This black & white silent film, possibly a home movie shot by a Marine, features footage of United States Marine Reservists doing basic training including marksmanship as well as a live fire exercise. The canister it came is was marked “summer service”, no dates but probably from the late 1940s or early 50s before the outbreak of the Korean War. The film most likely shows members of the 2nd Marine Division and was shot at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (based on a sign appearing at 8:03).
Opening: United States Marines marching, standing outside (:08). Two men carrying cameras, one of them a Graflex Speed Graphic, past quonset huts (1:02). Bus full of Marines, Marines walk quickly and then stand outside in a rainstorm (1:14). Yellow Coach bus in Marine Corps markings (1:16). U.S. Marines walk in the mud; load up into a truck (1:48). Marines in an amphibious vehicle (2:11) probably an LVT, Landing Vehicle Tracked. (2:36) an assault boat, probably an LCI, in the distance. Marine stands with a flamethrower (3:00). (3:13) females — probably Marine Corps Women’s Reserve members — smile on camera. Marines walk in a wooded area, smoke around them, a drill is taking place with smoke and explosions (3:18). A sign at (3;25) seems to indicate this is a demonstration of demolition charges. A Marine uses the flamethrower (3:45). Soldiers run across a wooded area (3:58). A bloody “wounded” dummy is dragged across the dirt by two men (4:26). Women, possibly members of the nurse corps but more likely Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, observe — some with cameras slung around their necks (4:47). Marines run near the barracks (5:00). Marines march (5:14). Pile of duffel bags (5:35). Troops sit and listen to an instructor (5:40). Shooting targets (6:11). Soldiers practice shooting their rifles (6:14). Soldier crouches down into a shooting stance (in slow motion) (6:33). Men are instructed how to shoot (7:02). Shooting targets with .45 pistols (7:22). Man practices firing a handgun (7:28). Shooting gallery (7:48). The grounds featuring the barracks and other buildings (7:58). “High Shooter for the Year” sign indicating M-1 and .45 pistol marks for 2nd Division (8:03), in the background appear to be graves. Signs for the base theater and church (8:15). Marines march and then run (8:28). (8:56) looks like a re-enlistment table, and if you love the Marines why NOT re-enlist? Target shooting with M-1 rifles (9:05). A soldier loads his rifle (9:44). A soldier drops to the ground and fires (9:48). Military police MPs pose for camera (10:18). Cattle car type trailers for the Marines (10:31). Marines with rifles board a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train (10:33). The End.
The 2nd Marine Division is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The division is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and headquartered at Julian C. Smith Hall.
The Marine Corps created the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943. Ruth Cheney Streeter was its first director. Over 20,000 women Marines served in World War II, in over 225 different specialties, filling 85 percent of the enlisted jobs at Headquarters Marine Corps and comprising one-half to two-thirds of the permanent personnel at major Marine Corps posts. However, it was not until after World War II, in 1948, that the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act gave women permanent status in the Regular and Reserve forces of the Marines. During the Korean War, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was mobilized in August 1950, eventually reaching peak strength of 2,787 active-duty women Marines. Most women Marines served as part of the clerical and administrative staff.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
