Golly! Jim Nabors to be promoted

Mr. Jim Nabors will be “promoted” to the rank of honorary corporal by Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, in a special sunset ceremony at Kuroda Field, Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

This promotion is in honor of Mr. Nabors' years of contribution to the Marine Corps' image worldwide through the "Gomer Pyle, USMC" TV show, and will be held on the 43rd anniversary of the show's premiere. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

On Sept. 25, 1964, Gomer Pyle marched into America’s living rooms and hearts and put a very human – and often humorous – face on the United States Marine Corps. “Gomer Pyle, USMC” proved that the Corps did indeed possess a sense of humor and could laugh at itself. The show lasted five years in prime time, and has endured almost constantly since then in syndication. That is a testament to the enduring qualities that Gomer possessed which shone through night after night on that program: honesty, loyalty, and devotion to duty, Corps and Country.

These qualities remain a cornerstone of our Corps today, and in that respect, the show is no less timely than it was 43 years ago. The uniforms, the people, and some of the social situations have changed over the years, but the Gomer of yesterday is still relevant today, exhibiting our hallmarks of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Mr. Nabors was made an Honorary Marine on Aug. 9, 2001, and received an honorary promotion to lance corporal at that time.