TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

Gary LeRoy Gruhl
Second Platoon
My Life Before Attending TBS: I was born in Fargo
North Dakota December 29, 1943. I grew up on a farm
outside of Hawley Minnesota. Graduated from Hawley
High school in 1961. Attended Concordia College in
Moorhead Minnesota and graduated in December of
1965 and received my commission at that time.
Assigned to Pensacola for flight training. After being
grounded for almost 3 month for various reasons, I
requested DOR and was assigned to TBS for training. I
had attended PLC during two summers while attending
college. My brother had been in the Air Force. But I
had, from a very young age I had always wanted to join
the Marine Corps.
My Memories of TBS: While at TBS, I was single and
roomed with several people, but the longest was with
Andy Haglage. I shot sharpshooter with rifle and pistol.
The person I remember most vividly is John Paul
Brickley, our platoon commander. My public speaking
was on turkey dinner. I did have my sword engraved
and it hangs on my wall now.
After Completing TBS: After TBS, I was sent to the
motor transport school at Camp Geiger, North
Carolina. (Camp Lejeune) The training was adequate,
but I learned a lot more from my first Gunnery
Sergeant. I was assigned MOS 3502. I did enjoy my time
as an MTO even though we were sometimes looked
down on.
Vietnam Era Service: I deployed to Vietnam March 9,
1967 and was assigned as the Motor Transport Officer
for the 4th Battalion, 11th Marines. During the time I
was with the 4th Battalion, I extended my tour, and
received a promotion to 1st Lt and then later to
Captain. I also applied for a regular commission at this
time and was accepted into the USMC. I was
transferred in January to Hq Battery, 11th Marines in
January of 1968 and was assigned as Regimental Motor
Transport Officer. In August of 1968, I was assigned as
the Battery Commander with MTO being secondary.
After Vietnam: In Late December 1968 I received
orders to return to CONUS and was assigned to the 2nd
Marine Division at Camp Lejuene as the Assistant
Division Motor Transport officer. Served in this
capacity until 30 June when I was assigned as the
Division Motor Transport Officer. In October I was
assigned to the Supply Officers school (since the MC
had done away with my MOS as a primary). Upon
completion, I was assigned as the Division Mountout
Officer for the 2nd Division. I served in this capacity
from August 1971 until March 31, 1972 when I resigned
my commission. (Due to my son's health) During this
period, I had married my first wife and had a son born
to us.
My Current Life: After the Corps, I worked for UPS for
30 years and retired from there in December 2001.
While there, I worked in HR, operations, safety,
engineering, all over the state of Minnesota. After that
I worked at the Mayo Clinic for 5 years as manager in
the courier department delivering everything
throughout the campus. I left there in February of
2006. I enjoy reading, although right now with the
problems that I have had with a cornea transplant on
my left eye and laser surgery on my right, that is
difficult. I have had prostate cancer and lung cancer
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