The List 6214 TGB
Good Monday Morning September 12 .
I hope that you all had a great weekend.
Regards
Skip
Today in Naval and Marine Corps History
Sept. 12
1804 In the First Barbary War, the frigates USS Constellation and USS President capture two ships while attempting to enter the harbor during the blockade of Barbary ports, while the brig USS Argus, and USS Constellation later capture a third vessel attempting to enter.
1855 Marines and Sailors from the frigate USS John Adams land at Nukulau, Fiji Islands to seek owed debt to Americans from the King of Fiji, Cakobau. Refusing, he appeals to the American Ambassador in Australia. After years of refusal, Fiji becomes a British possession in 1874 instead.
1942 The Brazilian Navy is placed under operational control of the US Navy. The Navy is commanded by Vice Adm. Jonas H. Ingram as Commander, South Atlantic Force, Atlantic Fleet.
1944 USS Growler (SS 215) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese destroyer Shikinami 240 miles south of Hong Kong, and escort vessel Hirado 250 miles east of Hainan Island.
1944 USS Noa (APD 24) and USS Fullam (DD 474) collide off the Palau Islands. Despite this, USS Fullam, not only rescues all of USS Noa's men, but she also carries out daily shore bombardment and night harassing fire, as well as underwater demolition.
1944 - 5th Fleet carrier aircraft begin 3-day attack on Japanese shipping and facilities in Visayas, Philippines
1966 Gemini 11 is launched. Gemini 11's Commander is Charles Conrad Jr., Command Pilot. The mission lasts two days and 23 hours and includes 44 orbits at an altitude of 1368.9 km. An HS-3 helicopter from USS Guam (LPH 9) recovers the crew.
1987 USS Key West (SSN 722) is commissioned at her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Following the ceremony, the 35th Los Angeles-class attack submarine made a trip down to its name-sake city at Key West, Fla. The boat is the third US Navy vessel to be named after the nations southern-most city.
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Today in History
September 12
490 BC Athenian and Plataean Hoplites commanded by General Miltiades drive back a Persian invasion force under General Datis at Marathon.
1213 Simon de Montfort defeats Raymond of Toulouse and Peter II of Aragon at Muret, France.
1609 Henry Hudson sails into what is now New York Harbor aboard his sloop Half Moon.
1662 Governor Berkley of Virginia is denied his attempts to repeal the Navigation Acts.
1683 A combined Austrian and Polish army defeats the Turks at Kahlenberg and lifts the siege on Vienna, Austria.
1722 The Treaty of St. Petersburg puts an end to the Russo-Persian War.
1786 Despite his failed efforts to suppress the American Revolution, Lord Cornwallis is appointed governor general of India.
1836 Mexican authorities crush the revolt which broke out on August 25.
1918 British troops retake Havincourt, Moeuvres, and Trescault along the Western Front.
1919 Adolf Hitler joins German Worker's Party.
1939 In response to the invasion of Poland, the French Army advances into Germany. On this day they reach their furthest penetration-five miles.
1940 Italian forces begin an offensive into Egypt from Libya.
1940 The Lascaux Caves in France, with their prehistoric wall paintings, are discovered.
1944 American troops fight their way into Germany.
1945 French troops land in Indochina.
1969 President Richard Nixon orders a resumption in bombing North Vietnam.
1977 Steve Biko, a South African activist opposing apartheid, dies while in police custody.
1980 Military coup in Turkey.
1990 East and West Germany, along with the UK, US and USSR—the Allied nations that had occupied post-WWII Germany—sign the final settlement for reunification of Germany.
1992 Space Shuttle Endeavor takes off on NASA's 50th shuttle mission; its crew includes the first African-American woman in space, the first married couple, and the first Japanese citizen to fly in a US spacecraft.
2003 UN lifts sanctions against Libya in exchange for that country accepting responsibility for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 and paying recompense to victims' families.
2007 Joseph Estrada, former president of the Philippines, is convicted of plunder.
2011 In New York City, the 9/11 Memorial Museum opens to the public.
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Thanks to Brett,
These are great Note I have been putting two new ones each day until I run out
If you haven't discovered the little video clips by Neal Foard, treat yourself to a couple a day; they will make you smile and there's ALWAYS a "Life Lesson" embedded. He tells a great story and they're only, maybe, two minutes long or less.
Brett
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I hope that the Bear is home safe on the mountain
ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
Thanks to THE BEAR
… For The List for Monday, 12 September 2022… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 12 September 1967… CIA spells out the prospects for pulling victory from the jaws of defeat…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965–1968)…
Part IX of IX, Conclusion of Stennis Rolling Thunder Report…
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War
. Listed by last name and has other info
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Servicemembers Killed in the Vietnam War
(This site was sent by a friend last week and I forgot to forward. The site works, find anyone you knew in "search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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Thanks to Al
Monday Morning Humor--'Hook 22 Recap
I just returned from Tailhook '22. This year I shared the experience with two of my sons and two grandsons. The highpoint of the trip was the chance to reunite with friends acquired over the past 54 years. Some of them I see every year and others only once in a great while. Friends like, Ham, Okie, Jamie, Steve, Fingers, Streak, Frito, Pink Panther, Eagle, Dozo, Scar, Pegger, Irish, Sobs, Archie, and many, many more. What a privilege to know these fine people who gave of themselves to serve and support their country.
Also, seeing the younger set who are currently serving was inspiring, I know that they are a credit to the Navy and Marine Corps and are up for the task. Bravo Zulu! Here is a bit of humor dedicated to them.
Submitted by Al Schlegel:
This is from Ace Jewell CDR-USN-ret, now about 88, fighter pilot in three wars and LSO extraordinaire. They don't make them like Ace anymore.
Ace says: "Drones will not ...be late to briefings, start fights at happy hour, destroy clubs, attempt to seduce others' dates, purchase huge watches, insult other Services, sing "O'Leary's Balls," dance on tables, yell "Show us your boobs!!!" or do all of the other things that we know win wars!"
Submitted by Don Mills:
Fighter pilots are steely eyed, weapons systems managers who kill bad people and break things. However, they can also be very charming and personable. The average fighter pilot, despite sometimes having a swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy, and caring. (However, these feelings don't involve anyone else.)
Submitted by Mike Farlow:
He left home about 8:30 a.m. to do some work in his hangar at the airport with his friends. On the way out the door he answered his wife's "What time will you be home?" question with "Probably about 1:30, I'll have lunch at the airport."
1:30 came and went, 3:00 passed, 6:15, still not home, finally at about 7:00 pm he rolls in the driveway, and presents his wife with a pizza, and begins the apologetic story:
"I finished cleaning the plane about 11:30, had lunch, and I started home, when alongside the road, I saw this attractive girl with a flat tire on her car. I stopped to help, got the tire changed, and looked around for a place to wash my hands. She offered money, but I refused, so she suggested that I at least allow her to buy me a beer. She said there's a tavern just up the road, and they have a restroom, you can clean up a bit. I agreed to stop, we had a beer, then another beer, then a couple more, and I realized that this girl was not only pretty, she was very friendly, and a good companion to spend time with. Before I knew it, we were having a rendezvous in the motel next door. And that is why I am so late getting home."
His wife looked him right in the eye and said, "Don't lie to me; you went flying, didn't you?"
Submitted by Mark Logan:
Early one morning, an elderly retired Navy pilot yelled to his wife, "Honey! Come see what I created! It's an abstract panorama depicting the five years of the Obama presidency!"
She yelled back, "Flush the toilet and come eat your breakfast."
Young boy to his mother, "Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a naval aviator."
Mother to young boy, "Well, you decide, son. You can't do both."
Submitted by Skip Leonard:
I think I've known a million lads,
Who say they love the sky;
Who'd all be aviators,
And not afraid to fly!
For Duty, Honor, Country,
Their courage I admire!
But it takes more than courage, son,
To get to be a flyer.
When you are only twelve years old
Of course you want to fly!
And tho' you know not what is death,
You're not afraid to die.
But of the million, more or less,
All must have perfect eyes;
So only half a million now,
Can dream of future skies.
Then comes high school, science, math;
Some choose the easy way:
Football, cars, and dating girls;
Teen pleasures hold their sway.
And of the quarter million left,
One half go on to schools;
The other half will dream and drift,
And never learn the rules.
Now comes the day of testing,
Eight hours of Stanine hell;
On every subject known to man,
Four- fifths will not do well.
The one in five who pass this test
Apply for flying schools,
The application boards will now
Eliminate the fools.
Then comes two days of nakedness,
Flight surgeons poke and prod;
To pass this flying physical
One needs to be a god!
And now, five hundred lucky souls
Will start their pre-flight days;
Endure demerits, hunger, cold,
As upperclassmen haze.
One- half survive this mental game,
And go to primary schools,
But only half will hack the course,
Move on to Basic rules.
Two hundred fifty now will try
To pass those Basic tests;
Formation flight soon separates,
The " tiger" from the rest.
One hundred twenty five will then
Pin on those pilot wings;
The best become hot fighter jocks;
The rest fly other things.
Some will die while learning those
Essential combat skills;
Some will die in combat,
Some will score their "kills".
But they have learned a lesson,
Sometimes lost on you and me;
We must always fight for Freedom,
Because freedom's never free!
He's a knight in shining armor,
That the cruel tyrants fear;
He's that deadly drop of venom
On the tip of freedom's spear.
Engaging him in battle is a course
That only fools would choose;
He's the world's fiercest warrior,
For he has the most to lose.
So when you see that fighter pilot,
Standing at the bar;
Taking out the garbage,
Or tuning up his car.
You'd best walk up and offer him
Your thanks, extend your hand;
He's that rare "one in a million" who
Protects this sacred land.
Submitted by J.T. Strong:
The Naval Aviator as seen by...
• Himself--An incredibly intelligent, tall, handsome, innovative, and highly trained professional killer, idol to countless females, and gentleman adventurer, who wears a star sapphire ring, carries a hair-trigger .45 automatic in a specially designed hand-stitched, quick draw holster along with his trusty pearl-handle survival knife, who is always on time thanks to his ability to obtain immediate transportation and the reliability of his Rolex watch.
• His Wife--A disreputable member of the family who comes home once a year all bruised up, driving a stolen Government vehicle up to the back door carrying a B-4 bag full of dirty laundry, wearing a stained flight suit, smelling of stale booze and JP-5, wearing a huge watch, a fake ring, and that ugly beat-up pistol in that stupid holster, who will three months later go out the front door, thankfully for another year.
• The Squadron Commander--A fine specimen of a drunken, brawling, car stealing, woman corrupting liar, with a star sapphire ring, fantastically accurate Rolex watch, an unauthorized .45 in a non-regulation shoulder holster, and rusty survival knife.
• Fleet Ops--The embodiment of a drunken, brawling, car stealing, woman corrupting, lying, zipper-suited sun god, with a ring, a proscribed 1911 A1 .45 in a non-regulation shoulder holster, a Rolex watch, who for some reason carries a survival knife.
• The Department of Defense--An overpaid, rule-ignoring, over-ranked tax burden, who is unfortunately totally indispensable simply because he has volunteered to go anywhere, and do anything, at any time, only so long as he can booze it up, brawl, steal cars, corrupt women, lie, and wear a star sapphire ring, Rolex watch, and carry an obsolete hand gun and a survival knife.
• The Enemy--The terrifying face of death!
Yep.......that pretty much sums it up!
Rules of Flight
• Never trade luck for skill.
• The three most common expressions in aviation are, "Why is it doing that?", "Where are we?" and "Oh $#!+".
• Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers.
• Airspeed, altitude or brains: two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.
• A smooth landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication.
• We have a perfect record in aviation: we never left one up there!
• If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter - and unsafe.
• Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries.
• Navy carrier pilots to Air Force pilots: Flaring is like squatting to pee.
• Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding it.
• When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten. - Robert Livingston, "Flying The Aeronca"
• Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day. - Layton A. Bennett
• Never fly the 'A' model of anything. - Ed Thompson
• When a prang seems inevitable, endeavor to strike the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity, as slowly and gently as possible. - Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII.
• A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum. - Jon McBride, astronaut
• If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible. - Bob Hoover
• Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you. - Richard Herman, Jr., 'Firebreak'
• The three best things in life are a good landing, a good orgasm, and good bowel movement. The night carrier landing is one of the few opportunities in life to experience all three at the same time. - Unknown
Submitted by Dean Laird:
Old Sailors sit and chew the fat 'bout how things use to be,
Of the things they've seen and places they've been, when they ventured out to sea.
They remember friends from long ago and the times they had back then,
Of the money they've spilled and the beer they've swilled in their days as sailing men.
Their lives are lived in days gone by, with thoughts that forever last,
Of Dixie cup hats and bell bottom blues, and the good times in their past.
They recall long nights with a moon so bright far out on a lonely sea,
And thoughts they had as youthful lads, when their lives were unbridled and free.
They know so well how their hearts would swell when the flag fluttered proud and free,
And the stars and stripes made such beautiful sights as they plowed through an angry sea.
They talk of the bread Ole Cookie would bake and the shrill of the bo'sun's pipe,
And how the salt spray fell like sparks out of hell when a storm struck in the night.
They remember mates already gone who forever hold a spot
In the stories of old when sailors were bold and lubbers a pitiful lot.
They rode their ships through many a storm when the sea was showing its might,
And the mighty waves might be digging their graves as they sailed on through the night.
They speak of nights in a bawdy house somewhere on a foreign shore,
And the beer they'd downed as they gathered around cracking jokes with a busty whore.
Their sailing days are gone away, never more will they cross the brow,
But they have no regrets for they know they've been blessed 'cause they honored their sacred vow.
Their numbers grow less with each passing day as their chits in this life are called,
But they've nothing to lose for they've paid their dues and they'll sail with their shipmates again.
I've heard them say before getting underway that there is still some sailing to do,
And they'll exclaim with a grin that their ship has come in, and the Lord is commanding the crew.
I hope your week can be as good as my weekend was,
Al
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This Day in U S Military History
September 12
1847 – The Battle of Chapultepec was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. The Americans began an artillery barrage against Chapultepec at dawn. It was halted at dark and resumed at first light the next day. At 8 AM, the bombardment was halted and Winfield Scott ordered the infantry attack. There were three assault columns. On the left were the 11th and 14th Infantry under Colonel William Trousdale moving east along the Anzures aqueduct, in the center were four companies of the Voltigeur regiment under Colonel Timothy Patrick Andrews along with the 9th and 15th Infantry moving through the swamp and western edge of the grove, and on the right were the remaining four Voltigeur companies under Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Johnston. Pillow was quickly hit in the foot and called for reinforcements, which came from John A. Quitman's division but the attack faltered when fired upon by the Moelia Battalion battery. Andrews's column cleared the grove of Mexican troops and linked up with Johnston. Yet, the attack by the 9th and 15th Infantry stalled waiting for scaling ladders, and Col. Truman B. Ransom was killed. Quitman sent Persifor Smith's brigade to his right and brought in James Shields, plus the New York and 2d Pennsylvania Regiments into the assault. At the same time, Newman S. Clarke's brigade arrived on the western slope, as did the scaling ladders. The Voltigeurs soon planted their flag on the parapet. By 9 AM, General Bravo surrendered to the New York Regiment and the American flag flew over the castle. Santa Anna watched the Americans take Chapultepec while an aide exclaimed "let the Mexican flag never be touched by a foreign enemy". He also exclaimed, "I believe if we were to plant our batteries in Hell the damned Yankees would take them from us."
1918 – The US First Army and the French II Colonial Corps launch a five day attack on the salient at St. Mihiel. It has been held continuously by the Germans since 1914. The advance is led by the First Army's 1 and IV Corps which advance into the southern face of the salient and V Corp, which moves against the west face. The French II Colonial Corps is positioned between the US forces. The attack begins in thick fog and is supported by 600 aircraft commanded by US Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell, a staunch advocate of the value of air power. the attackers are facing nine German divisions in the front line and a further five held in reserve. German resistance collapses on the first day with the US attacks from the south and west linking up at the village of Hattonchatel. By the 16th the entire salient has been reduced.
1942 – The Battle of Edson's Ridge, also known as the Battle of the Bloody Ridge, Battle of Raiders Ridge, and Battle of the Ridge, a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II between Imperial Japanese Army and Allied (mainly United States Marine Corps) ground forces, begins on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, and was the second of three separate major Japanese ground offensives during the Guadalcanal Campaign. In the battle, U.S. Marines, under the overall command of U.S. Major General Alexander Vandegrift, repulsed an attack by the Japanese 35th Infantry Brigade, under the command of Japanese Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi. The Marines were defending the Lunga perimeter that guarded Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, which was captured from the Japanese by the Allies in landings on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. Kawaguchi's unit was sent to Guadalcanal in response to the Allied landings with the mission of recapturing the airfield and driving the Allied forces from the island. Underestimating the strength of Allied forces on Guadalcanal–about 12,000–Kawaguchi's 6,000 soldiers conducted several nighttime frontal assaults on the U.S. defenses. The main Japanese assault occurred around Lunga ridge south of Henderson Field, manned by troops from several U.S. Marine Corps units, primarily troops from the 1st Raider and 1st Parachute Battalions under U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Merritt A. Edson. Although the Marine defenses were almost overrun, Kawaguchi's attack was ultimately defeated, with heavy losses for the Japanese. Because of the key participation by Edson's unit in defending the ridge, the ridge was commonly referred to as "Edson's" ridge in historical accounts of the battle in Western sources. After Edson's Ridge, the Japanese continued to send troops to Guadalcanal for further attempts to retake Henderson Field, affecting Japanese offensive operations in other areas of the South Pacific.
1972 – U.S. intelligence agencies (the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency) report to the National Security Council that the North Vietnamese have 100,000 regular troops in South Vietnam and can sustain fighting "at the present rate" for two years. The report further stated that while U.S. bombing had caused heavy casualties and prevented North Vietnam from doubling operations, the overall effects were disappointing because troops and supplies had kept moving south. It was estimated that 20,000 fresh troops had infiltrated into the South in the previous six weeks and that communist troops in the Mekong Delta had increased as much as tenfold – up to 30,000 – in the last year. This report was significant in that it showed that the North Vietnamese, who had suffered greatly since launching the Easter invasion on March 31, were steadily replacing their losses and maintaining troop levels in the south. These forces and their presence in South Vietnam were not addressed in the Paris Peace Accords that were signed in January 1973, and the North Vietnamese troops remained. Therefore, shortly after the ceasefire was initiated, new fighting erupted between the South Vietnamese forces and the North Vietnamese troops who remained in the South. The South Vietnamese held out for two years, but when the United States failed to honor the promises of continued support made by President Nixon (who resigned on August 9, 1974, in the wake of the Watergate scandal), the North Vietnamese launched a major offensive and the South Vietnamese were defeated in less than 55 days. Saigon fell on April 30, 1975.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
CLARK, FRANCIS J.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 109th Infantry, 28th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kalborn, Luxembourg, 12 September 1944; near Sevenig, Germany, 17 September 1944. Entered service at: Salem, N.Y. Birth: Whitehall, N.Y. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945. Citation: He fought gallantly in Luxembourg and Germany. On 12 September 1944, Company K began fording the Our River near Kalborn, Luxembourg, to take high ground on the opposite bank. Covered by early morning fog, the 3d Platoon, in which T/Sgt. Clark was squad leader, successfully negotiated the crossing; but when the 2d Platoon reached the shore, withering automatic and small-arms fire ripped into it, eliminating the platoon leader and platoon sergeant and pinning down the troops in the open. From his comparatively safe position, T/Sgt. Clark crawled alone across a field through a hail of bullets to the stricken troops. He led the platoon to safety and then unhesitatingly returned into the fire-swept area to rescue a wounded soldier, carrying him to the American line while hostile gunners tried to cut him down. Later, he led his squad and men of the 2d Platoon in dangerous sorties against strong enemy positions to weaken them by lightning-like jabs. He assaulted an enemy machinegun with hand grenades, killing 2 Germans. He roamed the front and flanks, dashing toward hostile weapons, killing and wounding an undetermined number of the enemy, scattering German patrols and, eventually, forcing the withdrawal of a full company of Germans heavily armed with automatic weapons. On 17 September, near Sevenig, Germany, he advanced alone against an enemy machinegun, killed the gunner and forced the assistant to flee. The Germans counterattacked, and heavy casualties were suffered by Company K. Seeing that 2 platoons lacked leadership, T/Sgt. Clark took over their command and moved among the men to give encouragement. Although wounded on the morning of 18 September, he refused to be evacuated and took up a position in a pillbox when night came. Emerging at daybreak, he killed a German soldier setting up a machinegun not more than 5 yards away. When he located another enemy gun, he moved up unobserved and killed 2 Germans with rifle fire. Later that day he voluntarily braved small-arms fire to take food and water to members of an isolated platoon. T/Sgt. Clark's actions in assuming command when leadership was desperately needed, in launching attacks and beating off counterattacks, in aiding his stranded comrades, and in fearlessly facing powerful enemy fire, were strikingly heroic examples and put fighting heart into the hard-pressed men of Company K.
TOMINAC, JOHN J .
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company I, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Saulx de Vesoul, France, 12 September 1944. Entered service at: Conemaugh, Pa. Birth: Conemaugh, Pa. G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 12 September 1944, in an attack on Saulx de Vesoul, France 1st Lt. Tominac charged alone over 50 yards of exposed terrain onto an enemy roadblock to dispatch a 3-man crew of German machine gunners with a single burst from his Thompson machinegun after smashing the enemy outpost, he led 1 of his squads in the annihilation of a second hostile group defended by mortar, machinegun automatic pistol, rifle and grenade fire, killing about 30 of the enemy. Reaching the suburbs of the town, he advanced 50 yards ahead of his men to reconnoiter a third enemy position which commanded the road with a 77-mm. SP gun supported by infantry elements. The SP gun opened fire on his supporting tank, setting it afire with a direct hit. A fragment from the same shell painfully wounded 1st Lt. Tominac in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground. As the crew abandoned the M-4 tank, which was rolling down hill toward the enemy, 1st Lt. Tominac picked himself up and jumped onto the hull of the burning vehicle. Despite withering enemy machinegun, mortar, pistol, and sniper fire, which was ricocheting off the hull and turret of the M-4, 1st Lt. Tominac climbed to the turret and gripped the 50-caliber antiaircraft machinegun. Plainly silhouetted against the sky, painfully wounded, and with the tank burning beneath his feet, he directed bursts of machinegun fire on the roadblock, the SP gun, and the supporting German infantrymen, and forced the enemy to withdraw from his prepared position. Jumping off the tank before it exploded, 1st Lt. Tominac refused evacuation despite his painful wound. Calling upon a sergeant to extract the shell fragments from his shoulder with a pocketknife, he continued to direct the assault, led his squad in a hand grenade attack against a fortified position occupied by 32 of the enemy armed with machineguns, machine pistols, and rifles, and compelled them to surrender. His outstanding heroism and exemplary leadership resulted in the destruction of 4 successive enemy defensive positions, surrender of a vital sector of the city Saulx de Vesoul, and the death or capture of at least 60 of the enemy.
*ZUSSMAN, RAYMOND
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank Battalion. Place and date: Noroy le Bourg, France, 12 September 1944. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Birth: Hamtramck, Mich. G.O. No.: 42, 24 May 1945. Citation: On 12 September 1944, 2d Lt. Zussman was in command of 2 tanks operating with an infantry company in the attack on enemy forces occupying the town of Noroy le Bourg, France. At 7 p.m., his command tank bogged down. Throughout the ensuing action, armed only with a carbine, he reconnoitered alone on foot far in advance of his remaining tank and the infantry. Returning only from time to time to designate targets, he directed the action of the tank and turned over to the infantry the numerous German soldiers he had caused to surrender. He located a road block and directed his tanks to destroy it. Fully exposed to fire from enemy positions only 50 yards distant, he stood by his tank directing its fire. Three Germans were killed and 8 surrendered. Again he walked before his tank, leading it against an enemy-held group of houses, machinegun and small arms fire kicking up dust at his feet. The tank fire broke the resistance and 20 enemy surrendered. Going forward again alone he passed an enemy-occupied house from which Germans fired on him and threw grenades in his path. After a brief fire fight, he signaled his tank to come up and fire on the house. Eleven German soldiers were killed and 15 surrendered. Going on alone, he disappeared around a street corner. The fire of his carbine could be heard and in a few minutes he reappeared driving 30 prisoners before him. Under 2d Lt. Zussman's heroic and inspiring leadership, 18 enemy soldiers were killed and 92 captured.
*MAUSERT, FREDERICK W., III
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) Place and date: Songnap-yong, Korea, 12 September 1951. Entered service at: Dresher, Pa. Born: 2 May 1930, Cambridge, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader in Company B, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his company pinned down and suffering heavy casualties under murderous machine gun, rifle, artillery, and mortar fire laid down from heavily fortified, deeply entrenched hostile strongholds on Hill 673, Sgt. Mausert unhesitatingly left his covered position and ran through a heavily mined and fire-swept area to bring back 2 critically wounded men to the comparative safety of the lines. Staunchly refusing evacuation despite a painful head wound sustained during his voluntary act, he insisted on remaining with his squad and, with his platoon ordered into the assault moments later, took the point position and led his men in a furious bayonet charge against the first of a literally impregnable series of bunkers. Stunned and knocked to the ground when another bullet struck his helmet, he regained his feet and resumed his drive, personally silencing the machine gun and leading his men in eliminating several other emplacements in the area. Promptly reorganizing his unit for a renewed fight to the final objective on top of the ridge, Sgt. Mausert boldly left his position when the enemy's fire gained momentum and, making a target of himself, boldly advanced alone into the face of the machine gun, drawing the fire away from his men and enabling them to move into position to assault. Again severely wounded when the enemy's fire found its mark, he still refused aid and continued spearheading the assault to the topmost machine gun nest and bunkers, the last bulwark of the fanatic aggressors. Leaping into the wall of fire, he destroyed another machine gun with grenades before he was mortally wounded by bursting grenades and machine gun fire. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sgt. Mausert, by his fortitude, great personal valor, and extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death, had inspired his men to sweep on, overrun and finally secure the objective. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for September 12, 2020 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
12 September
1918: Through 15 September, Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell led 1,481 planes in the St. Mihiel offensive. This was the biggest air armada to date. (21) Lt Frank Luke (17th Aero Squadron) shot down his first balloon. When he died 17 days later, with 18 balloons and airplanes to his credit, he became the first Army aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. (11)
1942: The 89th Attack Squadron, 3 BG, dropped the first parachute-retarded bomb in World War II on Buna Airstrip, New Guinea. (24) The Army Air Forces activated the 4 FG at Bushey Hall, England, to escort Eighth Air Force heavy bomber missions over occupied Europe. Three RAF Eagle Squadrons, with American volunteers, then transferred from the RAF on 29 September to the VIII Fighter Command, to man the group. (4) (21)
1947: Boeing rolled out the XB-47 in its Seattle plant. (31)
1952: KOREAN WAR. Through 13 September, 25 B-29s attacked the generator building at the giant Sui-ho power plant. Before and during the attack, B-26s and US Navy planes dropped low-level fragmentation bombs to suppress enemy searchlights, rendering 8 of approximately 30 unserviceable. At the same time, four B-29s orbiting to the east jammed enemy radar. Enemy fighters shot down one medium bomber and flak damaged several others, but the B-29s dropped their bombs on target, again rendering the plant unserviceable. Far East Air Forces concluded that searchlight suppression and electronic countermeasures probably saved the B-29s from greater losses. (28)
1958: Gen Curtis E. LeMay flew a KC-135 Stratotanker from Yokota AB to Washington DC, flying the 7,000 miles in 12 hours 28 minutes for an unofficial record. (24)
1962: The first Titan II equipped with decoys launched successfully from Cape Canaveral. (6)
1966: GEMINI XI. Lt Cmdrs Charles Conrad, Jr., and Richard F. Gordon flew Gemini XI to a new altitude record of 851 miles. They also achieved the first rendezvous and space docking in one orbit of the earth. The mission ended on 15 September after 44 orbits. (9)
1969: Maj Jerauld R. Gentry, AFFTC pilot, won the Harmon International Aviator's Trophy for his 1968 flights in NASA's HL-10 Lifting Body. (3)
1970: The 20 TFW at RAF Upper Heyford received USAFE's first F-111Es. (4)
1971: Through 16 September, three USAF aircraft flew to Nicaragua to provide disaster relief after Hurricane Edith. The aircraft carried food, medical supplies, tents, and a USAF radio jeep to coordinate emergency operations and fuel for rescue helicopters. (16) (26)
1978: Northrop's YF-17 performed a flight demonstration at Langley AFB. (16)
1987: The ANG received its first C-12J turbo-prop transport from Beech Aircraft Corporation in ceremonies at the Beech facility in Wichita.
1988: C-5s, C-141s, and C-130s flew to Kingston, Jamaica, after Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island. MAC flew five more C-5 missions in October to provide humanitarian relief. (18)
1992: TYPHOON INIKI. The storm ran over Kauai, Hawaii, with 130-MPH winds and heavy rain. Through 18 October, AMC flew 259 C-5, C-141, C-130, and KC-135 missions, while the ANG operated another 354 C-130 missions to transport more than 8,600 passengers and 9,200 tons of cargo. (16) (18)
2000: The Boeing RS-68 rocket engine completed qualification testing for the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards AFB. The testing confirmed the engine's predicted performance. (3)
2002: The CV-22 Osprey resumed flight testing, following a 21-month grounding. The tilt-rotor aircraft, one of two at the AFFTC, flew three sorties for over four flying hours and successfully transitioned into the airplane mode. (3)
2006: Northrop-Grumman rolled out the first RQ-4B Global Hawk "Block 20" UAV. The RQ-4B possessed 3,000-pound payload, compared with the earlier RQ-4A's (Block 10) 2,000-pound payload. Service entry with the 9 RW at Beale AFB was slated for early
2007. (USAF Aimpoints, "Supersized Global Hawk Revealed," 12 Sep 2006)
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World News for 12 September Thanks to Military Periscope
USA—CENTCOM Supporting Aid Deliveries To Pakistan U.S. Agency for International Development | 09/12/2022 The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) says that U.S. Central Command is delivering humanitarian supplies to Pakistan. On Sept. 9, the agency said that CENTCOM cargo aircraft were transporting humanitarian supplies from a USAID warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Pakistan as part of relief efforts after devastating floods. Twenty separate flights will deliver over $2.2 million worth of supplies including 41,000 kitchen sets, 1,500 rolls of plastic sheeting, 35,000 plastic tarps and 8,700 shelter-fixing kits. USAID is working with U.S. military liaisons in Islamabad and Dubai to coordinate airlifts and supplies distribution.
Ukraine—Army Recaptures Izium In Kharkiv Offensive New York Times | 09/12/2022 The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says its forces have recaptured Izium, a strategic city in the northeastern Kharkiv region, reports the New York Times. On Saturday, Izium Mayor Valeriy Marchenko told the newspaper that the city had been liberated as part of a Ukrainian offensive in the region that saw significant gains over the last few days. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the loss of Izium but claimed that it was part of a preplanned move to strengthen its forces in the Donbas. Izium is a strategic rail hub, along with the city of Kupiansk to the north that has also come back under Ukrainian control, and its loss is expected to hurt Russia's ability to resupply its forces in eastern Ukraine. In retaliation for the Ukrainian gains, Russia launched strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, cutting off power, reported the Voice of America News.
Afghanistan—3 Killed In Black Hawk Helo Crash Reuters | 09/12/2022 At least three Taliban fighters have been killed in a helicopter crash, reports Reuters. On Saturday, the Afghan Defense Ministry announced that a captured UH-60 Black Hawk had crashed during a training flight over the National Defense University in Kabul. Five people were injured. The ministry said that a technical problem led to the crash. Unverified video showed the Black Hawk flying at low altitude when it suddenly nosedived into the ground, reported Deutsche Welle. The Taliban captured a variety of U.S.-supplied military equipment when it seized power last year.
Antigua-Barbuda—PM Announces Plans To Hold Referendum On Becoming A Republic British Broadcasting Corp. | 09/12/2022 Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has announced plans to hold a referendum on whether to maintain the British monarch as head of state, reports the BBC News. Browne made his remarks after confirming King Charles III as head of state following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The prime minister said he wanted to introduce a referendum if he wins re-election next year. His party holds 15 of 17 seats in Parliament and he is expected to retain power. Becoming a republic would mark the "final step to complete the circle of independence to become a truly sovereign nation," said Browne. Barbados swore in its first president last year after its Parliament removed the queen as head of state. Jamaica's ruling Labour Party has also indicated plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic.
Ethiopia—TPLF Open To A.U.-Moderated Peace Talks Deutsche Welle | 09/12/2022 Authorities in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region say they are ready for peace talks with the federal government under the aegis of the African Union, reports Deutsche Welle. The government previously expressed support for A.U.-led talks with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to end the two-year civil war that has caused one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises. A months-long cease-fire ended last month, with both sides blaming the other for the violence. A.U. Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called for the sides to engage in direct talks and work toward a rapid cease-fire. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the U.N. was ready to support an A.U.-led peace process.
France—Airbus Signs Deals With Czechs, Dutch For SATCOMs Airbus | 09/12/2022 Airbus says it has signed contracts with Czechia and the Netherlands to provide satellite communications over a 15-year period. Under the deal, the Czech military will get two and the Dutch military three channels from the Airbus UHF military communications payload onboard its EUTELSAT 36D satellite, which is scheduled for launch in 2024. The UHF payload will be operated from the Airbus Network Operations Center in Toulouse. Eighteen UHF channels will provide for up to 200 simultaneous communications over Europe, the Middle East, Africa, large parts of Asia, as well as the Atlantic Ocean (to eastern Brazil) and the Indian Ocean (to western Australia). The EUTELSAT spacecraft will be built by Airbus based on its Eurostar Neo platform. It will also carry 70 Ku-band transponders for TV broadcasting.
Iran—Army Shows Off Latest Gear During Eghtedar Drills Press Tv | 09/12/2022 Iranian army officials touted the service's latest equipment during an exercise last week in the central Isfahan province, reports Press TV (Tehran). The Eghtedar (Authority) 1401 drills in the Nasrabad region on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 included the test-firing of the domestically developed Fath (Conquest) 360 surface-to-surface missile, said Brig. Gen. Nozar Ne'mati, the deputy chief of Iranian ground forces. The Fath 360 can hit speeds of 2,300 mph (3,700 kph), which can be increased to 3,110 mph (5,000 kph), to rapidly strike strategic targets. It uses satellite communications for navigation and to precisely hit its target, said Ne'mati. It is launched from a multiple launch rocket system. Indigenous Fajr-5 missiles were also fired during the drills. Officials said Iranian armored personnel carriers had been upgraded with the twin-tube Dehlavieh anti-tank missile system, Ne'mati said.
Poland—Apache Chosen As New Attack Helicopter The War Zone | 09/12/2022 Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has announced the winner for Poland's attack helicopter competition, reports the War Zone website. On Thursday, during the meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Blaszczak announced on social media that an official inquiry had been sent to the U.S. government for the acquisition of 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters. The AH-64 had been competing with the AH-1Z Viper for Poland's Kruk (Raven) attack helicopter program to replace a fleet of 30 Cold War-era Mi-24 Hinds. If finalized, the deal would make the Polish army the largest Apache operator behind the U.S. Army. It was not immediately clear if the additional Apaches would replace other helicopters in Polish service, such as armed variants of the Mi-2 and W-3 light helicopters. The Boeing Apache offer to Poland involved the AH-64EV6 variant with crewed-uncrewed teaming capability, reported Breaking Defense. The final configuration will depend on negotiations with the U.S. government. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked a significant acceleration of defense programs in Poland, with several large procurements announced in recent weeks.
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