Saturday, December 23, 2023
I was one of the fortunate ones that served under then Lt. Grosz on our tour in the far east [Okinawa, Japan, Philippines,Korea and other ports] in 1963-64. He was what I considered what every Marine should look like. We knew we were in for a good run when he led the company, K-3-9. On our return stateside on ship, Lt Grosz was assigned duties in Vietnam, when things were heating up. On his return to the USA, he joined our outfit again , Utter's Battalion, 2nd Bn 7th Marines. We made a landing in Qui Nohn Vietnam on July 7,1965. We had several Operations, but none as memorable as Harvest Moon in December 1965. On 18 Dec., our Battalion was ambushed. Lt Grosz distinguished himself with his life saving leadership and heroism. One of which was carrying wounded Marines under fire to safety. The next time I saw Lt. Grosz was at our outfits reunions. He and Lori made quite an impression attending. He had gone up in rank, but we addressed him as Lt. Grosz. He preferred being called Nick. Some of us couldn't do that. In our reunions,he showed his humor in a ceremony by promoting one of ours that was still a Private to Private First Class. He then gave all that served in Harvest Moon a Certificate that identified us as a "Harvest Moonie" We were all grateful when he arranged for us to see the Marine Corps Drill team in Washington D.C.. The son of one of our Marines was on that Drill team which made it extra special.
Nick was special in and out of the Marine Corps. I am blessed having these memories.
