working on a great "To Be" night, so I'm here!
Love,
De'on
Thursday, January 18, 2007
January 2007 Most Recent Casualties
Gunz Up
salutes and appreciates
the sacrifice of
your service
as we lift
your families
up in prayer.
THANK YOU.
Army: Sgt.Thomas E. Vanding Jr.
Army: Staff Sgt. Charles D. Allen
Army: Cpl. Jeremiah J. Johnson
Army: Spec. Eric T. Caldwell
Air Force: Sr. Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr.
Air Force: Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner
+++
Origin of the 21-Gun Salute
The tradition of saluting can be traced to the Middle Ages practice of placing oneself in an unarmed position and, therefore, in the power of those being honored. The cannon salute might have originated in the 17th century with the maritime practice of demanding that a defeated enemy expend its ammunition and render itself helpless until reloaded -- a time-consuming operation in that era.
In the Anglo-Saxon Empire, seven guns was a recognized naval salute, seven being the standard number of weapons on a vessel. Because more gunpowder could be stored on dry land, forts could fire three rounds for every one fired from sea, hence the number 21. With the improvement of naval gunpowder, honors rendered at sea were increased to 21 as well.
Beginning in our colonial period the United States fired one shot for each state in the Union. This was continued until 1841 when it was reduced to 21 from 26. Although it had been in use for more than 30 years, the 21-gun salute was not formally adopted until Aug. 18, 1875. This was at the suggestion of the British, who proposed a "Gun for Gun Return" to their own 21-gun salute.
+++
3,351 Total Fatalities
Operation Iraqi Freedom: 2,997
Operation Enduring Freedom: 354
Virgie Bell's View
Sometimes I am so glad that I am not quite up-to-date with every ‘IN’ thing. Take for instance the gathering of friends to partake of the happiest meal of all times. Seems this man had liposuction and after they had sucked all this fat off his body, he took the fat home and called upon his very best friends to enjoy a meal of meat-balls ... cooked in his personal fat. But even more surprising was the fact that the friends ate this rare treat. He had some of his own body fat left over and then sold that to some lucky bunch for their gastronomical enjoyment.
I have come to the conclusion that I am the most creatively challenged person on earth. Inventively challenged you could say. I could have been staring at this blob of fat for weeks on end, and I would have never come up with that idea. In fact I am so sadly lacking in recycling inventions such as this artist. Consensus after this yummy meal seems to be that it is not cannibalism if you eat art. I knew that we were using grease from restaurants to run automobiles, instead of gas. I have mulled this over, and I have come to conclusion that I'll just have stay with gas and Wesson Oil. I know it is tacky of me to be so uncaring about recycling and new exciting recipes. But that is just me.
Other big spenders and environmental slobs are just like me. I feel true compassion for these green-niks having to put up with the likes of me. I know that the artist in me should at least appreciate the new trend of eating art. I’ll have to admit that I never have appreciated the art that shows a picture of Jesus submerged in the urine provided by the artist. I can’t picture me throwing blood on anyone’s fur coat or going naked holding a sign up for PETA. I never did appreciate the Malathorpe self-portriat, the one where he had the handle of a bull-whip in his rectum. I plead innocent to all of these flaws in my character by reason that I am squeamish. I feel no admiration for those macho men in Hollywood who grab bugs off windshields and eat them and I am old-fashioned I know, in that I always wear panties, (as do most of my friends). We are a sneaky bunch, I’ll admit, and we always wear our dresses long enough to hide this disgusting trait.
In this world of the new and inventive, I am a blight on the face of the earth. I get where all these people are coming from, I really do. I am presently coming up with New Year’s resolutions, but will just have to live with the fact that I am just one more hopeless case that he speaks of in his book, An Inconvenient Truth, by that charming Al Gore. His book is sweeping the nation and his movie is being mentioned for the Oscar. I am not surprised that the Hollywood set is right in there. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
I have come to the conclusion that I am the most creatively challenged person on earth. Inventively challenged you could say. I could have been staring at this blob of fat for weeks on end, and I would have never come up with that idea. In fact I am so sadly lacking in recycling inventions such as this artist. Consensus after this yummy meal seems to be that it is not cannibalism if you eat art. I knew that we were using grease from restaurants to run automobiles, instead of gas. I have mulled this over, and I have come to conclusion that I'll just have stay with gas and Wesson Oil. I know it is tacky of me to be so uncaring about recycling and new exciting recipes. But that is just me.
Other big spenders and environmental slobs are just like me. I feel true compassion for these green-niks having to put up with the likes of me. I know that the artist in me should at least appreciate the new trend of eating art. I’ll have to admit that I never have appreciated the art that shows a picture of Jesus submerged in the urine provided by the artist. I can’t picture me throwing blood on anyone’s fur coat or going naked holding a sign up for PETA. I never did appreciate the Malathorpe self-portriat, the one where he had the handle of a bull-whip in his rectum. I plead innocent to all of these flaws in my character by reason that I am squeamish. I feel no admiration for those macho men in Hollywood who grab bugs off windshields and eat them and I am old-fashioned I know, in that I always wear panties, (as do most of my friends). We are a sneaky bunch, I’ll admit, and we always wear our dresses long enough to hide this disgusting trait.
In this world of the new and inventive, I am a blight on the face of the earth. I get where all these people are coming from, I really do. I am presently coming up with New Year’s resolutions, but will just have to live with the fact that I am just one more hopeless case that he speaks of in his book, An Inconvenient Truth, by that charming Al Gore. His book is sweeping the nation and his movie is being mentioned for the Oscar. I am not surprised that the Hollywood set is right in there. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Crayola Art
"Apache," above, was created with Crayola Crayons by Don Marco, an artist who perfected a technique to use what we think of as a child's toy to create incredible art. His work is in demand, and he's completed commissions from Hollywood stars. Marco served in the Army Air Corps and retired from a career in air traffic control.
Rescuers
French President Jacques Chirac delivers a speech today in Paris during a ceremony honoring French people who rescued Jews from the Nazis during World War II. Chirac is the first French president to recognize France’s role in the mass deportation of Jews during World War II. Portraits of some of the members of the group are seen displayed in the foreground. (AP Photo)
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guadalcanal and the August Battles *10
FIRST OFFENSIVE: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal
by Henry I. Shaw, Jr.
The Landing and August Battles (continued)
Even though most of the division's heavy engineering equipment had disappeared with the Navy's transports, the resourceful Marines soon completed the airfield's runway with captured Japanese gear. On 12 August Admiral McCain's aide piloted a PBY-5 Catalina flying boat and bumped to a halt on what was now officially Henderson Field, named for a Marine pilot, Major Lofton R. Henderson, lost at Midway. The Navy officer pronounced the airfield fit for fighter use and took off with a load of wounded Marines, the first of 2,879 to be evacuated. Henderson Field was the centerpiece of Vandegrift's strategy; he would hold it at all costs.
Although it was only 2,000 feet long and lacked a taxiway and adequate drainage, the tiny airstrip, often riddled with potholes and rendered unusable because of frequent, torrential downpours, was essential to the success of the landing force. With it operational, supplies could be flown in and wounded flown out. At least in the Marines' minds, Navy ships ceased to be the only lifeline for the defenders.
While Vandegrift's Marines dug in east and west of Henderson Field, Japanese headquarters in Rabaul planned what it considered an effective response to he American offensive. Misled by intelligence estimates that the Marines numbered perhaps 2,000 men, Japanese staff officers believed that a modest force quickly sent could overwhelm the invaders.
On 12 August, CinCPac determined that a sizable Japanese force was massing at Truk to steam to the Solomons and attempt to eject the Americans. Ominously, the group included the heavy carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku and the light carrier Ryujo. Despite the painful losses at Savo Island, the only significant increases to American naval forces in the Solomons was the assignment of a new battleship, the South Dakota (BB-57).
Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo had ordered Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Hyakutake's Seventeenth Army to attack the Marine perimeter. For his assault force, Hyakutake chose the 35th Infantry Brigade (Reinforced), commanded by Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi. At the time, Kawaguchi's main force was in the Palaus. Hyakutake selected a crack infantry regiment—the 28th—commanded by Colonel Kiyono Ichiki to land first. Alerted for its mission while it was at Guam, the Ichiki Detachment assault echelon, one battalion of 900 men, was transported to the Solomons on the only shipping available, six destroyers. As a result the troops carried just small amounts of ordnance and supplies. A follow-on echelon of 1,200 of Ichiki's troops was to join the assault battalion on Guadalcanal.
by Henry I. Shaw, Jr.
The Landing and August Battles (continued)
Even though most of the division's heavy engineering equipment had disappeared with the Navy's transports, the resourceful Marines soon completed the airfield's runway with captured Japanese gear. On 12 August Admiral McCain's aide piloted a PBY-5 Catalina flying boat and bumped to a halt on what was now officially Henderson Field, named for a Marine pilot, Major Lofton R. Henderson, lost at Midway. The Navy officer pronounced the airfield fit for fighter use and took off with a load of wounded Marines, the first of 2,879 to be evacuated. Henderson Field was the centerpiece of Vandegrift's strategy; he would hold it at all costs.
Although it was only 2,000 feet long and lacked a taxiway and adequate drainage, the tiny airstrip, often riddled with potholes and rendered unusable because of frequent, torrential downpours, was essential to the success of the landing force. With it operational, supplies could be flown in and wounded flown out. At least in the Marines' minds, Navy ships ceased to be the only lifeline for the defenders.
While Vandegrift's Marines dug in east and west of Henderson Field, Japanese headquarters in Rabaul planned what it considered an effective response to he American offensive. Misled by intelligence estimates that the Marines numbered perhaps 2,000 men, Japanese staff officers believed that a modest force quickly sent could overwhelm the invaders.
On 12 August, CinCPac determined that a sizable Japanese force was massing at Truk to steam to the Solomons and attempt to eject the Americans. Ominously, the group included the heavy carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku and the light carrier Ryujo. Despite the painful losses at Savo Island, the only significant increases to American naval forces in the Solomons was the assignment of a new battleship, the South Dakota (BB-57).
Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo had ordered Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Hyakutake's Seventeenth Army to attack the Marine perimeter. For his assault force, Hyakutake chose the 35th Infantry Brigade (Reinforced), commanded by Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi. At the time, Kawaguchi's main force was in the Palaus. Hyakutake selected a crack infantry regiment—the 28th—commanded by Colonel Kiyono Ichiki to land first. Alerted for its mission while it was at Guam, the Ichiki Detachment assault echelon, one battalion of 900 men, was transported to the Solomons on the only shipping available, six destroyers. As a result the troops carried just small amounts of ordnance and supplies. A follow-on echelon of 1,200 of Ichiki's troops was to join the assault battalion on Guadalcanal.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guadalcanal and the August Battles *11
After the loss of Goettge and his men, vigilance increased on the perimeter. On the 14th, a fabled character, the coastwatcher Martin Clemens, came strolling out of the jungle into the Marine lines. He had watched the landing from the hills south of the airfield and now brought his bodyguard of native policemen with him. A retired sergeant major of the British Solomon Islands Constabulary, Jacob C. Vouza, volunteered about this time to search out Japanese to the east of the perimeter, where patrol sightings and contacts had indicated the Japanese might have effected a landing.
The ominous news of Japanese sightings to he east and west of the perimeter were balanced out by the joyous word that more Marines had landed. This time the Marines were aviators. On 20 August, two squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 23 were launched from the escort carrier Long Island (CVE-1) located 200 miles southeast of Guadalcanal. Captain John L. Smith led 19 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats of Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 223 onto Henderson's narrow runway. Smith's fighters were followed by Major Richard C. Mangrum's Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron (VMSB) 232 with 12 Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers.
From this point of the campaign, the radio identification for Guadalcanal, Cactus, became increasingly synonymous with the island. The Marine planes became the first elements of what would informally be known as Cactus Air Force.
Wasting no time, the Marine pilots were soon in action against the Japanese naval aircraft which frequently attacked Guadalcanal. Smith shot down his first enemy Zero fighter on 21 August; three days later VMF-223's Wildcats intercepted a strong Japanese aerial attack force and downed 16 enemy planes. In this action, Captain Marion E. Carl, a veteran of Midway, shot down three planes. On the 22d, coastwatchers alerted Cactus to an approaching air attack and 13 of 16 enemy bombers were destroyed. At the same time, Mangrum's dive bombers damaged three enemy destroyer-transports attempting to reach Guadalcanal. On 24 August, the American attacking aircraft, which now included Navy scout-bombers from the Saratoga's Scouting Squadron (VS) 5, succeeded in turning back a Japanese reinforcement convoy of warships and destroyers.
The ominous news of Japanese sightings to he east and west of the perimeter were balanced out by the joyous word that more Marines had landed. This time the Marines were aviators. On 20 August, two squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 23 were launched from the escort carrier Long Island (CVE-1) located 200 miles southeast of Guadalcanal. Captain John L. Smith led 19 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats of Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 223 onto Henderson's narrow runway. Smith's fighters were followed by Major Richard C. Mangrum's Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron (VMSB) 232 with 12 Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers.
From this point of the campaign, the radio identification for Guadalcanal, Cactus, became increasingly synonymous with the island. The Marine planes became the first elements of what would informally be known as Cactus Air Force.
Wasting no time, the Marine pilots were soon in action against the Japanese naval aircraft which frequently attacked Guadalcanal. Smith shot down his first enemy Zero fighter on 21 August; three days later VMF-223's Wildcats intercepted a strong Japanese aerial attack force and downed 16 enemy planes. In this action, Captain Marion E. Carl, a veteran of Midway, shot down three planes. On the 22d, coastwatchers alerted Cactus to an approaching air attack and 13 of 16 enemy bombers were destroyed. At the same time, Mangrum's dive bombers damaged three enemy destroyer-transports attempting to reach Guadalcanal. On 24 August, the American attacking aircraft, which now included Navy scout-bombers from the Saratoga's Scouting Squadron (VS) 5, succeeded in turning back a Japanese reinforcement convoy of warships and destroyers.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guadalcanal and the August Battles *12
The frenzied action in what became known as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons was matched ashore. Japanese destroyers had delivered the vanguard of the Ichiki force at Taivu Point, 25 miles east of the Marine perimeter. A long-range patrol of Marines from Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines ambushed a sizable Japanese force near Taivu on 19 August. The Japanese dead were readily identified as Army troops and the debris of their defeat included fresh uniforms and a large amount of communication gear. Clearly , a new phase of the fighting had begun. All Japanese encountered to this point had been naval troops.
Alerted by patrols, the Marines now dug in along the Ilu River, often misnamed the Tenaru on Marine maps, were ready for Colonel Ichiki. The Japanese commander's orders directed him to "quickly recapture and maintain the airfield at Guadalcanal," and his own directive to his troops emphasized that they would fight "to the last breath of the last man." And they did.
Too full of his mission to wait for the rest of his regiment and sure that he faced only a few thousand men overall, Ichiki marched from Taivu to the Marines' lines. Before he attacked on the night of the 20th, a bloody figure stumbled out of the jungle with a warning that the Japanese were coming. It was Sergeant Major Vouza. Captured by the Japanese, who found a small American flag secreted in his loincloth, he was tortured in a failed attempt to gain information on the invasion force. Tied to a tree, bayonetted twice through the chest, and beaten with rifle butts, the resolute Vouza chewed through his bindings to escape. Taken to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin A. Pollock, whose 2d Battalion, 1st Marines held the Ilu mouth's defenses, he gasped a warning that an estimated 250-500 Japanese soldiers were coming behind him. The resolute Vouza, rushed immediately to an aid station and then to the division hospital, miraculously survived his ordeal and was awarded a Silver Star for his heroism by General Vandegrift, and later a Legion of Merit. Vandegrift also made Vouza an honorary sergeant major of U.S. Marines.
Alerted by patrols, the Marines now dug in along the Ilu River, often misnamed the Tenaru on Marine maps, were ready for Colonel Ichiki. The Japanese commander's orders directed him to "quickly recapture and maintain the airfield at Guadalcanal," and his own directive to his troops emphasized that they would fight "to the last breath of the last man." And they did.
Too full of his mission to wait for the rest of his regiment and sure that he faced only a few thousand men overall, Ichiki marched from Taivu to the Marines' lines. Before he attacked on the night of the 20th, a bloody figure stumbled out of the jungle with a warning that the Japanese were coming. It was Sergeant Major Vouza. Captured by the Japanese, who found a small American flag secreted in his loincloth, he was tortured in a failed attempt to gain information on the invasion force. Tied to a tree, bayonetted twice through the chest, and beaten with rifle butts, the resolute Vouza chewed through his bindings to escape. Taken to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin A. Pollock, whose 2d Battalion, 1st Marines held the Ilu mouth's defenses, he gasped a warning that an estimated 250-500 Japanese soldiers were coming behind him. The resolute Vouza, rushed immediately to an aid station and then to the division hospital, miraculously survived his ordeal and was awarded a Silver Star for his heroism by General Vandegrift, and later a Legion of Merit. Vandegrift also made Vouza an honorary sergeant major of U.S. Marines.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guadalcanal and the August Battles *13
At 0130 on 21 August, Ichiki's troops stormed the Marines' lines in a screaming, frenzied display of the "spiritual strength" which they had been assured would sweep aside their American enemy. As the Japanese charged across the sand bar astride the Ilu's mouth, Pollock's Marines cut them down. After a mortar preparation, the Japanese tried again to storm past the sand bar. A section of 37mm guns sprayed the enemy force with deadly canister. Lieutenant Colonel Lenard B. Cresswell's 1st Battalion, 1st Marines moved upstream on the Ilu at daybreak, waded across the sluggish, 50-foot-wide stream, and moved on the flank of the Japanese. Wildcats from VMF-223 strafed the beleaguered enemy force. Five light tanks blasted the retreating Japanese. By 1700, as the sun was setting, the battle ended.
Colonel Ichiki[*], disgraced in his own mind by his defeat, burned his regimental colors and shot himself. Close to 800 of his men joined him in death. The few survivors fled eastward towards Taivu Point. Rear Admiral Raizo Tanaka, whose reinforcement force of transports and destroyers was largely responsible for the subsequent Japanese troop build-up on Guadalcanal, recognized that the unsupported Japanese attack was sheer folly and reflected that "this tragedy should have taught us the hopelessness of bamboo spear tactics." Fortunately for the Marines, Ichiki's overconfidence was not unique among Japanese commanders.
Following the 1st Marines' tangle with the Ichiki detachment, General Vandegrift was inspired to write the Marine Commandant, Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, and report: "These youngsters are the darndest people when they get started you ever saw." And all the Marines on the island, young and old, tyro and veteran, were becoming accomplished jungle fighters. They were no longer "trigger happy" as many had been in their first days shore, shooting at shadows and imagined enemy. They were waiting for targets, patrolling with enthusiasm, sure of themselves. The misnamed Battle of the Tenaru had cost Colonel Hunt's regiment 34 killed in action and 75 wounded. All the division's Marines now felt they were bloodied. What the men on Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo and those of the Ilu had done was prove that the 1st Marine Division would hold fast to what it had won.
While the division's Marines and sailors had earned a breathing spell as the Japanese regrouped for another onslaught, the action in the air over the Solomons intensified. Almost every day, Japanese aircraft arrived around noon to bomb the perimeter. Marine fighter pilots found the twin-engine Betty bombers easy targets; Zero fighters were another story. Although the Wildcats were a much sturdier aircraft, the Japanese Zeros' superior speed and better maneuverability gave them a distinct edge in a dogfight. The American planes, however, when warned by the coastwatchers of Japanese attacks, had time to climb above the oncoming enemy and preferably attacked by making firing runs during high speed dives. Their tactics made the air space over the Solomons dangerous for the Japanese. On 29 August, the carrier Ryujo launched aircraft for a strike against the airstrip. Smith's Wildcats shot down 16, with a loss of four of their own. Still, the Japanese continued to strike at Henderson Field without letup. Two days after the Ryujo raid, enemy bombers inflicted heavy damage on the airfield, setting aviation fuel ablaze and incinerating parked aircraft. VMF-223's retaliation was a further bag of 13 attackers.
On 30 August, two more MAG-23 squadrons, VMF-224 and VMSB-231, flew in to Henderson. The air reinforcements were more than welcome. Steady combat attrition, frequent damage in the air and on the ground, and scant repair facilities and parts kept the number of aircraft available a dwindling resource.
Plainly, General Vandegrift needed infantry reinforcements as much as he did additional aircraft. He brought the now-combined raider and parachute battalions, both under Edson's command, and the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, over to Guadalcanal from Tulagi. This gave the division commander a chance to order out larger reconnaissance patrols to probe for the Japanese. On 27 August, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, made a shore-to-shore landing near Kokumbona and marched back to the beachhead without any measurable results. If the Japanese were out there beyond the Matanikau—and they were—they watched the Marines and waited for a better opportunity to attack.
Posts are copied from source for Guadalcanal battles
***
This is the final post for the August battles at Guadalcanal. I think before we finish Guadalcanal, which is definitely going to take some time, that maybe I should get on back to Guam and cover that before I start on the rest of Guadalcanal. Or would that be too confusing?
Somebody tell me what would be best. Guadalcanal consists of September-December, with several informational inserts.
Just let me know ... one of you WWII experts out there.
Colonel Ichiki[*], disgraced in his own mind by his defeat, burned his regimental colors and shot himself. Close to 800 of his men joined him in death. The few survivors fled eastward towards Taivu Point. Rear Admiral Raizo Tanaka, whose reinforcement force of transports and destroyers was largely responsible for the subsequent Japanese troop build-up on Guadalcanal, recognized that the unsupported Japanese attack was sheer folly and reflected that "this tragedy should have taught us the hopelessness of bamboo spear tactics." Fortunately for the Marines, Ichiki's overconfidence was not unique among Japanese commanders.
Following the 1st Marines' tangle with the Ichiki detachment, General Vandegrift was inspired to write the Marine Commandant, Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, and report: "These youngsters are the darndest people when they get started you ever saw." And all the Marines on the island, young and old, tyro and veteran, were becoming accomplished jungle fighters. They were no longer "trigger happy" as many had been in their first days shore, shooting at shadows and imagined enemy. They were waiting for targets, patrolling with enthusiasm, sure of themselves. The misnamed Battle of the Tenaru had cost Colonel Hunt's regiment 34 killed in action and 75 wounded. All the division's Marines now felt they were bloodied. What the men on Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo and those of the Ilu had done was prove that the 1st Marine Division would hold fast to what it had won.
While the division's Marines and sailors had earned a breathing spell as the Japanese regrouped for another onslaught, the action in the air over the Solomons intensified. Almost every day, Japanese aircraft arrived around noon to bomb the perimeter. Marine fighter pilots found the twin-engine Betty bombers easy targets; Zero fighters were another story. Although the Wildcats were a much sturdier aircraft, the Japanese Zeros' superior speed and better maneuverability gave them a distinct edge in a dogfight. The American planes, however, when warned by the coastwatchers of Japanese attacks, had time to climb above the oncoming enemy and preferably attacked by making firing runs during high speed dives. Their tactics made the air space over the Solomons dangerous for the Japanese. On 29 August, the carrier Ryujo launched aircraft for a strike against the airstrip. Smith's Wildcats shot down 16, with a loss of four of their own. Still, the Japanese continued to strike at Henderson Field without letup. Two days after the Ryujo raid, enemy bombers inflicted heavy damage on the airfield, setting aviation fuel ablaze and incinerating parked aircraft. VMF-223's retaliation was a further bag of 13 attackers.
On 30 August, two more MAG-23 squadrons, VMF-224 and VMSB-231, flew in to Henderson. The air reinforcements were more than welcome. Steady combat attrition, frequent damage in the air and on the ground, and scant repair facilities and parts kept the number of aircraft available a dwindling resource.
Plainly, General Vandegrift needed infantry reinforcements as much as he did additional aircraft. He brought the now-combined raider and parachute battalions, both under Edson's command, and the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, over to Guadalcanal from Tulagi. This gave the division commander a chance to order out larger reconnaissance patrols to probe for the Japanese. On 27 August, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, made a shore-to-shore landing near Kokumbona and marched back to the beachhead without any measurable results. If the Japanese were out there beyond the Matanikau—and they were—they watched the Marines and waited for a better opportunity to attack.
Posts are copied from source for Guadalcanal battles
***
This is the final post for the August battles at Guadalcanal. I think before we finish Guadalcanal, which is definitely going to take some time, that maybe I should get on back to Guam and cover that before I start on the rest of Guadalcanal. Or would that be too confusing?
Somebody tell me what would be best. Guadalcanal consists of September-December, with several informational inserts.
Just let me know ... one of you WWII experts out there.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Letters to the Editor
GUADALCANAL
Sirs:
Congratulations are in order for John Hersey's article on Guadalcanal in your Nov. 9 issue. His composite description of the average marine was most interesting.
The entire article deserves commendation, for the gallant marines can never be over-publicized!
Sirs:
Congratulations are in order for John Hersey's article on Guadalcanal in your Nov. 9 issue. His composite description of the average marine was most interesting.
The entire article deserves commendation, for the gallant marines can never be over-publicized!
W. EDWIN BRISTOL, JR.
Hartford, Conn.
***
Sirs:
First I read the article on page 36 by John Hersey on "The Marines on Guadalcanal: and I agreed wholeheartedly with the comment of the marines that the Japs are like animals and not humans with human reactions.
Why then, in the name of God, do we treat the Jap prisoners in the fashion as shown on page 38--eating to the accompaniment of musci and getting ten cigarettes a day. For my money this smells and I think it's high time we started giving them a dose of their own medicine.
M. KEEFE
Marion, Ohio
***
Sirs:
Your affirmation (LIFE, Nov. 9) that the Wasp "comes to a shameful end" was a shameful statement. Nothing the Wasp ever did, in the North Atlantic, at Malta, at Tulagi and the South Pacific ever merited censure from anuone. When she met her end she had fulfiller every mission assigned to her. In her last hours, not a man, not one, failed in his duty. Deeds of courage, of self-sacrifice and devotion, of skill and competency were the rule, not the exception.
MERRITT F. WILLIAMS
Chaplain, USS Wasp
Washington, D.C.
- No censure was meant. However, that a Jap submarine was able to sneak through the Wasp's protecting screen and torpedo her when she was not in action, but merely maneuvering for position, must have been "shameful", even to her.--ED.
Life November 30, 1942
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: "Talon"
Yanks Land in Germany! When they do ... paratroopers' uniforms will be closed with a slide fastener for streamlined safety. Weapons and supplies will drift down in slide-fastened bags for instant accessibility ... and knives so sharp they'd slice through leather will be "zipped" out of slide-fastened sheaths and used to cut away chutes and harness!
Life November 30, 1942
Blood Is Thicker Than Water: "Talon" (cont'd)
In peacetime, Americans used 6 Talon slide fasteners for every man, woman and child ... on trousers, corsets, dresses, etc. But little did they realize how vitally important this amazing device ... with its speed, security and weather-protection ... would be in wartime. Today it's being used on everything from uniforms to cartridge cases ... from sleeping bags to airplanes. In fact, it's saving time and life in every branch of the armed forces ... in 123 different ways!
TALON, INC., MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
#1 INSTRUMENTS FOR ARMY DOCTORS--
TALON, INC., MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
#1 INSTRUMENTS FOR ARMY DOCTORS--are instantly available for emergency
use in slide-fastened cases!
#2 SLIDE FASTENERS IN RUBBER LIFE RAFT ... The same security
that women enjoyed in slide-fastened handbags is now protecting
vital supplies in pockets on life rafts!
#3 DARK ROOM ON THE BATTLEFRONT ... Reconnaissance photographs are developed the moment pilot lands, in special air-conditioned tents closed with a slide fastener to seal out light.
Life November 30, 1942
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Virgie Bell's View
The latest thing that Tony Thomas did is not cute. He is kept on an elevated porch outside our living room window where he has a wool carpet to lay on, a heating pad, water, food bowl, and his bed. When I got up the other day, I saw he had gotten ahold of a bird and was slaughtering the poor thing with fiendish and gleeful abandon. I was horrified. I asked Jerry to do something, but I should have saved my breath. At this point, death was a mercy for the poor bird. Trust me; cock-fighting is nothing in comparison.
I really grew weary with President Bush’s "stay the course, stay the course." In fact, the goofy bunch that controls the House and the Senate won because of that message. Well now it is changed. He wants to increase the troops and Congress wants to stay the course.
I have not heard from my granddaughter to see if she likes her new school and if she got charms for her bracelet from her parent’s cruise. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
I really grew weary with President Bush’s "stay the course, stay the course." In fact, the goofy bunch that controls the House and the Senate won because of that message. Well now it is changed. He wants to increase the troops and Congress wants to stay the course.
I have not heard from my granddaughter to see if she likes her new school and if she got charms for her bracelet from her parent’s cruise. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Photo of the Day
LCpl Zach Fincannon and LCpl Aaron Austin, USMC. April 25, 2004, one day before the firefight. Thank you, Marines. Goodnight, kids. Goodnight Doc and Rich. And thank you, Sailors of the Sea, Healers of the Body, the Land, and the Heart.
My love goes out to all of you!
Semper Fi
God's Rush To Give
January 17
Love and Trust are the solvents for the worry and cares and frets of a life.
Silence. Be silent before Me. Seek to know, and then to do My will in all things.
Abide in My Love. An atmosphere of loving understanding to all men. This your part to carry out, and then I surround you with a protective screen that keeps all evil from you. It is fashioned by your own attitude of mind, words, and deeds, towards others.
I want to give you all things, good measure, pressed down and running over. Be quick to learn. You know little yet of the Divine Impatience which longs to rush to give. Does one worrying thought enter your mind, one impatient thought? Fight it at once.
Love and Trust are the solvents for the worry and cares and frets of a life. Apply them at once. You are channels and though the channel may not be altogether blocked, fret and impatience and worry corrode, and in time would become beyond your help.
Persevere, oh! persevere. Never lose heart. All is well.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5,6
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling Barnes & Noble, 2002.
Love and Trust are the solvents for the worry and cares and frets of a life.
Silence. Be silent before Me. Seek to know, and then to do My will in all things.
Abide in My Love. An atmosphere of loving understanding to all men. This your part to carry out, and then I surround you with a protective screen that keeps all evil from you. It is fashioned by your own attitude of mind, words, and deeds, towards others.
I want to give you all things, good measure, pressed down and running over. Be quick to learn. You know little yet of the Divine Impatience which longs to rush to give. Does one worrying thought enter your mind, one impatient thought? Fight it at once.
Love and Trust are the solvents for the worry and cares and frets of a life. Apply them at once. You are channels and though the channel may not be altogether blocked, fret and impatience and worry corrode, and in time would become beyond your help.
Persevere, oh! persevere. Never lose heart. All is well.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5,6
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling Barnes & Noble, 2002.
War Memorial In Sunray, Texas
Two states claim Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Austin -- Texas and New Mexico. Doug, Aaron's dad lives in Texas, and Aaron attended school in the small Panhandle town of Sunray for several years. He graduated from high school in New Mexico where De'on lives. Aaron has ties in both states.
The city of Sunray decided recently to erect a monument to its fallen warriors, all three of them. It's a small farming town with a population that barely inches above a thousand, but it's a town that loves its children. The monument will honor Aaron and two others. One of them was killed in Vietnam and the other during World War II.
Some people might drive through Sunray and leave thinking there isn't much there, but if patriotism counts for anything, this memorial to the town's fallen heroes, this acknowledgement of gratitude and love, speaks of Sunray's heart.
The headline for the story I wrote about Aaron's memorial was 'Sunray loved him.' It was from a quote in the story that said, "Aaron loved Sunray, and Sunray loved him." Indeed, they did.
They still do.
The city of Sunray decided recently to erect a monument to its fallen warriors, all three of them. It's a small farming town with a population that barely inches above a thousand, but it's a town that loves its children. The monument will honor Aaron and two others. One of them was killed in Vietnam and the other during World War II.
Some people might drive through Sunray and leave thinking there isn't much there, but if patriotism counts for anything, this memorial to the town's fallen heroes, this acknowledgement of gratitude and love, speaks of Sunray's heart.
The headline for the story I wrote about Aaron's memorial was 'Sunray loved him.' It was from a quote in the story that said, "Aaron loved Sunray, and Sunray loved him." Indeed, they did.
They still do.
It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To -- Until De'on Makes Me Stop
Y'all missed a great party at my house this morning. Misery was here and brought its best friend -- self pity. Yeah, it was a great time. All the fun ended, though, when De'on sent me an e-mail that jerked my world back into perspective, and I was left alone with my party hat and no company. It was a great e-mail.
Several things happened today that got me out of sorts, but the kicker was a call from Sgt. Castillo, the Army recruiter I had been working with since August. Ever since I covered Aaron's memorial in Sunray, I've felt that I had to do something other than be a journalist, and that feeling evolved into a belief that I should return to the military. My Air Force days were long over, but the Army had changed its age limit, which made me eligible to join. I took it as a sign that the Army wanted me.
To condense the story, a glitch occured during the physical. The technician, or whatever he's called, at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) administered an EKG that said it was abnormal. In the military that's a death knell. While in the Air Force, I knew some noncoms who were medically discharged, against their wishes, because they had developed heart problems. The military doesn't negotiate when it comes to a medical problem.
But the thing is ... I don't have a heart problem. Sgt. Castillo and I mounted a battle against MEPS. I went to the VA where they administered extensive tests and determined that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart or anything else. All that information was sent to MEPS, along with a waiver request. Well, this morning, Sgt. Castillo called me and said MEPS denied it and is standing by its decision that I have coronary heart disease. The 1st Sgt. argued with them, asking them to at least give me another EKG, but they said "getouttaheah."
The news put me on my back, emotionally, until De'on sent me an e-mail after I wrote to her complaining of my predicament. The note, like I said, yanked me back to my feet, and I'm grateful.
She forwarded to me Doc Duty's memories of April 26, 2004. Those words made me realize that my sufferings are petty compared to what American warriors endure daily.
I had a cushy office job in the Air Force. I worked mostly with officers who treated me pretty much like one of them, even though I was enlisted. I fired a weapon -- twice -- in basic training. That's it. From that I received permission to wear a ribbon for marksmanship. Kind of silly, huh?
I'm not ashamed of my service in the Air Force. I'm proud of it, but I'm not going to sit here and compare it to what Aaron, Sgt. Knipper, Doc Duty, Sgt. Rett and Lt. Rich did. I served during peacetime, and the worst thing that happened to me during my time in the Air Force was the day in basic training when our TI got mad about something and made us empty our lockers and then put it all back in. The meanie.
So, this morning, I was feeling sorry for myself because MEPS won't give me another EKG and the world forgot to revolve around me today. Yes, my ego was dented by the MEPS' decision that I can't join the Army, never mind that I scored 93 on the ASVAB and I fired a weapon twice during Air Force basic training. Just look at what they're turning down!
I guess I'm embarrassed that I can't go back into the military at a time when our country is at war.
But I'm so deeply grateful to the hundreds of thousands of American men and women who did join the military and are defending our great nation. When we think that life has dealt us a dirty deal, stop for a second and think about what it's like for them in Iraq and Afghanistan now. We will go about our business and not have a single shot fired at us. They won't enjoy that safety. But we will -- because of them.
Thank you, warriors.
Several things happened today that got me out of sorts, but the kicker was a call from Sgt. Castillo, the Army recruiter I had been working with since August. Ever since I covered Aaron's memorial in Sunray, I've felt that I had to do something other than be a journalist, and that feeling evolved into a belief that I should return to the military. My Air Force days were long over, but the Army had changed its age limit, which made me eligible to join. I took it as a sign that the Army wanted me.
To condense the story, a glitch occured during the physical. The technician, or whatever he's called, at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) administered an EKG that said it was abnormal. In the military that's a death knell. While in the Air Force, I knew some noncoms who were medically discharged, against their wishes, because they had developed heart problems. The military doesn't negotiate when it comes to a medical problem.
But the thing is ... I don't have a heart problem. Sgt. Castillo and I mounted a battle against MEPS. I went to the VA where they administered extensive tests and determined that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart or anything else. All that information was sent to MEPS, along with a waiver request. Well, this morning, Sgt. Castillo called me and said MEPS denied it and is standing by its decision that I have coronary heart disease. The 1st Sgt. argued with them, asking them to at least give me another EKG, but they said "getouttaheah."
The news put me on my back, emotionally, until De'on sent me an e-mail after I wrote to her complaining of my predicament. The note, like I said, yanked me back to my feet, and I'm grateful.
She forwarded to me Doc Duty's memories of April 26, 2004. Those words made me realize that my sufferings are petty compared to what American warriors endure daily.
I had a cushy office job in the Air Force. I worked mostly with officers who treated me pretty much like one of them, even though I was enlisted. I fired a weapon -- twice -- in basic training. That's it. From that I received permission to wear a ribbon for marksmanship. Kind of silly, huh?
I'm not ashamed of my service in the Air Force. I'm proud of it, but I'm not going to sit here and compare it to what Aaron, Sgt. Knipper, Doc Duty, Sgt. Rett and Lt. Rich did. I served during peacetime, and the worst thing that happened to me during my time in the Air Force was the day in basic training when our TI got mad about something and made us empty our lockers and then put it all back in. The meanie.
So, this morning, I was feeling sorry for myself because MEPS won't give me another EKG and the world forgot to revolve around me today. Yes, my ego was dented by the MEPS' decision that I can't join the Army, never mind that I scored 93 on the ASVAB and I fired a weapon twice during Air Force basic training. Just look at what they're turning down!
I guess I'm embarrassed that I can't go back into the military at a time when our country is at war.
But I'm so deeply grateful to the hundreds of thousands of American men and women who did join the military and are defending our great nation. When we think that life has dealt us a dirty deal, stop for a second and think about what it's like for them in Iraq and Afghanistan now. We will go about our business and not have a single shot fired at us. They won't enjoy that safety. But we will -- because of them.
Thank you, warriors.
Soldiers Never Ring Twice
An Iraqi soldier kicks in the door during a joint US and Iraqi military raid today in Baqouba, Iraq, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. Six militants were killed as firefight erupted during the raid in which about 25 suspects were arrested and caches of weapons and explosives were seized.
Frightening Videos from the Guardian
I saw this on Lubbock Marine Parents and wanted to send you to the three videos.
The videos concern an undercover reporter's taping of UK Report Undercover: Mosques. It will take a while, but it is very telling. I mean, can it get any plainer than the nose on our face?
The videos concern an undercover reporter's taping of UK Report Undercover: Mosques. It will take a while, but it is very telling. I mean, can it get any plainer than the nose on our face?
Wednesday's Hero from Flag Gazer
I learned about Roy Velez through the Wednesday Hero post (next post below). I had to know more about this man who had lost both of his sons to war, yet has found, through his faith in God, the ability to reach out to others in their grief, to provide comfort and strength--quote from Flag Gazer
If you have time, please go to Flag Gazer's and check out the post she has up about Wednesday's Hero. It concerns the Velez family who is from Lubbock, Texas. Mr. Velez has had quite an honor bestowed upon him, but that doesn't touch what he gives to others.
Our troops are amazing and they come from amazing people. Okay, me too, huh? :)
Click here to be at Flag Gazer's in 2 secs. Read the link she gives you as well. The story is long, but it's touching. And who am I to talk about long?
Mr. Velez lost a son in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
If you have time, please go to Flag Gazer's and check out the post she has up about Wednesday's Hero. It concerns the Velez family who is from Lubbock, Texas. Mr. Velez has had quite an honor bestowed upon him, but that doesn't touch what he gives to others.
Our troops are amazing and they come from amazing people. Okay, me too, huh? :)
Click here to be at Flag Gazer's in 2 secs. Read the link she gives you as well. The story is long, but it's touching. And who am I to talk about long?
Mr. Velez lost a son in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
A Note to My Niece
Kayla,Now that you're back at home with your computer, you'll have to share some of your fabulous writing with us.
It would be exciting for us to know how your first few days at your new school turn out to be.
I love you, and you're in my prayers, and I've certainly been missing you here!
Love,
Auntie
Good News for Airmen and Their Families
News
Chaplains: Serving Base, Deployed Units, Community
1/15/2007 By Jamie Haig, 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Whether it's a retirement, a change of command or services on the weekend, the Hurlburt Field chaplains are always present and ready to help Airmen and their families at "Anytime, Anyplace."
The chapel has six chaplains and six chaplain assistants, but at any given time, four are deployed to wherever Air Force Special Operations Command personnel are located.
"This is what I like about being here - we go forward with our people," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Tinnon, 1st Special Operations Wing chaplain. "Unlike the Air Expeditionary Force, we're placed with our deployed Airmen so the continuity and trust is already in place. We're either deployed or we're out on the flightline, we're rarely in the office. The chaplains find a need and try to meet it," he said. "We've got wonderful helping agencies at Hurlburt, and we work with these great folks to create and implement programs that will effectively take care of the Airmen."
Operation Homecoming is one of the programs the chaplains rolled out recently, where returning Airmen are greeted not only by their families but their commanders, peers and yes, their chaplains. Another program in development is post-deployment retreats that will include life skills and the chaplains helping Airmen reintegrate with their families after the stress and durations of deployments.
"There are so many issues we're finding out about and we want to implement programs that will help our Airmen," Chaplain Tinnon said. "It's so important that we take care of and love each other because if we don't - the rest just falls apart."
click here for the rest of the story.
+++
editor's note: I'd like to see things like this more and more. We have so got to be there for our returning troops. They need us as much, if not more, when they return home from combat.
Chaplains: Serving Base, Deployed Units, Community
1/15/2007 By Jamie Haig, 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Whether it's a retirement, a change of command or services on the weekend, the Hurlburt Field chaplains are always present and ready to help Airmen and their families at "Anytime, Anyplace."
The chapel has six chaplains and six chaplain assistants, but at any given time, four are deployed to wherever Air Force Special Operations Command personnel are located.
"This is what I like about being here - we go forward with our people," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Tinnon, 1st Special Operations Wing chaplain. "Unlike the Air Expeditionary Force, we're placed with our deployed Airmen so the continuity and trust is already in place. We're either deployed or we're out on the flightline, we're rarely in the office. The chaplains find a need and try to meet it," he said. "We've got wonderful helping agencies at Hurlburt, and we work with these great folks to create and implement programs that will effectively take care of the Airmen."
Operation Homecoming is one of the programs the chaplains rolled out recently, where returning Airmen are greeted not only by their families but their commanders, peers and yes, their chaplains. Another program in development is post-deployment retreats that will include life skills and the chaplains helping Airmen reintegrate with their families after the stress and durations of deployments.
"There are so many issues we're finding out about and we want to implement programs that will help our Airmen," Chaplain Tinnon said. "It's so important that we take care of and love each other because if we don't - the rest just falls apart."
click here for the rest of the story.
+++
editor's note: I'd like to see things like this more and more. We have so got to be there for our returning troops. They need us as much, if not more, when they return home from combat.
Mom, our books got here!
Much thanks to Stephanie for the books that arrived today.
I know I'll enjoy reading
A Corpsman's Legacy
which can be ordered at
or you can WIN on the test and get a free autographed copy
paid for by me!
And Stephanie, if you're reading this, I need to order an autographed copy for Doc Duty.
Welcome to the series: "Doc's Duty" and Thank You to Docs everywhere! "Docs Duty" is dedicated to telling the stories of the Corpsman in general and Doc Duty in particular. If there's a Doc you know that you'd like to see honored, email me. This patch is actually from the WWII era, I believe, so a little ahead of Jason's time, but I kind of liked it, as you can well see!
Semper Fi
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Docs Duty "Corpsman Up!"
Almost every Marine who spent time in Vietnam has heard the cry, "Corpsman Up !!!!" The circumstances varied widely, but the result was a constant. A U.S. Navy Corpsman, wearing the same dirty, torn, and smelly green utilities worn by his Marine brothers and "armed" with his B-1 medical kit, went to the aid of wounded Marines. Usually under enemy fire, these "angels in green" performed lifesaving miracles with complete disregard for their own safety.
These FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Corpsmen were something special to us Marines. Although they took their fair share of kidding and good-natured harassment, they were in every sense of the word a fellow Marine. They took the same chances, lived in the same mud-filled hole, ate the same cold C-rations as Marine grunts. Many of them share the same space on The Wall as the men they tried to save.
Like their brave Army medic counterparts, the Corpsman was a special breed and developed skills that made them invaluable to field operations large and small. Many of our corpsmen became full-fledged members of our grunt squads and reconnaissance teams, filling in for their Marine buddies whenever and wherever needed.
A great many of us made it home because of a Corpsman. We will never forget them.
Docs Duty: We'll honor him here too, sir!
This too was on grunts. space
HN James Anthony "Doc" Cardinale was a Navy Corpsman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines on April 4, 1968, RVN Quang Tri Province, when he was mortally wounded after hearing "Corpsman Up!!!" He was running to the aid of a fallen Marine and was picked off by an enemy grenade. Besides being on the wall, this place on the home page would be a fitting tribute for him. Jim was killed 5 April, 1968.
Thank you.
LT Tony Cardinale
Medical Service Corps
United States Navy
****
JAMES ANTHONY CARDINALE
HN - E3 - Navy - Regular
HN James Anthony "Doc" Cardinale was a Navy Corpsman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines on April 4, 1968, RVN Quang Tri Province, when he was mortally wounded after hearing "Corpsman Up!!!" He was running to the aid of a fallen Marine and was picked off by an enemy grenade. Besides being on the wall, this place on the home page would be a fitting tribute for him. Jim was killed 5 April, 1968.
Thank you.
LT Tony Cardinale
Medical Service Corps
United States Navy
****
JAMES ANTHONY CARDINALE
HN - E3 - Navy - Regular
Born on Wednesday, June 30, 1948
From DANVILLE, CA
Length of service 1 years
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Feb 15, 1968
Casualty was on Apr 5, 1968
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds,
GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 48E - Line 15
+++
Leave a message for this brave Corpsman and his family by clicking here.
Docs Duty: To Doc Duty, one of my heroes ...
Jason. William. Aaron. Carlos.
These are the names of some of the heroes from one day during the battle for Fallujah; April 26, 2004. Regular guys; some of whom are so young the term “man” would be a bit premature if you didn’t know what they’d done. Guys with families and dreams and a belief in the power of something bigger than us all.
Jason is a corpsman. He was 21 at the time, and as bullets hit literally inches from his head, he provided medical care to the wounded.
“Everyone said Doc [Jason] Duty was faster than bullets that day.”
Aaron was also 21, and is receiving high honors, posthumously.
After the initial barrage, Austin, a machine gunner, evacuated the wounded and then rallied the Marines to counter-attack.
“We’ve got to get back on the roof and get on that gun,” Austin, from Sunray, Tex., is reported to have said, referring to a Marine machine gun.
The Marines returned fire, but as Austin started to throw a grenade, he was hit several times in the chest by machine gun fire.
Although mortally wounded, Austin threw his grenade, which hit the enemy and halted their attack.
Carlos was with Aaron, and also distinguished himself:
Ignoring his serious injuries . . . Gomez-Perez, in direct exposure to enemy fire, continued to throw grenades and fire four magazines from his M-16 rifle. Still under fire and with his injured arm, he and another Marine gave CPR (to [Aaron]Austin) and continued to fire on the enemy…
William dealt with the reporters on top of everything else, which should almost be something deserving of a medal on its own.
During the encounter, journalists often asked [William] Skiles, 43, of San Juan Capistrano, for information for their reports about the fighting, but he thought they were missing something. “I kept thinking: What about valor? Why weren’t any of the reporters interested in the valor of our Marines?
“All anyone wants to write about is our dead and wounded,” he said, thumbing through military papers that included nominations for Silver and Bronze stars.
You need to read this entire article. it’s long, but it’s worth every single word. There should be more of this type of thing published. Our soldiers and Marines are heroes.
Here’s to Echo Company, Fox Company, and all the other Marines that fought at Fallujah. Semper Fi!
Hat Tip: Blackfive, who has seven other parts to this story. Read them all. Via GOPBloggers.
April 9th, 2005 Posted by Kit Jarrell General, Kudos, Military 5 comments
copied from Euphoric Reality
+++
I guess If I’da stopped he’d a died then too. But I wasn’t letting him go.... quote from Doc Duty
Virgie Bell's View
Ok Gang ... how about we play a game of lets pretend. I’ll go first. I’ll pretend that I am Hillary, that I intend to be president, and I am aware that many people hate me. I have made up my mind that I will meet with other countries... Kings, Princes, war-lords or what have you (just like John Kerry and all the others in a line as long as Santa’s visitors at the mall a week before Christmas.) At the same time, I would put on a feminine snarl in my still photo, the one where I don't say a word. I would wait it all out and all the other candidates would say, “I am so sorry I voted for this war.” I would let Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton get over MLK day and get back to leading marches against everything in the world. I would let Ken Doll get out of the pulpit, threatening all us war-mongers with hell fire and damnation. Let him get back to kissing babies. I would depend on the old adage; a picture is worth a thousand words. If we have another terrorist attack or we kill Osama Bin Laden, I would look the American voter in the eye and say, “I stood behind my vote for the war.” If on the other hand that giddy, over-dressed Speaker of the house turns out the winner, and the war is a disaster and we are losing, I would only have to beat Joe Lieberman or John McCain then. As always, history would decide for me. I would stand in my rightful stance of whatever is best for my ambitions. I could then be either a dove or the ALPA HAWK. Ok, you’ve caught me. I’m not pretending. I copied real life Hillary. Your turn ... you pretend you are the voter. Pretend you will vote for Hillary, because she represents both sides, only more so, then let’s all get back into real life goals and SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Hi everybody,
Everything seems a little lonely on the blog. Guess Steve is busy working on our site as well as two jobs he picked up because of Gunz Up design on www.gunzup.com. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he said he'd be posting today, so not sure what's up with that. He said he already had in mind the comments he wanted to make to Karen. He likes giving her a hard time. He thinks she's the most elegant of women, so I guess that's his way of showing her how much he thinks of her, threatening her knees with a crowbar and all.
I cancelled the housekeeper thing today. I'll do that next week. There's a few things I want to do on my own before she comes. I've talked myself into doing this once every couple of weeks. I really don't care that much for someone else cleaning my stuff; it makes me feel a little guilty, but I've reached the point where I hate that less than I hate cleaning house. I've been doing it since I was a young girl. After so many years, the appeal is totally gone, but I love my house to be clean, so....
Greg and I got to listen to a little bit of Aaron Neville on the television earlier. I love that voice of his. It just can't be touched. And he's the recording artist Greg and I listened to when we first fell in love.
Well, just wanted to say hello and that I'm here. I slept from 1:30 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon, off and on. I went to sleep on the love seat I set in. I love it here in front of the fire with blankets and animals and coffee or tea, and of course the ever-present Marlboros. And since Greg gets up about the time I'm going to sleep, it's perfect for rolling up into a little cocoon. Sometimes I wonder if I'm curling up and trying to go back to the womb. That fetal position of security.
I feel like some good posts tonight after all my sleep, so I'll get to work on those.
Love to all,
De'on
Everything seems a little lonely on the blog. Guess Steve is busy working on our site as well as two jobs he picked up because of Gunz Up design on www.gunzup.com. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he said he'd be posting today, so not sure what's up with that. He said he already had in mind the comments he wanted to make to Karen. He likes giving her a hard time. He thinks she's the most elegant of women, so I guess that's his way of showing her how much he thinks of her, threatening her knees with a crowbar and all.
I cancelled the housekeeper thing today. I'll do that next week. There's a few things I want to do on my own before she comes. I've talked myself into doing this once every couple of weeks. I really don't care that much for someone else cleaning my stuff; it makes me feel a little guilty, but I've reached the point where I hate that less than I hate cleaning house. I've been doing it since I was a young girl. After so many years, the appeal is totally gone, but I love my house to be clean, so....
Greg and I got to listen to a little bit of Aaron Neville on the television earlier. I love that voice of his. It just can't be touched. And he's the recording artist Greg and I listened to when we first fell in love.
Well, just wanted to say hello and that I'm here. I slept from 1:30 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon, off and on. I went to sleep on the love seat I set in. I love it here in front of the fire with blankets and animals and coffee or tea, and of course the ever-present Marlboros. And since Greg gets up about the time I'm going to sleep, it's perfect for rolling up into a little cocoon. Sometimes I wonder if I'm curling up and trying to go back to the womb. That fetal position of security.
I feel like some good posts tonight after all my sleep, so I'll get to work on those.
Love to all,
De'on
Friend in Drudgery
January 16
IT is the daily strivings that count, not the momentary heights. The obeying of My Will day in, day out, in the wilderness plains, rather than the occasional Mount of Transfiguration.
Perseverance is nowhere needed so much as in the religious life. The drudgery of the Kingdom it is that secures My intimate Friendship. I am the Lord of little things, the Divine Control of little happenings.
Nothing in the day is too small to be a part of My scheme. The little stones in a mosaic play a big part.
Joy in Me. Joy is the God-given cement that secures the harmony and beauty of My mosaic.
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling. Barnes & Noble, 2002
IT is the daily strivings that count, not the momentary heights. The obeying of My Will day in, day out, in the wilderness plains, rather than the occasional Mount of Transfiguration.
Perseverance is nowhere needed so much as in the religious life. The drudgery of the Kingdom it is that secures My intimate Friendship. I am the Lord of little things, the Divine Control of little happenings.
Nothing in the day is too small to be a part of My scheme. The little stones in a mosaic play a big part.
Joy in Me. Joy is the God-given cement that secures the harmony and beauty of My mosaic.
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling. Barnes & Noble, 2002
Virgie Bell's View
PELOSI FOR PRESIDENT ... no not Nancy. Absolutely not. But as I am sure any of you who were watching the photo-ops during the first 100 hours of Madam Speaker’s reign (and there were many such photo-ops) know the one I am referring to: the one where she lays a bouquet in the lap of the statue of her famous father. I have seen it many times, as has everyone else.
Bret Hume always ends his news program with something very humorous, and in this one segment, the camera panned way back to show all of his grandchildren. One little boy, about six or seven, had turned his back on his grandmother then stuck his tongue out in the best imitation of a gag reflex that I have ever seen in my life. I used to love Art Linkletter’s program where the children would say the darnedest things. So be forewarned, when this little boy runs for office, he’ll get my vote, no matter what office he runs for or which ticket it is on. If life was fair, this photo would become as famous as the one where John-John was saluting at his father’s funeral. It is the children of our nation who put us in our place at times. I am so glad they do. It reminds my old cynical heart that there is a reason we lose our loved ones in a war. To protect these precious children is reason enough.
One time De'on was driving back to our small town in a terrific thunderstorm. Her namesake, Kayla De’on, who was about two at the time, was riding with her. Auntie told Kayla to pray that they would make it home safely (after they had to pull over in the drenching downpour because of zero visibility). De'on said that Kayla crossed her little arms over her chest, stuck out that little bottom lip and said, "Dear God, you better get us home safely or I am going to be so mad!" Needless to say, God answered that prayer (threat?) and they reached their destination. God will also SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Bret Hume always ends his news program with something very humorous, and in this one segment, the camera panned way back to show all of his grandchildren. One little boy, about six or seven, had turned his back on his grandmother then stuck his tongue out in the best imitation of a gag reflex that I have ever seen in my life. I used to love Art Linkletter’s program where the children would say the darnedest things. So be forewarned, when this little boy runs for office, he’ll get my vote, no matter what office he runs for or which ticket it is on. If life was fair, this photo would become as famous as the one where John-John was saluting at his father’s funeral. It is the children of our nation who put us in our place at times. I am so glad they do. It reminds my old cynical heart that there is a reason we lose our loved ones in a war. To protect these precious children is reason enough.
One time De'on was driving back to our small town in a terrific thunderstorm. Her namesake, Kayla De’on, who was about two at the time, was riding with her. Auntie told Kayla to pray that they would make it home safely (after they had to pull over in the drenching downpour because of zero visibility). De'on said that Kayla crossed her little arms over her chest, stuck out that little bottom lip and said, "Dear God, you better get us home safely or I am going to be so mad!" Needless to say, God answered that prayer (threat?) and they reached their destination. God will also SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Welcome Home, Lisa & Roy
Wind Beneath My Wings
Although this is a photo of me and Lisa while attending the Marine Ball in 2004, and although Roy is not in it as he was the one taking the photos, I think (?), I do want to welcome them home.
They just returned from a 7 day Blues Cruise with Delbert McClinton and many other Blues artists.
I know how happy you might think they should be upon the return to their humble abode, after being gone for half a century, but you see, I unwittingly failed to leave their water dripping last night during our freeze. I'm certain I had it dripping the other days, but the pipes waited until the day I didn't do the drip thing to freeze up. Which makes sense and go figure.
I'm sorry. You can put that in any context you might wish and I guess they'd both fit.
The good news: the pipes did not burst, the animals and pansies are alive, your daughter made it to ballet class twice, and for what it's worth, Lisa, the song you always said was your song to me, should and will be my song to you. (Please see above.)
Also, I'd like to say to my sister that I love you with all my heart, it's exhausting trying to carry even a piece of your action, and I'm so glad you're home safe and sound.
I'd also like to let everyone know that Jerrod and Shawna made it home in one piece, a little pained and tired from snowboarding in Ruidoso on their way home, and also, I think they will get married.
Well, everyone is home so I should sleep as I have to train a housekeeper for myself tomorrow.
Now, if you didn't believe me before, Lisa, about how sorry I really am, maybe you will now. :)
And I love my gifties!
Hello???
Monday, January 15, 2007
Virgie Bell's View
Does anyone care about Ted Kennedy's ratings and ravings besides those in the state he represents? I sincerely doubt it. I have read just about every book about the Kennedy's, and I was a great admirer of JFK. President Kennedy was a hero during World War II. He was the captain of a swift boat, and when stranded on an island, led his courageous men to safety. He also stared down Nikita S. Khrushchev when a nuclear launch pad had been established in Cuba, with missiles aimed at the United States. We came within two minutes of an atomic war which would have been the end of civilization as we know it. We as an American people owe much to him.
I don't really know much about his brother, Bobby Kennedy, other than he was the president’s closest confidant. I remember reading much about the two and seeing many pictures of them with their heads together as they tried to lead our nation. Tragically, both were cut down by an assassin’s bullet in the prime of their lives, leaving behind a hero's legend that will forever remain untarnished. Rightly so. There was an older brother that was killed in World War II, Joe Jr., and by all accounts, was favored by the father of the Kennedy clan. He was Jacob’s Joseph.
Joe Kennedy was a boot-legger. Not one across the tracks where you could go and get a pint of cheap booze to tide you over. No, he was right up there in the Godfather league. Rumors that reverberated in his day were vast in report of Joe’s involvement with organized crime.
This family has been consumed with tragedy. The mentally retarded daughter of Joe and Rose, was given a lobotomy, dooming her to life in a mental institution. The main ingredient behind this family was money and tremendous power as well as a deep family bond.
Ted Kennedy was always like a ghostly shadow. It was almost as if his story was a double exposure on the old time roll of film. Ted Kennedy road on his brothers’ coattails, traded on their fame.
A penchant for adultery was as much a part of Kennedy history as pious Rose was. Rose attended mass everyday. I don't blame her. She was able to tell a priest much that women married to such men needed to share, with the complete secret forever buried to the light of day.
Politicians and money movers live in a far different reality than most of us. But still, it is their reality. Government is a big business. We, the people, have only one thing that is of interest to them—a vote—one that matters only once every couple of years at best. That’s their social security. The only thing that matters to our leaders is which palm they can get greased in this or that deal. These are the people we want in the top jobs in our nation. They deal with other leaders just like them. The trouble with that is that some are insane and mass murderers.
My grandfather had a grizzly bear rug, a bear that he’d killed. The teeth on that bear scared me to death. My children were afraid of the whole house. Hey, I’d too scared to do that. I’m too wimpy to shoot Bambi. I'm like most of you; I want my life to run on a smooth course. The only time I display any power is if my way of life is threatened by evil.
When World War II broke out, the first thing that happened was to get FDR's son stateside. Out of harm’s way, so that the Commander in Chief would not be biased; would not fall prey to human trait. Smart move. One I applaud. Of course our children are the defenders of this country and I want the toughest son of a gun in charge, not me. Give me a gun and I will fight for my loved ones and my way of life; otherwise, I would not be the ideal choice. Those which sit in our nation’s capitol are trying to perform a lobotomy on us. Guess what? The Easter Bunny doesn’t really exist.
Ted Kennedy finally came into his own fame when he was responsible for the death of a campaign worker. He reported this incident as quick as he could get things rolling for his protection. He wore a neck brace in public for a few weeks. After a couple of days, the girl trapped in the car at the bottom of the lake was pulled out. Ted hurt his neck trying to rescue the poor girl. Yeah, and O. J. was innocent. Does anyone really care what Ted Kennedy rants and raves about? Not me. He doesn’t SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
I don't really know much about his brother, Bobby Kennedy, other than he was the president’s closest confidant. I remember reading much about the two and seeing many pictures of them with their heads together as they tried to lead our nation. Tragically, both were cut down by an assassin’s bullet in the prime of their lives, leaving behind a hero's legend that will forever remain untarnished. Rightly so. There was an older brother that was killed in World War II, Joe Jr., and by all accounts, was favored by the father of the Kennedy clan. He was Jacob’s Joseph.
Joe Kennedy was a boot-legger. Not one across the tracks where you could go and get a pint of cheap booze to tide you over. No, he was right up there in the Godfather league. Rumors that reverberated in his day were vast in report of Joe’s involvement with organized crime.
This family has been consumed with tragedy. The mentally retarded daughter of Joe and Rose, was given a lobotomy, dooming her to life in a mental institution. The main ingredient behind this family was money and tremendous power as well as a deep family bond.
Ted Kennedy was always like a ghostly shadow. It was almost as if his story was a double exposure on the old time roll of film. Ted Kennedy road on his brothers’ coattails, traded on their fame.
A penchant for adultery was as much a part of Kennedy history as pious Rose was. Rose attended mass everyday. I don't blame her. She was able to tell a priest much that women married to such men needed to share, with the complete secret forever buried to the light of day.
Politicians and money movers live in a far different reality than most of us. But still, it is their reality. Government is a big business. We, the people, have only one thing that is of interest to them—a vote—one that matters only once every couple of years at best. That’s their social security. The only thing that matters to our leaders is which palm they can get greased in this or that deal. These are the people we want in the top jobs in our nation. They deal with other leaders just like them. The trouble with that is that some are insane and mass murderers.
My grandfather had a grizzly bear rug, a bear that he’d killed. The teeth on that bear scared me to death. My children were afraid of the whole house. Hey, I’d too scared to do that. I’m too wimpy to shoot Bambi. I'm like most of you; I want my life to run on a smooth course. The only time I display any power is if my way of life is threatened by evil.
When World War II broke out, the first thing that happened was to get FDR's son stateside. Out of harm’s way, so that the Commander in Chief would not be biased; would not fall prey to human trait. Smart move. One I applaud. Of course our children are the defenders of this country and I want the toughest son of a gun in charge, not me. Give me a gun and I will fight for my loved ones and my way of life; otherwise, I would not be the ideal choice. Those which sit in our nation’s capitol are trying to perform a lobotomy on us. Guess what? The Easter Bunny doesn’t really exist.
Ted Kennedy finally came into his own fame when he was responsible for the death of a campaign worker. He reported this incident as quick as he could get things rolling for his protection. He wore a neck brace in public for a few weeks. After a couple of days, the girl trapped in the car at the bottom of the lake was pulled out. Ted hurt his neck trying to rescue the poor girl. Yeah, and O. J. was innocent. Does anyone really care what Ted Kennedy rants and raves about? Not me. He doesn’t SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Our Friends and Associates
While my principle love falls to my beloved Guns. We must never forget about those who walk beside us, arm in arm, with their own particular brand of destruction, the rocket man. As I have said in my earlier posts there is undeniably a certain level of danger having that odd shaped instrument in your hands and the only way you make it out to the other side of a fight is by knowledge, iron will, intensity and protection. If the enemy has done their homework at all they will try figure out where the Machine Gunner, the Rocket Man, or the Sniper are and take them out of the fight early to ease their day....or at least attempt it. Somehow, more often than not, Marine 'Weapons-Types' tend to counter that by not simply waiting for the evil men to come to them, we'll walk in to their fire and terrorize them so they know that we are built by something different. We'll attack them when they think their safe, when they believe we could not possibly be there. Like two brothers ousting a particularly destructive bully, we gunners will rush out and 'hold' the enemy while the others deliver the finishing blow. This is something that the 2/1 rocket-men who teach at my school have always enjoyed getting together on whenever we can put a range out with our M240's & SMAW's. It is simply because we appreciate the value of one another. Those perfect bonds of brotherhood.
While my heart will always beat as that of a Machine Gunner. One 2/1 Rocket Man in Korea has always impressed me since I heard his story. The story was written by a 2/1 Marine Machine Gunner from Korea named Charles Greenwood. The book is called "OnceUpon a Lifetime" and in it is a true Machine Gunner's tale. However, GySgt. Greenwood (USMC ret.) pays particular homage to his friend and fellow warrior in this tale. The Rocket Man's name is Walter C. Monegan. He recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor post-humously and he HUNTED TANKS! Many rocket men claim that title simply because someone put a rocket in their hands, but he did it because it would seem it was what he was born to do it. At my behest, the 1st Marine Division Schools Leadership Award for the Anti-Armor course is now the Walter C. Monegan award, perhaps in reading this you will understand why.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WALTER C. MONEGAN
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rocket Gunner attached to Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sosa-ri, Korea, on 17 and 20 September 1950. Dug in a hill overlooking the main Seoul highway when six enemy tanks threatened to break through the Battalion position during a pre- dawn attack on 17 September, Private First Class Monegan promptly moved forward with his bazooka under heavy hostile automatic weapons fire and engaged the lead tank at a range of less than 50 yards. After scoring a direct hit and killing the sole surviving tankman with his carbine as he came through the escape hatch, he boldly fired two more rounds of ammunition at the oncoming tanks, disorganizing the attack and enabling our tank crews to continue blasting with their 90-mm,. guns. With his own and an adjacent company's position threatened by annihilation when an overwhelming enemy tank-infantry force by-passed the area and proceeded toward the battalion Command Post during the early morning of September 20, he seized his rocket launcher and, in total darkness, charged down the slope of the hill where the tanks had broken through. Quick to act when illuminating shell hit the area, he scored a direct hit on one of the tanks as hostile rifle and automatic weapons fire raked the area at close range. Again exposing himself he fired another round to destroy a second tank and, as the rear tank turned to retreat, stood upright to fire and was fatally struck down by hostile machine-gun fire when another illuminating shell silhouetted him against the sky. Private First Class Monegan's daring initiative, gallant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success of his company in repelling the enemy and his self-sacrificing efforts throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his lie for his country.
Such an amazing battle and one more where the heavier gun needed to be brought to bear for the good of the many.
While my heart will always beat as that of a Machine Gunner. One 2/1 Rocket Man in Korea has always impressed me since I heard his story. The story was written by a 2/1 Marine Machine Gunner from Korea named Charles Greenwood. The book is called "OnceUpon a Lifetime" and in it is a true Machine Gunner's tale. However, GySgt. Greenwood (USMC ret.) pays particular homage to his friend and fellow warrior in this tale. The Rocket Man's name is Walter C. Monegan. He recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor post-humously and he HUNTED TANKS! Many rocket men claim that title simply because someone put a rocket in their hands, but he did it because it would seem it was what he was born to do it. At my behest, the 1st Marine Division Schools Leadership Award for the Anti-Armor course is now the Walter C. Monegan award, perhaps in reading this you will understand why.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WALTER C. MONEGAN
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rocket Gunner attached to Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sosa-ri, Korea, on 17 and 20 September 1950. Dug in a hill overlooking the main Seoul highway when six enemy tanks threatened to break through the Battalion position during a pre- dawn attack on 17 September, Private First Class Monegan promptly moved forward with his bazooka under heavy hostile automatic weapons fire and engaged the lead tank at a range of less than 50 yards. After scoring a direct hit and killing the sole surviving tankman with his carbine as he came through the escape hatch, he boldly fired two more rounds of ammunition at the oncoming tanks, disorganizing the attack and enabling our tank crews to continue blasting with their 90-mm,. guns. With his own and an adjacent company's position threatened by annihilation when an overwhelming enemy tank-infantry force by-passed the area and proceeded toward the battalion Command Post during the early morning of September 20, he seized his rocket launcher and, in total darkness, charged down the slope of the hill where the tanks had broken through. Quick to act when illuminating shell hit the area, he scored a direct hit on one of the tanks as hostile rifle and automatic weapons fire raked the area at close range. Again exposing himself he fired another round to destroy a second tank and, as the rear tank turned to retreat, stood upright to fire and was fatally struck down by hostile machine-gun fire when another illuminating shell silhouetted him against the sky. Private First Class Monegan's daring initiative, gallant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success of his company in repelling the enemy and his self-sacrificing efforts throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his lie for his country.
Such an amazing battle and one more where the heavier gun needed to be brought to bear for the good of the many.
Jerrod Has Left the Building
Stay safe, kids.Jerrod and Aaron in the hallway of Jerrod's first apartment in Phoenix, not too long after Aaron graduated Boot Camp in January 2002.
Just had to come back and tell you Jerrod needed a pack of cigarettes from me before he left the building!
To Be ...
...is a series about the Seabees in general and NMCB 22 in particular.
Currently, we have one test out right now, which is posted and due on January 22, 2007.
We will finish up with NMCB 22 close to the end of the week, but will continue to look at the history of the Seabees, what they have been doing in Iraq and will undoubtedly continue to do for quite sometime. I'm hoping LT Rich can pop in and help us along with any questions we might have there.
So for the next few frames, I hope you enjoy and learn a little something about Navy history and the last of the missions that LT Richard Windham, USNR was involved in from October 2005-March 2006.
Enjoy, and I'll bee around!!
To Be ... Blaming It On The Rain in COP South?
Now we need
some definite discussion here!?!?
What happened?
To Be ... Knee Deep or How Deep at COP South?
and you can elaborate more here if you need the room ... :)
To Be ... Finishing Up A Seabee Mission?
What can you tell us about these photos, LT Rich (or Karen)?
To Be ... A Medal of Honor Pop Quiz
Whose is whose? Army, Air Force and Navy each have their own Medal of Honor.
See if you can pick without peeking!
To Be ... THE ORIGINAL Navy Medal of Honor
The Navy's Medal of Honor was the first approved and the first designed. The initial work was done by the Philadelphia Mint at the request of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. The Mint submitted several designs for consideration, and the one prepared by the Philadelphia firm of William Wilson & Sons was the design selected.Click here to learn more
To Be ... The Conclusion of Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi
Karen had said in one of her comments that the scope of NMCB 22's work in COP South was reduced due to the success of Operation Steel Curtain. Echo 2/1, 1st Marine Division was involved in this operation. I knew we'd lost at least one, and Sgt. Knipper mentioned another to me.
Does anyone know how the Staff Sergeant who was burnt over 75% of his body is today?
****
Release A051122d
Operation Steel Curtain concludes
Multi-National Force-Iraq
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq –Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team –2 wrapped up Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) today near the Syrian border.
The 17-day offensive, which took place in the cities of Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi, was part of the larger Operation Sayaid (Hunter) designed to prevent al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout al Anbar province. The operation made way for the establishment of a permanent Iraqi Army security presence in the al Qaim region and set the conditions for local citizens to vote in the upcoming Dec.15 elections.
Operation Steel Curtain ushered in the first large-scale operational employment of the Iraqi Army, approximately 1,000 Soldiers, in western al Anbar province. The Iraqi Soldiers conducted detailed clearing missions alongside Coalition counterparts and began establishing permanent bases within these three cities. Forces at these outposts will prevent the al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from regaining a presence in these cities and threatening local residents with their murder and intimidation campaign.
Integration of locally recruited Iraqi Army Soldiers in al Anbar was introduced by the arrival of the Desert Protectors. The Desert Protectors were recruited from the al Qaim region and worked alongside the Iraqi Army and U.S. units throughout the course of the operation. Their familiarity with the area and its people was crucial in identifying friend from foe and enabled their Iraqi and Coalition partners to better understand the geographical complexities of the region.
Ten Marines were killed in fighting during Operation Steel Curtain. Since the operation began 139 terrorists were killed and 256 processed for detention.
The porous Iraq-Syria border was identified as a main route for men, material and money to be transited into Iraq. The western Euphrates River Valley region was known to be a major artery for al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. forces moved in on Husaybah the morning of Nov. 5, followed shortly thereafter by Karabilah, Ubaydi and winding up clearing the Ramana region.
Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. forces will continue to maintain presence and increase efforts in securing the Iraq-Syria border.
Does anyone know how the Staff Sergeant who was burnt over 75% of his body is today?
****
Release A051122d
Operation Steel Curtain concludes
Multi-National Force-Iraq
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq –Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team –2 wrapped up Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) today near the Syrian border.
The 17-day offensive, which took place in the cities of Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi, was part of the larger Operation Sayaid (Hunter) designed to prevent al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout al Anbar province. The operation made way for the establishment of a permanent Iraqi Army security presence in the al Qaim region and set the conditions for local citizens to vote in the upcoming Dec.15 elections.
Operation Steel Curtain ushered in the first large-scale operational employment of the Iraqi Army, approximately 1,000 Soldiers, in western al Anbar province. The Iraqi Soldiers conducted detailed clearing missions alongside Coalition counterparts and began establishing permanent bases within these three cities. Forces at these outposts will prevent the al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from regaining a presence in these cities and threatening local residents with their murder and intimidation campaign.
Integration of locally recruited Iraqi Army Soldiers in al Anbar was introduced by the arrival of the Desert Protectors. The Desert Protectors were recruited from the al Qaim region and worked alongside the Iraqi Army and U.S. units throughout the course of the operation. Their familiarity with the area and its people was crucial in identifying friend from foe and enabled their Iraqi and Coalition partners to better understand the geographical complexities of the region.
Ten Marines were killed in fighting during Operation Steel Curtain. Since the operation began 139 terrorists were killed and 256 processed for detention.
The porous Iraq-Syria border was identified as a main route for men, material and money to be transited into Iraq. The western Euphrates River Valley region was known to be a major artery for al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. forces moved in on Husaybah the morning of Nov. 5, followed shortly thereafter by Karabilah, Ubaydi and winding up clearing the Ramana region.
Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. forces will continue to maintain presence and increase efforts in securing the Iraq-Syria border.
To Be ... Earning A Place
Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Enlisted Warfare Specialist insignia is a qualification insignia of the United States Navy earned by Navy enlisted members assigned to the Fleet Marine Force of the U.S. Marine Corps who have successfully completed the necessary requirements.
To be designated an Enlisted FMF Warfare Specialist, a service member must serve a minimum of 12 months as a member of the Fleet Marine Force and must participate in designated forward field operations. Core and platform specific Personal Qualification Standards in a variety of subjects (Marine Corps history; weapons systems, tactics, aircraft, vehicles and vessels employed by the FMF; etc.) as well as an oral examination must be completed before the FMF Enlisted Warfare Specialist insignia is presented. Although this is a qualification for Navy enlisted personnel, it is unique in that only Commanding Generals or Commanding Officers of qualifying U.S. Marine Corps commands, Division or Group, can approve awarding of the designation.
Navy enlisted personnel permanently assigned to qualifying U.S. Marine Corps commands are required to complete this qualification with 18 months of reporting in. Hospital corpsmen (HMs), and Religious Program Specialist (RP's) are the most common recipients of this insignia; enlisted personnel who have received it may place the designation in their professional titles, e.g., Hospital Corpsman First Class (Fleet Marine Force), or RP1(FMF).
Navy personnel may also be awarded the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon which may be worn simultaneously with the FMF Enlisted Warfare Specialist insignia.
Navy members may NOT wear both the FMF ribbon and pin at the same time. Those who qualified previously for the ribbon must only wear the pin if they qualify under the new system.
Wikipedia
Questions for LT Rich or Karen:
- :Can you tell us more about this? Didn't your Seabees earn this?
- I think I remember something about LCMDR Breaux writing about this, or was it something similar?
- Any details or memorable experiences to share here?
To Be ... Seabee Marvin G. Shields, USN Medal of Honor Recepient
Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin G. Shields United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with United States Navy Seabee Team 1104 at Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, on 10 June 1965. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine gun, heavy weapons and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close range with flame throwers, hand grenades and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety, and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When the Commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine gun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5- inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
Check out the site set up by this hero's children. Click here.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with United States Navy Seabee Team 1104 at Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, on 10 June 1965. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machine gun, heavy weapons and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close range with flame throwers, hand grenades and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety, and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When the Commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine gun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5- inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
Check out the site set up by this hero's children. Click here.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Me and Jerrod
It’s been great Jerrod being here. Oh, he’s still here, somewhere in the outlying vicinity. He and Shawna should be eating at his dad’s in Hobbs by now. They say they’re heading straight to the gym when they get back to Phoenix because they’ve ate like little pigs here.
No, not my cooking, though they did help us polish off the chili I made the other night. And of course, I always have the M&M’s, cookies, and donuts within close reach. But no, Jerrod’s favorite food in this world: Allsup’s burritos. He especially enjoys them if they’re reaching their prime of three days.
You probably think I’m fibbing or exaggerating, but I’m not. While it doesn’t speak well for Donna’s cooking, the fact that her youngest son’s favorite food is an old burrito from Allsup’s, it was always a little embarrassing for me that Aaron’s favorite food was Hamburger Helper, the cheesy meat and macaroni kind.
Aaron wouldn’t get near a vegetable, although I think the Corps changed this a little. At least, I saw him eat salsa like a starved animal one time at Chili’s in Lubbock. I’ll never forget how shocked I was that he was inhaling a dish that included not only the tomato, but the onion as well. We’re talking about the kid who used to stand over the chili and spot the flecks of dehydrated-cooked-two-hours-already-dead-dead-onion.
Except for a few things, Jerrod and Aaron were identical. So Jerrod being here is much like it was when Aaron was here. No mush.
A few examples:
“De’on, where’s your cigarettes? I ran out.” He doesn’t ask for my lighter, but takes it anyway, and if I’m off my game, I forget to get it back.
“What are you doing to Hennessy to make him so fat?”
“Where’s your iron? Remember when you ironed those three creases in each leg of Aaron’s jeans? That’s why we did our own ironing.”
Mmmm. And they thought I didn’t know what I was doing.
He leaves his wet towel on the floor (but come to think of it, I haven’t had to put the toilet lid down) and makes sure to keep me abreast as to how the three day olds are affecting the gases within his 6’4” body.
Shawna has lived in Phoenix all her life, so our little town with its weather is a novelty to her. She’s visited Bob’s, our only supermarket, and Jerrod took her to Alco Discount Store and told her, “Look Babe, these are the floors I used to mop!”
She’s used up several batteries on her digital camera. Lovington High was on the tourist stop today. She’s already snapped a few photos of Allsup’s and perhaps she’ll want a picture of my portable dishwasher before she leaves. Last night I discovered that like Tiff and Tina, she had no clue as to what one was. Had never seen one before and thought it was funny.
I just think it’s heavy.
This is the first time Jerrod’s been home in nearly a year and a half.
I let him know about that one before he came. Before he left Phoenix. We had to start square.
Much like Aaron, my words affected him only so much as to try to use them against me later, but I stopped him mid-sentence. So like Aaron, he reverted to charm, and I like that. It always works and I make no secret that it does.
I speak to Jerrod as if he were my own.
I hope Jerrod and Shawna get married. She’s beautiful and smart and funny and ambitious and real. She fits in perfect. I’d like to say she’s like me, but she’s much more like Donna. And like both of us, she doesn’t mind lining his little butt out. And I don’t mind saying I want them to get married here, because I’ve said as much to them and Donna.
Shawna works and goes to school, and is very close to entering pharmacists’ school (I have no clue as to the real name, maybe that’s it?). Jerrod was in school when Aaron was killed. He plans to go back in February, and I hope he does, because he’s planned on it before. But I see something a little different in him this time, and although I’d met Shawna nearly a year ago, when I took Kayla to Phoenix, I didn’t notice the change in him then as I do now.
She’s good for him and anyone who’ll take photos of the place her love gets his favorite food from, gets my vote.
They leave in the morning, at dark-thirty according to their plans now. We’ll see. But since they’re going to Ruidoso for Jerrod’s birthday, one day after mine, then maybe they will. Work and school come early on Tuesday.
Hennessy will miss his bed partner. Somehow, Jerrod always does show up, and I wonder if Hen thinks that maybe someday Aaron will too. The three raised each other from pups. Age is beginning to show on two of them.
No, not my cooking, though they did help us polish off the chili I made the other night. And of course, I always have the M&M’s, cookies, and donuts within close reach. But no, Jerrod’s favorite food in this world: Allsup’s burritos. He especially enjoys them if they’re reaching their prime of three days.
You probably think I’m fibbing or exaggerating, but I’m not. While it doesn’t speak well for Donna’s cooking, the fact that her youngest son’s favorite food is an old burrito from Allsup’s, it was always a little embarrassing for me that Aaron’s favorite food was Hamburger Helper, the cheesy meat and macaroni kind.
Aaron wouldn’t get near a vegetable, although I think the Corps changed this a little. At least, I saw him eat salsa like a starved animal one time at Chili’s in Lubbock. I’ll never forget how shocked I was that he was inhaling a dish that included not only the tomato, but the onion as well. We’re talking about the kid who used to stand over the chili and spot the flecks of dehydrated-cooked-two-hours-already-dead-dead-onion.
Except for a few things, Jerrod and Aaron were identical. So Jerrod being here is much like it was when Aaron was here. No mush.
A few examples:
“De’on, where’s your cigarettes? I ran out.” He doesn’t ask for my lighter, but takes it anyway, and if I’m off my game, I forget to get it back.
“What are you doing to Hennessy to make him so fat?”
“Where’s your iron? Remember when you ironed those three creases in each leg of Aaron’s jeans? That’s why we did our own ironing.”
Mmmm. And they thought I didn’t know what I was doing.
He leaves his wet towel on the floor (but come to think of it, I haven’t had to put the toilet lid down) and makes sure to keep me abreast as to how the three day olds are affecting the gases within his 6’4” body.
Shawna has lived in Phoenix all her life, so our little town with its weather is a novelty to her. She’s visited Bob’s, our only supermarket, and Jerrod took her to Alco Discount Store and told her, “Look Babe, these are the floors I used to mop!”
She’s used up several batteries on her digital camera. Lovington High was on the tourist stop today. She’s already snapped a few photos of Allsup’s and perhaps she’ll want a picture of my portable dishwasher before she leaves. Last night I discovered that like Tiff and Tina, she had no clue as to what one was. Had never seen one before and thought it was funny.
I just think it’s heavy.
This is the first time Jerrod’s been home in nearly a year and a half.
I let him know about that one before he came. Before he left Phoenix. We had to start square.
Much like Aaron, my words affected him only so much as to try to use them against me later, but I stopped him mid-sentence. So like Aaron, he reverted to charm, and I like that. It always works and I make no secret that it does.
I speak to Jerrod as if he were my own.
I hope Jerrod and Shawna get married. She’s beautiful and smart and funny and ambitious and real. She fits in perfect. I’d like to say she’s like me, but she’s much more like Donna. And like both of us, she doesn’t mind lining his little butt out. And I don’t mind saying I want them to get married here, because I’ve said as much to them and Donna.
Shawna works and goes to school, and is very close to entering pharmacists’ school (I have no clue as to the real name, maybe that’s it?). Jerrod was in school when Aaron was killed. He plans to go back in February, and I hope he does, because he’s planned on it before. But I see something a little different in him this time, and although I’d met Shawna nearly a year ago, when I took Kayla to Phoenix, I didn’t notice the change in him then as I do now.
She’s good for him and anyone who’ll take photos of the place her love gets his favorite food from, gets my vote.
They leave in the morning, at dark-thirty according to their plans now. We’ll see. But since they’re going to Ruidoso for Jerrod’s birthday, one day after mine, then maybe they will. Work and school come early on Tuesday.
Hennessy will miss his bed partner. Somehow, Jerrod always does show up, and I wonder if Hen thinks that maybe someday Aaron will too. The three raised each other from pups. Age is beginning to show on two of them.
Virgie Bell's View
We learn small truths in everyday events that concern us as a child. The core of our values and beliefs are instilled at an early age. When I was in high school unbeknownst to me, I had tied with another girl for Football Queen. My oldest brother was the captain of the team and it fell to Mickey to break the tie. He had been absent the day of the vote. He discussed this problem with my mother and the two of them agreed that it would be a disservice to me if I received the honor under the circumstances. They also felt it held an unfair advantage for the girl who, once his vote was cast, would wear the crown at the homecoming game that year.
She rode around the football field in my brother’s black Pontiac convertible and it was beautiful. I can’t remember any resentment on my part. I really can’t. Honor and a sense of fair play are the bedrock value of a nation. They are learned within a family. They are the Friday night lights, the junior play, the senior trip. They are that first marriage when dreams are still achievable; they are the children of that marriage. It is before we learn first hand of divorce and step families. It is seeing these children go off to war, and often, losing them in a foreign land. It is also to see this pattern go on and on. But in the back of our minds, at the depth of our souls, it is to preserve this same thing for all those that come after us. We want them to experience the Friday night lights, the junior play and senior trip. We want them to fall in love and marry and believe their dreams are achievable. Please ... let not let this American Dream, the American Spirit die...Please SUPPORT THE TROOPS.
She rode around the football field in my brother’s black Pontiac convertible and it was beautiful. I can’t remember any resentment on my part. I really can’t. Honor and a sense of fair play are the bedrock value of a nation. They are learned within a family. They are the Friday night lights, the junior play, the senior trip. They are that first marriage when dreams are still achievable; they are the children of that marriage. It is before we learn first hand of divorce and step families. It is seeing these children go off to war, and often, losing them in a foreign land. It is also to see this pattern go on and on. But in the back of our minds, at the depth of our souls, it is to preserve this same thing for all those that come after us. We want them to experience the Friday night lights, the junior play and senior trip. We want them to fall in love and marry and believe their dreams are achievable. Please ... let not let this American Dream, the American Spirit die...Please SUPPORT THE TROOPS.
Mighty and Marvellous
January 14
GLAD indeed are the souls with whom I walk. Walking with Me is security. The coming of My Spirit into a life, and Its working are imperceptible, but the result is mighty.
Learn of Me. Kill the self. Every blow to self is used to shape the real, eternal, imperishable you.
Be very candid and rigorous with yourselves. "Did self prompt that?" and if it did, oust it at all costs.
When I died on the Cross, I died embodying all the human self. Once that was crucified, I could conquer even death.
When I bore your sins in My own body on the Tree I bore the self-human nature of the world. As you too kill self, you gain the overwhelming power I released for a weary world, and you too will be victorious.
It is not life and its difficulties you have to conquer, only the self in you. As I said to My disciples, "I have many things to say to you but you cannot bear them now." You could not understand them. But as you go on obeying Me and walking with Me, and listening to Me, you will, and then you will see how glorious, how marvellous My revelations are, and My teachings.
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling Barnes & Noble, 2002.
GLAD indeed are the souls with whom I walk. Walking with Me is security. The coming of My Spirit into a life, and Its working are imperceptible, but the result is mighty.
Learn of Me. Kill the self. Every blow to self is used to shape the real, eternal, imperishable you.
Be very candid and rigorous with yourselves. "Did self prompt that?" and if it did, oust it at all costs.
When I died on the Cross, I died embodying all the human self. Once that was crucified, I could conquer even death.
When I bore your sins in My own body on the Tree I bore the self-human nature of the world. As you too kill self, you gain the overwhelming power I released for a weary world, and you too will be victorious.
It is not life and its difficulties you have to conquer, only the self in you. As I said to My disciples, "I have many things to say to you but you cannot bear them now." You could not understand them. But as you go on obeying Me and walking with Me, and listening to Me, you will, and then you will see how glorious, how marvellous My revelations are, and My teachings.
Russell, A. J., ed., God Calling Barnes & Noble, 2002.
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