E-Bulletin 05-09

Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Association

MCITTA E-Bulletin Number 05-09

November 2009

The MCITTA E-Bulletin

An Email message for members of the

Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Assn

www.mcitta.org

Some memorable moments

Newly promoted Sgt Guenther interrogates PLA prisoners in Korea c.1950

Newly commissioned 2ndLt Guenther (center background) attends a graduation ceremony at FMF Lant at the new CITT area commanded by Capt Dan Boyd (left) c. 1962

At the first MCITTA Gathering in Las Vegas in 2003 with Harry Todd and ITT pioneer Jim East

Chatting with their "old boss" from HQMC is Jim Haskins and Don James in San Antonio

John and wife Gerrie sharing a moment with Harry and Lois Todd and Felix Conde in Nashville 2006

A moment with his "protege", MajGen Mike Ennis, former DirInt, HQMC at the Joint Intel Reunion in Washington in 2008

Plaque dedicating Guenther Hall at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center

Thank you for your service..

Commemorative services for LtCol Guenther have not been finalized at this posting. It is intended that his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetary at a later date..

Cards of sympathy may be sent to his wife at the following address:

Gerrie Guenther

The Jefferson

APT#916

900 N. Taylor St.,

Arlington VA 22203

Passing...

The MCITTA was saddened to receive the news of the passing of LtCol John J. Guenther, USMC (Ret) on 29 October 2009 with his lovely wife of 50+ years Gerrie by his side.

John Guenther was a leader of Marines, a mentor to many, and a creator and pioneer of so many innovations in the Marine Corps intelligence field. His presence and inspiration to so many will be sorely missed. We are grateful for what he shared with us.

Since the inception of MCITTA as an organization in 2003, John immediately joined our ranks as a member, having been a pioneer in the Interrogator Translator (0251) field. An avid supporter of our Association, he attended most of our annual Gatherings only missing the past few because of health reasons.

John Guenther enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1948 and retired in February 1994 having served in Marine Corps intelligence billets for over 45 years and in 19 different enlisted, commissioned and civilian ranks. When he retired in 1994, was serving as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence at Headquarters Marine Corps.

In September 1950, Corporal Guenther landed at Inchon with the Seventh Marines; in November and December, Sergeant Guenther was with the regimental S-2 Section in the Chosin Reservoir battle.

As a Staff Sergeant, he was an honor graduate of the Army Counterintelligence Agent course in 1952; as a Master Sergeant he took honors in Russian Language at the Naval Intelligence School in 1960.

While assigned to a Naval Security Group activity in Morocco in 1961 performing Signals Intelligence duties, MSgt Guenther was selected as an Intelligence Limited Duty Officer (MOS:0202).

First Lieutenant Guenther was the Assistant G-2, Ground Defense Force, Guantanamo, during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and went aboard the DLG-12 as a Russian voice translator conveying messages to the Soviet ships taking missiles back to the Soviet Union.

Captain Guenther’s first Vietnam tour was as the CI/Security Officer for the Maritime Operations Branch of MACSOG; his second tour as a Major was as Staff CI Officer for III MAF with responsibilities for CI activities in the five northern provinces.

Lieutenant Colonel Guenther served in East Germany as the Naval Representative and Joint Operations Officer with the U. S. Military Liaison Mission to Group of Soviet Forces Germany from 1974 to 1977.

He returned to HQMC for his final year of active duty where he was the first Branch Head of the National Intelligence Activities Branch (INTX) responsible for new satellite programs and Marine Corps participation in the National Foreign Intelligence Community. He later served as the Marine Corps representative/faculty member at the Defense Intelligence School/College, where he later attended the Defense Attaché Course in preparation for the East Germany assignment. While assigned to the Defense Intelligence College, LtCol Guenther originated the first Bibliography of Intelligence reflecting his intense interest in the history and literature of intelligence.

Lieutenant Colonel Guenther’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat V, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and numerous other service and campaign ribbons, including the prized Enlisted Good Conduct Medal with three stars.

His civilian awards include the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service issued by President George H. W. Bush, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal granted by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award issued by the Secretary of the Navy.

On 19 July 1996 at the tenth anniversary of the Navy Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia, the Marine Corps wing of the new training building was dedicated as Guenther Hall in recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Guenther’s life time contributions to Marine Corps intelligence.

Since his retirement, Mr. Guenther maintained an active role in all the Marine Corps intelligence associations, having held an MOS in every specialty of Marine Corps intelligence. Mr. Guenther’s main focus was on researching and writing the history of Marine Corps intelligence, which he considered to have been a neglected topic by Marine Corps historians. His tireless efforts received the strong support of the Marine Corps Directors of Intelligence and the President of the Marine Corps University. Although he was unable to complete this monumental work, he has laid a lasting foundation and upon completion, will be a testimony to his many years of dedicated service to the Marine Corps and his fellow Marines.

Testimonies...

General Charles C. Krulakk

32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps

I got the news last night...late. So very sad. We lost a real Marine when we lost John. Perhaps our finest Intel guy and our best human!

Col Daniel Z. Boyd, USMC (Ret)
With the death of John Guenther, Marine Corps intelligence lost a giant and I a good friend; he will be sorely missed by all. Our condolences are extended to Gerrie and the family.

John and I first met in the early 60's, when as a brand new 2nd Lt., he joined the 2nd CITT as my assistant commander. Although our subsequent careers took us in different directions over the coming years, we remained in contact even if only during the holiday season. John was a loyal, hard working, imaginative, and innovative Marine officer who had a varied and distinguished career. In every assignment, he made a positive contribution. While at DIS, he compiled and promulgated a reading list long before such things became popular. Recent and today's Marine 02's have John, more than any other individual, to thank for their increased career prospects. Eventual retirement did not slow him down as he worked to compile, even in the face of noticeable apathy in some quarters, a history of Marine Corps intelligence. Although unfinished, such a work will be a suitable and lasting legacy for a life well spent.

Semper Fidelis, old friend.

From MCCIA
To many of us, John represented all that was good in Marine Corps CI. He would be the first to deny that description, and would be quick to remind anyone that he also served tours in several other sub-disciplines of intelligence, so he wasn't exclusively a "CI guy.". Nonetheless, he will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of those of us who served with him, and knew of his matchless dedication and capacity for work. His passing is very sad, indeed.

From MCITTA
MCITTA has lost a valuable and most supportive member. John's contribution to our foundling Association has been immeasurable. His presence at our Gatherings will certainly be regarded as a great loss to us as an organization. From the many of us who served with and for Col Guenther we are grateful for his mentoring and his generous guidance through the years. From all of us, we have lost a great friend.

Thank you, John, and Semper Fidelis.

This MCITTA E-Bulletin is sponsored by:

CWO5 Howard Young, USMCR (Ret)