TheList5300

The List 5300 The first one had an attachment that was too large and Cowboy found a link that I have added TGB




Good Thursday Morning April 30. I hope that your week has been going well.

Regards,

skip



This day in Naval History April 30, 2019



1798 Congress establishes the Department of the Navy as a separate cabinet department. Previously, naval matters were under the cognizance of the War Department. Benjamin Stoddert is named as the first Secretary of the Navy.

1822 USS Alligator, commanded by Lt. W.W. McKean, captures the Colombian pirate schooner Ciehqua near the Windward Islands.

1942 USS Indiana (BB 58) is commissioned during World War II.

1944 USS Bang (SS 385) attacks a convoy engaged the previous night and sinks the Japanese merchant tanker Nittatsu Maru off the northwest of Luzon. Also on this date, USS Flasher (SS 249) sinks the Vichy French gunboat Tahure in the South China Sea off Cape Varella, French Indochina.

1945 USS Thomas (DE 102), USS Bostwick (DE 103), USS Coffman (DE 191) and frigate Natchez (PF 2) sink German submarine U 548 off the Virginia Capes.

1945 Navy patrol bombers PB4Y (VPB 103) and a PBY-5A Catalina aircraft flown by Lt. Fredrick G. Lake from VP 63 sink two German submarines off the coast of Brest, France.

2005 USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) conducts its second significant drug interdiction operation in the first month of its deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility, disrupting the smuggling of 4.6 metric tons of narcotics from the fishing vessel Salomon.



Thanks to CHINFO



Executive Summary:

• USS Bunker Hill conducted the Navy's second freedom-of-navigation operation of the week as it passed near the Spratly Islands on Wednesday, multiple outlets report.

• Multiple outlets report that the U.S. Navy will hold the Rim of the Pacific exercise this summer, but it will be conducted at sea only.

• Stars and Stripes reports that for the second time this month a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two islands of Japan's Okinawa prefecture





This day in World History



April 30



313

Licinius unifies the whole of the eastern Roman Empire under his own rule.


1250

King Louis IX of France is ransomed.


1527

Henry VIII of England and King Francis of France sign the Treaty of Westminster.


1563

All Jews are expelled from France by order of Charles VI.


1725

Spain withdraws from the Quadruple Alliance.


1789

George Washington is inaugurated as the first U.S. president.


1803

The United States doubles in size through the Louisiana Purchase, which was sold by France for $15 million.


1812

Louisiana is admitted into the Union as a state.


1849

Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian patriot and guerrilla leader, repulses a French attack on Rome.


1864

Work begins on the Dams along the Red River, which will allow Union General Nathaniel Banks' troops to sail over the rapids above Alexandria, Louisiana.


1930

The Soviet Union proposes a military alliance with France and Great Britain.


1931

The George Washington Bridge, linking New York City and New Jersey, opens.


1943

The British submarine HMS Seraph drops 'the man who never was,' a dead man the British planted with false invasion plans, into the Mediterranean off the coast of Spain.


1945

Adolf Hitlercommits suicide in his bunker. Karl Donitz becomes his successor.


1968

U.S. Marines attack a division of North Vietnamese troops in the village of Dai Do.


1970

U.S. troops invade Cambodia to disrupt North Vietnamese Army base areas.


1972

The North Vietnamese launch an invasion of the South.


1973

President Richard Nixon announces the resignation of Harry Robbins Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and other top aides.


1975

North Vietnamese troops enter the Independence Palace of South Vietnam in Saigon ending the Vietnam War.


1980

Terrorists seize the Iranian Embassy in London.







1945


Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his underground bunker






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Berlin Airlift: When American power was unstoppable

66th anniversary marks saving of German city from Soviet strangulation

By Thomas V. DiBacco.

.

In this era of increasing diplomatic friction with Russia over Ukraine, it would be well to remember that April 30 marks the 71st anniversary of the first, and most unbelievable, successes of American and Western foreign policy marking the beginning of the Cold War.

That was the first sign on April 30, 1949, that the Soviet Union started to ease its Berlin blockade of Western power access to the city by permitting limited canal traffic. A formal agreement ending the blockade came on May 4. It had been a 328-day siege, coming to an end thanks to the massive airlifting of supplies to the beleaguered city.

After World War II, Germany was divided into four temporary zones occupied by the United States, Great Britain, France and Soviet Union. Berlin was located 100 miles inside the eastern-located Soviet zone, and it, too, was divided into four zones, but essentially two as a result of Western powers merging their boundaries, a situation that also mirrored the larger geographical zones. Postwar agreements looked forward to a unified Germany, and Western powers initiated, first in 1947, an economic-aid program named after Secretary of State George Marshall and second in 1948, currency reform that would stabilize Germany's almost worthless existing monetary system.

The Soviets balked at both notions. Recognizing that West Berlin could produce only about a quarter of its food needs and even less of its energy requirements, they began on June 24, 1948, to block all rail, road and canal access from the west. The goal, of course, was to gain total control of the city because the Western powers, it was thought, would give up under such total blockage — or risk war. That was unlikely, given that the latter had only 22,600 troops in their Berlin section. The Soviets in their zone, on the other hand, numbered 1.5 million soldiers. Worse, at the start of the Soviet blockade, West Berliners had only 36 days of food supplies and 45 days of coal.

Gen. Lucius D. Clay, head of the U.S. Occupation Zone, set forth both the dilemma and solution: "There is no practicability in maintaining our position in Berlin, and it must not be evaluated on that basis. We are convinced that our remaining in Berlin is essential to our prestige in Germany and in Europe. Whether for good or bad, it has become a symbol of the American intent."

Hence began the largest military-diplomatic relief effort in history, as impressive as the D-Day invasion in terms of its boldness and tenacity. Operation Vittles, as the airlift was dubbed by Americans, was meticulous in terms of its planning, calculations and results. Some 1,990 calories for each of the 2.2 million West Berliners were set as the minimum daily requirement, necessitating 1,534 tons per day in food and 3,475 tons of coal and gasoline for fuel and electricity. Although Soviet fighters boasted that they would challenge the airlift, the threat was hollow. Some 400 Western-supplied cargo planes — flying stacked above each other in a 20-mile wide air corridor — arrived every three minutes at first two, then three airfields in West Berlin. On Saturday, April 16, 1949, a day before the end of Lent, a record 1,398 planes landed in what was called the Easter Parade, averaging one every 61.8 seconds.

The daily food supplies varied from 640 tons of flour to 109 tons of meat and fish, from 19 tons of powdered milk to five tons of whole milk for children, the latter dubbing the planes "candy bombers" because of their always dependable supply of sweets.

And not only were supplies brought in, but manufactured goods made by West Berliners filled returning planes. Some 175,000 ill West Berliners, including young children, were also airlifted out during the period as a result of a severe winter. The total statistical accomplishments were breathtaking: From June 24, 1948, to May 12, 1949, when the Soviets capitulated and opened up all routes to the city, more than 278,000 flights had taken off, and 1,592,787 tons of supplies had been airlifted, equal to about 1,000 pounds per West Berliner. To make certain that sufficient surpluses were built up for West Berliners, air deliveries continued until Sept. 30, 1949. To be sure, there were losses during the airlift period. Seventeen American and eight British aircraft had crashed, with 70 resulting deaths. The pilots represented not only traditional occupation-zone powers, but also Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans.

As for Americans at home, the era of the airlift was no picnic. A railroad strike, demobilization problems, short supplies, and high prices made for public unrest. Still, a national poll on Sept. 15, 1948, indicated that 85 percent backed the airlift policy, with only 7 percent opposed and 8 percent undecided.

Thomas V. DiBacco is professor emeritus at American University.



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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS

FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR APRIL 30

THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY





1908: Aviation buffs in the 1st Company, Signal Corps, New York National Guard, set up an aeronautical

corps to learn about balloons. This effort was the earliest known involvement of the guard

in aviation. (21)



1917: In World War I, Maj William "Billy" Mitchell became the first American officer to fly over the

German lines. He flew as an observer in a French aircraft. (21) (24)



1919: The Navy-Curtiss NC-4 first flew.



1946: The Army and Navy adopted a standard system for designating guided missiles and giving them

popular names. For designations, four letters would be used: A for air, S for surface, U for underwater,

and M for missile. These letters would be mixed in three letter combinations, with the

first indicating the missile's origin, the second its objective, and the third its identity as a missile.

As such, a surface-to-air missile became a SAM. (6)



1951: KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force set a new record of 960 effective sorties in one day. Two H-5

helicopters each picked up a downed UN pilot behind enemy lines. Small-arms fire damaged

one helicopter. The first indication of enemy radar-controlled antiaircraft guns came with the

loss of three out of four F-51s making an air-to-ground attack against a target at Sinmak. (28)



1952: Through 1 May, Max Conrad used a Paper Pacer to fly 2,462.33 miles from Los Angeles to

New York, setting a world distance record for light planes (aircraft with total weight in flying

order between 1,102.3 and 2,204.6 pounds). (24)



1955: Adm John H. Towers, Naval Aviator No.3, died. (24)



1962: Joseph A. Walker flew the X-15 to a record altitude of 246,750 feet for a piloted aircraft. (9)

1963: Between 30 April and 12 May, Mrs. Betty Miller made the first solo flight of a woman across

the Pacific Ocean. She made four stops in her flight from Oakland to Brisbane, Australia, in a

twin-engine Piper Apache.



1965: After a political crisis flared into a revolution in the Dominican Republic, the US intervened to

protect and evacuate American and foreign citizens. The US also provided medical aid and other

assistance. TAC and MATS transports flew 1,702 sorties to airlift 16,000 passengers and

16,086 tons of cargo to the island. (2)



1966: North American pilot Alvin S. White and Col Joseph A. Cotton saved the XB-70A (No.2) from

disaster. When the landing gear got stuck, Colonel Cotton crawled through the aircraft to reach

a relay box. Then, he used a paper clip to short out two malfunctioning terminals and lower the

gear. (3)



1967: The Air-Launched, Air-Recoverable Rocket (ALARR) completed its first operational test. It

was designed to detect and identify nuclear tests in the atmosphere. (16) (26)



1969: The USAF inactivated the last Mace unit, the 71st Tactical Missile Wing, at Bitburg AB. (4)



1973: The AWACS completed its European evaluation successfully.



1974: Maj Mike Love completed the X-24B's first powered flight after a B-52 dropped the wingless

research vehicle from 45,000 feet. (3)



1980: The Defense System Acquisition Review Council (DSARC) decided to produce Boeing's AGM-

86B as the ALCM. (3)



1981: The B-1 prototype No.4 completed its last flight to end the B-1 test program. (3)



1990: The Navy decommissioned the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier at Norfolk, Va. It went into service

in 1947. (8: Jul 90)



1996: The USAF revealed the Tacit Blue aircraft that was secretly used until 1985 to test stealth technology.

With its 56-foot wingspan, Tacit Blue furnished the technology used to produce the B-2

Spirit bomber. (26)



1997: An AFFTC aircrew launched a live Mk 84 JDAM for the first time from a B-52 at the Navy's

China Lake range. (3)



1998: The Perseus B completed its first checkout flight, reaching 15,500 feet in a one-hour flight. The

The Perseus B completed its first checkout flight, reaching 15,500 feet in a one-hour flight. The

propeller-driven RPV conducted atmospheric research in support of NASA's Environmental

Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project at altitudes up to 60,000 ft for as

long as eight hours. (3)



1999: The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB unveiled the X-34, a technology

demonstrator for a reusable space launch vehicle. (3)



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Thanks to Dr. Rich



Sixty years in 5 minutes .... memories!!



I suspect most on the list will remember a lot of this …. I do!



Click on the screenshot … or HERE for the 5 min. video



I remember most of them



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Thanks to Carl. This may help all of us as we go forward.



How to Comfort a Friend Who's Lost Someone - Life Extension



(Was in today's LEF email. Have highlighted a few points that were important to me! When I told one friend about Marla, he said "I am so shocked, I do not know what to say". I automatically replied "do not feel bad cause I do NOT know either".)



https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/how-to-comfort-a-friend-whos-lost-someone?sourcecode=BALANCE&utm_medium=email&utm_source=general-sale&utm_campaign=minimag-2020-BALANCE&utm_content=article3-readarticle&M_BT=10081929256







How To Comfort A Friend Who's Lost Someone









Your friend is in mourning. There are no words that can make the death of someone that they love "OK."

It might be tempting to say nothing rather than say the wrong thing—but indeed, now is the time to speak up—especially if you can't be there in person. The simple act of connecting (whether by phone or even online) may be a lifeboat in the sea of isolation that often overtakes people who are grieving.

That's why knowing what to say is key—as well as how often to check in. Follow these tips to comfort a friend who's lost someone.

What Does Grief Feel Like?

Comfort starts with empathy. If you've been fortunate enough to have never lost someone close to you, it can be difficult to understand exactly how your friend feels.

And even if you have, no two people will grieve exactly the same way. Make the effort to put yourself in their shoes. What will their life be like without this person?

"It is important to recognize that everyone's grief process is unique to that person," said Dr. Kathy Wilson, a clinical corporate trainer for Life Extension with a PhD in psychology. "The one thing we can do is offer support, empathy, compassion and kindness."

So how do you know what your friend is going through—whether it's anger, sadness, anxiety, numbness, or all of the above? Ask. And be there to listen to the answer.

What Your Grieving Friend Wishes You Would Say

If you think someone who is grieving expects wisdom from you—sage advice that you can't readily produce—you might be relieved to hear that your friend's needs are much more straightforward.

"Assure these individuals that they are not a burden and you are here to listen to and support them," Dr. Wilson advised. "It is important to let them know that you care for them, you are here for them, you are willing to listen no matter the time of day. Even sitting with them on the phone in silence can provide foundational support they need to keep going."

Andrea Row, who leads the Buffalo, NY, chapter of Soaring Spirits International, a grief support organization for widows, remembers that it was this kind of support that was most helpful to her when she lost her husband.

"What someone in mourning needs to hear the most is, 'I am here to listen and to be there for you if you want to cry,'" she advised.

Sharing a favorite memory or photo of the person who has died can also be a very meaningful gesture, Row added.

What NOT to Say to a Grieving Friend

Some things you should NOT say to your friend include:

I went through the same experience. Or worse: What I went through was even more painful. Focus on what your friend is going through rather than making this about yourself.

You'll feel better soon. Row said that the second year of her widowhood was harder than the first, and that even more than a decade later, she still feels a wave of fresh grief with every one of her children's milestones she witnesses without her husband present. Judgement from family and friends that she should be "over this already" has been hurtful.

You were doing so well yesterday, what happened? People in mourning may seem to cheer up one day and then return to sadness the next day—this rollercoaster of emotions is part of the process and not something to chide them about. "Remind them that you are there for them in the good times and the bad," said Dr. Wilson.

It was God's will, or other religious explanations that depict your friend's grief as a "silver lining." Even if your friend shares your faith, this is not the time to try to put a positive spin on a devastating situation.

If you notice someone else making unhelpful comments, piping in, "Those are not words of comfort," can gently guide the conversation in the right direction, Row advised.

Things You Can Do Online To Comfort Your Friend

Saying that you care is important—but showing your support can go even further. In an ideal universe, you'd be able to mow your friend's lawn, make them dinner, or walk their dog. If distance (whether social or old-fashioned geography) makes that impossible, here are some ways you can help online:

Connect your friend to online support groups.

Order delivery of food or groceries for your friend.

Organize a to-do list of chores your friend needs taken care of and ask people in your circle to volunteer to help—whether it's communicating about the memorial or running errands. This will help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that comes with grieving. (Soaring Spirits offers this to-do list in its Newly Widowed Packet.)

What If Your Friend Reacts Poorly to Your Gestures?

So you've followed the script of what to say and do, carefully avoided landmines, like judging how long your friend should be sad…only to have your words met with radio silence.

Or worse: anger.

Try not to read into it.

In the months following her husband's death, Row admits that she found herself annoyed by harmless pleasantries, such as "How are you?" She would fume to herself, "How do you think I'm doing?"

She also says she probably did not say thanks to all of the people who reached out to her to express sympathy: "I was just so overwhelmed."

Keep reaching out—manners may be the last thing on your friend's mind.

How Long Will Your Friend Need Support?

Is there a certain time when you should stop asking how your friend is doing? Not really, said Dr. Wilson: "Grief does not follow a specific timeline. They may have a day when they feel great, and then something may trigger them and send them downward again. The best thing you can do is continue to offer support."

If you think about other friends or family who have lost someone in the past few years, maybe you realize you've not done a great job of checking in. Perhaps you were their rock at the funeral, but then life got busy and they seemed "fine," so you stopped asking if they needed to talk.

There's no time like the present to call these friends to let them know they are in your thoughts. Meanwhile, set some reminders on your phone to reach out to the bereaved:

On the birthday of the person who died, as well as the one who survived. If they have an anniversary, that date is important, too.

On the holidays—see if they want company at Christmas or can join your Thanksgiving table.

On the anniversary of the day the person died.

On Mother's Day or Father's Day, if those holidays are significant.

Any other days that were important to your friend or the person he or she lost—maybe the survivor's mother was known for her over-the-top Academy Awards watch parties, or your friend and his partner loved a musician who will be on tour next year. Send a text saying how great the new track is and that you're thinking of them both.

Row notes that one of the hardest parts of becoming a widow was her social isolation. Most of her friends had been couples, and then she became the awkward third wheel. As the years passed, friends seemed less sympathetic about her loss and dropped her from the invites. If you're part of a greater friend circle, make every effort to be inclusive, long after the grief is fresh.

What If Your Friend Expresses Suicidal Intent?

Unfortunately, suicide is not uncommon when someone loses their "person." Upon losing their spouse, for example, men are 90 times more likely and women are 120 times more likely than the general population to commit suicide. Studies show, however, that intervention from friends and family can help.

If you are concerned about your friend's safety, Dr. Wilson advised reaching out immediately for professional assistance. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a good place to start.

"You can offer to go with them if they do not feel comfortable driving," Dr. Wilson added. "You are showing your support and concern by getting them the help that they need."

Managing Your Own Emotions

You want to be a good friend and help a friend in mourning—that's great. But perhaps this death has impacted you as well—if not as grief, as anxiety. Those are emotions that need to be worked through.

Even if you didn't know the person who died, every time someone loses someone, it hits close to home; there may be a little voice inside of your head whispering, "That could have been my mother, my father, my spouse, my child. It could have been me."

And maybe you feel guilty for this thought. Don't. Death impacts us all.

"Supporting someone while ignoring your own stress, anxiety or sadness will only hurt you in the end. It is important to recognize your limitations and only give as much as you can," Dr. Wilson said. "If you are caring for someone who is grieving, recognize when things are triggering to you and make sure that you voice your feelings to someone who is trusted."

She added that it's important to practice self-care, particularly when your stress levels increase. This includes:

Eating regular, healthy meals

Getting exercise

Maintaining normal sleep habits

Going outside to experience sunshine and fresh air

When you take time for yourself and to manage your own emotions, you'll be in a better place to empathize with your friend. Which ultimately is what she or he needs right now, more than anything.









Thanks to Carl

Documentary Highlights America's Hidden Diabetes Epidemic



(Another outstanding video: "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" by Dr Robert Lustig, UCSF - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM And a good link in Comments. Notice this one has over 10M views!)



https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/04/30/blood-sugar-rising.aspx?cid_source=dnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1HL&cid=20200430Z1&et_cid=DM521283&et_rid=861874654



Diabetes Can Increase Complications of COVID-19

by Dr. Joseph Mercola April 30, 2020



Blood Sugar Rising | Full Episode | PBS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=2pBVbAHkC7M&feature=emb_logo Premiered Apr 24, 2020

Official Website: https://www.pbs.org/bloodsugar | #BloodSugarPBS Blood Sugar Rising follows the diabetes epidemic in the U.S. Diabetes and pre-diabetes affect over 100 million people in the US, costing more than $325 billion each year. Blood Sugar Rising puts human faces to these statistics, exploring the history and science of the illness through portraits of Americans whose stories shape the film.





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.



https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/national-security/article242237781.html



.



Thanks to "Boot"Hill

From: Thomas Hill <tbhill1223@cox.net>
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 12:21 AM
Subject: VA to Study Increased Cancers at K2 in Uzbekistan



To All,


For those who have been following the health and cancer issues associated with Burn Pits and the base K2 in Uzbekistan, this is a huge step forward for the investigation of cancers related to military service. Of course, it took a member of Congress who served their as a Doctor, who now is battling cancer, to push the issue. My question is "Why so long and difficult?". Here is a link to the VA Programs for R&D - I would think cancers attacking our service members who served overseas would trump some of these, especially since a number seem redundant.
https://www.research.va.gov/programs/

Thanks to McClatchy News and especially to Tara Copp!





Tom "Boot" Hill"We're now a country created by geniuses but now run by idiots". Many, and all smarter than me…



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Hanks to Mugs



Stanford Report

Interesting Stanford study that parallels most of the findings by the two Docs from Bakersfield. You Tube pulled their video. Hope they don't do that to this one.

Looks like a lot of our "experts" focused on the UK study that forecast 2.2M deaths in the US.





Watch this asap before it's taken down like the Ca. docs were.



Very interesting and "inconvenient news" for our so-called intelligentsia… Obviously, if your "model" and/or your base assumptions are incorrect, the extrapolated numbers can be way off. Welcome, to the recently released "Stanford" study…

Joe: I just don't the heart to pass this on the "believers" @ SBUX. Am sure it would(will) cause all sorts of angst as it just doesn't fit into the "talktrak!"





https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=vrhjp6_Bmbc&app=desktop#dialog





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Thanks to Shadow

Late Disclosures in Flynn Case--FBI Goal to Get Flynn Fired - The Federalist - APRIL 29, 2020 By Sean Davis

Begin forwarded message:



From: roy stafford <rwstafford1@comcast.net>

Subject: Re: Late Disclosures in Flynn Case--FBI Goal to Get Flynn Fired - The Federalist - APRIL 29, 2020 By Sean Davis

Date: April 30, 2020 at 8:13:39 AM EDT

To: Gerald Collins <gmc@gmcpi.com>



My point is… where the hell is Wray in all this? The Bureau has had this all along during his watch and it never saw the light of day until Burr forced it out. If he worked for me, I'd fire the son of a bitch immediately for being complicit in furthering the coverup. It's obvious… we have a shadow government that still exists.

Shadow



On Apr 30, 2020, at 7:58 AM, Gerald Collins <gmc@gmcpi.com> wrote:


https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/29/explosive-new-flynn-documents-show-fbi-goal-was-to-get-him-fired/ <https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/29/explosive-new-flynn-documents-show-fbi-goal-was-to-get-him-fired/>

Mike C

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Added by Rich



Wray has done all he can to cover up for his fellow conspirators in this coup attempt. Sidney Powell tore the curtain away and she will see to it that these people get prosecuted.

Another Q is "Where's Mueller been?" in all this. He and his crew knew exactly what was going on and never said a word. He is knee deep in this plot.

Take them all outside and let them enjoy the Che Experience.

Sent from my iPhone





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1803 – During the early moments of the nineteenth century, the United States government wheeled and dealed its way into what is generally regarded as the "greatest land bargain" in the nation's history, the Louisiana Purchase. The deal, which was dated April 30, 1803, though it was in fact signed on May 2, had been in the works since the spring of 1802. It was then that President Thomas Jefferson had learned of Spain's decision to quietly transfer Spanish Louisiana to the French; fearful of the strategic and commercial implications of the Spanish swap, Jefferson ordered Robert Livingston, the U.S. minister in Paris, to broker a deal with the French either for a slice of land on the lower Mississippi or a "guarantee" of unmolested transport for U.S. ships. Negotiations dragged on for months, but took a crucial turn when Spanish and U.S. trade relations collapsed in the fall of 1802. With Spain now barring American merchant ships from transferring goods at the port in New Orleans, Jefferson set his sights on purchasing a far larger chunk of land. In early 1803, James Monroe headed to Paris to broker Jefferson's deal. With France teetering on the brink of war with Great Britain, and mindful not only of the fiscal repercussions of such a conflict, but of the possibility of a renewed U.S.-English alliance, Napoleon's negotiators acceded to a deal to sell the whole of Louisiana. All told, the Louisiana Purchase cost the U.S. $15 million: $11.25 million was earmarked for the land deal, while the remaining $3.75 million covered France's outstanding debts to America. Thus, for the prime price of 3 cents an acre, the United States bought 828,000-square miles of land, which effectively doubled the size of the young nation.



1944 – US Task Force 58 (Admiral Mitscher) raids the Japanese base at Truk for a second day. Over the two days, the Japanese lose 93 aircraft out of a total 104 while the Americans lose 35 planes. Meanwhile, American Admiral Oldendorf leads a force of 9 cruisers and 8 destroyers to bombard targets in the Sawatan Islands, southeast of Truk.



1945 – On Okinawa, Japanese counterattacks and infiltration attempts along the Shuri Line area are defeated. There is heavy fighting in the Maeda and Kochi Ridge positions. The US 1st Marine and 77th Divisions replace the US 27th and 96th Divisions in the line.

This battle started on 1 April and goes for 92 days



1975 – By dawn, communist forces move into Saigon, where they meet only sporadic resistance. The South Vietnamese forces had collapsed under the rapid advancement of the North Vietnamese. The most recent fighting had begun in December 1974, when the North Vietnamese had launched a major attack against the lightly defended province of Phuoc Long, located due north of Saigon along the Cambodian border, overrunning the provincial capital at Phuoc Binh on January 6, 1975. Despite previous presidential promises to provide aid in such a scenario, the United States did nothing. By this time, Nixon had resigned from office and his successor, Gerald Ford, was unable to convince a hostile Congress to make good on Nixon's earlier promises to rescue Saigon from communist takeover. This situation emboldened the North Vietnamese, who launched a new campaign in March 1975. The South Vietnamese forces fell back in total disarray, and once again, the United States did nothing. The South Vietnamese abandoned Pleiku and Kontum in the Highlands with very little fighting. Then Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang fell to the communist onslaught. The North Vietnamese continued to attack south along the coast toward Saigon, defeating the South Vietnamese forces at each encounter. The South Vietnamese 18th Division had fought a valiant battle at Xuan Loc, just to the east of Saigon, destroying three North Vietnamese divisions in the process. However, it proved to be the last battle in the defense of the Republic of South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese forces held out against the attackers until they ran out of tactical air support and weapons, finally abandoning Xuan Loc to the communists on April 21. Having crushed the last major organized opposition before Saigon, the North Vietnamese got into position for the final assault. In Saigon, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned and transferred authority to Vice President Tran Van Huong before fleeing the city on April 25. By April 27, the North Vietnamese had completely encircled Saigon and began to maneuver for a complete takeover. When they attacked at dawn on April 30, they met little resistance. North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace and the war came to an end. North Vietnamese Col. Bui Tin accepted the surrender from Gen. Duong Van Minh, who had taken over after Tran Van Huong spent only one day in power. Tin explained to Minh, "You have nothing to fear. Between Vietnamese there are no victors and no vanquished. Only the Americans have been beaten. If you are patriots, consider this a moment of joy. The war for our country is over."



Congressional Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day



VARGAS, M. SANDO, JR.
Rank and organization: Major (then Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. Place and date: Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam, 30 April to 2 May 1968. Entered service at: Winslow, Ariz. Born: 29 July 1940, Winslow, Ariz. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer, Company G, in action against enemy forces from 30 April to 2 May 1968. On 1 May 1968, though suffering from wounds he had incurred while relocating his unit under heavy enemy fire the preceding day, Maj. Vargas combined Company G with two other companies and led his men in an attack on the fortified village of Dai Do. Exercising expert leadership, he maneuvered his marines across 700 meters of open rice paddy while under intense enemy mortar, rocket and artillery fire and obtained a foothold in 2 hedgerows on the enemy perimeter, only to have elements of his company become pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Leading his reserve platoon to the aid of his beleaguered men, Maj. Vargas inspired his men to renew their relentless advance, while destroying a number of enemy bunkers. Again wounded by grenade fragments, he refused aid as he moved about the hazardous area reorganizing his unit into a strong defense perimeter at the edge of the village. Shortly after the objective was secured the enemy commenced a series of counterattacks and probes which lasted throughout the night but were unsuccessful as the gallant defenders of Company G stood firm in their hard-won enclave. Reinforced the following morning, the marines launched a renewed assault through Dai Do on the village of Dinh To, to which the enemy retaliated with a massive counterattack resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Maj. Vargas remained in the open, encouraging and rendering assistance to his marines when he was hit for the third time in the 3-day battle. Observing his battalion commander sustain a serious wound, he disregarded his excruciating pain, crossed the fire-swept area and carried his commander to a covered position, then resumed supervising and encouraging his men while simultaneously assisting in organizing the battalion's perimeter defense. His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

He now lives in Poway Ca. and is a really nice man



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Thanks to Brockton Wagner .



.Subject: Watch "USS Arizona (Inside the Wreck!!)" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/q0TpsfxGDdo



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