Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain 1963-1966

Rota Summer 2008

2009-01-31T19:46:00.007+01:00

Hi Raul,

We were in Rota this past summer and I am sending you some pics. Rota has changed a lot in many ways; in others it is still the same. Still the same sleepy little village but it seems there is a satellite dish on every roof, and people walking in the streets all have a cell phone attached to their ears. In the first photo you can see the base in the background, Tio Pepe figure at the bodegas, taking the catamaran from Rota to Cadiz, it now takes less than 20 minutes to get there. Rota beach. A callejon leading to the beach.

Take care,

Maria Burrows (formerly Jaros)

USMC Birthday Ball 1963 & 1964

2008-11-26T13:12:00.004+01:00

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is always a most memorable experience like no other. My first such experience was at Camp Leueune in 1959. I'd played the sax in a jazz combo in high school. My musical idol was Stan Kenton for the scores he provided us.

You can't imagine my excitement when I walked into the base auditorium and discovered that the musical entertainment was to be the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Wow! for me the thrill of a lifetime. I even chatted with him onstage during an intermission to add to the thrill.

Then along came Rota. Another unforgettable experience. This photomovie is dedicated to the 1963 and 1964 celebrations. I don't know why there are no pictures of the 1965 or 1966 ball available. If any of you have any please e-mail them to me for posting.

As always Semper Fidelis
Raul Botello

Hong Kong Bar Party

2008-10-17T15:17:00.001+02:00

Rota Marines First Reunion 2008 - Part 2

2008-10-07T19:06:00.004+02:00

Lou Onofrio, John Church, Connie Tartini, Ron Scrabis

Mike Foley, John Church, Bob Seldomridge, John Sudo (seated)

middle row - Mike Foley, Lou Onofrio, John Church, Tom Scanlon
back row - Bob Goddard, Pete Alvarez, Joe O'Brien
seated - John Sudo

Tom Scanlon, John & Joanne Church

Tom Scanlon, Mike Foley, John Church, Chico Rivera

standing -Kelley
seated - John Sudo, John Church

John Church, Col. & Mrs. Peterson Col. Hopkins

Ernest Gallegos, Col Peterson, David Hunt, Col. Hopkins

Lou Onofrio, Bob Goddard, Maria Sudo (foreground)

John Church, Bob Seldomridge

back row: Pete Alvarez, Bob Goddard, Jose Busto, Joe O'Brien, Ron Scrabis
middle row: Mike Foley, Lou Onofrio, John Church, Tom Scanlon
seated: John Sudo

rear: Kelley, Connie Tartini, Lou Onofrio
seated : John Sudo

Same old, same old...

John Church, Chico Rivera

Tom and Judy Scanlon

Tom Scanlon, John Curch, Col. Peterson, Col. Hopkins

Eugene Mertz, Robert and Pili Goddard

Bob and Pili Goddard

Connie Tartini

Joe and Mrs. O'Brien

Tom Scanlon and Ernie Gallegos

Chico and Mrs. Rivera

Reuben E. Lee

Maria and John Sudo

Joyce and Kelley

Jose Busto, John Church, Tom Scanlon

Tom Scanlon, Joe Busto, Chico Rivera, John Church

Submissions by Joanne Church

Rota Marines First Reunion 2008 - Part 1

2008-10-07T18:13:00.007+02:00

Offerings by Louie Onofrio

2005-12-18T15:37:00.000+01:00

Battle Scene Mural

2005-11-25T11:33:00.000+01:00

A view of the Marine Barracks bell and sign in front of the Admin Office. The all-battles-in-one mural was under completion by Corporal Raul Botello. The mural was later place on a wall inside the barracks.

Alhambra Trio

2005-11-23T18:48:00.000+01:00

Visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, Sergeant John Sudo seated on the left, Corporal Raul Botello seated on the right, and standing is Corporal (name forgotten).

Road To Granada

2005-11-23T18:45:00.000+01:00

Sergeant John Sudo looks on at Corporal Raul Botello's dinged auto. A large truck sideswiped the car on a winding mountain road above Malaga.

Rota Liberty

2005-11-23T18:39:00.000+01:00

Pizza was not a common food at Rota but this bar on the beach made them upon request. This was the largest pizza he could prepare. It wasn't your Philadelphia pizza but was ok.

Rota Liberty

2005-11-23T18:36:00.000+01:00

Corporal Raul Botello and Corporal Charles Murray pose with another liberty chum in a Rota pub called German Bar near the base main gate.

Rota Liberty

2005-11-23T18:25:00.000+01:00

Nothing like a cool San Miguel beer after work.

Rota Liberty

2005-11-23T18:19:00.000+01:00

Corporal Raul Botello sits on the left at unknown Rota Bar.

Barracks Life

2005-11-23T18:15:00.000+01:00

Corporal Lawrence Fink stands "behind the eight ball."

Base Skeet Range

2005-11-23T18:13:00.000+01:00

Corporal Raul Botello and Lance Corporal Donmoyer enjoy a day of skeet shooting.

Barracks Life

2005-11-23T18:09:00.000+01:00

Sergeant Clark armed "to the teeth" poses on the barracks ladderwell.

Intramural Sports

2005-11-23T18:05:00.000+01:00

Corporal Raul Botello relaxes in the Guard Office after sustaining a shoulder injury while playing intramural tag football. No more tag football for this player.

Guard Shack Morning

2005-11-23T18:01:00.000+01:00

Sergeant John Sudo sits amid fellow Marines in the Guard Shack having the usual morning coffee.

Ceremonial Bugler

2005-11-23T17:58:00.000+01:00

A ceremonial finds the Marine Barracks bugler atop a building overlooking the parade field.

A Life Of Duty And Watches

2005-11-23T17:24:00.000+01:00

Corporal Charles Murray at his security supervisor post in the admin building.

Marine Corps Ball 1963

2005-11-23T17:18:00.000+01:00

Mrs. Dabney and Captain Dabney, Marine Barracks Guard Officer, stand in the background while Sergeant Major of Marine Barracks reads birthday message to Marines.

Marine Corps Ball 1963

2005-11-23T17:16:00.000+01:00

Staff Sergeant Robert Hawkins sits with other guests at the ball.

Marine Corps Ball 1963

2005-11-23T17:13:00.000+01:00

Rosario Monge and Corporal Raul Botello at the Ball.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Visit

2005-11-23T13:02:00.001+01:00

General Wallace M. Greene, Commandant of the Marine Corps, shakes hands with Mrs. Raul Botello as he greets a group of Marines during a reception.

On the road to Guadalcanal, Spain

2005-11-23T12:58:00.000+01:00

A geodetic marker located a few kilometers from Guadalcanal, Spain, served as a guide. The "highway" north from Seville to Guadalcanal wasn't paved and had many rocks and holes to contend with. What you see where Corporal Raul Botello stands is pretty much the condition of the entire road.

The town of Guadalcanal during the celebration

2005-11-23T12:52:00.000+01:00

Dignitaries came from all over to participate in this homage to the discoverer of Guadalcanal island who was born in this town. The town of Guadalcanal had a very small population but during this celebration the count multiplied many times.

Presentation Ceremony

2005-11-23T12:48:00.000+01:00

A Japanese Sumarai sword taken during battle at the island of Guadalcanal is presented to the Mayor of Guadalcanal, Spain, Francisco Oliva Calderon by Colonel William Moore, JUSMG/MAAG, on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps. Captain A. Barthes, USN, CNA, Spain, looks on from the rear.

Pass in Review at Guadalcanal, Spain

2005-11-23T12:44:00.000+01:00

Pass in review. Our Marines reviewed by Spanish General Salvador, Staff Commander, Spain Air Region, and Captain A. A. Barthes, Commander Naval Activities, Spain.

Ceremony

2005-11-23T12:12:00.000+01:00

Official representatives including Sergeant Major of Marine Barracks, next to Mayor Francisco Oliva Calderon, view processions and ceremonies. In back Colonel Richard F. Peterson, Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain, and LtCol William F. Moore, JUSMG, Madrid, salute passing colors.

Reception

2005-11-23T12:05:00.000+01:00

U.S. Marine Corps officers meet Spanish dignitaries and exchange salutations. Lieutenant Colonel William Moore, JUSMG, Madrid, on the left and Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain, Colonel Richard F. Peterson on the right.

Below LtCol Moore discusses the events of the day with other officials.

U.S. Marine Corps Exhibit at Guadalcanal, Spain

2005-11-23T11:59:00.000+01:00

The U.S. Marine Corps presented the Mayor of Guadalcanal with a Sumarai sword captured on the island during the battle. Military battle scenes and other artwork by Corporal Raul Botello surround the encased artifact.

U.S. Marine Corps Exhibit at Guadalcanal, Spain

2005-11-23T11:53:00.000+01:00

Spanish Marine Jose Martin painted the large mural especially for the exhibit on behalf of the Spanish Marines. The painting depicts Spanish exploration of the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. A Spanish Marine sentry on the left and a U.S. Marine sentry on the right guard the exhbit.

U.S. Marine Corps Exhibit at Guadalcanal, Spain

2005-11-23T11:47:00.000+01:00

The exhibit encompasses art, objects, and artifacts from the Battle for the island of Guadalcanal during WWII.

Guadalcanal, Spain Ceremony

2005-11-23T09:26:00.000+01:00

The Marine Corps Headquarters gifted an exhibit of art and artifacts to the town of Guadalcanal. Corporal Raul Botello organized and set up this event in the town hall. He explains to visiting Spanish naval dignitaries various features of the exhibit.

The purpose of this event was to pay homage to the discoverer of the island of Guadalcanal Pedro Ortega Valencia, a native of the town of Guadalcanal, Spain, on 6 September 1964.

Authorities attending the event:

American
Captain A. A. Barthes, USN, Commander Naval Activities, Spain
LtCol W. Moore, USMC, Navy Section, JUSMG/MAAG (MADRID)
LtCol Richard F. Peterson, USMC, Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain
Mr. Paul Guest, American Consul, Seville, Spain

Spanish
General Salvador, Staff Commander of the Estrecho Air Region
General Durban Crespo, second-in-command, Military Government of Seville

Event coordinator and VIP guide
Corporal Raul Botello, USMC