Bill Sultenfuss
Lt. Col.
Bill Sultenfuss
Lt. Col. USMC, Ret.
1971–1993
Major Bill Sultenfuss
San Antonio , TX, 1992
I joined the Marine Corps because I had three uncles that were Marines during World War II and Korea. I heard many war stories about Marines at Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. Their reputation was golden.
I graduated from Boerne High School, then to Texas State with the Marines Platoon Leaders Class program. In 1967, I signed up for Officer Candidacy School.
Upon graduation, I received my bars and a Military Occupational Specialty in Amtracks. I was in a window of 1971–1993 where we never had to go anywhere big time. My last tour was at Recon Battalion, 4th Marine Division in New Orleans. My Commanding Officer was Jim Livingston who was awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. He was a task master and I enjoyed working for him.
I was given three companies: one in San Antonio, one in Albuquerque (desert), one in Anchorage, Alaska (reconnaissance cold weather experts). I was on the road a lot. The Marine Corps sent the Albuquerque unit to Desert Storm. Regarding reservists, I learned so much about civilians. Most had served active duty and were now reserves. In New Mexico, we had Staff Sergeants who had Ph.D.s—they were Nuclear Scientists, smart as a whip. That tour really helped me understand civilians again.
Worst day in the Marine Corps—Death. When you lose a Marine whether in combat or non-combat. We were off Subic Bay near Vietnam and boarding ship in the Philippines. You drive in an amtrack, that’s metal on metal. A typhoon was blowing 50 mph winds. Had all the tracks in there held down with chains. Damn tracks broke loose and one kid got crushed. It was right in front of me.
Best day—gratification I received when those Reserve Unit Marines I trained went to war during Desert Storm and seeing them perform exceptionally well.
What am I proud of in the Corps? Tremendous camaraderie and loyalty to your Marines. No matter what happens in your life, you carry the title Marine and on your worst day this title will pull you through.
I enjoyed the heck out of the Marine Corps. {05-02-2014 • Boerne, TX}