To All..
Good Tuesday morning April 21, 2026. .I hope that your week is off to a good start.
Nice day today and no rain in the forecast. .Construction workers again today to work on the chicken cage and the Gazebo. Classes went well last night.
Regards,
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HAGD
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Go here to see the director’s corner for all 97 H-Grams
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/
April 21 On This Day
1861 Sloop-of-War Saratoga, commanded by Alfred Taylor, captures Nightingale, a clipper slaver, at the mouth of the Congo River at Cabinda, Angola, with 961 slaves on board.
1898 President William McKinley orders the Navy to begin a blockade of Cuba and Spain, the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Congress responds with a formal declaration of war April 25, made retroactive to the start of the blockade.
1914 President Woodrow Wilson orders intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico, after the Tampico Affair where Sailors from USS Dolphin were detained. The U.S. Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Rear Adm. Frank F. Fletcher, land the first Marines and Sailors from USS Florida and USS Utah and engage in battle.
1944 Task Force 58 begins the bombing of Japanese airfields and defensive positions at Hollandia, Wakde, Sawar, and Sarmi, New Guinea, in preparation for the U.S. Army landing operations Persecution and Reckless.
1972 Navy Capt. John W. Young, commander of Apollo 16, is the ninth man to walk on the moon. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas K. Mattingly II is the command module pilot for the 11-day, 1-hour and 51-minute mission where 213 pounds of lunar material is collected.
1990 USNS John Ericcson (T-AO 194) is launched at Chester, Penn. The Henry J. Kiser-class replenishment oiler is named for John Ericcson who designed USS Monitor.
2001 USS Lassen (DDG 82) is commissioned at Tampa, Fla., prior to sailing for her homeport in San Diego as part of Destroyer Squadron 23. The Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is named after Lt. Clyde Everett Lassen, a Medal of Honor recipient for rescuing two downed aviators while he was the commander of a search and rescue helicopter in Vietnam.
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This day in World History
April 21
0043 Marcus Antonius is defeated by Octavian near Modena, Italy.
0753 Traditional date of the foundation of Rome.
1526 Mongol Emperor Babur annihilates the Indian Army of Ibrahim Lodi.
1649 The Maryland Toleration Act is passed, allowing all people freedom of worship.
1689 William III and Mary II are crowned joint king and queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.
1836 General Sam Houston defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas wins independence from Mexico.
1862 Congress establishes the U.S. Mint.
1865 Abraham Lincoln's funeral train leaves Washington.
1898 The Spanish-American War begins.
1910 Mark Twain dies at the age of 75.
1914 U.S. Marines occupy Vera Cruz, Mexico. They will stay six months.
1916 Bill Carlisle, the infamous 'last train robber,' robs a train in Hanna, Wyoming.
1918 German fighter ace Baron von Richthofen, "The Red Baron," is shot down and killed.
1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that several Doolittle pilots have been executed by Japanese.
1960 Brasilia becomes the capital of Brazil.
1961 The French army revolts in Algeria.
1966 Pfc. Milton Lee Olive is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for bravery during the Vietnam War.
1975 The last South Vietnam president, Nguyen Van Thieu, resigns.
1995 Federal authorities arrest Timothy McVeigh in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing.
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Thanks to 1440
Need To Know
Tariff Refund Reckoning
The federal government yesterday began refunding more than $166B from global tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court in February, with interest accruing at roughly $22M per day.
Only companies that paid tariffs directly are eligible for refunds, not consumers indirectly hit by higher prices. Amid class-action lawsuits, companies including FedEx and Costco have said they may share proceeds with customers, though details are unclear. The refund timeline is also uncertain: The government estimates it will take 60 to 90 days to issue refunds, but technical challenges could cause delays. A digital claims system had to be built to identify the global tariffs, process refunds, and issue payments. That platform can currently handle about 63% of affected import filings, with the remainder to follow.
After the Supreme Court's ruling, the Trump administration implemented a temporary 10% tariff on most imports and is exploring a new pathway for global tariffs under the Trade Act of 1974 (101 here).
Boston's Defending Champions
Kenya’s John Korir won yesterday’s Boston Marathon for the second year in a row, finishing the men’s race in 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds—a course record. Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi won the women’s side, also for the second consecutive year, in 2:18:51. See photos here.
This year, runners passed a 5-foot-6-inch bronze statue of Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon in 1966. Gibb had defied rules against women’s participation and hid in the bushes near the starting line, finishing her race in 3:21:40 and unofficially running the next two races (women were allowed to race the marathon beginning in 1972). Now 83, Gibb made the sculpture herself; see here.
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, inspired by the first modern Olympic marathon in 1896. It is held every year on Patriots' Day, the state holiday commemorating Paul Revere’s 1775 midnight ride and the inaugural battles of the American Revolution.
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Thanks to Bill
Do you remember the Darwin Awards? It is recognizing (te he!) people doing stupid things and getting inured, or better yet, killed, thereby removing themselves from the gene pool. I assume the cited newspapers are included to prove that they are true!
OMG
Darwin awards
Some safety lessons on handling firearms.
Nominee No. 1: [San Jose Mercury News]: An unidentified man, using a shotgun like a club to break a former girlfriend's windshield, accidentally shot himself to death when the gun discharged, blowing a hole in his gut.
Nominee No. 2: [ Kalamazoo Gazette]: James Burns, 34, a mechanic of Alamo, MI, was killed in March as he was trying to repair what police describe as a "farm-type truck." Burns got a friend to drive the truck on a highway while Burns hung underneath so that he could ascertain the source of a troubling noise. Burns' clothes caught on something, however, and the other man found Burns "wrapped in the drive shaft."
Nominee No. 3: [Hickory Daily Record]: Ken Charles Barger, 47, accidentally shot himself to death in December in Newton, NC Awakening to the sound of a ringing telephone beside his bed, he reached for the phone but grabbed instead a Smith & Wesson .38 Special, which discharged when he drew it to his ear.
Nominee No. 4: [UPI, Toronto ]: Police said a lawyer demonstrating the safety of windows in a downtown Toronto skyscraper crashed through a pane with his shoulder and plunged 24 floors to his death. A police spokesman said Garry Hoy, 39, fell into the courtyard of the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower early Friday evening as he was explaining the strength of the building's windows to visiting law students. Hoy previously has conducted demonstrations of window strength according to police reports. Peter Lawson, the managing partner of the firm Holden Day Wilson, told the Toronto Sun newspaper that Hoy was "one of the best and brightest" members of the 200-man association. A person has to wonder what the dimmer members of this law firm are like.
Nominee No. 5: [The News of the Weird]: Michael Anderson Godwin had spent several years awaiting South Carolina's electric chair on a murder conviction before having his sentence reduced to life in prison. While sitting on a metal toilet in his cell attempting to fix his small TV set, he bit into a wire and was electrocuted.
Nominee No. 6: [The Indianapolis Star]: A Dunkirk, IN man, using a cigarette lighter to check the barrel of a muzzleloader, was killed Monday night when the weapon discharged in his face, sheriff's investigators said. Gregory David Pryor, 19, died in his parents' rural Dunkirk home at about 11:30 PM. Investigators said Pryor was cleaning a 54 caliber muzzle-loader that had not been firing properly. He was using the lighter to look into the barrel when the gunpowder ignited.
Nominee No. 7: [Reuters, Mississauga, Ontario]: A man cleaning a bird feeder on the balcony of his condominium in this Toronto suburb slipped and fell 23 stories to his death. "Stefan Macko, 55, was standing on a wheelchair when the accident occurred," said Inspector Darcy Honer of the Peel Regional Police. "It appears that the chair moved, and he went over the balcony," Honer said.
THE WINNER! [Arkansas Democrat Gazette]: Two local men were injured when their pickup truck left the road and struck a tree near Cotton Patch on State Highway 38 early Monday. Woodruff County deputy Dovey Snyder reported the accident shortly after midnight Monday. Thurston Poole, 33, of Des Arc, and Billy Ray Wallis, 38, of Little Rock, were returning to Des Arc after a frog catching trip. On an overcast Sunday night, Poole 's pickup truck headlights malfunctioned. The two men concluded that the headlight fuse on the older-model truck had burned out. As a replacement fuse was not available, Wallis noticed that the .22 caliber rounds of cartridges from his pistol fit perfectly into the fuse box next to the steering-wheel column. Upon inserting around, the headlights again began to operate properly, and the two men proceeded on eastbound toward the White River Bridge. After traveling approximately 20 miles, and just before crossing the river, the round apparently overheated, discharged and the bullet of the round struck Poole in the testicles. The vehicle swerved sharply right, exited the pavement, and struck a tree. Poole suffered only minor cuts and abrasions from the accident but will require extensive surgery to repair the damage to his testicles, which will never operate as intended. Wallis sustained a broken clavicle and was treated and released. "Thank God we weren't on that bridge when Thurston shot his balls off, or we might be dead," stated Wallis. "I've been a trooper for 10 years in this part of the world, but this is a first for me. I can't believe that those two would admit how this accident happened," said Snyder. Upon being notified of the wreck, Poole's wife Lavinia asked how many frogs the boys had caught and did anyone get them from the truck.
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. Rollingthunderremembered.com .
April 21
Hello All,
Thanks to Dan Heller and the Bear
Links to all content can now be found right on the homepage http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com. If you scroll down from the banner and featured content you will find "Today in Rolling Thunder Remembered History" which highlights events in the Vietnam war that occurred on the date the page is visited. Below that are links to browse or search all content. You may search by keyword(s), date, or date range.
An item of importance is the recent incorporation of Task Force Omega (TFO) MIA summaries. There is a link on the homepage and you can also visit directly via https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/task-force-omega/. There are 60 summaries posted thus far, with about 940 to go (not a typo—TFO has over 1,000 individual case files).
If you have any questions or comments about RTR/TFO, or have a question on my book, you may e-mail me directly at acrossthewing@protonmail.com. Thank you Dan
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url below and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
For Tuesday 21 April. .
April 21: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=540
The witch was involved in this one to bad we missed the train she was traveling on
You have to read this one from last year…skip
For Monday 21 April. .You have to read this one . What a story..Skip
April 21: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=1710
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear’s Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
Vietnam Air Losses Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady’s work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Listed by last name and has other info https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
(This site was sent by a friend . The site works, find anyone you knew in “search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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From the Archives
Thanks to Barrett
Subject: Guadalcanal 2.0 - American Thinker Barrett… Great essay and superb stinger … Xi has arrived to write a new chapter in the “Guadalcanal Diary.”…. Bear
April 21, 2022
Guadalcanal 2.0
By Barret Tillman
In Return to Paradise James Michener wrote, “In the South Pacific there is an island, dark and brooding. It is not large as islands go, nor yet so small as to be forgotten when one has seen it.”
The island was Guadalcanal.
Nine sweltering degrees above the equator, the 90-mile-long island dominated the Solomons, 600 miles east of New Guinea. With 7,500-foot mountains among its 2,000 square miles, “the Canal” featured beaches, rivers, and a decent harbor at adjacent Tulagi.
Michener’s brooding isle occupied the strategic focus of the United States and Japan for six sanguinary months in 1942-43. On July 4, 1942, an American reconnaissance plane noted the Japanese building a bomber-capable airfield on Guadalcanal. The threat was implicit: with long-range aircraft, Japan could interdict Allied sea lanes to Australia and New Zealand.
The timing was providential. In June the U.S. Navy had blunted Japan’s six-month string of victories in the climactic Battle of Midway, affording a chance to shift from the defense. Commanding Japan’s Combined Fleet was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who had led the Pearl Harbor and Midway operations.
The Joint Chiefs in Washington seized the opportunity and authorized Operation Watchtower, America’s first offensive of the war. The First Marine Division splashed ashore at Guadalcanal (code name Cactus) and nearby Tulagi on August 7, two months to the day after Midway.
America was blessed with experienced, competent leaders. Major General Archer Vandegrift commanded the First Division, including subordinates such as Merritt “Red Mike” Edson and Louis “Chesty” Puller. All had learned the brush fighting trade from the Central American “banana wars.”
The Japanese Army was tough and capable, but China was poor preparation for professionally led Marines. Time and again Vandegrift’s leathernecks gave better than they got.
Not so at sea. In the first clash between the U.S. and Imperial navies around the monolithic Savo Island on the night of August 8-9, Tokyo’s practiced torpedo men sank four Allied cruisers without loss.
From Rabaul, New Britain, the Japanese Navy’s world-class bombers and fighters routinely flew 1,200-mile round trips to Guadalcanal -- an astonishing feat. The obvious answer was to get U.S. planes on the island, and the first Marine squadrons landed on August 20, “plankowners” in what became the Cactus Air Force. Marine, Navy, and Army squadrons operated from Henderson Field (named for a Marine hero of Midway) plus two other airstrips in the coming weeks. Fliers and mechanics said, “Cactus was the only place you could stand up to your knees in mud and get dust in your eyes.”
The late Vice Admiral David Richardson, a Guadalcanal fighter pilot, spoke for many. “I learned that often how much courage a man has depends on how much food and sleep he’s had in the last 72 hours.”
Thus began a symbiotic relationship among riflemen, airmen, and sailors. Control of the sea and sky frequently changed hands by day and night, and the Japanese perfected the nocturnal “Tokyo express” delivering troops and supplies by ship, then scurrying back north by day. The Americans relied on coastwatchers -- mostly courageous Australian planters and administrators -- to radio warnings about Japanese ships and planes. “Thirty bombers headed yours” became a watchword.
The Americans were strapped for everything; Operation Watchtower became “Operation Shoestring.” But the defenders held on. Guadalcanal became a strategic teeter-totter that summer and fall, the balance tipping in either direction. In Hawaii the Pacific Fleet’s Admiral Chester Nimitz decided to change horses in Pacific midstream, replacing cautious Vice Admiral Robert Ghormley with an Annapolis football teammate, William F. Halsey. In his splashy memoir “Bull” Halsey exclaimed, “This was the hottest potato they ever handed me.” But on the eve of the campaign’s second carrier battle, he messaged his command, “Strike, repeat strike.”
The Battle of Santa Cruz on October 27 represented a Japanese tactical victory. USS Hornet, which had launched the Doolittle Raiders against Japan in April, was lost. But Yamamoto’s elite naval aviation arm sustained grievous personnel losses -- even more than at Midway. It was a long-term deficit that could not be regained.
Japanese battleships and cruisers pasted the Americans that month, concentrating on Henderson Field. At dawn one morning the Cactus Air Force had one dive bomber operational. But the aviators clung to their battered nest.
On the night of November 12-13, Rear Admirals Norman Scott and Daniel Callaghan led 13 U.S. ships against 14 Japanese plus transports intent on landing troops. Scott and Callaghan were killed in the 40-minute nocturnal brawl. Between them, they lost six warships to three Japanese, including the battleship Hiei which succumbed to Navy and Marine aircraft after daylight.
One of the lesser-known heroes of the campaign was Rear Admiral Willis Lee. A brilliant analyst, he was a big-ship gunfighter in search of a gunfight, and he found it the night of November 14-15. Leading the battleships USS Washington and South Dakota, he tackled a superior enemy force and blasted the Japanese Kirishima into sinking rubble. “SoDak” lost power during the 30-minute slugfest, leaving Washington and her four destroyers to handle things. Lee lost three “small boys” but prevented the Marines from sustaining another punishing bombardment, and proved his mastery of radar.
At length, the Japanese recognized the inevitable and began a well-conducted evacuation in early February 1943. Richard B. Frank, the author of the definitive study, concluded that Japan lost 30,000 imperial warriors to all causes on and around “Starvation Island.” Meanwhile, victory cost more than 7,000 Allied personnel. Along the way, Guadalcanal produced twenty Medals of Honor -- ten Marine, six Navy, and four Army.
The U.S. and Japan both lost more than 600 aircraft in the campaign. Twenty-nine American ships were sunk and thirty-one Japanese (plus six submarines) in four surface battles plus two aircraft carrier duels and associated operations.
Admiral Yamamoto did not long survive. On April 18, 1943 -- the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid -- his plane was downed by Guadalcanal-based P-38 Lightnings. It was the result of superb intelligence and exquisite timing over a 600-mile dogleg route to avoid detection.
Halsey’s command raised its sights thereafter. Allied landings on Bougainville in November put more land-based aircraft within range of the Japanese fleet base at Rabaul, New Britain. Though Allied squadrons began flying from Bougainville before year-end, the aerial siege of Rabaul continued until VJ Day. Australian troops were heavily committed to ground actions on Bougainville during the last ten months of hostilities.
Today, though remaining associated with the British Commonwealth, the Solomons are an independent nation of six major islands and hundreds of lesser ones. The nation eventually achieved independence in the 1970s but fell into decades of instability and violence despite international peacekeeping efforts. Then in March of this year, the Solomons signed a memorandum with China leading to likely military and naval basing.
Beijing is spreading a wide trident’s net. Strategically-located Kiribati, retaining ties to the British Commonwealth, governs 32 atolls in the Gilberts. In 2019 Kiribatai dropped its Taiwan relationship in favor of Beijing. Sprawling near the international date line, Kiribatai covers hundreds of nautical miles north and south of the equator, totaling 1.4 million square miles. Considering that Beijing has built islands in the South China Sea, developing bases throughout the Pacific seems assured.
China, not America, will determine if the Guadalcanal legacy remains past or represents prologue.
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. Alcatraz: The Secrets, Myths, And History Of America’s Prison
Alcatraz, also known as "The Rock," is one of the most famous prisons in American history. But there’s more to this island than just high-security cells and daring escape attempts. From its unexpected origins to some weird inmate requests, Alcatraz is packed with stories that go far beyond what Hollywood has shown us. Whether you've visited before or just love a good history lesson, these 12 fascinating facts will give you a fresh perspective on this legendary landmark.
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Alcatraz wasn’t always a prison
Before housing America’s most dangerous criminals, Alcatraz served as a military fort. In 1850, President Millard Fillmore designated the island as a military reservation, and by the Civil War, it held prisoners of war. Its strategic location in San Francisco Bay made it ideal for defense. It wasn’t until 1933 that it officially became a federal penitentiary. Over the years, its role shifted dramatically, but its reputation as an isolated fortress remained constant.
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Prisoners built their own cells
Talk about a tough day on the job! When Alcatraz transitioned from a military prison to a federal one, military prisoners were put to work constructing their own confinement. Between 1909 and 1911, they reinforced the existing structures to prepare for the worst of the worst. By the time the Department of Justice took over, the prison was ready to house America’s most notorious inmates. Imagine building the very walls that would later trap you inside!
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Guards and their families lived on the island
Alcatraz wasn’t just a prison; it was also home to families. The guards and their families lived in houses and apartments on the island, creating a tight-knit community. Children took a ferry to school in San Francisco every day and played safely away from the prison yard. Some even recall watching movies in the recreation hall while criminals like Al Capone were locked up just a few feet away. Life on Alcatraz wasn’t all gloomy for those outside the cells.
No executions took place on Alcatraz
Despite its reputation, Alcatraz never had an execution chamber. While prisoner violence did lead to some deaths, executions were not carried out on the island. Inmates sentenced to death were transferred to facilities like San Quentin. That didn’t make life any easier in Alcatraz; many prisoners still feared the harsh conditions and inescapable isolation of The Rock.
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The Pacific Coast’s first lighthouse was on Alcatraz
Before it became infamous for its prison, Alcatraz played a vital role in maritime safety. In 1854, it became home to the first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast, guiding ships through the often foggy San Francisco Bay. Though a larger lighthouse replaced it in 1909, the original helped countless sailors navigate the treacherous waters surrounding the island. Today, it stands as a historic landmark, reminding visitors of Alcatraz’s earlier days.
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No inmate officially escaped
While Hollywood loves a good prison break story, no prisoner ever successfully escaped Alcatraz, at least not officially. The closest attempt came in 1962 when three inmates, including Frank Morris, disappeared after digging their way out using spoons. Their bodies were never found, leading to decades of speculation. Did they drown in the freezing bay or make it to freedom? The mystery remains unsolved.
Alcatraz shut down due to high costs
Despite its reputation as America’s toughest prison, Alcatraz didn’t close due to security issues: It was just too expensive to maintain. The constant exposure to salt water eroded the buildings, and the cost of housing each inmate was three times higher than in other federal prisons. By 1963, the government decided to shut it down. The island was abandoned for years before turning into the tourist attraction it is today.
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Some inmates requested transfers to Alcatraz
Despite its harsh image, some prisoners actually wanted to be transferred to Alcatraz. The prison provided single cells, which meant no cellmates to fight with. It also had some of the best food in the federal system because officers believed that well-fed inmates were less likely to cause trouble. For some, the strict routine and isolation were preferable to overcrowded, violent prisons elsewhere.
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Alcatraz was named after pelicans
Before it became synonymous with crime and punishment, Alcatraz was simply an island full of birds. Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it La Isla de los Alcatraces in 1775, which translates to "Island of the Pelicans." Over time, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. Even today, the island remains a haven for seabirds, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
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Alcatraz was never packed to capacity
Alcatraz was never overflowing with inmates. The prison had a maximum capacity of 336, but on average, only about 260 prisoners lived there at any given time. Sometimes, there were as few as 222. This was intentional—authorities wanted to ensure strict control over the inmates. It’s a far cry from the overcrowded prisons we hear about today
Warm water showers had a hidden purpose
Prisoners at Alcatraz were given warm water showers, not necessarily out of kindness, but as a security measure. Authorities believed that if inmates were used to warm water, they’d be less likely to brave the freezing bay in an escape attempt. Whether it worked or not is up for debate, but it certainly added another layer to Alcatraz’s infamous reputation.
Officers and inmates tended the gardens
Alcatraz wasn’t all cold concrete and iron bars; there were actually gardens on the island. Prison officers and even some inmates planted flowers and hardy greenery to make the island more livable. The tradition continued for decades, and today, the National Park Service maintains the Gardens of Alcatraz. It’s a surprising touch of beauty in a place best known for its harshness.
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This Day in U S Military History…….April 21
1836 – During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under Sam Houston launches a surprise attack against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River. The Mexicans were thoroughly routed, and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself. After gaining independence from Spain in the 1820s, Mexico welcomed foreign settlers to sparsely populated Texas, and a large group of Americans led by Stephen F. Austin settled along the Brazos River. The Americans soon outnumbered the resident Mexicans, and by the 1830s attempts by the Mexican government to regulate these semi-autonomous American communities led to rebellion. In March 1836, in the midst of armed conflict with the Mexican government, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. The Texas volunteers initially suffered defeat against the forces of Santa Anna–Sam Houston’s troops were forced into an eastward retreat, and the Alamo fell. However, in late April, Houston’s army surprised a Mexican force at San Jacinto, and Santa Anna was captured, bringing an end to Mexico’s effort to subdue Texas. In exchange for his freedom, Santa Anna recognized Texas’s independence; although the treaty was later abrogated and tensions built up along the Texas-Mexico border. The citizens of the so-called Lone Star Republic elected Sam Houston as president and endorsed the entrance of Texas into the United States. However, the likelihood of Texas joining the Union as a slave state delayed any formal action by the U.S. Congress for more than a decade. Finally, in 1845, President John Tyler orchestrated a compromise in which Texas would join the United States as a slave state. On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the United States as the 28th state, broadening the irrepressible differences in the U.S. over the issue of slavery and igniting the Mexican-American War.
1918 – Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the leading air ace of the war with 80 confirmed kills is shot down and killed. His command is taken by German ace, Hermann Goering.
1934 – Moe Berg, Senators catcher (and later US spy), played an AL record 117th consecutive, errorless game. In 1934, five years before he retired as a player, Berg made a trip to Japan as part of a traveling major league All-Star team. One might wonder what the seldom-used catcher, a .251 hitter that season, was doing playing with the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Berg, who spoke Japanese, took home movies of the Tokyo skyline that were used in the planning of General Jimmy Doolittle’s 1942 bombing raids on the Japanese capital. The U.S. government wrote a letter to Berg, thanking him for the movies.
1951 – Carrier-based Marine planes downed three Yaks in the first air-to-air contact of Marine air with the North Korean Air Force.
1951 – U.S. Air Force Captain Robert J. Love, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, scored his fifth and sixth aerial victories in his F-86 Sabre “Bernie’s Bo” to become the 11th ace of the Korean War.
1972 – Moonwalk in the Descartes Highlands by CAPT John W. Young, USN Commander of Apollo 16 and Charles Duke, Lunar Module Pilot. Young was the ninth man to walk on the moon. LCDR Thomas K. Mattingly II, USN was the Command Module Pilot. During the 11 day, 1 hour and 51 minute mission, 213 lbs. of lunar material was collected. Recovery by HC-1 helicopters from USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)
1989 – Six days after the death of Hu Yaobang, the deposed reform-minded leader of the Chinese Communist Party, some 100,000 students gather at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate Hu and voice their discontent with China’s authoritative communist government. The next day, an official memorial service for Hu Yaobang was held in Tiananmen’s Great Hall of the People, and student representatives carried a petition to the steps of the Great Hall, demanding to meet with Premier Li Peng. The Chinese government refused such a meeting, leading to a general boycott of Chinese universities across the country and widespread calls for democratic reforms. Ignoring government warnings of violent suppression of any mass demonstration, students from more than 40 universities began a march to Tiananmen on April 27. The students were joined by workers, intellectuals, and civil servants, and by mid-May more than a million people filled the square, the site of communist leader’s Mao Zedong’s proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. On May 20, the government formally declared martial law in Beijing, and troops and tanks were called in to disperse the dissidents. However, large numbers of students and citizens blocked the army’s advance, and by May 23 government forces had pulled back to the outskirts of Beijing. On June 3, with negotiations to end the protests stalled and calls for democratic reforms escalating, the troops received orders from the Chinese government to reclaim Tiananmen at all costs. By the end of the next day, Chinese troops had forcibly cleared Tiananmen Square and Beijing’s streets, killing hundreds of demonstrators and arresting thousands of protesters and other suspected dissidents. In the weeks after the government crackdown, an unknown number of dissidents were executed, and communist hard-liners took firm control of the country. The international community was outraged at the incident, and economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries sent China’s economy into decline. However, by late 1990, international trade had resumed, thanks in part to China’s release of several hundred imprisoned dissidents.
1995 – The FBI arrested former soldier Timothy McVeigh at an Oklahoma jail where he had spent two days on minor traffic and weapons charges; he was charged in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing two days earlier in which over 200 people were killed by a truck bomb that exploded in front of a Federal building.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
INOUYE, DANIEL K. , One of the many of his group Japanese volunteers to serve in the European Theatre in WWII. Can you say US senator from Hawaii….skip
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
*MAY, MARTIN O.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: legusuku-Yama, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 19-21 April 1945. Entered service at: Phillipsburg, N.J. Birth: Phillipsburg, N.J. G.O. No: 9, 25 January 1946. Citation: He gallantly maintained a 3-day stand in the face of terrible odds when American troops fought for possession of the rugged slopes of legusuku-Yama on Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands. After placing his heavy machinegun in an advantageous yet vulnerable position on a ridge to support riflemen, he became the target of fierce mortar and small arms fire from counterattacking Japanese. He repulsed this assault by sweeping the enemy with accurate bursts while explosions and ricocheting bullets threw blinding dust and dirt about him. He broke up a second counterattack by hurling grenades into the midst of the enemy forces, and then refused to withdraw, volunteering to maintain his post and cover the movement of American riflemen as they reorganized to meet any further hostile action. The major effort of the enemy did not develop until the morning of 21 April. It found Pfc. May still supporting the rifle company in the face of devastating rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire. While many of the friendly troops about him became casualties, he continued to fire his machinegun until he was severely wounded and his gun rendered useless by the burst of a mortar shell. Refusing to withdraw from the violent action, he blasted fanatical Japanese troops with hand grenades until wounded again, this time mortally. By his intrepidity and the extreme tenacity with which he held firm until death against overwhelming forces, Pfc. May killed at least 16 Japanese, was largely responsible for maintaining the American lines, and inspired his comrades to efforts which later resulted in complete victory and seizure of the mountain stronghold
*MARTINI, GARY W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. place and date: Binh Son, Republic of Vietnam, 21 April 1967. Entered service at: portland, Oreg. Born: 21 September 1948, Lexington, Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION* elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to engage them. The marines in Pfc. Martini’s platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, Pfc. Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades Lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy. Although he knew that 1 man had been killed attempting to assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion Lying wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the marine toward his platoon’s position. Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover, and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save 2 of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 21, FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD “PHIL” MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
21 April
1911: Lts Thomas DeWitt Milling and Henry H. Arnold received orders to Dayton for flight instruction at the Wright School. (4)
1913: Mr. Boise Penrose of Pennsylvania proposed the first aircraft registration and license bill in the Senate (S.1295). (24)
1930: Col. Charles Lindbergh, flying a Lockheed Sirius monoplane, sets a new transcontinental speed record of 14 hours and 45 minutes. He and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, cover 2,530 miles flying from Glendale, California, to Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York
1933: The Navy’s dirigible Macon made its maiden flight. (24)
1948: KEY WEST AGREEMENT. The SECDEF issued a memo to his Secretaries, with a paper defining the functions of the services and the JCS, based on the National Security Act. It was the first functions paper drawn up after the act. The Air Force received responsibility for the air defense of America. (20)
1950: Lt Cmdr R. C. Starkey took off from the USS Coral Sea in a P2V-3C Neptune bomber with a gross weight of 74,688 pounds. This was the heaviest aircraft launched from a carrier to date. (24)
1951: KOREAN WAR. An SA-16 from the 3 ARS tried to pick up a downed enemy YAK pilot near Chinnampo for intelligence purposes. The aircrew landed and put out a raft but had to take off because of intense enemy fire, leaving the YAK pilot behind. (28)
1952: In aerial combat, Capt. Robert J. Love, 335 FIS, destroyed two MiGs to become an ace. (28)
1953: Operation LITTLE SWITCH. Through 15 May, the USAF airlifted more than 150 sick and wounded former prisoners of war from Korea to Japan and from Japan to the US. (21) 1960: The USAF retrieved the instrument capsule from a Titan that had flown 5,000 miles. (24)
1961: Maj Robert White set a speed record in the X-15’s first full-throttle flight. At 79,000 feet, he attained 3,074 MPH before coasting upward to 105,100 feet. (9) (24)
1964: The numbers of ICBMs and bombers on alert in SAC were equal. Hereafter, the ICBM became the dominant alert force. (1)
1967: SAC declared its 20th Minuteman squadron, the 564 SMS at Malmstrom AFB, to be operational. When the squadron's last Minuteman IIs went on alert in May, the deployment of a 1,000- missile Minuteman force ended. (1) (6) 1969: SECAF Robert C. Seamans, Jr., and NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine signed an agreement to establish a joing civilian-military manned space station. (16)
1972: The F-111 Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB flew an F-111A on its longest flight to date—5,400 nautical miles in 12 hours.
1975: Lt Col Fred C. Hartstein of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale AFB flew a operational KC-135 from March AFB to refuel Rockwell’s B-1 Lancer for the first time. (1) 1995: Geraldine P. May, first director for Women in the Air Force (WAF), celebrated her 100th birthday at her residence in Menlo Park, Calif. May, who was born in Albany, N.Y., entered the Women's Army Corps in 1942. She became WAF director on 16 June 1948, and held the position for nearly three years before leaving the service in the early-1950s. (AFNEWS, 21 Apr 95)
2003: The last of 546 AMC KC-135 tankers completed the final PACER CRAG modification. Eight program depot maintenance facilities ran 25 production lines to install PACER CRAG upgrades. It took approximately 4,150 man-hours to modify each aircraft. (22)
2005: While offloading 84,000 pounds of JP-8 fuel to three aircraft over Iraq, a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 92 AREFW at Fairchild AFB achieved a historic milestone while assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. The tankers exceeded one billion pounds of fuel offloaded in the US Central Command’s theater since 30 January 2003. (22)
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