Lore of the Corps
Brothers’ Corps experience stretches across four wars
By Robert F. Dorr and Fred L. Borch - robert.f.dorr@cox.net and borchfj@aol.com
Posted : November 05, 2007

Two brothers, four wars.

Herb and Frank Sturgeon of Louisville, Ohio, between them saw combat as Marines in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

“We certainly didn’t plan that,” said Frank, 65, the survivor of the brothers born 17 years apart. “Still, I would have to say the Marine Corps was important in our lives.”

Born in 1925, Herb joined up in 1943, graduated from boot camp in San Diego and, after a 14-day ship voyage, landed on the tiny South Pacific island of New Caledonia. As a gunner in the 75mm Pack Howitzers Battery, 4th Marines, the older brother fought on Guadalcanal, which he later described as “a stinking place.”

Herb subsequently saw action on Guam before his unit became part of the 6th Marines when it landed on Okinawa in April 1945. On that island, he fought in the battles of Sugar Loaf Hill and Naha. He was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended.

After a period as a civilian, Herb rejoined the Corps and was shipped to Korea with 4th Battalion, 11th Marines, manning a 155mm howitzer. He fought Chinese troops at Yudam-ni, near the Chosin Reservoir, in bone-chilling weather that sometimes reached 30 degrees below zero.

The younger brother, Frank, born in 1942, raised his right hand in 1966 at the same Cleveland induction center where Herb had joined 23 years earlier. After Officer Candidate School, Frank arrived in South Vietnam in September 1967 and was assigned to 11th Engineers, 3rd Marine Division. His combat engineer unit built fire support bases, roads and bridges along the demilitarized zone.

After being wounded in Vietnam, Frank was assigned as deputy commander of the Marine detachment on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise. Frank was relieved not to be in further combat in the steaming jungles of Vietnam — but not for long.

A fire broke out on the carrier near Hawaii on Jan. 14, 1969, causing explosions that killed 29, wounded 85 and destroyed $500 million worth of aircraft. Sturgeon rallied sailors and led an effort to throw ammunition overboard before flames could reach it.

“We experienced a disaster at sea,” Frank said. “It was something none of us will ever forget.”

Decades later, Frank was called to active duty from Reserve duty for a year as a lieutenant colonel to serve as a combat historian during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He recorded engineering and logistics challenges and achievements during the conflict.

After his time in Korea, Herb returned to his Ohio hometown, raised a family and worked for a local power company. He died in 2005.

Since retiring from the Corps, Frank has received numerous awards during his career as an architect; he lives with his wife, Pat, in Vienna, Va.

Robert F. Dorr is an Air Force veteran. He can be reached at robert.f.dorr@cox.net. Fred L. Borch retired from the Army. He can be reached at borchfj@aol.com.

Ellie