To All,
Good Monday morning February 7, 2023.
I hope that your week is off to a great start.
Regards,
Skip
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History February 7
1800—The frigate Essex, commanded by Capt. Edward Preble, becomes the first U.S. Navy vessel to cross the Equator.
1814—During the War of 1812, the schooner Enterprise and the brig Rattlesnake capture and burn the British merchant brig Rambler in the Caribbean Sea.
1832—The frigate Potomac, commanded by Capt. John Downes, shells a pirate stronghold at Qualla Battoo, Sumatra, destroying a fort. The day before a Potomac landing party destroys four forts, killing 150 pirates and the pirate leader, Rajah Po Mohamet. The Malays agree not to make further attacks on American ships.
1943—USS Growler (SS 215) fights a desperate night battle with the Japanese supply ship Hayasaki, during which the boat's commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Howard W. Gilmore, rams the enemy ship, badly bending Growler's bow. Wounded by machine gun fire and unable to go below, Gilmore gives the order "Take her down!" sacrificing himself so his submarine could dive to safety. For his "distinguished gallantry and valor" on this occasion and earlier in the patrol, he is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted one rank.
1945—USS Thomason (DE 203) sinks the Japanese submarine RO 55 off Iba, Luzon. USS Bergall (SS 320) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No. 53 off Cam Ranh Bay. USS Guavina (SS 362) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks merchant tanker Taigyo Maru, off Saigon, French Indochina while USS Parche (SS 384) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Okinoyama Maru in Tokara Retto.
1955—Seventh Fleet ships begin the evacuation of Chinese nationalists from Tachen Islands.
1965—During Operation Flaming Dart, USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) and USS Hancock (CVA 19) aircraft attack the North Vietnamese area near Donghoi in response to a Viet Cong attack on the barracks area at Pleiku, South Vietnam.
day
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This day in World History
February 7
457 A Thracian officer by the name of Leo is proclaimed as emperor of the East by the army general, Aspar, on the death of the Emperor Marcian.
1668 The Netherlands, England and Sweden conclude an alliance directed against Louis XIV of France.
1783 The Siege of Gibraltar, which was pursued by the Spanish and the French since July 24, 1779, is finally lifted.
1818 The first successful U.S. educational magazine, Academician, begins publication in New York City.
1882 American pugilist John L. Sullivan becomes the last of the bare-knuckle world heavyweight champions with his defeat of Patty Ryan in Mississippi City.
1913 The Turks lose 5,000 men in a battle with the Bulgarian army in Gallipoli.
1915 Fieldmarshal Paul von Hindenburg moves on Russians at Masurian Lakes.
1917 The British steamer California is sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German U-boat.
1926 Negro History Week, originated by Carter G. Woodson, is observed for the first time.
1928 The United States signs an arbitration treaty with France.
1931 Amelia Earhart weds George Putnam in Connecticut.
1944 The Germans launch a second attack against the Allied beachead at Anzio, Italy. They hoped to push the Allies back into the sea.
1950 The United States recognizes Vietnam under the leadership of Emperor Bao Dai, not Ho Chi Minh who is recognized by the Soviets.
1963 The Mona Lisa is put on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
1964 The British band The Beatles are greeted by 25,000 fans upon their arrival in the United States at JFK Airport.
1965 U.S. jets hit Dong Hoi guerrilla base in reprisal for the Viet Cong raids.
1968 North Vietnamese use 11 Soviet-built light tanks to overrun the U.S. Special Forces camp at Lang Vei at the end of an 18-hour long siege.
1978 Ethiopia mounts a counter attack against Somalia.
1983 Iran opens an invasion in the southeast of Iraq.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
… For The List for Tuesday, 7 February 2023…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 7 February 1968… The plan to mine the Haiphong Harbor on hold (for 7 years)…
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Listed by last name and has other info https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
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Thanks to Tammy
Please forward to your mailing lists Capt. Williams tribute dinner
Sir,
I am the aide/caregiver for Captain Williams. Please see the attached for a dinner planned Royce. If you could be so kind to include in your daily list, I would be so thankful.
Dinner bus supported by the San Dieguito American Legion Post 416.
Tammy Sande
Begin forwarded message:
From: Peter-Rolf Ohnstad <iseapro@pacbell.net>
Date: February 6, 2023 at 10:50:48 AM PST
To: Tammy Sande <cindysande333@gmail.com
Subject: Please forward to your mailing lists Capt. Williams trivute dinner
Please forward to your friends of Royce. Final count of attendees goes in on 17 Feb
and we would like to see it sold out for this American Hero.
Lomas Santa Fe Country Club
1505 Lomas Santa Fe Dr.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
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A bit of history from 30 years ago
Thanks to Woe. I do not know what happened but this one works I could don't get the link about the air war in Desert Shield/Storm, but I think I found the article that was referenced at this link: https://thewarhorse.org/30-years-on-veterans-recall-the-desert-storm-air-war/
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Thanks to Al and Patty
Monday Morning Humor—Anniversary they are still together this year…skip
Submitted by Mark Logan:
Marriage Tip: When your wife is mowing the lawn, that's not the best time to ask when dinner will be ready.
Submitted by Ernie Smith:
For our anniversary, I purchased a world map and then gave Patty a dart and said, "Throw this and wherever it lands—that's where I'm taking you when this pandemic ends."
Turns out, we're spending two weeks behind the fridge.
Submitted by Mike Ryan:
At our anniversary dinner, the waiter asked, "How do you like your steak, sir?"
I replied, "Like winning an argument with my wife."
To which he replied, "Rare it is!"
I said to Patty one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time."
The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!"
Patty and I were driving down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of us wanted to concede their position.
As we passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the I asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
Submitted by Dave Harris:
At my last colonoscopy, I had the doctor write a note to Patty stating that my head was NOT up thee…
The meanest thing Patty has ever done to me was to take the light bulb out of the bathroom and leave the plunger in the toilet!
After being married for 54 years, I took a careful look at my wife one day and said to her, "Over fifty years ago we had a cheap house, a junk car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 22-year-old girl."
"Now...we have a beautiful home, two $50,000 cars, a nice big bed and a few large-screen TVs, but I'm sleeping with a 76-year-old woman. It seems to me that you're not holding up your side of the bargain."
My wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out and find a hot 22-year-old girl and she would make sure that I would once again be living in a cheap house, driving a junk car, sleeping on a sofa bed, and probably watching a 10-inch black and white TV.
Aren't older women great? They really know how to solve an old guy's problems!
Submitted by Greg Madsen:
Patty has insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter, from the local Target:
Dear Mrs. Krause:
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion, in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to, ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Krause, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:
· June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
· July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
· July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
· July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money. We don't have a Code 3.
· August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
· August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
· August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
· August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.
· September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
· September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
· October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while, loudly humming the, 'Mission Impossible' theme.
· October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his, 'Madonna Look' using different sizes of funnels.
· October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
· October 22: When an announcement came over the loudspeaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed: "OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!"
· Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where is the fitting room?
· And last, but not least: October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile; then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.
Submitted by Skip Leonard:
Red Skelton's Recipe for the Perfect Marriage
· Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.
· We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas.
· I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.
· I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen.
· We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.
· She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said "There are too many gadgets, and no place to sit down!" So I bought her an electric chair.
· My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was. She told me, "In the lake."
· She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.
· She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?" The driver said, "No, jump in!"
· Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.
· I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was 'Always'.
· I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt her.
· The last fight was my fault though. My wife asked, "What's on the TV?" I said, "Dust!"
Happy Anniversary, Patty.
For everyone else, have a great week (not sure how mine will be going after this email), Al
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Thanks to Ward Carrol…another of his great discussions
Thanks to John H. and Dr. Rich
Landing a C130 on an aircraft carrier. The best view and discussion I have seen.
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A repeat from last year Thanks to Dr. Rich
I wish you enough
Thanks to Gus ...
Unfortunately I've had a few patients that I've had to say goodbye to forever .. I wish they could have seen this, and their relatives … Fortunately most of my practice, at least for the first 30 years, was bringing life into the world … and joyful and professionally rewarding experience.
Have a wonderful 2023, though the bar is low right now!! Still optimistic a free America, with justice for all, will persevere ...
Take care!
Rich
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjVKR3eNHxo
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Thanks to eagle
British Air Force Claims Women Cannot Fly F-35
Policy's Logic Outpaces Allegations of Sexism
Citing a high probability of neck injury in combat or the event of pilot ejection, the British Royal Air Force (RAF), in an instance inconsistent with the service's penchant for political correctness and identity politics, has set forth that women do not weigh enough to fly the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.
At present, owing to inescapable physiological realities, only pilots weighing more than 150-pounds (68-kilograms) are cleared to wear the Gen III F-35 helmet—a five-pound (2.27-kilogram), $400,000 (£331,960) technological marvel that allows pilots—among other impressive capabilities—to "see through" the F-35's fuselage while in flight.
The information collected by the Lightning II's complex sensor systems—to include aircraft and flight-environment, targeting, infrared, and night-vision data—are routed to the Gen III helmet and projected before F-35 pilots' eyes—thereby ostensibly compensating for the aircraft's dearths of speed and maneuverability and justifying, to some degree, it's tremendous cost.
Citing safety concerns that remain despite the existence of a new, Gen III Lite helmet, RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston stated: "The lighter helmet that would allow lighter aircrew—not just women—to fly the F-35, [but] we would have challenges in clearing it in safety terms, because it does not give the pilot the protection that the other helmet has now."
Sir Wigston added: "As it stands there are sufficient safety grounds for us to say 'that is the minimum weight limit for Lightning and whether you are a man or a woman or anybody, that is what applies.'"
The safety concerns come to light one year after a controversial policy dubbed positive discrimination was instituted for purpose of prioritizing women and what the U.K. calls BAME candidates—Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people—in RAF training programs.
The positive discrimination policy has occasioned harsh criticism of the RAF by both liberal and conservative factions within the U.K. and the nation's Parliament. Democratic socialist Labor Party parliamentarian Kevan Jones of North Durham, England decried the air chief marshal for narrowing the list of potential fighter pilot candidates, stating: "You're reducing your pool down straight away, aren't you? Because if women are lighter, which they generally are, they're not going to be able to ever fly. The only alternative is you either stop them flying or ask them to go and put some weight on."
Conversely, a select parliamentary committee asserted the RAF's decision to choose candidates based on race or gender was patently illegal.
"There has clearly been a lack of integrity at the top of the RAF," Chairman Tobias Ellwood averred. "Your legal team said it would break the law if you pursued this policy. This was a formal directive from the top."
Notwithstanding the policy's high-profile and deeply divisive nature, the RAF maintains positive discrimination was never formalized, and that it has in no way impacted the service's operational readiness or capabilities.
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Thanks to Tom
View the Latest Edition of "This Week @NASA" (published Jan. 27, 2023)
Folks-
Late again, but promise to pick up the pace!
Food for thought:
Are we spinning???
https://www.space.com/rotating-universe-would-permit-time-travel?utm_source=notification
Rumors (and not by Fleetwood Mac):
https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-2-moon-crew-selection-rumors?utm_source=notification
Photo shop OR Photo OP?????:
https://www.space.com/mars-teddy-bear-face-hirise?utm_source=notification
Enjoy!!
Tom
AGENCYWIDE MESSAGE TO ALL NASA EMPLOYEES
Points of Contact: Rebecca Sirmons, rebecca.h.sirmons@nasa.gov, and Andre Valentine, andre.valentine-1@nasa.gov, Office of Communications, NASA Headquarters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
View the Latest Edition of "This Week @NASA" (published Jan. 27, 2023)
• Day of Remembrance: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
• NASA, DARPA to Test Nuclear Rocket Engine in Space
• Preview of SpaceX Crew-6 Mission
• Webb Telescope to Receive Top Space Foundation Award
Watch the Video
To access this edition of "This Week @NASA," you may also visit:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=EW5l4OU0-QA&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
--------------------------------------
This notice is being sent agencywide to all employees by NASA INC in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters.
OUTSIDE READING
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: Ukraine Heading to Another Showdown
By: George Friedman
February 7, 2023
I should say up front that I am not writing about Chinese balloons. Instead, I am writing about the situation in Ukraine, which is getting increasingly dangerous.
Until relatively recently, Russian assaults on Ukraine tended to be contained by the Ukrainian armed force – not universally but frequently enough to prevent Russia from keeping territory or achieving victory. But in the past month or so, Russia has begun to hold its ground. If that becomes the norm, then Ukraine is in serious trouble.
The United States has kept the front intact by introducing new weapons. The current weakness of the Ukrainian army is due to a lack of longer-range rockets that could strike the Russian rear, hitting reinforcements and supplies moving to the front. Without these elements, Russia can't maintain its position.
The problem is that the range of the new munitions is so great that they can reach Russian territory. The U.S. has made it clear it has no intention of striking Russian soil. In fact, Washington has ordered Ukraine not to use the munitions at their fullest range, and there are rumors that the Americans modified the missiles to ensure they don't. But Ukraine is fighting an existential war, and its willingness to use anything less than full power is inevitably questionable.
So far, Russia has not been struck, nor has Poland, where supplies and U.S. troops are based. The tacit agreement not to hit either has prevented the war from becoming a direct conflict between the U.S. and Russia. If either side deliberately attacked Russia or Poland, all bets would be off.
With the delivery of new missiles, a new danger thus emerges, not least of which is that Russia could choose to bring the war to even greater heights by forcing escalation. In which case nothing can be ruled out – not even Russian false flag operations. This isn't merely an analysis of paranoia. Moscow has characterized the conflict as a long war against the West, and if that is indeed how it sees things, then forcing escalation at a time and place of its choosing might be rational. Doing so would demonize the U.S. military and give Russia a freer hand in attacking, say, U.S. positions in Poland. The U.S. has been waging a proxy war without experiencing losses. The fact that body bags are not arriving at Dover Air Force Base has given Washington a great deal of room for maneuver. If the U.S. started taking casualties, and the Russians could demonstrate that the war was based on a first strike by the Americans, the ability of the U.S. to wage war might be limited.
Far-fetched as that may seem, the central issue right now is stabilizing Ukraine's position by attacking Russian assets in theater without spilling over into Russian territory. If that can be done in absolute terms, it would be hard for Russia to overcome, and it would keep the U.S. out of direct combat by avoiding U.S. domestic political considerations, which have destabilized the U.S. military in a number of wars. But the execution must be flawless, and Russia would have to decline to essentially attack itself.
All wars are complex, and all wars have political dimensions. The U.S. is going to supply long-range rockets, which makes perfect sense in the cold logic of war. But in the event of some failures in controlling the weapons, it could create the unexpected, which is never welcomed in war.
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This Day in U S Military History February 7
1942 – The federal government ordered passenger car production stopped and converted to wartime purposes. In spite of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's exhortation that the U.S. auto industry should become the "great arsenal of democracy," Detroit's executives were reluctant to join the war cause. However, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the country mobilized behind the U.S. declaration of war. The government offered automakers guaranteed profits regardless of production costs throughout the war years. Furthermore, the Office of Production Management allocated $11 billion to the construction of war manufacturing plants that would be sold to the automobile manufacturers at remarkable discounts after the war. What had at first seemed like a burden on the automotive industry became a boon. The production demands placed on the industry and the resources allocated to the individual automobile manufacturers during the war would revolutionize American car making and bring about the Golden Era of the 1950s.
1943 – On Guadalcanal the US 161st Regiment continues a cautious advance. The Japanese proceed with their evacuation.
1944 – In the Kwajalein Atoll, American forces complete the elimination of isolated Japanese pockets of resistance.
1965 – As part of Operation Flaming Dart, 49 U.S. Navy jets from the 7th Fleet carriers Coral Sea and Hancock drop bombs and rockets on the barracks and staging areas at Dong Hoi, a guerrilla training camp in North Vietnam. Escorted by U.S. jets, a follow-up raid by South Vietnamese planes bombed a North Vietnamese military communications center. These strikes were in retaliation for communist attacks on the U.S. installation at Camp Holloway and the adjacent Pleiku airfield in the Central Highlands, which killed eight U.S. servicemen, wounded 109, and destroyed or damaged 20 aircraft. Even before the attack, presidential advisors John T. McNaughton and McGeorge Bundy had favored bombing North Vietnam. After the attack in the Central Highlands, they strongly urged President Johnson to order the retaliatory raids. Johnson agreed and gave the order to commence Operation Flaming Dart, hoping that a quick and effective retaliation would persuade the North Vietnamese to cease their attacks in South Vietnam. Bundy, who had just returned from Vietnam, defended the air raids as "right and necessary." Senate Majority Leader Mansfield (D-Montana) and GOP leader Everett Dirksen (Illinois) supported the president's decision, but Senators Wayne Morse (D-Oregon) and Ernest Gruening (D-Alaska) attacked the action as a dangerous escalation of the war. The retaliatory raids did not have the desired effect. On February 10, the Viet Cong struck again, this time at an American installation in Qui Nhon, killing 23 Americans. Johnson quickly ordered another retaliatory strike, Flaming Dart II.
1984 – While in orbit 170 miles above Earth, Navy Captain Bruce McCandless becomes the first human being to fly untethered in space when he exits the U.S. space shuttle Challenger and maneuvers freely, using a bulky white rocket pack of his own design. McCandless orbited Earth in tangent with the shuttle at speeds greater than 17,500 miles per hour and flew up to 320 feet away from the Challenger. After an hour and a half testing and flying the jet-powered backpack and admiring Earth, McCandless safely reentered the shuttle. Later that day, Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert Stewart tried out the rocket pack, which was a device regarded as an important step toward future operations to repair and service orbiting satellites and to assemble and maintain large space stations. It was the fourth orbital mission of the space shuttle Challenger.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
SANDS, WILLIAM
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company G, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At Dabney's Mills, Va., 6_7 February 1865. Entered service at: Reading, Pa. Birth: Reading, Pa. Date of issue: 9 November 1893. Citation: Grasped the enemy's colors in the face of a deadly fire and brought them inside the lines.
SHUTES, HENRY
Rank and organization: Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy. Born: 1804, Baltimore, Md. Accredited to: Maryland. G.O. No.: 71, 15 January 1866. Citation: Served as captain of the forecastle on board the U.S.S. Wissahickon during the battle of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862; and in the engagement at Fort McAllister, 27 February 1863. Going on board the U.S.S. Wissahickon from the U.S.S. Don where his seamanlike qualities as gunner's mate were outstanding, Shutes performed his duties with skill and courage. Showing a presence of mind and prompt action when a shot from Fort McAllister penetrated the Wissahickon below the water line and entered the powder magazine, Shutes contributed materially to the preservation of the powder and safety of the ship.
SPILLANE, TIMOTHY
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Place and date: At Hatchers Run, Va., 5_7 February 1865. Entered service at: Erie, Pa. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 16 September 1880. Citation: Gallantry and good conduct in action; bravery in a charge and reluctance to leave the field after being twice wounded.
COURTNEY, HENRY C.
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1856, Springfield, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884. Citation: On board the U.S. Training Ship Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard, 7 February 1882. Jumping overboard from that vessel, Courtney assisted in rescuing Charles Taliaferro, jack-of-the-dust, from drowning.
CRAMEN, THOMAS
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1848, Ireland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard, 7 February 1882. Jumping overboard from that vessel, Cramen rescued Charles Taliaferro, jack-of-the-dust, from drowning.
*GILMORE, HOWARD WALTER
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 September 1902, Selma, Ala. Appointed from: Louisiana. Other Navy award: Navy Cross with one gold star. Citation: For distinguished gallantry and valor above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Growler during her Fourth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February 1943. Boldly striking at the enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and antisubmarine patrols, Comdr. Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following each attack. In the darkness of night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed range and prepared to ram the Growler. Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port side at 11 knots and bursting wide her plates. In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machineguns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck, "Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain.
McGAHA, CHARLES L.
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company G, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Lupao, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 7 February 1945. Entered service at: Crosby, Tenn. Birth: Crosby, Tenn. G.O. No.: 30, 2 April 1946. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. His platoon and 1 other from Company G were pinned down in a roadside ditch by heavy fire from 5 Japanese tanks supported by 10 machineguns and a platoon of riflemen. When 1 of his men fell wounded 40 yards away, he unhesitatingly crossed the road under a hail of bullets and moved the man 75 yards to safety. Although he had suffered a deep arm wound, he returned to his post. Finding the platoon leader seriously wounded, he assumed command and rallied his men. Once more he braved the enemy fire to go to the aid of a litter party removing another wounded soldier. A shell exploded in their midst, wounding him in the shoulder and killing 2 of the party. He picked up the remaining man, carried him to cover, and then moved out in front deliberately to draw the enemy fire while the American forces, thus protected, withdrew to safety. When the last man had gained the new position, he rejoined his command and there collapsed from loss of blood and exhaustion. M/Sgt. McGaha set an example of courage and leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.
MILLETT, LEWIS L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea, 7 February 1951. Entered service at: Mechanic Falls, Maine. Born: 15 December 1920, Mechanic Falls, Maine. G.O. No.: 69, 2 August 1951. Citation: Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While personally leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the 1st Platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder. During this fierce onslaught Capt. Millett was wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion to duty demonstrated by Capt. Millett were directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.
*GARDNER, JAMES A.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: My Canh, Vietnam, 7 February 1966. Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn. Born: 7 February 1943, Dyersburg, Tenn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Gardner's platoon was advancing to relieve a company of the 1st Battalion that had been pinned down for several hours by a numerically superior enemy force in the village of My Canh, Vietnam. The enemy occupied a series of strongly fortified bunker positions which were mutually supporting and expertly concealed. Approaches to the position were well covered by an integrated pattern of fire including automatic weapons, machine guns and mortars. Air strikes and artillery placed on the fortifications had little effect. 1st Lt. Gardner's platoon was to relieve the friendly company by encircling and destroying the enemy force. Even as it moved to begin the attack, the platoon was under heavy enemy fire. During the attack, the enemy fire intensified. Leading the assault and disregarding his own safety, 1st Lt. Gardner charged through a withering hail of fire across an open rice paddy. On reaching the first bunker he destroyed it with a grenade and without hesitation dashed to the second bunker and eliminated it by tossing a grenade inside. Then, crawling swiftly along the dike of a rice paddy, he reached the third bunker. Before he could arm a grenade, the enemy gunner leaped forth, firing at him. 1st Lt. Gardner instantly returned the fire and killed the enemy gunner at a distance of 6 feet. Following the seizure of the main enemy position, he reorganized the platoon to continue the attack. Advancing to the new assault position, the platoon was pinned down by an enemy machine gun emplaced in a fortified bunker. 1st Lt. Gardner immediately collected several grenades and charged the enemy position, firing his rifle as he advanced to neutralize the defenders. He dropped a grenade into the bunker and vaulted beyond. As the bunker blew up, he came under fire again. Rolling into a ditch to gain cover, he moved toward the new source of fire. Nearing the position, he leaped from the ditch and advanced with a grenade in one hand and firing his rifle with the other. He was gravely wounded just before he reached the bunker, but with a last valiant effort he staggered forward and destroyed the bunker, and its defenders with a grenade. Although he fell dead on the rim of the bunker, his extraordinary actions so inspired the men of his platoon that they resumed the attack and completely routed the enemy. 1st Lt. Gardner's conspicuous gallantry were in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
*SISLER, GEORGE K.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam. 7 February 1967. Entered service at: Dexter, Mo. Born: 19 September 1937, Dexter, Mo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Sisler was the platoon leader/adviser to a Special United States/Vietnam exploitation force. While on patrol deep within enemy dominated territory, 1st Lt. Sisler's platoon was attacked from 3 sides by a company sized enemy force. 1st Lt. Sisler quickly rallied his men, deployed them to a better defensive position, called for air strikes, and moved among his men to encourage and direct their efforts. Learning that 2 men had been wounded and were unable to pull back to the perimeter, 1st Lt. Sisler charged from the position through intense enemy fire to assist them. He reached the men and began carrying 1 of them back to the perimeter, when he was taken under more intensive weapons fire by the enemy. Laying down his wounded comrade, he killed 3 onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machinegun with a grenade. As he returned the wounded man to the perimeter, the left flank of the position came under extremely heavy attack by the superior enemy force and several additional men of his platoon were quickly wounded. Realizing the need for instant action to prevent his position from being overrun, 1st Lt. Sisler picked up some grenades and charged single-handedly into the enemy onslaught, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. This singularly heroic action broke up the vicious assault and forced the enemy to begin withdrawing. Despite the continuing enemy fire, 1st Lt. Sisler was moving about the battlefield directing force and several additional men of his platoon were quickly wounded. His extraordinary leadership, infinite courage, and selfless concern for his men saved the lives of a number of his comrades. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the military service.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for February 7 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
7 February
1911: Harry S. Harkness flew his Antoinette airplane from North Island near San Diego, Calif., to a camp of American troops on the US border near Tia Juana, Mexico, to deliver a message. His 21-mile flight took 25 minutes. (24)
1918: The Joint Army and Navy Technical Aeronautical Board passed a resolution on instrument standardization in Army and Navy planes to include in general specifications. (24)
1923: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. lLt Russell A. Meredith, 1st Pursuit Group of Selfridge Field, Mich., made a hazardous mercy flight over frozen Lake Michigan to bring a doctor to a dying man on Beaver Island. Lt Meredith later received the Distinguished Flying Cross. (24)
1944: By February 1944, the "Luftwaffe Stomp" had become a popular combat maneuver for US fighter pilots to evade the enemy. It involved stalling the aircraft and turning it at the same time to come out on the tail of a German fighter, and thus gain an advantage. (4)
1946: Republic's XF-12 made its first flight. It was a four-engine flying photo lab, built for the Air Technical Service Command. It demonstrated the ability to fly 470 miles per hour at 45,000 feet for 4,500 miles. (5)
1954: The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, "the missile with a man in it," first flew. (5)
1959: John Cook and Robert Timm landed a single-engine Cessna-172 airplane at Las Vegas, Nev., after staying aloft for nearly 65 days. They set an endurance record for light aircraft. (24)
1963: A Polaris A-3 missile launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., flew 1,600 miles over the Atlantic Missile Range. (5)
1975: The A-7D flew for the first time with Digitac, a digital flight control system. (3)
1994: A C-141 Starlifter landed in Antarctica on a natural "Blue Ice" runway to prove that wheeled aircraft could operate there during the summer. (16) A Titan IV launched the first Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (MILSTAR) satellite into a geostationary orbit. (16) (26)
1995: A B-2 bomber dropped live munitions for the first time in a night sortie over the Nevada Test Range, Nev. (16)
1999: From Cape Canaveral, Fla., a Delta II rocket launched Stardust, the first spacecraft designed to intercept a comet and bring samples back to earth. The National Air and Space Administration planned for the Stardust to reach the Comet Wild 2 on 2 January 2004. (21)
2005: The YAL-1 Airborne Laser jet completed its airworthiness testing at Edwards AFB, Calif. (3)
2007: Through 11 May, the F-22A Raptor made its first overseas operational deployment with a flight 12 F-22s from Langley AFB, Va., to Hickam AFB, Hawaii. After a delay for problems with their computer software, the F-22s landed at Kadena AB, Japan, on 18 February. The Raptors redeployed and arrived at Langley on 11 May. During their deployment, the F-22s flew more than 685 sorties. (AFNEWS, "F-22 Begins First Overseas Deployment," 8 Feb 2007, and (AFNEWS, "Raptors Arrive at Kadena," 19 Feb 2007; and (AFNEWS, "Deployed Raptors Leave Pacific, Return to Langley," 10 May 2007.) EXERCISE IRON THUNDER. Though 12 February, more than 100 Air Force, Navy, Marine and Royal Air Force aircraft participated in this exercise throughout the Carolinas. The 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB, S. C., hosted the four-day multiservice and multinational event to prepare for future contingency operations. The participants included B-1 Lancers from Dyess AFB, Texas, F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., E-8C Joint STARS from Robins AFB, Ga., F/A-18 Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., F-16 Fighting Falcons from at Shaw and the Alabama Air National Guard in Montgomery, Ala., and KC-135 Stratotankers from several bases. An E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System from Tinker AFB, Okla., and a British E-3 from RAF Waddington, England, also played in the exercise. (AFNEWS, "Iron Thunder Roars Through Shaw," 12 Feb 2007.)
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