On Monday, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250th birthday, a historic milestone rooted in its founding in Philadelphia. In recognition of this significant occasion, CBS News Philadelphia features Private First Class Michael Grieco Sr., a distinguished 99-year-old World War II Marine Corps veteran whose remarkable experiences embody the courage and sacrifice of his generation.
Grieco joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 at the young age of 17. Reflecting on his youth, he noted how many of his fellow servicemen were mere teenagers. “Later on in life, I realized we were only teenagers — 17, 18, 19-year-old kids,” he remarked, emphasizing the bravery exhibited by such young individuals thrust into the realities of war.
As a rifleman in the Pacific Theater, Grieco fought in some of the fiercest battles, including Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. He vividly recalls the chaos of the combat he encountered, particularly at Saipan, where he witnessed a banzai attack that left “a hundred enemy soldiers lying all over the place.”
During the fight for Tinian, Grieco faced challenges, recounting how he waded through water that reached his chest while being unable to swim. “They said it only lasted 10 days,” he reflected. “Ask those 300 Marines who were killed, plus the ones who were wounded,” illustrating that what others described as an “easy campaign” was anything but.
Okinawa marked the final and bloodiest battle of the Pacific War, a turning point that left a lasting impact on Grieco. “Okinawa was something else,” he said somberly, acknowledging the significant losses.
Discharged in 1946, Grieco’s pride in his service has endured, and nearly 80 years later, he continues to honor the comrades he fought alongside. He shared the Marine tradition of cutting a birthday cake, a gesture that connects the oldest and youngest Marines, embodying a lifelong bond of friendship and service. “Semper Fi means you’re friends forever,” he noted.
At 99 years old, Grieco remains active, traveling with Forever Young Veterans and receiving recognition as a hometown hero from the Philadelphia Phillies. As the Marine Corps marks this historic anniversary, CBS Philadelphia honors Grieco and all Marines dedicated to living by the motto: Semper Fidelis. This celebration serves not only to remember the past but also to inspire future generations to uphold the values and bravery exemplified by service members like Grieco.