by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
In the days of raggedy-ass Marines,
We were spit-shined
And damn well clean.
Our brass shined like stars
Like an officer's bars,
And there warn't no
In between.
In the days of raggedy-ass Marines,
We scrubbed decks
And also latrines.
We washed clothes
In a bucket,
In lye soap
We stuck it.
And it came out
Salty and clean!
If a brush was handy
Then it sure was dandy.
For we were
Raggedy-ass Marines.
In the days of raggedy-ass Marines,
We salted our belts
To be white and clean.
We put blanco on our packs,
Had foot lockers
By our racks.
After all,
We were raggedy-ass Marines.
When we were raggedy-ass Marines
Our uniforms were spotless and clean.
With our knees a showin' through
And our butt ends, too.
That is why they called us
Raggedy-ass Marines.
* * *
About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal
and Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
