who was the marine who said that short poem about when he was called home that he had spent his time in hell?

Question

do anyone know this poem,and who said it, it is from world war 2 two i think it was said by a puerto rican person, or spanish person,

this poem is only about four lines long, and i think it was written about Guadacanal or one of those places in the south seas

Answer 1

There are many versions of this poem. Here are a few, enjoy.
This poem appears in many versions and is attributed to different authors and is sometimes just given as "author unknown." There are a number of military poems that have undergone this "freely adapted" treatment. The poem's actual author and date have NEVER been authoritatively identified, so I cannot give you those FACTS. However, it seems to have originated during World War II, but it has been adapted for the Korean and Vietnam wars as well.

Usually, it appears in a "Navy" version, and the "Lowry" you mention is probably the name of a Navy ship. I am pasting below a sampling of various versions of the poem. There are, of course, many more.

Ted Nesbitt

If you appreciate my response, please complete the evaluation form for me. Thank you. TN

*****

THE VERSIONS --

After Keller died on July 8, 2002, discovered among his
things was a poem that he had written in 1966 or 1967
while far from home. It's entitled " A Sailor's
Thoughts " and it reads:

A Sailor's Thoughts

Lost in the middle of nowhere

We're doomed to spend our time

In the land that God forgot.

Down with the Navy and the officers too

Down where a man gets blue,

Down in the middle of nowhere

A thousand miles from you.

We sweat, we freeze, we shiver

It's more than a man can stand,

We're not convicts

But we're defenders of our land.



We're members of the Navy

Earning our meager pay

Guarding people with millions

For two and a half (dollars) a day.



Sleeping only with our memories,

Waiting to see our girl,

Hoping while in the Navy,

She won't marry our pal.



But when we get to heaven,

St. Peter will give this lovely yell

Let the boys from the Navy in,



THEY'VE SERVED THEIR TIME IN HELL !

Aviation Machinst's Mate, Kenneth S. Keller, USN

***********
THE MEN OF THE F. D. R.
Just over the Atlantic,
The ROOSEVELT is the spot.
We're doomed to serve our time,
On the ship that God forgot.
Out on the roaring ocean,
Out where the men turn blue.
Out in the middle of nowhere,
A thousand miles from you.
We sweat, we freeze, we shiver,
It's more than a man can stand.
We are all a bunch of convicts,
But, defenders of our land.
Living here with regrets,
Waiting to see our gals.
Hoping that while we are away,
They won't marry our pals.
We are the men of the NAVY,
Earning our monthly pay.
Guarding the people with millions,
For two and a half a day.
Few people know we're living,
Few people give a damn.
Although we are forgotten,
We belong to Uncle Sam.
And when we get to Heaven,
St. Peter will really yell:
Fall out you men of the ROSEY,
You have served your time in hell."
*****************
An interesting bit of poetry written by a Laffey crewman who - at the time - wasn't too happy in the circumstances
in which he found himself. This poet laureate happens to be one of our staunchest supporters and has contributed his talents and time
to the restoration of our ship. He is a solid citizen, a good family man, a true shipmate, and a good friend
Out in the Atlantic Ocean
The Laffey marks the spot.
Now we're doomed to die on
The ship that God forgot
We sweat, we freeze, we shiver
It's more than man can stand
We're not a bunch of convicts
Just defenders of our land.
So when I get to heaven
To St. Peter I will tell
I served aboard the Laffey
And spent my time in hell.
***************
A STRETCH IN HELL
Author unknown
It's just across the parallel,
Korea is the spot,
Where we are doomed to serve our time,
In this land that God forgot,
Down here with the bullets and the shells,
Where a man gets blue,
Right in the middle of nowhere,
Nine thousand miles from you.
We sweat, we freeze, we shiver,
It's more than we can stand,
No folks, we are not convicts,
Just defenders of our land.
We are the soldiers of the “Fighting 3rd"
Earning our measly pay
Guarding folks with millions,
For about 3 dollars a day.
Living with our memories,
Hoping with our pals,
Praying while we are fighting,
No one marries our gals.
Nobody knows we are living,
And nobody gives a damn,
So we are soon forgotten,
Except by Uncle Sam.
The time we have spent in the Army,
Is the time of our lives we missed,
Boy don't let that draft board get you,
And for God's sake don't enlist.
So when we pass the Pearly Gates,
You'll hear St. Peter yell,
Fall in you boys from Korea,
You've spent your stretch in hell.
This poem was given to the Newsletter at the
reunion by member Jerry Lang who served with
15
th
Infantry, K Co. The original is on yellow lined
paper, folded many times, taped together and
stained with age. Jerry says he does not know
who the author was. These words from the past
have the ring of truth about them for those who
were there. (Ed.)
****************************

I don't know if any of you kept the poem about the DUNCAN,
but this was in my DUNCAN log from the period 58-62.
It's down in San Diego and the far East,
The DUNCAN is the spot.
Where we are doomed to serve out time,
On a ship that God forgot.
Down with the wind and the waves,
Down where a man flees blue.
Right in the middle of nowhere,
About a thousand miles from you.
We sweat, we freeze, we shiver,
It's more than a guy can stand.
We arn't exactly convicts,
Just defenders of our land.
We are the sailors in the service,
Just earning our measly pay.
Guarding people with millions
For just three dollars a day.
Living with our memories,
Thinking of our pals.
Hoping that while we're away,
Theywon't marry our gals.
Only some know that we are living,
The rest don't give a damn.
Just doing a stinking job,
For our good old Uncle Sam.
The time we spend in uniform,
Is the part of life we missed.
Man don't let them draft you,
And for God's-sake don't re-enlist.
But when we pass the pearly gates
You'll hear St. Peter Yell....
"Pass by you DUNCAN SAILORS,
You've served your time in hell.

Answer 2

Here is what you want, all date to Guadalcanal: 1942

I cited a few sources

"Semper Fi"




And when he gets to Heaven
To St. Peter he will tell:
"One more Marine reporting, Sir --
I've served my time in Hell."

Sgt. James A. Donahue
United States Marine Corps.
First Marine Division (H-2-1)


They were relieved on December 9. Shortly before their departure, they went to the cemeteries to clean up and mark the graves of their buddies. On one mound they laid out an inscription in broken bits of stick which read, in crude lettering, “A Great Guy.” Others read: “Our buddy,” “A Big Guy with a Bigger Heart,” “The harder the going the more cheerful he was.”

And there was some poetry:


And when he goes to Heaven
To St. Peter he’ll tell:
Another Marine reporting, sir,
I’ve served my time in hell.


Guadalcanal General: The Story of A.A. Vandegrift, USMC. - Page 193
by John T. Foster - 1966 - 224 pages
... of almost ceaseless combat, the First Marine Division was relieved. ...
he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir— I've served my time in Hell. ...

Answer 3

And the same question comes up again