Always a Marine

Like any war story still being told by the person who lived it, James Corbin's are full of close calls. For the 93-year old Lake of the Woods resident, most of those close calls occurred at sea during the former Marine's five-year military career during two tours of duty in World War II. For Corbin's role in those stories, District 7 Congressman Eric Cantor awarded Corbin and five other district residents the 2011 Congressional Veterans Commendation during a ceremony at Richmond's Virginia War Memorial Nov. 22.
Corbin would likely object to "former" Marine or any other characterization that suggests he would not be willing and able to ship out tomorrow, if needed. Despite retiring from the Marines more than 60 years ago, going to college and having a successful career as a pharmacist, Corbin still flies the red flag of the Marines outside his home; a leather jacket bearing the branch's globe, anchor and eagle insignia hangs on a coat-rack in his hallway.
"When we were in there, we sang the songs and saluted the flag with our chest stuck out," said Corbin about his service. "Inside me I'm a Marine."
The identity that Corbin found in his service and has carried around his entire life was, like many things of great purpose and influence, simply a matter of timing and circumstance. The son of a prison guard, Corbin's family moved with the growing roads built by the Florida chain gangs. Before he graduated high school at the age of 20, he had attended 13 different schools. After two years of bartending on Florida beaches, Corbin and a friend looked to enlist. Disappointed in being told by the Navy he would need to wait a few weeks to enlist, the pair looked to the Marines after running into a recruiter in the post office.
"Seeing those blue dress uniforms is what did it," said Corbin. "After seeing that I joined right up."
Corbin thrived at Parris Island, SC boot camp, entering in late 1940 and emerging at the top of his class.
"I was just suited for the Marine Corps," said Corbin. "I was a good size, good health, a southern boy, had just turned 22. I and all the other Marines at that time were real gung ho for our country."
As the top Marine in his class, Corbin was shipped to Portsmouth for more specialized training through Sea School. Ironically, not the greatest fan of water, Corbin was initially reluctant and told a superior of his apprehensions about the training.
"He told me, 'There are a million Marines who would give anything to be in your position. You're the top Marine in your platoon, you're going,'" said Corbin. "After that I said, 'aye aye.'"
Once his training was complete Corbin was stationed aboard the USS Erie in Panama. On the afternoon of Nov. 12, 1942 while escorting a British convoy near Trinidad, the Erie was hit by a surface torpedo fired by a German U-boat, significantly damaging the small gunboat. The crew was forced to abandon the ship as the nose began to submerge.
"We had to use World War I lifejackets, because there weren't enough," said Corbin. "They weren't too big but I guess they kept us afloat."
Seven of the Erie's 500 crewmembers died in the attack and two more succumbed to burns later. The Navy managed to refloat the burned and partially submerged ship and Corbin was one of 15 Marines in his platoon tasked with staying to guard the ship's hull until it could be reclaimed and used for scrap. During that time the Erie once again took on water and began to sink, but Corbin and the other Marines still aboard managed to jump onto a nearby barge before it sunk completely.
"The Marines was the best education I ever received," said Corbin. "I learned so much about how tough things can be. When you're constantly facing the fear of death I also learned to pray."
A couple more "close calls" later, Corbin finally made it back to America after two years in the Marines. He calls this the "joyous" period of his time in the war, and for good reason. During a USO party in Washington, DC Corbin met his late wife, Dorothy, whom he still refers to as "honey," and says is the greatest thing that ever happened in his life. After a brief courtship, the two were wed during Corbin's leave.
In 1944 Corbin, now a sergeant, saw the Pacific front of the war. Initially stationed in Guam, he eventually came to the small South Pacific island of Tinian. There his orders were simple; guard a box, although he was told next to nothing about its contents.
"It was a long box, about 12 feet long with rope tied around it and covered by canvas," said Corbin. "I was told to keep two men on it at all times in two-hour shifts, each with a fixed bayonet, loaded rifle and loaded pistol. We were to shoot anyone who didn't halt when commanded and I was told the orders were subject to court martial if not carried out. All they said was it was a new kind of bomb."
That new kind of bomb was the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare and dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945. Corbin said that before it was dropped, only the pilot and bombardier of the Enola Gay, which he also guarded, knew the contents of the box.
"I was woken up and told we had dropped an A-bomb and had wiped out a whole city," said Corbin.
Three days later, a second A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, the last time any such weapon has been used in combat. Corbin said he and his platoon viewed the mission as important and necessary to ending the war.
"We were so trained, we didn't have regrets about using the bomb," said Corbin. "At the time this was our enemy and they were trying to kill us."
Corbin said he likely would have stayed in the Marines had it not been for the urging of his wife to discharge and get an education.
"I'm so glad I'm a Marine," he said.
Of his award from Congressman Cantor, Corbin said he was flattered to receive the honor. In addition to the commendations, each veteran will have their story recorded as part of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
"When I received my plaque I said 'Semper Fi," said Corbin. "You should have heard the response of everyone in the room."