Good Monday Morning May 17
I hope that you all had a great weekend.
Skip
This day in Naval History May 17
1942 USS Tautog (SS 199) sinks Japanese submarine I-28; USS Triton (SS 201) sinks the Japanese submarine (I 64), and USS Skipjack (SS 184) sinks a Japanese army transport ship.
1943 Destroyers USS Moffett (DD 362) and USS Jouett (DD 396) sink German submarine U 128, which was credited with sinking 12 Allied merchant vessels, including 4 American ships.
1962 – Three thousand US Marines begin landing at Bangkok, Thailand, in response to troop movements near the Thai border by the Soviet-supported Laotian Pathet Lao army. The Marines are flown 350 miles north to Udorn, which is 35 miles from the Laotian capital of Vientiane. This US show of force, ordered by President Kennedy at the request of the Thai government, is out of Thailand by the beginning of August.
1973 Capt. Robin Lindsay Catherine Quigley becomes the first woman to hold a major Navy command when she assumes command of U.S. Navy Service School, San Diego, Calif.
1987 USS Stark (FFG-31) is struck by two Iraqi Exocet Missiles in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 Sailors and wounding 21.
1990 USS Roark (FF-1053) rescues 42 refugees from an unseaworthy craft in the South China Sea.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• The Associated Press reported Japan, France and the U.S. are participating in ARC21.
• The San Diego Union-Tribune published an article about the current status of the LCS program.
Today in History May 17
1540 | Afghan chief Sher Khan defeats Mongul Emperor Humayun at Kanauj. | |
1630 | Italian Jesuit Niccolo Zucchi sees the belts on Jupiter's surface. | |
1681 | Louis XIV sends an expedition to aid James II in Ireland. As a result, England declares war on France. | |
1756 | ||
1792 | Merchants form the New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street. | |
1814 | Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden. | |
1863 | Union General Ulysses Grant continues his push towards Vicksburg at the Battle of the Big Black River Bridge. | |
1875 | The first Kentucky Derby is run in Louisville. | |
1881 | Frederick Douglass is appointed recorder of deeds for Washington, D.C. | |
1940 | Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium and begins the invasion of France. | |
1954 | The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rules for school integration in Brown v. Board of Education. | |
1973 | The Senate Watergate Committee begins its hearings. | |
1987 | In the Persian Gulf the American guided missile frigate USS Stark is struck by 2 Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi aircraft; only one detonates, but 37 sailors are killed and 21 are wounded. Whether the launch was deliberate or a mistake is still debated. |
1943 The Memphis Belle flies its 25th bombing mission »
1940 Lancasters return to England after conducting the "Dambusters" Raid on the Ruhr Valley
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Thanks to Mud
This is a particularly good war time documentary of the Memphis Belle. Go here then scroll down to that video. The 8th Air Force took unbelievable casualties during WWII.
The fact is that there were more 8th Air Force casualties than all the Marines lost in the Pacific
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a27442948/cold-blue-b17-documentary/
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
1943 –May 17 The Memphis Belle, one of a group of American bombers based in Britain, becomes the first B-17 to complete 25 missions over Europe. The Memphis Belle performed its 25th and last mission, in a bombing raid against Lorient, a German submarine base. But before returning back home to the United States, film footage was shot of Belle's crew receiving combat medals. This was but one part of a longer documentary on a day in the life of an American bomber, which included dramatic footage of a bomber being shot out of the sky, with most of its crew parachuting out, one by one. Another film sequence showed a bomber returning to base with its tail fin missing. What looked like damage inflicted by the enemy was, in fact, the result of a collision with another American bomber. The Memphis Belle documentary would not be released for another 11 months, as more footage was compiled to demonstrate the risks these pilots ran as they bombed "the enemy again and again and again-until he has had enough." The film's producer, Lieutenant Colonel William Wyler, was known for such non-military fare as The Letter, Wuthering Heights, and Jezebel.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Thanks to Jim,
Jim Kunkle is a 98 year old former P38 pilot from WWII. This is something that is close to me since I was on the base when it changed from Camp Cook to Vandenberg AFB and watched Thor, Atlas, Titan and Minuteman missiles fly and in more than a few times blow up.
skip
Hi Skip,
The New Space Command; A lot has happened since I flew around in Douglas 0-38's with the California Air National Guard in 1939.
The List; keeps me on top of history.
Jim
Santa Barbara News Press; Sunday
Subject: Re: Base photos & Articles
Good morning,
Denny forwarded this on to me. Very cool! You both look great. Looking forward to seeing you both.
XO Julie
On May 15, 2021, at 11:43 AM, Denny Wisely <hdwisely@gmail.com> wrote:
Great stuff!! Well deserved Jim!
See you in a couple of weeks.
Denny and Julie
Begin forwarded message:
From: ruthkunkle@verizon.net
Subject: Base photos & Articles
Date: May 15, 2021 at 9:25:11 AM MST
>
Reply-To: ruthkunkle@verizon.net
Santa Maria Times article just posted on line with great photo of JIM. . who was presented the very first Coin from the newly named Vandenberg Space Force Base yesterday 05/14/2021 in a ceremony at Vandenberg. Photos below... The coin is very beautiful.....
Note that Jim met General Vandenberg in Paris after receiving the DSC.
Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (January 24, 1899 – April 2, 1954) was a United States Air Force general. He served as the second Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the second Director of Central Intelligence. During World War II, Vandenberg was the commanding general of the Ninth Air Force, a tactical air force in England and in France, supporting the Army, from August 1944 until V-E Day. Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central coast of California is named after him. In 1946, he was briefly the U.S. Chief of Military Intelligence.
Chris Kunkle
Project Manager
Central Coast Jet Center
805.937.9300
On May 15, 2021, at 8:18 AM,
All:
Thought you would like to see some photos from yesterday's event which the base has posted online. Some really good ones of Sr. & Ruth. Also, a good front page article in today's SMT with an excellent photo of Sr. and Ruth when Sr. got his coin. Have not seen the article online yet, but I have saved the paper if you would like. Finally, another good article on yesterday's event with a nice blurb and quote from Sr. in today's SB Newspress, which is online.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vandenbergafb/
https://newspress.com/new-name-same-mission/
In addition to giving his remarks, the new Space Force commander bestowed a symbolic honor upon one of the distinguished guests in attendance — Capt. Jim Kunkle, a P-38 fighter pilot who fought the Germans over Nazi-occupied Europe. Capt. Kunkle was shot down during a dogfight but downed an enemy in the process, earning him a Distinguished Service Cross. The veteran received an honorary membership in the U.S. Space Force on Friday, as well as the first ever Space Launch Delta 30 Commander's Coin.
"It's inspiring when a member of the greatest generation takes the time to pay it forward with the latest generation," Col. Mastalir told Capt. Kunkle and his wife, Ruth Kunkle, who was also in attendance "You are the first recipient in the history of the world. I do this in deep appreciation to you for a lifetime of dedication to the U.S. armed services."
Capt. Kunkle told the News-Press after the event, "I think back many, many years ago when I wished I had rockets! It truly is thrilling to be here. This is the beginning, the start."
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War— ... For The List for Monday, 17 May 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED (1965-1968)
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 17 May 1966...
"DFCs for Doug French and TR Swartz"
https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-18-may-1966-a-pair-of-dfcs
This 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.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
This Day in U S Military History…….May 17
1945 – On Luzon, the US 152nd Division, part of US 11th Corps, entrenches in favorable positions on Woodpecker Ridge as the Japanese retire. The US 43rd Division captures the Ipoh dam, the main source of water for Manila, intact after an intensive bombing and artillery preparation.
1945 – On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division, part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps, continues assaulting Sugar Loaf hill have Japanese positions are heavily bombarded by aircraft, artillery and ships. Elements of US 1st Marine Division capture the western part of the Wana valley but fail to take the ridge. Units of the US 77th Division, part of US 24th Corps, make a surprise attack on Ishimmi Ridge, west of the village, and end up in positions exposed to Japanese fire.
1972 – Preceded by five B-52 strikes, which reportedly killed 300 North Vietnamese to the south, South Vietnamese forces arrive by helicopter to within two miles of An Loc in continuing efforts to relieve this besieged city. It had been surrounded by three North Vietnamese divisions since early April. The North Vietnamese had been holding An Loc under siege for almost three months while they made repeated attempts to take the city. The defenders suffered heavy casualties, including 2,300 dead or missing, but with the aid of U.S. advisors and American airpower, they managed to hold An Loc against vastly superior odds until the siege was finally lifted on June 18.
1987 – At 8:00pm local time, a Mirage F-1 fighter jet took off from Iraq's Shaibah military airport and headed south into the Persian Gulf, flying along the Saudi Arabian coast. An Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) plane, in the air over Saudi Arabia and manned by a joint American-Saudi crew, detected the aircraft. Aboard the USS Stark, a Perry-class frigate on duty in the gulf,… radar operators picked up the Mirage when it was some 200 miles away; it was flying at 5,000 feet and traveling at 550 mph. Captain Glenn Brindel, 43, commander of the Stark, was not particularly alarmed. He knew it was fairly common for Iraqi and Iranian warplanes to fly over the gulf. Earlier in the day, Iraqi jets had fired missiles into a Cypriot tanker, disabling the vessel. But no American vessel had been attacked. In keeping with standard procedure, Captain Brindel ordered a radio message flashed at 10:09 PM: "Unknown aircraft, this is U.S. Navy warship on your 078 for twelve miles. Request you identify yourself." There was no reply. A second request was sent. Still no answer. Brindel noted that the aircraft's pilot had not locked his targeting radar on the Stark, so he expected it to veer away. At 10:10 PM, the AWACS crew noticed that the Mirage had banked suddenly and then turned northward, as though heading for home. What they failed to detect was the launching by the Iraqi pilot of two Exocet AM39 air-to-surface missiles. The Exocets had a range of 40 miles and each carried a 352 lb. warhead. For some reason, the sea-skimming missiles were not detected by the Stark's sophisticated monitoring equipment. A lookout spotted the first Exocet just seconds before the missile struck, tearing a ten-by-fifteen-foot hole in the warship's steel hull on the port side before ripping through the crew's quarters. The resulting fire rushed upward into the vessel's combat information center, disabling the electrical systems. The second missile plowed into the frigate's superstructure. A crewman sent a distress signal with a handheld radio that was picked up by the USS Waddell, a destroyer on patrol nearby. Meanwhile, the AWACS crew requested that two airborne Saudi F-15s pursue the Iraqi Mirage. But ground controllers at Dhahran airbase said they lacked the authority to embark on such a mission, and the Mirage was safely back in Iraqi airspace before approval could be obtained. As fires raged aboard the Stark, Brindel ordered the starboard side blooded to keep the gaping hole on the port side above the waterline. All through the night the fate of the stricken frigate was in doubt. Once the inferno was finally under control, the Stark limped back to port. The Navy immediately launched an investigation into an incident that had cost 37 American seamen their lives. The Stark was endowed with an impressive array of defenses — an MK92 fire control system that could intercept incoming aircraft at a range of 90 miles; an OTO gun that could fire three-inch anti-aircraft shells at a rate of 90 per minute; electronic defenses that could produce bogus radar images to deceive attackers; and the Phalanx, a six-barreled gun that could fire 3,000 uranium rounds a minute at incoming missiles. Brindel insisted that his ship's combat system was fully operational, but Navy technicians in Bahrain said the Stark's Phalanx system had not been working properly when the frigate put out to sea. (Brindel was relieved of duty and later forced to retire.) A C141B Starlifter carried 35 flag-draped caskets to the Stark's home base at Mayport, Florida. (Two of the crewmen were lost at sea during the attack.) President Reagan and the First Lady were on hand to extend condolences to grieving families. Reagan was under fire from Congress and the press for putting American servicemen in harm's way on a vaguely defined mission. "We need to rethink exactly what we are doing in the Persian Gulf," said Republican Senator Robert Dole. The Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution, sponsored by Dole and Democratic Senator Robert Byrd, that demanded the president explain to Congress the strategy and goals of the Persian Gulf mission — and the risks involved. Congress was also unhappy with Saudi Arabia for what it viewed as a lackadaisical response to the request to pursue the Iraqi Mirage — so unhappy, in fact, that the administration thought it wise to delay submission of a proposal to sell new F-15 fighter jets to the Saudis. The strife in the gulf had started in 1984 when Iran and Iraq, at war since 1980, began attacking each other's ships. Inevitably, the vessels of third countries became targets. Over 200 ships had been attacked in the past three years. The Iranians were particularly keen to target the ships of Iraq's ally, Kuwait. Even though only 7% of American oil supplies came from the region, the Reagan administration insisted that U.S. strategic interests required a naval presence in the gulf. Critics complained that Western Europe and Japan, which acquired 25% and 60% of their respective oil needs from the gulf, weren't doing their part in keeping the sea lanes open. In fact, certain Western European nations had become major suppliers of military hardware to both Iran and Iraq. Damage done to the Stark had been caused by French-built missiles fired from a French-built aircraft. The administration argued that to withdraw from the gulf would be to surrender America's role as leader of the free world, and that if oil shipments were disrupted, prices would soar, adversely affecting the U.S. economy. As one Western diplomat put it, if the U.S. backed out, it wouldn't "have enough credibility to float a teacup." Furthermore, the Soviet Union had increased its naval presence in the gulf, and the fear was that if the U.S. faltered, the Soviets would gain the upper hand in the region — and growing Soviet influence in the region would pose a long-term threat to the West's oil supplies. "We will not be intimidated," said Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. "We will not be driven from the gulf." He described the attack on the Stark as a "horrible error," and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was quick to apologize for the "unintentional incident." Evidently, the Mirage pilot had mistaken the Stark for an Iranian tanker. Iraq promised to pay compensation to the families of the 37 slain seamen, and reparations for damages to the frigate. Officially the United States was neutral in the Iran-Iraq conflict, but the administration had decided that geopolitic considerations required that Iraq not lose the war. In the aftermath of the Stark incident, the rhetoric coming out of Washington was of a forgiving nature where Iraq was concerned, while growing increasingly hostile in reference to Iran. The White House was resolute. "The use of the vital sea lanes of the Persian Gulf will not be dictated by the Iranians," said President Reagan during a press conference. "Those lanes will not be allowed to come under the control of the Soviet Union. The Persian Gulf will remain open to navigation by the nations of the world." The U.S. naval presence was increased from six to nine ships. Air cover would be provided by a carrier stationed outside the gulf. The American warships would escort convoys of Kuwaiti tankers every ten days or so. Iran vowed to continue attacking Kuwaiti tankers regardless of whether they flew the Stars and Stripes. Congress objected to the open-ended nature of this commitment. Memories of Vietnam — and of the Lebanon peacekeeping debacle in the early 1980s, during which 241 Marines were killed in their barracks by a suicide bomber — prompted many solons to insist on knowing what rules of engagement the U.S. Navy would be operating under while escorting oil tankers in the gulf. The answer: A U.S. warship could fire on any aircraft that came within 20 miles of it, on the authority of the captain. Unfortunately, the U.S. was so concerned about Iranian Sidewinder missiles being placed so as to control the Strait of Hormuz that it neglected to sweep the approaches for mines, one of which damaged an escorted tanker in July. The incident was egg on the face of the Navy, accused of sloppy mission preparation, and embarrassed the administration, which, while presiding over an unprecedented peacetime military buildup, had only three operational ocean-going minesweepers in service. But on 21 September 1987, the military redeemed itself by conducting a successful raid involving U.S. Navy SEALS on an Iranian vessel caught laying mines. Five Iranian seamen were killed. That same week, Iran attacked a British-flagged tanker; Britain responded by shutting down Iran's London-based arms procurement office. (By this time, British, French, Belgian, Dutch and Italian warships had joined the Americans and Soviets in patrolling the gulf.) The American raid gave some senators an excuse to push for invocation of the War Powers Act; they claimed the U.S. was clearly engaged in hostilities. The law required that the president obtain congressional approval of military action extending beyond a period of 60 days. But the Senate voted 51-40 not to invoke the law. Following the September 21 raid, Iran amassed 60 gunboats and directed the flotilla toward Khafji, a Saudi-Kuwaiti oil facility. The USS La Salle, flagship of Rear Admiral Harold Bernsen, commander of the U.S. Navy Middle East Force, moved to intercept the gunboats, which turned back after being buzzed by Saudi warplanes. Another encounter involved an Iranian warship that locked fire control radar on a USN destroyer, the Kidd; warned off by the Kidd's skipper, the Iranian ship sailed away. Then, on October 8, Iranian gunboats fired at a U.S. Army helicopter, missing the target but attracting the attention of two U.S. AH-6 gunship choppers, which sank one of the gunboats and damaged two others. Iran responded by firing Silkworm missiles at the U.S.-owned Liberian supertanker Sungari and the reflagged Kuwaiti tanker Sea Isle City, damaging both vessels. There were no fatalities, though the American skipper of the Sea Isle City, Captain John Hunt, was blinded. Few doubted the U.S. would retaliate. Two weeks later, four U.S. destroyers fired over one thousand rounds of 5-in. shells into Iran's Rashadat oil-loading platforms in the Persian Gulf — after giving the platform crews twenty minutes to evacuate. Ninety minutes of continuous shelling left the platforms smoldering ruins; SEAL commando teams exploded the pilings and sent the rubble plunging into the sea. The Iranians answered by firing another Silkworm at Sea Island, Kuwait's deep-water oil-loading facility, destroying the loading dock. "We're not going to have a war with Iran," said President Reagan. "They're not that stupid." But it certainly seemed as though an undeclared war was already underway. A public opinion poll revealed that while 68% of Americans expected a "military exchange" between the U.S. and Iran, 60% were in favor of stronger retaliatory action against the Iranians. The situation remained tense throughout the winter, but not until April 1988 did violence erupt once again in the Persian Gulf. Ten seamen were injured when the USN frigate Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine on April 14. Being careful to consult with Congress this time, President Reagan ordered a retaliatory strike against two Iranian oil platforms in the southern gulf — platforms that served as bases for Iran's intelligence service. While one platform was shelled by the frigates Simpson and Bagley, Marines helicoptered to the second, seized it, planted explosive charges, and destroyed it. A few minutes later, the Simpson sank an Iranian patrol boat that had fired a missile at the USN guided-missile cruiser Wainwright. (The Wainwright defended itself by dispensing aluminum chaff in the air, which deflected the missile.) Meanwhile, near the Strait of Hormuz, two Iranian frigates and several gunboats were sunk by American warships and an F-14 Tomcat from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. During the day-long battle, a Cobra helicopter carrying two American crewmen was shot down by the Iranians. This defeat at sea, coupled with grave setbacks in the land war with Iraq, persuaded Iranian leaders to seek improved relations with the West. The Ayatollah Khomeini agreed with Hashemi Rafsanjani, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, on the need to pursue a new foreign policy that would defuse tensions in the Persian Gulf. As for the United States, its resolve in the gulf in 1987-88 improved its standing with allies, not only in the Middle East but also around the world.
1995 – Shawn Nelson steals a tank from a military installation and goes on a rampage in San Diego resulting in a 25 minute police chase. Nelson is killed by an officer after the tank got stuck on a concrete barrier and tried to break free.
2006 – The aircraft carrier USS Oriskany is sunk in the Gulf of Mexico as an artificial reef. USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) – nicknamed Mighty O, and occasionally referred to as the O-boat – was one of the few Essex-class aircraft carriers completed only after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was named for the Revolutionary War Battle of Oriskany. The history of Oriskany differs considerably from that of her sister ships. Originally designed as a "long-hulled" Essex-class ship (considered by some authorities to be a separate class, the Ticonderoga class) her construction was suspended in 1947. She eventually was commissioned in 1950 after conversion to an updated design called SCB-27 ("27-Charlie"), which became the template for modernization of 14 other Essex-class ships. Oriskany was the final Essex-class ship completed. She operated primarily in the Pacific into the 1970s, earning two battle stars for service in the Korean War, and five for service in the Vietnam War. In 1966 one of the worst shipboard fires since World War II broke out on Oriskany when a magnesium flare was accidentally ignited; forty-four men died in the fire. Oriskany's post-service history also differs considerably from that of her sister ships. Decommissioned in 1976, she was sold for scrap in 1995, but was repossessed in 1997 because nothing was being done (lack of progress). In 2004 it was decided to sink her as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. After much environmental review and remediation to remove toxic substances, she was carefully sunk, settling in an upright position at a depth accessible to recreational divers. As of 2008, Oriskany is "the largest vessel ever sunk to make a reef". Oriskany is mentioned in the 1986 film Top Gun as the ship from which the main character's father had flown during the Vietnam War. She has been featured in films such as Men of the Fighting Lady and The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954) and What Dreams May Come (1998).
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
KENDALL, WILLIAM W.
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company A, 49th Indiana Infantry. Place and date: At Black River Bridge, Miss., 17 May 1863. Entered service at: Dubois County, Ind. Birth: Dubois County, Ind. Date of issue: 12 February 1894. Citation: Voluntarily led the company in a charge and was the first to enter the enemy's works, taking a number of prisoners.
DAY, JAMES
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in sustained combat operations against Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukya Islands from 14 to 17 May 1945. On the first day, Corporal Day rallied his squad and the remnants of another unit and led them to a critical position forward of the front lines of Sugar Loaf Hill. Soon thereafter, they came under an intense mortar and artillery barrage that was quickly followed by a ferocious ground attack by some forty Japanese soldiers. Despite the loss of one-half of his men, Corporal Day remained at the forefront, shouting encouragement, hurling hand grenades, and directing deadly fire, thereby repelling the determined enemy. Reinforced by six men, he led his squad in repelling three fierce night attacks but suffered five additional Marines killed and one wounded, whom he assisted to safety. Upon hearing nearby calls for corpsman assistance, Corporal Day braved heavy enemy fire to escort four seriously wounded Marines, one at a time, to safety. Corporal Day then manned a light machine gun, assisted by a wounded Marine, and halted another night attack. In the ferocious action, his machine gun was destroyed, and he suffered multiple white phosphorous and fragmentation wounds. He reorganized his defensive position in time to halt a fifth enemy attack with devastating small arms fire. On three separated occasions, Japanese soldiers closed to within a few feet of his foxhole, but were killed by Corporal Day. During the second day, the enemy conducted numerous unsuccessful swarming attacks against his exposed position. When the attacks momentarily subsided, over 70 enemy dead were counted around his position. On the third day, a wounded and exhausted Corporal Day repulsed the enemy's final attack, killing a dozen enemy soldiers at close range. Having yielded no ground and with more than 100 enemy dead around his position, Corporal Day preserved the lives of his fellow Marines and made a significant contribution to the success of the Okinawa campaign. By his extraordinary heroism, repeated acts of valor, and quintessential battlefield leadership, Corporal Day inspired the efforts of his outnumbered Marines to defeat a much larger enemy force, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
*BURKE, ROBERT C.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Southern Quang Nam Province Republic of Vietnam, 17 May 1968. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 7 November 1949, Monticello, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty for service as a machine gunner with Company 1. While on Operation ALLEN BROOK, Company 1 was approaching a dry river bed with a heavily wooded treeline that borders the hamlet of Le Nam (1), when they suddenly came under intense mortar, rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a large, well concealed enemy force which halted the company's advance and wounded several marines. Realizing that key points of resistance had to be eliminated to allow the units to advance and casualties to be evacuated, Pfc. Burke, without hesitation, seized his machine gun and launched a series of 1-man assaults against the fortified emplacements. As he aggressively maneuvered to the edge of the steep river bank, he delivered accurate suppressive fire upon several enemy bunkers, which enabled his comrades to advance and move the wounded marines to positions of relative safety. As he continued his combative actions, he located an opposing automatic weapons emplacement and poured intense fire into the position, killing 3 North Vietnamese soldiers as they attempted to flee. Pfc. Burke then fearlessly moved from one position to another, quelling the hostile fire until his weapon malfunctioned. Obtaining a casualty's rifle and hand grenades, he advanced further into the midst of the enemy fire in an assault against another pocket of resistance, killing 2 more of the enemy. Observing that a fellow marine had cleared his malfunctioning machine gun he grasped his weapon and moved into a dangerously exposed area and saturated the hostile treeline until he fell mortally wounded. Pfc. Burke's gallant actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for May 17, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 17
THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
For May 17
1913: Domingo Rosillo flew from Key West to Havana in a Morane land monoplane to win a $10,000 prize, flying 90 miles in 2 hours 30 minutes. (24)
1919: The Director of the Air Service ordered the use of the national star insignia on all service planes. (4)
1933: The Army's nonrigid helium coastal patrol airship, the TC-13 (the largest nonrigid airship built for the Air Corps), arrived at Langley Field.
1934: In a Sikorsky S-42, Boris Sergievsky and Raymond B. Quick set a US seaplane altitude record by carrying a 5,000-kilogram (11,000-pound) payload to 20,407 feet at Bridgeport. (24)
1942: Igor I. Sikorsky and Les Morris flew the Sikorsky XR-4 to Wright Field to deliver the Army's first helicopter. (21)
1944: USS Saratoga joined a British Eastern Fleet carrier air strike against the Japanese base at Soerabaja, Java. (24)
1951: KOREAN WAR. Through 22 May, FEAF Bomber Command B-29s flew 94 (mostly nighttime) sorties against enemy ground forces, far more close air support missions in a similar previous period in the war. The B-29s flew few other types of missions during this time. (28)
1961: Cmdr Patrick L. Sullivan and Lt Beverly W. Witherspoon (USN) flew an HSS-2 helicopter to a 192.9 MPH world speed record over a 3-kilometer (1.86 miles) course at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Conn. (24)
1964: Operation WATER PUMP. The Royal Lao Air Force (RLAF) began operations against the Pathet Lao. Earlier in March, Detachment 6, 1st Air Commando Wing, moved four T-28s to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, to train the RLAF in operations and maintenance. The T-28s were painted on 18 May with Laotian markings and turned over to the RLAF. Additional aircraft were obtained from the Vietnamese in late May. (17)
1990: Col Frank Birk and Leroy Schroeder flew Northrop's B-2A on a six-hour, 36-minute test flight above Edwards AFB. The bomber completed several performance tests and three air refuelings in the test. (8: Jul 90) A MAC C-141 airlifted a Soviet SS-20 intermediate range nuclear missile to Andrews AFB for display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. In exchange, a 438 MAW crew and aircraft from McGuire AFB transported a Pershing II missile to the Shermetyevo Airport near Moscow. (18)
1993: Through 29 May, 9 C-5 Galaxies and 15 C-141 Starlifter missions moved 254 UN troops and 326 tons of equipment to Cambodia to supervise that country's first free elections in 40 years. Three tankers from PACAF provided refuelings to the C-5s flying from Namibia to Cambodia. (16) (18)
1997: The McDonnell-Douglas X-36 Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft made its first flight from Edwards AFB, but an overheated engine forced the 28-percent scale concept demonstrator to land six minutes later. It was a remotely piloted jet vehicle designed by NASA to study the maneuverability of aircraft with no vertical tail surfaces. (3)
1998: An AFFTC pilot, Lt Col Steven M. Rainey, became the first USAF pilot to fly the F-22 Raptor. It was the aircraft's third flight and its first flight at Edwards AFB. (3)
1999: The ANG mobilized 18 A-10s and nearly 510 personnel from the 104th Fighter Wing (FW), 110th FW, and 124th FW. The forces formed the 104th Expeditionary Operations Group and left Barnes Municipal Airport, Massachusetts heading for Italy to participate in Operation Allied Force. The 104th Expeditionary Operations Group arrived on 19 May at Trapani AB in Sicily and began flying operations two days later. (32) 1
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
World News for 8 April thanks to Military Periscope
USA—After Spike, Suicide Rate In Air Force Begins To DeclineAir Force Magazine | 05/17/2021The Air Force says it has seen a decline in the suicide rate among personnel over the first five months of the year, reports Air Force magazine.The fall comes after two straight years of more than 100 suicides in the service.Initial figures suggest that the suicide rate is returning to pre-2018 levels, Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, told the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee on May 12.The increase in suicides in 2019 and 2020 led the service to order a tactical pause to discuss the problem and implement new policies to combat it.Last year, the Air Force offered tools and lessons from the previous tactical pause to allow personnel to maintain social connections in the face of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The service is also offering new training for family members to help them detect the warning signs.The Air Force has five "prevention priorities" in 2021 to reduce suicides: building connections; detecting risk; promoting protective environments; and equipping Airmen and families to mitigate risk and build resilience.
USA—Army Set For Live-Fire Testing Of Laser-Equipped VehicleStars And Stripes | 05/17/2021The Army plans to begin testing a prototype laser-armed armored vehicle starting this week, reports Stars & Stripes.The Directed-Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) -- a Stryker A1 vehicle armed with a 50-kW high-energy laser -- was developed by the Army and Kord Technologies, Huntsville, Ala., over the last two years.Live-fire testing, to begin this week, is intended to prove the ability of the DE M-SHORAD to locate airborne threats, instantaneously lock on, track and destroy them.The 50-kW laser is intended to defeat cruise missiles, uncrewed aircraft and mortar rounds.If the testing is successful, the Army plans to buy and field four DE M-SHORADS by the end of 2022.The system is intended to complement M-SHORAD system, which is also based on the Stryker.
USA—Colonial Pipeline Paid Ransom To HackersCable News Network | 05/17/2021Colonial Pipeline paid ransom to hackers who infected their systems, reports CNN.Sources familiar with the matter told CNN last week that the firm had paid the hackers for a decrypting tool to regain access to their network.The sources did not say how much Colonial Pipeline paid, although DarkSide, the ransomware group, had demanded $5 million.The payment occurred on May 7, although Colonial Pipeline continued to say that it had no intention of paying the ransom for several days after that, reported Bloomberg News.The decryption tool was reportedly so slow that the company was forced to restore its systems using backups.Some data was successfully retrieved due to the use of intermediary servers in the U.S. to store the stolen information.On Friday, DarkSide's ransomware extortion website had gone offline, according to cybersecurity experts. It was not clear if the group took the site down or it had been hit with a cyberattack.
Germany—New Partners Sought For Joint Tank Program With FranceDefense News | 05/17/2021Germany plans to host a conference with potential new partners for its main battle tank development program with France, reports Defense News.A document from March obtained by the newspaper indicated that the September conference in Berlin on the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is intended to allow an "opening wave" of interested countries to join.European Union, NATO and other countries may be eligible to join as long as France and Germany agree on the prerequisites for their participation.France has reportedly agreed to expand the number of outside observers for the tank program.The U.K. is known to have expressed an interest in joining the program and German officials have confirmed that the sides have discussed the possibility.The German Defense Ministry plans to seek parliamentary approval to move forward with the MGCS program in June.Contracts are expected to be awarded later this year for technology development in eight areas: Mobility testbed; main effector, ammunition and turret; overall protection; collaborative combat; simulation testbed for crews; automated navigation and mobility; automated fire sequence; and improved sensor suite.Additional contracts planned for 2023 include a barrel-launched non-line-of-sight missile; high-energy laser system; high-power electromagnetics; uncrewed combat aerial vehicle; and hyper-velocity missile integration.
Greece—Athens Eyes Updated Security Pact With U.S.Stars And Stripes | 05/17/2021The Greek government plans to ink an updated bilateral security agreement with the U.S. later this year, reports the Stars & Stripes.On May 11, Greek Prime Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos revealed the effort to amend the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. during an online discussion with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.The amendment would enable U.S. troops to operate from additional locations in Greece and enhance their operations at locations already in use. It could be signed within two months, the prime minister said.Meanwhile, the U.S. and Greece have stepped up their defense cooperation in the face of increasing competition in the Eastern Mediterranean.Russia has expanded its presence in Syria and China has been increasing its influence through financial agreements at various European ports. Tensions between Greece and Turkey have also spiked over disputed maritime claims.The U.S. Navy has homeported a ship, the expeditionary sea base Hershel "Woody" Williams, at its base in Souda Bay, Crete, for the first time in 40 years.The U.S. also operates MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed aerial vehicles from bases in Larissa and Alexandroupoli.
Greece—Athens Eyes Updated Security Pact With U.S.Stars And Stripes | 05/17/2021The Greek government plans to ink an updated bilateral security agreement with the U.S. later this year, reports the Stars & Stripes.On May 11, Greek Prime Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos revealed the effort to amend the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. during an online discussion with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.The amendment would enable U.S. troops to operate from additional locations in Greece and enhance their operations at locations already in use. It could be signed within two months, the prime minister said.Meanwhile, the U.S. and Greece have stepped up their defense cooperation in the face of increasing competition in the Eastern Mediterranean.Russia has expanded its presence in Syria and China has been increasing its influence through financial agreements at various European ports. Tensions between Greece and Turkey have also spiked over disputed maritime claims.The U.S. Navy has homeported a ship, the expeditionary sea base Hershel "Woody" Williams, at its base in Souda Bay, Crete, for the first time in 40 years.The U.S. also operates MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed aerial vehicles from bases in Larissa and Alexandroupoli.
Greece—Neo-Nazi Leader Arrives In Athens After ExtraditionVoice Of America News | 05/17/2021A convicted leader of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party in Greece has been extradited from Belgium, reports the Voice of America News.On Saturday, Ioannis Lagos was extradited from Brussels to Athens to serve a 13-year sentence for his role in a decade-long violent campaign against ideological opponents in Greece..He spent his first night in custody in a high-security prison in Domokos in central Greece.Lagos was elected to the European Parliament in 2019.In October 2020, he was convicted in absentia with five other leaders of the Golden Dawn party.The convictions included charges relating to the stabbing death of a 34-year-old anti-fascist musician.Within hours of his conviction, he fled to Brussels, hiding behind diplomatic immunity as a member of the European Parliament.He was arrested by Belgian police in April amid speculation that he was preparing to flee and seek asylum in Norway.
South Korea—New Maritime Surveillance Radars OrderedYonhap | 05/17/2021The South Korean military has ordered new domestically developed maritime surveillance radars, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul).On May 14, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a US$145.2 million contract with LIG Nex1 for series production of the Maritime Surveillance Radar II.Development of the radar was completed last year.The radar is expected to enter service at navy bases around the country in 2022, with deployment to conclude by 2026. The system will replace aging radars now in service.The Maritime Surveillance Radar II offers improved detection through more precise analysis of the direction and distance of objects. It is also smaller and consumes less power than predecessor systems.
South Korea—New PM Takes OfficeYonhap | 05/17/2021South Korea has a new prime minister, a month after his predecessor stepped down to run for president, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul).On May 14, Kim Boo Kyum assumed office after President Moon Jae In approved his appointment.The ruling Democratic Party in the National Assembly approved Kim for the post on Thursday over the protests of the opposition People Power Party.The People Power Party was opposed to the government's effort to move forward with several nominees despite alleged ethical lapses.Former Prime Minister Chung Sye Kyun resigned on April 18 to run for president. Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam Ki served as acting prime minister until Kim took office.
Burma—Army Brings In Artillery Against Rebels In Chin StateAgence France-Presse | 05/17/2021At least six rebels have been killed in fighting with Burmese troops in the western Chin state, reports Agence France-Presse.The Burmese army besieged the town of Mindat over the weekend after a local cease-fire broke down on May 12, employing artillery and helicopters, reported the Irrawaddy (Burma).Six members of the Chinland Defense Force, which was established in March following the military coup on Feb. 1, were killed in the fighting and about 20 were injured, the group said in a statement.Another 10 were wounded, while five civilians were arrested, a spokesman told the news agency.The spokesman said that the rebels destroyed several military vehicles before retreating into the jungle.On Sunday, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) reported that five civilians had been killed and said that there were reports that Burmese soldiers were shooting civilians on sight and using them as human shields, reported Radio Free Asia.The Irrawaddy reported that violence continued in Mindat on Sunday even after government troops regained control of the town.Members of Mindat's defense forces reportedly attacked a convoy carrying about 150 reinforcements to the town.
Afghanistan—ISIS Claims Mosque Attack In Kabul ProvinceKhaama Press | 05/17/2021At least 12 people have been killed in a terrorist attack at a mosque in Kabul province, reports the Khaama Press (Kabul).On Friday, an explosive device detonated inside the Haji Bakhshi Mosque in Qala-e-Murad Bek in the Shakardara district, said police.Witnesses said that the device had been placed inside of the building and killed the imam.In a statement issued via its Nasheer news agency, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, reported Agence France-Presse.At least 20 people were wounded in the blast.The Taliban, which was observing a three-day cease-fire coinciding with the Eid holiday, condemned the attack.
Israel—Airstrikes Continue In GazaJerusalem Post | 05/17/2021Israel is continuing its military operation against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, reports the Jerusalem Post.On Saturday, Israeli jets struck a building in the Gaza Strip that housed offices for several media outlets, including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera.The attack was condemned by media and free press watchdogs. Israeli officials said that the building housed military intelligence facilities used by Hamas, which runs Gaza.The building was evacuated before the attack and no fatalities were reported.On Sunday, at least 42 Palestinians, including 10 children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Hamas tunnels in Gaza City, reported Reuters.Israeli officials said that the attack targeted the group's "metro" system of tunnels and that any civilian casualties were unintentional.On Monday afternoon, Israeli authorities said senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Hassam Abu-Arbid was killed in an airstrike in northern Gaza, where he oversaw missile attacks on Israel.At least 192 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 58 children. At least 1,200 people have been injured.Palestinian groups continued to launch rockets into Israel over the weekend, with about 3,150 fired since fighting began.Rocket strikes were reported in and around Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, Ramallah and Tulkarem in the West Bank and parts of the Negev.One Israeli man was killed on Saturday outside Tel Aviv, bringing total Israeli fatalities to 10, reported the Washington Post.The Iron Dome air defense system has intercepted about 90 percent of incoming projectiles, said Israeli officials.About 460 projectiles failed to reach their targets and landed inside Gaza.
Tunisia—Phoenix Express Drills Kick Off In TunisU.S. Sixth Fleet | 05/17/2021Thirteen countries are taking part in a U.S.-led maritime exercise in the Mediterranean this month, reports the U.S. Sixth Fleet.Exercise Phoenix Express was scheduled to begin on May 17 and run until May 28.The training focuses on increasing interoperability among participating nations to strengthen maritime security and sustain global commerce, said U.S. Navy Capt. Harry Knight.The drills are focused on maritime domain awareness, information-sharing and bolstering operational capabilities.The exercise scenario will evaluate the ability of the participating navies to respond to irregular migration and combat illegal trafficking and smuggling of illegal goods and materials, the fleet said.The exercise control group is hosted at the La Goulette naval base in Tunis, the Tunisian capital.Among the nations participating in the exercise are Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and the U.S.
Kenya—High Court Nullifies Proposed Constitutional AmendmentDaily Nation | 05/17/2021A push by President Uhuru Kenyatta to amend the Kenyan constitution has been ruled illegal by the Kenyan High Court, reports the Daily Nation (Nairobi).On May 13, the court ruled that Kenyatta had acted in excess of his power when he formed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to amend the constitution.The president illegally used a constitutional provision reserved for citizens to initiate the amendments, reported Reuters.As part of the ruling, the court issued a permanent injunction against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prevent the agency from organizing and conducting a referendum before proper voter registration and education is carried out.The proposed amendment would have created 70 new constituencies; returned the role of Cabinet posts to members of Parliament; and created several new posts, including a prime minister, two deputies and official leader of parliamentary opposition.Solicitor General Ken Ogeto has indicated that the government intends to appeal, reported Capital FM (Nairobi).The amendment was proposed in January 2018 as part of a rapprochement between Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga following a contentious 2017 election that saw violent clashes around the country, reported the BBC News.The deal was intended to isolate Kenyatta's deputy, William Ruto, who had been expected to succeed him in 2022 when Kenyatta must leave office due to term limits.The amendment is supported by the opposition but has split the ruling Jubilee Party into two factions supporting Kenyatta and Ruto, respectively
.Cameroon—Peacekeepers In CAR In Line For New GearDefence Web | 05/17/2021The Cameroonian army has received the first of two shipments of new equipment intended to bolster its peacekeeping contingent in the Central African Republic (CAR), reports Defence Web (South Africa).The equipment was formally handed over on May 11 in a ceremony led by Defense Minister Delegate Joseph Beti Assomo at the 201 Airbase in Douala, the economic capital.The delivery included nine Arquus (ACMAT) Bastion armored personnel carriers, 35 trailers, 24 heavy-duty generator sets and about 45 assorted vehicles, including ambulance and utility vehicles.A second batch of equipment, including another 24 Bastion vehicles, is scheduled for delivery to equip Cameroonian troops deployed with MINUSCA, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in CAR.The new gear will replace aging equipment that has reached the end of its service life and support the establishment of a second mechanized infantry company to increase the operational capabilities of the Cameroonian peacekeepers.About 1,000 Cameroonian peacekeepers are deployed in the western CAR towns of Bossangoa, Bouar and Bangui, the capital.
Democratic Republic of the Congo—Court Issues Death Sentences After Police Officer Killed In RiotBritish Broadcasting Corp. | 05/17/2021A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has handed down death sentences to 29 people for their involvement in violence last week that killed a police officer in Kinshasa, the capital, reports BBC News.On May 13, violence broke out between members of two rival camps of Muslims outside Martyrs' Stadium.The incident coincided with Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The camps could not agree on who should lead the event.During the clashes, one police officer was beaten to death and 46 others were injured, reported Reuters.On Saturday, a court handed out death sentences to 29 people involved in the violence. Two others received five-year jail terms.The Democratic Republic of Congo no longer applies the death penalty, and the convicts are likely to serve life sentences.The speed with which the sentences were passed has raised questions about the fairness of the proceedings, analysts said.
Chile—Conservatives Lose Big In Voting For Constitutional AssemblyBloomberg News | 05/17/2021The ruling conservative coalition in Chile has suffered a major defeat in voting for an assembly to write a new constitution, reports Bloomberg News.Over the weekend, Chilean voters cast ballots to elect members of a Constitutional Assembly.With 90 percent of ballots counted by Sunday night, a conservative bloc led by incumbent President Sebastian Pinera won about 21 percent of seats.Conservatives had been bracing for a loss but hoped to secure at least a third of seats to win the right to veto certain clauses, reported Reuters.A diverse group of independent candidates won about 60 of the 155 seats, signaling voters' rejection of traditional parties.Last year, voters elected to scrap the current constitution, which was implemented during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, following widespread protests in 2019 calling for broad reforms.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.