Good Sunday Morning November 8, 2020.
I hope that your weekend is going well.
We actually got rain here in San Diego and more is forecast for today. Picking up leaves is not my favorite chore and now they are wet. I will let them dry a bit before I do anymore.
This next week we will Celebrate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps on 10 November and Veterans Day on 11 November
Regards
Skip
This day in Naval History
1861 During the Civil War, Capt. Charles Wilkes, commanding the warship San Jacinto, seizes two Confederate diplomats from the British steamer Trent, causing an international controversy with Great Britain known as the Trent Affair.
1942 In Operation Torch, American and British forces land in Morocco and Algeria. The U.S. Navy sees most of its action around Casablanca and elsewhere on Morocco's Atlantic coast. This ambitious trans-oceanic amphibious operation gives the Allies bases for future operations. In six more months, all of North Africa is cleared of Axis forces, opening the way for an invasion of Italy.
1943 USS Bluefish (SS 222) sinks the Japanese army tanker Kyokeui Maru in the South China Sea off the northwest coast of Luzon while USS Rasher (SS 269) sinks the Japanese merchant tanker Tango Maru in Makassar Strait and survives counterattacks by auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 41.
1956 Navy Stratolab balloon, piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Malcolm D. Ross and Lt. Cmdr. M. Lee Lewis, surpasses the world height record by soaring to 76,000 ft. over Black Hills, S.D. The flight gathers meteorological, cosmic ray, and other scientific data. For this record ascent, the men are awarded the 1957 Harmon International Trophy for Aeronauts.
1975 More than 100 Sailors and Marines from USS Inchon (LPH 12) and USS Shreveport (LPD 12) fight a fire aboard a Spanish merchant vessel at Palma.
1985 In a change of tradition, the rank of Commodore is changed to Rear Adm. Lower Half. The rank of Commodore had been in use since the beginning of the United States Navy.
1990 President George H. W. Bush announces decision to double the number of carrier battle groups deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield. By Jan. 15, 1991, USS Ranger (CV 61), USS America (CV 66), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) were to join USS Midway (CV 41), USS Saratoga (CV 60), and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).
1991 USS Lexington (AVT 16) is decommissioned at NAS Pensacola, FL. She was commissioned on Feb. 17, 1943.
No CHINFO on the weekend
Today in History November 8
392 | Theodosius of Rome passes legislation prohibiting all pagan worship in the empire. | |
1226 | Louis IX succeeds Louis VIII as king of France. | |
1576 | The 17 provinces of the Netherlands form a federation to maintain peace. | |
1620 | The King of Bohemia is defeated at the Battle of Prague. | |
1685 | Fredrick William of Brandenburg issues the Edict of Potsdam, offering Huguenots refuge. | |
1793 | The Louvre opens in Paris. But wasn't it already a Palace and it merely opens to the people? | |
1861 | Charles Wilkes seizes Confederate commissioners John Slidell and James M. Mason from the British ship Trent. | |
1864 | President Abraham Lincoln is re-elected in the first wartime election in the United States. | |
1887 | Doc Holliday, who fought on the side of the Earp brothers during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral 6 years earlier, dies of tuberculosis in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. | |
1889 | Montana becomes the 41st state of the Union. | |
1900 | Theodore Dresier's first novel Sister Carrie is published by Doubleday, but is recalled from stores shortly due to public sentiment. | |
1904 | President Theodore Roosevelt is elected president of the United States. He had been vice president until the shooting death of President William McKinley. | |
1910 | The Democrats prevail in congressional elections for the first time since 1894. | |
1923 | Adolf Hitler attempts a coup in Munich, the "Beer Hall Putsch," and proclaims himself chancellor and Ludendorff dictator. . | |
1932 | Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected 32nd president of the United States. | |
1938 | Crystla Bird Fauset of Pennsylvania, becomes the first African-American woman to be elected to a state legislature. | |
1942 | The United States and Great Britain invade Axis-occupied North Africa. | |
1960 | John F. Kennedy is elected 35th president, defeating Republican candidate Richard Nixon in the closest election, by popular vote, since 1880. | |
1965 | Vietnam War, Operation Hump: US 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team ambushed by over 1,200 Viet Cong in Bien Hoa Province. Nearby, in the Gang Toi Hills, a company of the Royal Australian Regiment also engaged Viet Cong forces. | |
1966 | Republican Edward Brooke of Massachusetts becomes the first African American elected to the Senate in 85 years. | |
1977 | Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos discovers what is believed to be the tomb of Philip II of Macedon at Vergina in northern Greece. | |
1983 | Wilson B. Goode is elected as the first black mayor of the city of Philadelphia. | |
1987 | A dozen people are killed and over 60 wounded when the IRA detonates a bomb during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, honoring those who had died in wars involving British forces. | |
2000 | Dispute begins over US presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore; Supreme Court ruling on Dec. 12 results in a 271-266 electoral victory for Bush. | |
2004 | More than 10,000 US troops and a few Iraqi army units besiege an insurgent stronghold at Fallujah. | |
2013 | Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, slams into the Philippines, with sustained winds of 195 mpg (315 kph) and gusts up to 235 mph (380 kph); over 5,000 are killed (date is Nov 7 in US). |
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The eighth of November the battle and the song
Open the site below to in order see the whole article and play the video which contains the Big and Rich song the 8th of November. Very good.
If the below does not work just Google 8th of November
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw_UJwwI_Is
Video embedded · 118 Responses to November 8, 1965 – Operation Hump. A tribute to the brave ... Rich's song 8th of November to teach about Vietnam to ... up November 8, 1965 ...
November 8, 1965 – Operation Hump. A tribute to the brave men who fought this one….
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.
-Theodore Roosevelt-
Every once in a while I like to pay tribute to certain troops who have sacrificed their all fighting for the American Military. This tribute goes back to the Vietnam war, to Operation Hump. A search and destroy mission that was fought from November 5 – 8th, of 1965, and involved the 173rd Airborne brigade, and some troops from Australia. The total force for the American forces that day were about 400. The enemy who ambushed the 173rd, numbered around 1200. Here is their story, along with the video of the song 8th of November by Big and Rich, with an introduction by Kris Kristofferson.
Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated on 5 November 1965[1] by the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in an area about 17.5 miles north of Bien Hoa. The 1st Battalion,[2] Royal Australian Regiment, deployed south of the Dong Nai River while the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, conducted a helicopter assault on an LZ northwest of the Dong Nai and Song Be Rivers. Little contact was made through 7 November, when B and C Companies settled into a night defensive position southeast of Hill 65, a triple-canopy jungled hill.
Operation detail
At about 0600 on the morning of 8 November C Company began a move northwest toward Hill 65, while B Company moved northeast toward Hill 78. Shortly before 0800, C Company was engaged by a sizable enemy force well dug in to the southern face of Hill 65. At 0845, B Company was directed to wheel in place and proceed toward Hill 65 with the intention of relieving C Company.
B Company reached the foot of Hill 65 at about 0930 and moved up the hill. It became obvious that there was a large enemy force in place on the hill, C Company was getting hammered, and by chance, B Company was forcing the enemy's right flank.
Under pressure from B Company's flanking attack the enemy force—most of a People's Liberation Armed Forces (Viet Cong) regiment—moved to the northwest, whereupon the B Company commander called in air and artillery fire on the retreating troops. B Company halted in place in an effort to locate and consolidate with C Company's platoons, managing to establish a coherent defensive line running around the hilltop from southeast to northwest, but with little cover on the southern side.
Meanwhile, the PLAF commander realized that his best chance was to close with the US forces so that the 173rd's air and artillery fire could not be effectively employed. PLAF troops attempted to out-flank the US position atop the hill from both the east and the southwest, moving his troops closer to the Americans. The result was shoulder-to-shoulder attacks up the hillside, hand-to-hand fighting, and isolation of parts of B and C Companies but the Americans held against two such attacks. Although the fighting continued after the second massed attack, it reduced in intensity as the PLAF troops again attempted to disengage and withdraw. By late afternoon it seemed that contact had been broken off, allowing the two companies to prepare a night defensive position while collecting their dead and wounded in the center of the position. Although a few of the most seriously wounded were extracted by USAF helicopters using Stokes litters, the triple-canopy jungle prevented the majority from being evacuated until the morning of 9 November.
Operation results and aftermath
The result of the battle was heavy losses on both sides—48 Paratroopers dead, many more wounded, and 403 dead PLAF troops.
Operation Hump is memorialized in a song by Big and Rich named 8 November (Introduction, by Kris Kristofferson):
"On November 8th 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on "Operation Hump", war zone "D" in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1200 VC. 48 American soldiers lost their lives that day. Severely wounded and risking his own life, Lawrence Joel, a medic, was the first living black man since the Spanish-American War to receive the United States Medal of Honor for saving so many lives in the midst of battle that day. Our friend, Niles Harris, retired 25 years United States Army, the guy who gave Big Kenny his top hat, was one of the wounded who lived. This song is his story. Caught in the action of kill or be killed, greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend.
To me, it is amazing that any of the American forces survived this battle, as the enemy outnumbered the Americans 3 to 1. But the casualties tell the story. On the American side there were 48 killed, many wounded. 2 Australian MIA's *located and repatriated to Australia on the 5th of June, 2007. The Commanders for the American side was the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The Commanders for the People's Liberation Armed Forces (Viet Cong) are unknown. Their strength was around 1,200 and they lost 403 that day. The result was a standoff. To me, that means the American forces that day did America proud. And I am very proud of what the American soldiers did on that bloody day on the 8th of November, 1965.
Here is the video. OPEN THE SITE ABOVE TO SEE THE VIDEO
This my friends is what we should be proud of. The ability of Americans to do the impossible. And to come out of it not losing. The song 8th of November is about one of those brave men that fought that day against overwhelming odds…..and lived to tell about it. God bless these men who fought and died that day for the American might, against oppressive odds.
As an addition to this, I got a comment from a Dutch Holland, who was there on the 8th of November, of 1965, and fought in that battle. He was wounded there. He gave some additional information that I felt needed to be added here.
I was wounded on Hill 65 during Operation Hump (B1/503d) and would like to add more history to our legacy. After the battle of Hill 65 the 1st Infantry Division found hospital records from the 272nd VC Regiment when they took over one of their unit locations. In those records the 272nd recorded over 800 deaths on or near Hill 65 on the 8th of November. The 272nd was attached to the elite VC 9th Division who the 173d Airborne Brigade went against throughout their tour in the War Zone "D" area. I would also like to mention and thank the USAF ParaMedics (PJ's) who delivered us critical ammo and med supplies during our battle.
So that being added, I have to add, God bless all you who fought this battle, and Thank You all for your service.
God Bless America, her troops and her people
God Bless my readers, my listeners on BTR and my viewers on You Tube…
-Robert-
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Thanks to Dr. Rich
FLY NAVY!!
✈️ 🇺🇸
Tam
The team captured the goodbye in gorgeous images and video. Now they will complete their transition to the Super Hornet.
More photos and video:
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Thanks to YP ..,
So, wot's all this SLUFF (A-7) chit?
Spent lots of time on the platform with my LSO buds Worm and Weed, and was poised to dive for the net watching Whales (A3D=All Three Dead) and Viggies. Got to watch an RA-5 while standing on the ladder of my Scoot, just fwd of the angle, pull out a wire and break it, then try to fly. Looked like the Whale accident at 5:44, except that they were in afterburners and descended immediately into the drink. Huge splash. R/N tried to eject, but too late: the down vector of the airplane was greater than the up vector of the seat. It was the Skipper of the Viggie squadron, who possibly should have known better. Saw a helmet floating in the crash mess before the whole thing sank.
Never volunteered for a back seat hop in either of those two planes.
YP, 1200 hr Crusader driver, no wrecks or ejections. Too loud and dumb...
On Nov 7, 2020, at 11:54 PM, bud southworth wrote:
Don't get cocky kid
How about some USN A/C Landing Mishaps and Crashes FS 25:09 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPlqoeaPUu4
Selected choice viewer comments about this feature:
They luv Saders 'n Whales.
Some aircraft and personnel were damaged during the production of this film. No stunt actors were required.
A navy aviator explained to me landing on a carrier at night this way: Put a postage stamp on one side of the room, go to the other side, turn the lights off and run and dive to that stamp and land on it with your tongue.
I can simplify the whole instruction film: eject for any problem!
Anybody here ever see the a-4 that was hanging off the angle deck, I think that was the Saratoga, nope just found it, USS Shangri-La and they pulled in with the plane hanging there from what I was told.
http://www.skyhawk.org/page/flight-operations
The crusader seemed unstable on carrier approaches
The Crusader was unstable just sitting still. :o)
Those F-8 Crusaders look like they're a messy handful trying to land. It also looks like they must've been responsible for 3/4 of all the USN carrier landing accidents! Sheesh! Still a great looking jet with that very unique variable-incidence wing which frankly seems like it was a great idea and surprised it wasn't used more often in other later models. I'm guessing it was too much mechanism for something that was probably unnecessary, similar to variable geometry wings. But the F-8 with that big old pelican intake, definitely a classic.
The only thing uglier than an F8 Crusader is watching one try to land. I have heard they were terrible to fly and most of those built ended up being destroyed in accidents. Is this true? Twas it the Ltjg Killer?
Sad thing about those A-3D Whale they can't eject from that aircraft
Good luck ejecting from that A3D "Whale" at 5:44. The only way to effect an emergency egress from the A3D Skywarrior was via a tunnel that the 3-man aircrew had to slide down which lead to a hatch on the underside of the aircraft. The aircraft was essentially a death trap in the event of a carrier landing/launch mishap, which is why, with typical gallows humor, aircrews joked that the BuAer designation "A3D" was said to stand for "All Three Dead".
The three man Douglas A3-D Skywarrior, at 25:09, is good example of why this bird, when in trouble, referred to as 'All Three Dead.' Amen to that.
The scariest time was a night cat shot in an A-3. No ejection seats. #10 in this video was an A-3 Whale. I flew them and it was crap. They had been in the Davis Mothan graveyard in Tucson. They were brought back during Viet Nam. How I survived was God's grace. On two tours we had a 20% loss in aircrews and a 25% loss in aircraft, each tour.
Interesting that they would show an A-3 Skywarrior when talking about ejecting during a "cold cat" launch since there were NO ejection seats in the Skywarrior. That jet was a death trap and never should have been approved for use aboard an aircraft carrier (or anywhere for that matter)
From: bud southworth
Subject: Down to the Wire
Guys, here's a 25 minute golden oldie. "Roger Ball." Sweet dreams tonight.
Down to the Wire; FS 28:35 min 1970. Naval Air Basic Training in 1970, from Preflight to VT-4.Carrier Qualification:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aytntNOrQE
Bud
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This Day in U S Military History
November 8
1864 – Rear Admiral Farragut, writing Secretary Welles, expressed his deeply held conviction that effective seapower was not dependent so much on a particular kind of ship or a specific gun but rather on the officers and men who manned them: . . . I think the world is sadly mistaken when it supposes that battles are won by this or that kind of gun or vessel. In my humble opinion the Kearsarge would have captured or sunk the Alabama as often as they might have met under the same organization and officers. The best gun and the best vessel should certainly be chosen, but the victory three times out of four depends upon those who fight them. I do not believe that the result would have been different if the Kearsarge had had nothing but a battery of 8-inch guns and 100-pound chase rifle. What signifies the size and caliber of the gun if you do not hit your adversary?"
1889 – Montana became the 41st state. The state's name is derived from the Spanish word montaña (mountain). Montana has several nicknames, although none official, including "Big Sky Country" and "The Treasure State", and slogans that include "Land of the Shining Mountains" and more recently "The Last Best Place". The land in Montana east of the continental divide was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Subsequent to the Lewis and Clark Expedition American, British and French fur traders operated in both east and western portions of Montana. Until the Oregon Treaty (1846), land west of the continental divide was disputed between the British and U.S. and was known as the Oregon Country. The first permanent settlement in what today is Montana was St. Mary's (1841) near present day Stevensville.
1942 – Operation Torch. The Allies land in French North Africa. There are three main task forces: The Western Task Force, commanded by General Patton, is comprised of 35,000 troops. It is supported by naval forces under Admiral Hewitt (two battleships, one fleet carrier, four escort carriers and numerous cruisers and destroyers); the Central Task Force, commanded by General Fredendall is comprised of 39,000 American troops. Commodore Toubridge commands its naval support force (two escort carriers and many smaller ships); the Eastern Task Force, contains 52 warships and 33,000 soldiers, led by General Ryder and Admiral Burroughs. The British contingent, 87th Division is supported by Admiral Syfret commanding British Force H, comprised of three battleships, three fleet carriers and a strong force of cruisers and destroyers. The Western Task force lands at three places along a 200 mile front around Casablanca. The Central is to land in and around Oran and the Eastern Task force lands in Algiers. The Eastern force at Algiers makes good early progress and quickly captures the town. A prize prisoner is found in Admiral Darlan, a prominent leader of the Vichy government, who is there on private business. At Oran, the Central Force is not as quickly successful and two destroyers are lost in an attempt to rush the harbor. By night, however the landings are well established and the airfield at Tafaraiu is in Allied hands. An American manned Spitfire force is ready to begin operations. The Western Task force at Casablanca runs into the greatest opposition. The French battleship Jean Bart, at anchor but armed fights a gun battle with the USS Massechusetts. The French destroyer flotilla in the port fights as well but are driven off or sunk. Landings at Port Lyautey face fierce fighting, those at Safi go well. In total there are 1800 casualties. The landings receive some help from Free French supporters. This is most effective at Algiers where General Mast limits the French reaction so that the landings are not hindered. Both Mast and the Allied leaders are surprised to find Admiral Darlan a prisoner and negotiations for an armistice begin with him immediately. In Casablanca, support for the invasion is lower as General Nogues is less sympathetic to the Allied cause and Admiral Michelier, head of the naval forces there, is virulently anti-British. The Allies take care to present Operation Torch to the French as an American operation to minimize the anti-British feeling prevalent with many French officials. The British have been responsible for allaying Spanish fears to enlist their support against a possible German move through Gibraltar. Both the American and the British assure Spain her neutrality will be respected.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
*CRAW, DEMAS T.
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date. Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Entered service at: Michigan. Born: 9 April 1900, Traverse City, Mich. G.O. No.: 11, 4 March 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Col. Craw volunteered to accompany the leading wave of assault boats to the shore and pass through the enemy lines to locate the French commander with a view to suspending hostilities. This request was first refused as being too dangerous but upon the officer's ins1stence that he was qualified to undertake and accomplish the mission he was allowed to go. Encountering heavy fire while in the landing boat and unable to dock in the river because of shell fire from shore batteries, Col. Craw, accompanied by 1 officer and 1 soldier, succeeded in landing on the beach at Mehdia Plage under constant low-level strafing from 3 enemy planes. Riding in a bantam truck toward French headquarters, progress of the party was hindered by fire from our own naval guns. Nearing Port Lyautey, Col. Craw was instantly killed by a sustained burst of machinegun fire at pointblank range from a concealed position near the road.
HAMILTON, PIERPONT M.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park, N.Y. G.O. No.: 4, 23 January 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered to accompany Col. Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to bring about a cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire from 3 low-flying hostile planes. Driven in a light truck toward French headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered upon the truck from pointblank range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately, after this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission .
WILBUR, WILLIAM H.
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army, Western Task Force, North Africa. Place and date: Fedala, North Africa, 8 November 1942. Entered service at: Palmer, Mass. Birth: Palmer, Mass. G.O. No.: 2, 13 January 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Col. Wilbur prepared the plan for making contact with French commanders in Casablanca and obtaining an armistice to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. On 8 November 1942, he landed at Fedala with the leading assault waves where opposition had developed into a firm and continuous defensive line across his route of advance. Commandeering a vehicle, he was driven toward the hostile defenses under incessant fire, finally locating a French officer who accorded him passage through the forward positions. He then proceeded in total darkness through 16 miles of enemy-occupied country intermittently subjected to heavy bursts of fire, and accomplished his mission by delivering his letters to appropriate French officials in Casablanca. Returning toward his command, Col. Wilbur detected a hostile battery firing effectively on our troops. He took charge of a platoon of American tanks and personally led them in an attack and capture of the battery. From the moment of landing until the cessation of hostile resistance, Col. Wilbur's conduct was voluntary and exemplary in its coolness and daring.
*WILSON, ALFRED L.
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 328th Infantry, 26th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Bezange la Petite, France, 8 November 1944. Entered service at: Fairchance, Pa. Birth: Fairchance, Pa. G.O. No.: 47, 18 June 1945. Citation: He volunteered to assist as an aid man a company other than his own, which was suffering casualties from constant artillery fire. He administered to the wounded and returned to his own company when a shellburst injured a number of its men. While treating his comrades he was seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter bearers sent to relieve him. In spite of great pain and loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until he was too weak to stand. Crawling from 1 patient to another, he continued his work until excessive loss of blood prevented him from moving. He then verbally directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first aid for the wounded. Still refusing assistance himself, he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper and finally lapsed into unconsciousness. The effects of his injury later caused his death. By steadfastly remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety, Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least 10 wounded men.
JOEL, LAWRENCE
Rank and organization: Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1965, Entered service at: New York City, N.Y. G.O. No.: 15, 5 April 1967. Born: 22 February 1928, Winston-Salem, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
*RUBIO, EURIPIDES
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, RVN. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1966. Entered service at: Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Born: 1 March 1938, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Rubio, Infantry, was serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received 2 serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, re-established positions and rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. Capt. Rubio was wounded a third time as he selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen dangerously close to the friendly lines. Capt. Rubio ran to reposition the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his several wounds, Capt. Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions. Capt. Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of battle, and his extraordinary leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on Capt. Rubio and the U.S. Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for November 8, 2020 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
8 November
1934: Capt Edward V. Rickenbacker, Capt Charles W. France, and Silas Morehouse flew from Los Angeles to Newark in 12 hours 3 minutes 50 seconds. In doing so, they set a new record for passenger transport. (9)
1942: MEDAL OF HONOR. Through 11 November, Army and carrier-based airplanes supported the invasion of North Africa, and American troops landed on French-held territory. Colonel Demas T. Craw of XII Tactical Air Command volunteered to negotiate an armistice between the US and French. On the way to the negotiations, he was killed by machine gun fire. Maj Pierpont M. Hamilton, who accompanied Colonel Craw, was captured but completed the mission. For their actions, both men were awarded the Medal of Honor. (4) OPERATION TORCH. The invasion of North Africa began with amphibious landings in Morocco and Algeria. Twelfth Air Force used C-47s from the 60 TCG to carry troops and Spitfire fighters from the 31 FG to support the operation. (21)
1950: KOREAN WAR. The first jet versus jet aerial combat in history took place between a USAF F-80C Shooting Star and MiG-15. Lt Russell J. Brown from the 16 FS shot down the MiG near the Yalu River in N. Korea. [This claim is now under dispute. After the fall of the Soviet Union, historians received access to Soviet Korean War Records. Research says the Soviet MiG survived the encounter. See 9 November 1950 for more details.] (21) 70 B-29 Superfortresses dropped 580 tons of firebombs on Sinuiju in the largest incendiary raid in the Korean War. (21) (28) The USAF directed the 27 FEW to deploy to the Far East. In the next few weeks, Navy aircraft carriers moved its 75 F-84E Thunderjets from NAS San Diego to Yokasuka, Japan. From there, Col Ashley B. Packard, the 27 FEW commander, moved to Taegu airfield, where his fighters performed reconnaissance and close support missions. (1)
1951: KOREAN WAR. F-86s and F-80s encountered over 100 MiG-15s, but only a small number chose to fight. USAF pilots destroyed one MiG and damaged another, while losing one F-86. (28)
1955: SECDEF Charles E. Wilson set up the Ballistic Missile Committee to review all ballistic missile requirements. He assigned the Thor IRBM to the USAF and approved a joint Army-Navy program for the Jupiter IRBM for shipboard and land-based operations. The Army developed the Jupiter at the Redstone Arsenal for adaptation to a fleet ballistic missile. Thus, ballistic missiles became the most highly centralized weapon system project in the Air Force. (6) (12)
1956: HARMON TROPHY. Cmdr M. L. Lewis (USN) and Malcolm D. Ross established a world altitude record for manned balloons by ascending to 76,000 feet. They took off near Rapid City, S. Dak., and landed 175 miles away near Kennedy, Nebr. For this feat, they were awarded the 1957 Harmon Trophy for aeronauts. (24)
1963: SECDEF McNamara approved the Minuteman Force Modernization Program to replace all Minuteman I (A and B Models) with Minuteman II missiles. (6)
1968: TAC received the first AC-119K, the latest in a series of multi-weapon attack aircraft. (16)
1972: SECAF Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., announced the designation of two new lightweight, fighter prototype aircraft, the YF-16 and YF-17. 1989: Col John Small and Northrop test pilot Bruce Hinds flew the B-2A Stealth bomber on its first aerial refueling sortie during a 6 hour 5 minute test flight from Edwards AFB. KC-10s from March AFB provided the fuel. (8: Jan 90) A 96th BMW aircrew flew the B-1B on its first low-level night sortie while relying on fully automatic terrain-following equipment. The crew flew the bomber over flat terrain. A second sortie on 14 November took place over varied terrain. (8: Feb 90)
1996: At Cannon AFB, Capt Michael Hake, an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) instructor with the 429th Electronic Combat Squadron, became the first EWO in the Air Force to pass the 2,000- hour mark in the EF-111A Raven. (AFNEWS, 11 Dec 96)
2000: Boeing's first X-45A (No. 1) Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), called "Blue," arrived at Edwards AFB aboard a C-17 transport, where the Dryden Flight Research Center would test the X-45 for the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission. The X-45 was a joint Air Force/DARPA/Boeing project. (3)
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