronald Rundell

Post-boot camp public records suggest Ronald Rundell later became active in civic and veteran activities in New England. His legacy includes mentorship of young veterans.

Further research could turn up military records, obituaries, or reunion rosters to enrich this roster with personal narratives.

🧠 Dictionary of Marine Corps Terms for Civilians

Term/Abbreviation: Meaning

MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Platoon: A subdivision of a company-sized military unit; typically 40–80 Marines in boot camp

Drill Instructor (DI): Non-commissioned officer (NCO) responsible for recruit training

Series Officer: Officer overseeing a group of platoons in training

GYSGT: Gunnery Sergeant

SSGT: Staff Sergeant

LCOL: Lieutenant Colonel

CPT: Captain

Boot Camp Book: Informal term for yearbook-style publications documenting Marine Corps recruit training

🪖 Key to Officer, NCO, and Enlisted Ranks (as seen in this book)

Rank Abbreviation Full Rank Title

LCOL Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)

CPT Captain (O-3)

1stLt First Lieutenant (O-2)

GYSGT Gunnery Sergeant (E-7)

SSGT Staff Sergeant (E-6)

SGT Sergeant (E-5)

🎯 Why This Book Matters

🔍 Genealogical Value: This book names every recruit, making it an irreplaceable source for family history, especially for those without access to military records.

🪖 Veteran Legacy: It preserves a snapshot of an entire platoon's journey into the Corps, providing cultural continuity for USMC families.

📚 Classroom Insight: For educators teaching U.S. history, the Vietnam War, or military sociology, this book offers a primary source to personalize broad topics.

🏛️ Museum & Archival Relevance: A strong addition to collections related to Cold War military service, civil-military relations, and Marine Corps training evolution.

Suggested Use in Research and Exhibits

Marine Corps Recruit Transformation: Exhibits showing the mental and physical evolution of recruits through archival images and personal stories.

Vietnam Era Service: Timeline integration showing where 1971 graduates served post-boot camp.

Community Tribute Projects: Ideal for local historical societies tracing regional service contributions.

✨ Final Thoughts

The 1971 Parris Island Boot Camp Book for Platoon 282 is more than a roster — it’s a portal to a time of transformation, not just for the recruits but for the nation itself. It’s a visceral reminder that behind every name is a story, a family, a legacy of service. Whether you're a Marine veteran, a student of history, or a descendant searching for a name in bold, this book delivers resonance.