John C. Stevens, III Research Files, 1956 – 2006 Finding Aid

Accession #: 2021.004

Biographical and Historical Note:

John C. Stevens, III is an author, retired attorney and former Justice of the Probate Family Court of Essex County, Massachusetts. As a U.S. Marine, Stevens’ attended recruit training on Parris Island in 1957 and experienced the changes in instruction that began after the 1956 Ribbon Creek Incident. Stevens was inspired to reflect on his experience and write about the Incident while working on his American Studies graduate program in 1995, later turning this initial manuscript into a book: Court Martial at Parris Island: The Ribbon Creek Incident [1999].

The Ribbon Creek Incident occurred on the night of 8 April 1956 when Staff Sergeant Matthew McKeon, a Junior Drill Instructor, led a march of Platoon 71, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, into Ribbon Creek near the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. This resulted in the drowning deaths of 6 young recruits: Thomas Curtis Hardeman (Kippee, GA); Donald Francis O’Shea (Brooklyn, NY); Charles Francis Reilly (Ira, NY); Jerry Lamonte Thomas (Columbia, SC); Leroy Thompson (Summerton, SC); and Norman Alfred Wood (Long Island, NY). A Court of Inquiry was held immediately following the incident from 9 –18 April 1956, and SSgt. McKeon was subsequently court martialed from 16 July – 4 August 1956. SSgt. McKeon’s defense team consisted of civilian attorneys including New York’s Emile Zola Berman. SSgt. McKeon was ultimately found guilty on two charges and was sentenced to time in the brig, reduced in rank to Private, and barred from being a Drill Instructor. Local and national media followed the story of the investigation and trial, with much debate about the intensity of the Marine Corps training methods. The Incident has a long-standing legacy resulting in changes to drill instructor and Marine Recruit training methods that exist to this day.

Scope and Content Note:

This collection contains 1.5 cubic feet of material related to John C. Stevens, III’s research on the Ribbon Creek Incident for his book. These research files consist of primary source documents like government records and court transcripts, photographic evidence, maps, the Platoon 71 graduation periodical from 1956, and interviews from the 1990s with witnesses to and participants in the Ribbon Creek Incident and subsequent court martial. The collection also includes Stevens’ correspondence with these surviving individuals and photographs of the survivor’s reunions. Newspaper and magazine clippings from the 1950s through the 2000s covering the Incident along with articles related to Marine recruit training are also within the collection.

As the materials were referenced by Stevens for his writing, the documents are frequently annotated with pencil, pen, and highlighter. Some photographs were to be reproduced in his book, so Stevens labeled these items by sticker on the verso.

Please note that court evidence may contain graphic images or descriptions. Reproductions of photographic images, including by cellphone and photocopying, must be approved by Beaufort District Collection manager.

Related materials:

The Beaufort District Collection has posted a bibliography of other holdings within the our unit, the Beaufort County Library, and the SCLENDS consortium about the Ribbon Creek Incident in another entry in this blog.

Subject Headings:

• McKeon, Matthew–Trials, litigation, etc.
• United States. Marine Corps.
• Trials (Military offenses)–South Carolina–Parris Island.
• Courts-martial and courts of inquiry–United States.
• Costello, Thomas, -2013.
• United States. Marine Corps–Physical training.
• Berman, Emile Zola, 1902-1981.

Preservation Activities Performed:

Acidic folders were replaced with acid-free, lignin-free file folders. Original folder names have been kept and are indicated by quotation marks. Loose groups of documents not originally in folders included Thomas P. Costello’s diary, the “Record of Proceedings…”, and the “Synopsis of the Record of Trial….” These were added to separate archival folders and labeled according to the title of the document.

Loose photographs were placed in archival photo sleeves for protection. Rusty staples were removed and replaced with stainless steel staples. Paper clips, binder clips, and other fasteners were removed and replaced with folded archival paper to denote intentional groupings of records. Sticky notes were removed but those with relevant information were photocopied with the document. Stevens heavily annotated his materials with pencil, pen, and highlighter. In documents that were photocopied for preservation purposes, highlighted sections are indicated by penciled arrows (–>) or underlined.

Newspaper clippings were photocopied onto archival paper and originals were discarded. Series V: Clippings was originally just two folders, one oversized. The oversized folder was separated out by month, as correspondence indicated that much of the clippings were sent to Stevens from other collectors in groups by publication month.

A copy of the “Existing Conditions as of 30 June 1955 / Revised 1 February 1956” oversized map of Parris Island, SC was removed from the collection and added to the SC Map Collection, as the original map is available in the Transcript of the Court of Inquiry, 1956 – Unredacted Volume.

Collection Inventory

This collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I: Transcript of the Court of Inquiry, 1956 – Redacted Photocopy

Contains a photocopy of the Marine Corps’ Record of Proceedings from a Court of Inquiry, 9 – 15 April 1956, into the circumstances of the marching of Platoon 71 and the disappearances of 6 recruits. Photocopied volume contains the inquiry transcripts along with attached endorsements, reports, photographs and training documents from the 1950s used as evidence. Some lines, paragraphs, and full sections are redacted; redacted sections include the “Opinions”, “Recommendations”. A full list of witnesses and exhibits and where they appear in the record can be found in the Index on pages i – iii.

Many of the redacted sections of the photocopied Court of Inquiry transcripts are present in the unredacted volume. However, the Charges and Specifications correspondence and Endorsements 2 – 4 are only present in the photocopy.

Series II: Transcript of the Court of Inquiry, 1956 – Unredacted Volume

Consists of an original copy of the Record of Proceedings from a Court of Inquiry. Labeled as the Verbatim Record of Trial of Matthew C. McKeon by General Court Martial, this volume only covers the Court of Inquiry. While an original version, the signatures indicating a “Certified True Copy” of documents and correspondence are not always present. Provenance of the transcript is documented in a letter included in the subfolder of items found within the volume.

A full list of witnesses and exhibits and where they appear in the record can be found in the Index on pages i – iii. Many of the redacted sections of the photocopied Court of Inquiry transcripts are present in this volume without redactions. However, the Charges and Specifications correspondence and Endorsements 2 – 4 are only present in the photocopy. Exhibit 2: “Existing Conditions as of…” map is out of order and tucked into the top of the volume.

Please note that court evidence may contain graphic images or descriptions.

Series III: Research Materials

Includes written summaries of the Court of Inquiry and a 71-page summary of the Record of Trial of Matthew C. McKeon by General Court Martial transcript. Also included are copies of the Commandment’s Report, along with interview transcripts, handwritten notes, and correspondence collected during John C. Stevens III’s research for his book.

Series IV: Photographs, Negatives, and Maps

Includes original and printed copies of photographs, some from unknown origin, related to the Ribbon Creek Incident, the subsequent court martial, the filming of the movie The D.I. (1957), Parris Island and Yemassee in the 1990s, and reunions of survivors. Also includes photographic negatives and copies of maps of the incident site.

Series V: Clippings

Contains clippings from a variety of newspapers and magazines covering the Ribbon Creek Incident and court martial of SSgt. McKeon. Spans 1956 to 2003, but bulk is April to August of 1956.

Series VI: Publication

Contains the periodical / yearbook commemorating the 1956 graduation of Third Battalion, Platoon 71 from USMC recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina and a folder of documents found within the book.

Box Inventory 

Box 1: 

Series I: Transcript of the Court of Inquiry, 1956 – Redacted Photocopy 

• Folder 1: Cover, Charges and Specifications…, and Endorsements 1 – 4. Section contains official correspondence after the Court of Inquiry between the Judge Advocate General, the Secretary of the Navy, and others concerning the criminal charges of SSgt. McKeon and recommendation of Court Martial, 24 April – 3 May 1956. 
• Folder 2: Title Page, Pages i – xi, 1-57. Section covers the index, names of witnesses, exhibit list, expositional material like findings, opinions, and recommendations (with the latter two redacted) and first day of the Court of Inquiry, 10 April 1956, where the Incident area was viewed and witnesses to the Incident were questioned. 
• Folder 3: Pages 58 – 140. Section covers the second day of the Court of Inquiry, 11 April 1956, where witnesses to the Incident were questioned along with the dental examiner and the other Drill Instructors of Platoon 71. 
• Folder 4: Pages 141 – 196. Section covers the third and part of the fourth day of the Court of Inquiry, 12 & 14 April 1956 where witnesses, the psychiatrist and medical examiner of SSgt. McKeon were questioned. Evidence was presented and accepted/rejected. 
• Folder 5: Pages 197 – 242. Section covers the fourth day of the Court of Inquiry, 14 April 1956, where drill instructor and Depot recruit training personnel were questioned. 
• Folder 6: Pages 243 – 299. Section covers the fifth day of the Court of Inquiry, 15 April 1956, where Depot recruit training personnel were questioned. 
• Folder 7: Pages 299 – 345. Section covers the sixth and seventh days of the Court of Inquiry, 16 & 18 April 1956, where Depot personnel and the pathologist were questioned and closing statements were given. The seventh day was the final day of the COI, with the findings and redacted opinions and recommendations sections included at the end. 
• Folder 8: Court Exhibits 1 – 10, including the Statement of SSgt. McKeon, photographs, Depot Orders, and training documents. 
• Folder 9: Court Exhibits 11 – 21, including training documents, orders, and Roster for Platoon 71. 

Series III: Research Materials 

• Folder 1: Record of the Proceedings of Court of Inquiry, undated; typed document summarizing the inquiry transcripts, annotated with pen and highlighter. 
• Folder 2: Synopsis of the Record of Trial of Matthew C. McKeon, undated; typed document summarizing the details of the court martial, annotated with pen and highlighter. 
• Folder 3: “Commandment’s Report to House of Representatives”, 1956 -1997; Includes photocopied transcript of the Report of Commandment of Marine Corps on Parris Island Incident (1 May 1956), along with a copy of communication from General Randolph Pate to Secretary of the Navy Charles Thomas, and correspondence from 1997 between Stevens and Paul V. Mulaney. 
• Folder 4: “Notes & Source Material”, 1956 – 1998; Includes handwritten notes from interviews, correspondence, a copy of a 1956 poem dedicated to the victims of the Incident by Pvt. Ed Nobles, and excerpts from the prologue and epilogue of The Living and the Dead by Paul Hendrickson (1996). Also includes letters from General Wallace Greene to Eugene Alvarez (1982-1984). Most materials are related to recruit training on Parris Island and the experience of drill instructors. 
• Folder 5: “Court Martial Personnel”, 1956-1997; Includes a copy of the names and biographies of the participants of the court martial along with correspondence and handwritten notes from interviews with Nicholas Sisiak, Bentley A. Nelson, and Jeremiah Collins. 
• Folder 6: “Duane Faw”, 1996-1998; Contains correspondence and handwritten notes from discussions with Brigadier General Duane Faw, Depot legal officer at the time of the Incident. 
• Folder 7: “Fred Haden”, 1996-1998; Contains correspondence, handwritten notes, and an interview transcript of Frederick (Fred) Haden, Esq., prosecuting attorney during McKeon’s court martial. 
• Folder 8: “Howard Lester”, 1996-1999; Includes correspondence and handwritten interview notes. Also contains copies of photographs and trial sketches from 1956. Lester was a civilian attorney on McKeon’s defense team. 
• Folder 9: “Matt McKeon”, 1956-2003; Includes correspondence, handwritten notes, interview/statement transcripts from 1956 and 1996, and the obituary of SSgt. Matthew (Matt) McKeon. 
• Folder 10: “Tom Costello”, 1996-1998; Includes correspondence, handwritten notes, and an interview transcript of Thomas (Tom) P. Costello, Esq., civilian attorney on McKeon’s defense team and McKeon’s brother-in-law. 
• Folder 11: Diary of Thomas P. Costello, 1956 & 1998; Contains correspondence along with photocopies of Thomas (Tom) P. Costello’s diary from 9 April 1956 to 6 August 1956. 

Series IV: Photographs, Negatives, and Maps 

• Folder 1: Miscellaneous Photos and Maps, 1956 – 2006, Undated. Includes photos from the 50^th anniversary reunion of surviving Platoon 71 members, reproductions of photos from media publications at the time of the Court Martial, copy of a section of “Existing Conditions as of 30 June 1955 / Revised 1 February 1956” map, and other miscellaneous photos and documents. Some images were published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 
• Folder 2: Miscellaneous Photos, Negatives, and Correspondence from Vic Ditchkoff, 1995-2006, Undated. Includes images published in Court Martial at Parris Island, photographs and a letter sent by Vic Ditchkoff of the barracks occupied by Platoon 71 taken in 1995, and an undated (circa WWII or later) photograph of the wash racks on Parris Island. 
• Folder 3: “Matthew McKeon Photos Taken 5/13/96”, containing a photo and sheets of negatives of SSgt. Matthew McKeon. Image was published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 
• Folder 4: “Fred Haden & David McPherson November 1996”, containing photos of Fred Haden and David McPherson and a subfolder of photo negatives. Images were published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 
• Folder 5: Photographs and Negatives Including Some of Yemassee, SC, 1996. Includes photos of the train depot in Yemassee, along with other unidentified locations. Subfolder contains photo negatives. Some images were published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 
• Folder 6: “Parris Island Trip July 1997”. Contains photos of buildings on Parris Island, including the SNCO Club and Building 761. Some images were published in Court Martial at Parris Island. Also contains a subfolder of photo negatives. 
• Folder 7: Photos from 50^th Anniversary Reunion, 2006. Contains photos from the 50^th anniversary reunion of surviving members of Platoon 71 on Parris Island, including survivors Ervin, Vaughn, Moran, and Martinez. 
• Folder 8: Photos from Dick Marple of the Making of “The D.I.”, Jack Webb and Jackie Loughery, Undated (c.1957). Contains a photo and negative of Jack Webb and Jackie Loughery on set during the filming of The D.I. Image was published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 
• Folder 8: “Photographs & Maps”, Undated (c.1956-1999?). Contains photos of John C. Stevens, III, photos of Yemassee Train Depot, reproductions of images used as evidence in Court Martial, copy of a section of “Existing Conditions as of 30 June 1955 / Revised 1 February 1956” map, and other miscellaneous photos. Some images were published in Court Martial at Parris Island. 

Series V: Clippings 

• Folder 1: Clippings, April 1956; includes clippings from a variety of newspapers covering the Ribbon Creek Incident and the initial investigation into SSgt. McKeon from 10 – 22 April 1956. 
• Folder 2: Clippings, May 1956; includes clippings from a variety of newspapers covering the Ribbon Creek Incident and Marine Corps recruit training from May 1^st – 14^th. Also includes the limited New York Post column series “An Ex-Marine Goes Back: Inside Parris Island” by Stan Opotowsky, published 30 April – 5 May 1956. 
• Folder 3: Clippings, July 1956; contains clippings from a variety of newspapers covering the Court Martial of SSgt. McKeon, including the LIFE magazine spread and Jim Bishop’s coverage in New York Journal-American, all spanning 9 – 30 July 1956. 
• Folder 4: Clippings, August 1956; contains clippings from a variety of newspapers covering the end of the Court Martial of SSgt. McKeon from 1 – 20 August 1956. 
• Folder 5: Clippings, September 1956 – 2003; includes clippings from a variety of newspapers covering the aftermath of the Incident and Court Martial, Marine Corps recruit training reforms, other abuses of Marines and recruits, and lives of the survivors and participants after the Incident and trial. 
• Folder 6: Clippings – Survivors, Victims, and the Marine Corps, 1956-2006, Undated. Steven’s folder of clippings and articles covering the Ribbon Creek Incident with special focus on the victims and survivors accounts. Other articles include an obituary for SSgt. McKeon written by Stevens and published in the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society Newsletter, Winter 2004 edition. Also includes the subfolder “Marine Corps Newspaper Clips” which contains clippings, most from 1956, that report on the Marine Corps involvement in the Incident and often including perspectives of veterans. 
• Folder 7: Clippings, Undated; contains clippings and articles covering the Ribbon Creek Incident without dates and/or sources. 

Series VI: Publication 

• Folder 1: Yearbook – “Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina Third Battalion Platoon 71”, 1956. Contains the commemorative graduation “yearbook” of Platoon 71 including portraits of the recruits. Also contains a subfolder of materials found between the portrait pages where Len Bantel identifies the recruits in a photo published in LIFE magazine, c. 1956 – 1996. 

Box 2: 

Series II: Transcript of the Court of Inquiry, 1956 – Unredacted Volume 

• Along with transcripts of the Court of Inquiry, the volume includes a full copy of the “Existing Conditions as of 30 June 1955 / Revised 1 February 1956” map, photos admitted as court exhibits, and unredacted versions of the Court of Inquiry’s opinions and recommendations. A full list of witnesses and exhibits and where they appear in the record can be found in the Index on pages i – iii. Please note that court evidence may contain graphic images or descriptions. Also includes a subfolder of items found tucked within the Verbatim Record, including correspondence on the provenance of the record. 

Volume: 2 boxes, 1.5 cubic feet 

Processed: Cassandra Knoppel, April 2024 ; Narrative edited by Grace Morris Cordial, 22 May 2024.

Provenance: Donated by John C. Stevens, III in 2021. 

Citation Form: John C. Stevens, III Research Files, Beaufort District Collection, Beaufort County Library, SC 

Copyright: undetermined 

Note: The Beaufort District Collection (BDC) exists to acquire, preserve, maintain and make accessible a research collection of permanent value which records the history, culture, and environment of the South Carolina lowcountry wedged between the Combahee (pronounced “Kum’ bee”) and Savannah Rivers.  BDC staff and docents are stewards who collect, protect and share unique historical materials about local history, Gullah culture, natural southeastern coastal environment, family history and archaeology of the area now covered by Beaufort County, Hampton County and Jasper County in South Carolina.

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