“The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war,” said Silver Star recipient Gilbert H. Bolton during a recent presentation to students of the School of Infantry-West on Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Bolton was born in Portsmouth, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1959. He served as an infantry Marine and officer until he retired in 1991 at the age of 50. During his time in the Marine Corps, Bolton rose through the ranks from private to an infantry weapons officer, also known as a Marine Gunner. A Marine Corps Gunner is a technical expert of all Marine Corps weapons systems, and their employment.
Through his blood, sweat, and tears, Gunner Bolton was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions on Hill 25 in Vietnam, a battle in which Gunner Bolton and his men, highly outnumbered, drove back the Viet Cong.
As an enlisted Marine, Bolton was once asked, “What do you want on your identification card” and he stated, “Forever!” That theme has stayed with him ever since. After his active duty career, Bolton realized that he did not want to be without the Marine Corps, so he decided to come back to where he first started thirty-two years earlier. The School of Infantry.
Gunner Bolton now serves the Marine Corps as a volunteer at the School of Infantry-West. Out of a desire to continue to lead and mentor Marines, Gunner Bolton finds himself in a classroom frequently these days and not surprisingly in a classroom named in his honor where he tells his story once a week. “I enjoy coming [to SOI-West] it’s an honor and a privilege as I look forward to every presentation,” said the Ohio native.
Since 2003, Bolton has given fifty-five combat leadership briefs, taught thirty-seven Marine Combat Training classes, and further instructed eighteen Infantry Training Battalion classes. The Silver Star recipient has attended ninety-five graduations and actively recruits sponsors for nine different courses that provide the ‘Honor Graduate Award’ to the top graduating Marines.
“I love this class,” said Col. Jeffrey C. Holt, commanding officer, School of Infantry-West. “I try to sit through as much as I can every time.”
During each class, the Marines are called to attention as they honor ten fallen Marines from the battle of Hill 25. A bell is rung following the reading of each Marine’s name.
Gunner Bolton uses his battlefield experience and leadership traits to mentor Marines that are going through training. By providing all the Marines that attend his classes with a dog tag, he is passing off his knowledge and experience to those that hope to follow in his footsteps and carrying on his ‘forever’ mantra.
“A Marine couldn’t ask for a better career and I will be here till my demise,” said Gunner Bolton.
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I had the honor of meeting Gunner Bolten in 1988 at Infantry Squad Leaders school and am so glad to see his story here. He left an impression on me then that I have never forgotten. Semper Fi! Sgt Rick Simmons
OORAH!!! Thank you for you Service Sir. What else can you say.
R.I.P. MARINE, SEMPERFI
A true and dedicated MARINE!! Another legend of “THE FEW AND THE PROUD” SEMPER FI GUNNER!! Harry
Sremper Fyi gunny, from corporal Gardner. 72 to 80, service battalion com.
That is an awesome story and even more awesome leader. SEMPER FI GUNNER.
Gunner Bolton was the OIC Advance Infantry Training Section for Infantry Squad Leaders Course and Infantry Platoon Sergeant Course at Camp Pendleton. I attended Squad Leaders Course back in 1987. He was one of the best of best.
I met Gunner Bolton in 1989 while attending Squad Leaders Course. Hell of a Marine and Warrior! Semper Fi, Sir.
A Marines Marine. Wishing you a long life and the continued ability to do what you love. Semper Fidelis!
Another example as to why I never cease to be impressed by our Corps. Semper Fi Gunner
Thomas Paul Ardito: A True and Legendary Marine reminds me of My Uncle Hank a Korean War Combat Marine who recieved Two Purple Hearts and recently Passed Away. We need more Examples and Heroes in are lives like Gilbert Bolton and My Uncle Harry J. Kuhn . Marine Corps. live forever thru these Marines.Semper Fidelis.
Thank you
I Served with the Gunner on Edson Range as a LCpl.,Cpl., And Sgt. 1973-75 And got to see him again when I was a GySgt. In 1987 Quantico Va. could of been 87 but it has always been an Honor just to know Semper Fi Sir!!! Gunny Jensen
Sometimes, there just aren’t words to describe what it is to be a Marine, and how you feel about others who earned that title. Gunner Bolton IS the pinnacle of what it means to be a Marine. He exemplifies the title of a Marine’s Marine …forever. Semper Fi’ !! Corporal of Marines, Vietnam Nam Easter Offensive ‘72.
A true Marine leader, thank you sir for your service. “Semper Fi” From a bro. Marine Vietnam veteran.
Semper FI Gunny, WW11 and Korea Vet
Gunner Bolton has set a standard that all Marines should strive for. He is without a doubt a Marine’s Marine. It’s Marines like him that have made us the best military fighting force in the world and will keep us on top “forever”. Semper Fi sir and thank you for your continuing service.
Chesty reincarniated
I served in the same company as Gunner Bolton on November 2 1967 when Hill 25 was attacked by a VC commando unit. If it was not for Gunner Bolton’s leadership, courage and decisiveness, the entire Marine unit (2nd Platoon) would have been wiped out. Second platoon was outnumbered 3 to 1 when the attack begin and resulted in hand to hand combat. Gunner Bolton epitomized the Marine Corps “The few, the proud and the brave.” Those of us who had the privilege of serving with Gunner Bolton in Vietnam will never forget him. It was a honor and privilege to know and serve with Gunner Bolton in the Marine Corps.
I first met Gunner Bolton while standing on the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego in 1965. His rank was then a sergeant and he was to be the Platoon Commander while I went through boot camp. He made a big impression on me. I was in Plt. 362 and became a Marine thanks to Bolton and Junior D.I.’s Corporals Jones and Miller. After graduation, I went to the sunny land of South Vietnam and served in India Company, 3/7. Bolton also went to Nam and served with Mike 3/7. I was able to make contact with him again after many years. Still have the utmost respect for him, as a Marine and as a man. A tremendous Leader. Semper Fi, Sir!!
This is the story of a true patriot, all l can say is Semper Fidelis….
Well done Marine…he is just one of many reasons I’m proud to claim the title of a United States Marine.
I was honored to meet Gunner Bolton years after Vietnam, but I new of him when i Reported to Duty with Mike Company 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Feb 1968. After Vietnam I found my Old Company was having a Reunion in my Hometown. I have since then attended ever Reunion I could. I finally met the Gunner at one of these Reunions in San Diego, in which he was the Host. as the Host Gunner Bolton really set up a Great Reunion. Bolton took this old Company of Marines and gave us a VIP Tour of Camp Pendleton, and his Beloved Infantry Training School. We as Marines of the 60’s sat in Bolton Hall along with the Graduation Class and Listened to the Finial Presentation to that group of Marines before heading out to their new Duty Stations. to say these Men were Awed by the presence and the Teaching of Gunner Bolton would be an understatement. Gunner Bolton a Marines Marine.
Semper Fi. Gunner Bolton.
I served with Gunner Bolton in Bravo Co. 1/3. He was a Corporal E4 squad leader at the time and one of the most gung ho Marine’s in the company. There was no doubt he would succeed in the Corps and rise in the ranks through his leadership, and his bravery is no surprise. He was and still is a Marines’ Marine. Semper Fi Gunner.
1988,Infantry Squad Leaders course.May God test his soul,because this was one Been Places,DiD Things,and taught Us to do it to WHOEVER the enemy is! No bullshit,what I was instructed in 1988 kept me alive in 1991 in Kuwait.He was a warhead trough and through.So long Sir,maybe we’ll all be in Valhalla,one thing’s for sure,You’ll have one of the E-tickets on that ride.
One good Marine,you know if you knew him,He was born to live and die,one “03 Proud to be,United States Marine Corps Infantryman!There is probably no one living that could surpass him in anything!May God test your soul Gunner.