Boot Camp

RBT's Personal Journal

1937 Marine Enlistment

September 22, 1937: On this date Rufus B. Thompson, Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corps in Seattle, WA. The next day he left by train for boot camp in San Diego, CA. He is in the top row, fifth from the left. By November 30, 1937, he was on duty aboard the USS Portland.

1937 Marine Enlistment

The members of the platoon signed the back of the photo. Unfortunately, the last few names in each row are covered in tape that we cannot remove.