To All,
Good Friday morning March 10 2023.
I hope that you all have a great day. The rain starts up again this afternoon. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures that Cowboy sent out. Because of limits on our Message size we can't send out many pictures except by using a URL. I really liked that group and thought that you all would like it as well. I asked Cowboy if there was a way to send it He spent quite a bit of time putting that one together because I thought you would all enjoy it as much as I did. A couple of hours later he had it done. Thanks to Cowboy.
Regards,
Skip
This day in Naval and Marine Corps History
March 10
1783 USS Alliance (CAPT John Barry) defeats HMS Sybil in final naval action of Revolution in West Indies waters
1933 Pacific Fleet provides assistance after earthquake at Long Beach, CA
1943 USS Savannah (CL 42) and USS Eberle (DD 430) intercept German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic. After boarding the ship, a timed explosion goes off, killing 11 of Eberle's boarding party.
1944 USS Kete (SS 369) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks one cargo and two transport ships while dodging counterattacks.
1945 Navy and civilian nurses interned at Los Banos, Philippines flown back to U.S. Navy nurses awarded Bronze Star.
1948 First use of jets assigned to operational squadron (VF-5A) on board a carrier (Boxer)
2001 USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) is commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk. The 31st destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class is the fourth U.S. Navy warship to be named after a British citizen. Churchill has a Royal Naval officer assigned permanently to the ship and she flies the Royal Navy's White Ensign as well as the Stars and Stripes.
2007 USS New Orleans (LPD 18) is commissioned at New Orleans, Louisiana. The second of the 12-ship San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock warships, New Orleans is homeported at Naval Base San Diego.
From NHHC
On March 10, 1945, Navy and civilian nurses interned in the Philippines as prisoners of war since early January 1942 returned to the United States, landing in San Francisco, CA. The nurses were working at the naval hospital in Cañacao when the war began. They were captured in Manila and had been at the Los Baños Internment Camp on Luzon since May 1943. While at the camp, they treated other internees the best they could considering dreadful conditions in a makeshift hospital. Their rescue came around 7 a.m. on Feb. 23, 1945, when U.S. Army paratroopers descended on the internment camp, which was still behind enemy lines. The nurses received the Bronze Star medal from the Army for their three years' work as medical specialists while incarcerated. For more, read the essay by COD's Adam Bisno at NHHC's website.
During the Battle for Iwo Jima, Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Pierce repeatedly opened himself up to enemy fire to protect Marines under his care while attached to the 4th Marine Division. On March 15, 1945, while caught in heavy enemy machine gun fire that wounded multiple Marines, Pierce quickly took charge, carried the wounded to safety, and rendered first aid. After directing the evacuation of three of the casualties, he stood in the open with his weapon blasting to draw enemy fire, enabling the litter bearers to reach cover. Turning his attention to other casualties, Pierce attempted to stop the profuse bleeding of a casualty when a Japanese soldier fired at him from less than 20 yards away, wounding his patient. Pierce proceeded to kill the enemy with the last of his ammunition. He then lifted the patient on his back and trekked 200 feet unarmed, bringing him to safety. Despite extreme exhaustion, he backtracked the same terrain and rescued another fallen Marine. The following morning, he led a combat patrol to a sniper nest and, while providing aid to a stricken Marine, was seriously wounded. Pierce received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor and heroism.
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Today in World History: March 10
0049 Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon and invades Italy. And many have crossed the Rubicon since
0241 The Roman fleet sinks 50 Carthaginian ships in the Battle of Aegusa.
0515 The building of the great Jewish temple in Jerusalem is completed.
1656 In the colony of Virginia, suffrage is extended to all free men regardless of their religion.
1776 ""Common Sense" by Thomas Paine is published.
1785 Thomas Jefferson is appointed minister to France.
1806 The Dutch in Cape Town, South Africa surrender to the British.
1814 Napoleon Bonaparte is defeated by an allied army at the Battle of Laon, France.
1848 The treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo is signed which ends the United States' war with Mexico.
1876 Alexander Graham Bell makes the first telephone call to Thomas Watson saying "Watson, come here. I need you."
1893 New Mexico State University cancels its first graduation ceremony, because the only graduate was robbed and killed the night before.
1902 The Boers of South Africa score their last victory over the British, capturing British General Methuen and 200 men.
1910 Slavery is abolished in China.
1924 The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a New York state law forbidding late-night work for women.
1927 Prussia lifts its Nazi ban, Adolf Hitler is allowed to speak in public.
1933 Nevada becomes the first U.S. state to regulate drugs.
1941 Vichy France threatens to use its navy unless Britain allows food to reach France.
1943 Adolf Hitler calls Field Marshall Erwin Rommel back from Tunisia in North Africa.
1944 The Irish refuse to oust all Axis envoys and deny the accusation of spying on Allied troops.
1945 American B-29 bombers attack Tokyo, killing 100,000.
1947 The Big Four meet in Moscow to discuss the future of Germany.
1948 Author Zelda Fitzgerald (wife of F. Scott) dies in a fire at Highland Hospital.
1953North Korean gunners at Wonsan fire on the USS Missouri, the ship responds by firing 998 rounds at the enemy position.
1954 President Dwight Eisenhower calls Senator Joseph McCarthy a peril to the Republican Party.
1966 The North Vietnamese capture a Green Beret camp at Ashau Valley.
1969 James Earl Ray pleads guilty to the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King and is sentenced to 99 years in jail.
1971 The Senate approves a Constitutional amendment to lower the voting age to 18.
1975 The North Vietnamese Army attacks the South Vietnamese town of Buon Ma Thout, the offensive will end with total victory in Vietnam.
1980 Iran's leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, lends his support to the militants holding the American hostages in Tehran.
1982 The United States bans Libyan oil imports, because of the continued support of terrorism.1987 The Vatican condemns surrogate parenting as well as test-tube and artificial insemination.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
Skip… For The List for Friday, 10 March 2023… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 10 March 1968…
Westmoreland: "500,000 troops not enough: I need 206,000 more"…
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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This one brought back a few memories. We were off the coast of the PI On the USS Constellation on her first cruise with the New F-14 and there were a bunch of high ranking folks from a couple different local countries on board Connie to see the F-14 perform and I happened to be in my F-14 for the first launch of the day and started up and ready to go. We ran into a storm where I lost sight of the Island (The ship's Island) a couple of times I could barely see my yellow shirt directory who was giving me an emphatic hold signal. It cleared a bit and the boss came up and told me the heavies wanted to see an unrestricted climb off the catapult launch. I got hooked up to the catapult and as I went to full power the rain was again coming down in buckets and I could not see the Island. They suspended me and told me to pull off the power because the heavies could not see me. All of a sudden the rain eased up just a bit and there was a little hole and they told me to power up they were going to launch me. As I was launched off the rain came back and I went straight up off the cat and just pulled up the gear and left the wings out . Boy did we go up. I knew we had done what they wanted because I looked down through a hole and could see the ship still under me. What a ride. The guys on the deck said they could see the whole top of the airplane as I disappeared into the clouds. The skipper of the ship came up and said something nice. Then they suspended the rest of the launch and had me conserve gas and do a weather recce. We tried to climb out of it and quit around 45K because we were still in the Goo Coming back to the ship it was Case 1 IFR and I sort of broke out enough to see the back end of the boat and planted it. I did not want to go around. The LSOs gave me a fair pass as a gift and got out of the rain……Skip
Thanks to Mike
THUNDERSTORM Catapult Launch - US Navy EA-18G Growler Cockpit
Great description of pre-launch sequence prior to Cat Launch - 10 Min
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: Netherlands Moves to Limit Chipmaking Exports to China
This follows a similar move by the United States.
By: GPF Staff
March 10, 2023
Microchip restrictions. The Netherlands confirmed plans to impose additional restrictions on the export of advanced microchip technology to China over national security concerns, reportedly by this summer. The move would follow a similar decision by the United States aimed at slowing China's chip manufacturing capabilities. In response, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing firmly opposes the move and any action taken by the Dutch government to interfere in normal economic exchanges. This could be a major blow to the Chinese chipmaking industry, as the Netherlands is home to a leading manufacturer of chipmaking equipment, ASML. Japan, another key country in the chip supply chain, is likely to follow suit.
Bill withdrawn. Lawmakers from Georgia's ruling party who introduced a controversial bill that sparked mass protests this week said they will withdraw the proposal. The draft law would require nongovernmental organizations and media groups to register as foreign agents if they receive 20 percent or more of their funding from overseas. However, officially dropping the bill won't happen automatically: According to legal experts, it will need to be voted down in another plenary session because it was already adopted in the first reading. The opposition says protests will continue.
Nuclear proposal. The U.S. is reportedly considering setting up a new framework with Japan and South Korea focused on nuclear deterrence. The two East Asian countries, which have recently taken steps to improve bilateral relations, are reportedly likely to accept the proposal, the details of which are still being worked out. This comes as North Korea steps up its nuclear and missile programs.
Oversight. India's Finance Ministry announced that the country's money laundering laws will be applied to the cryptocurrency trade. This means transactions involving cryptocurrencies will now be covered by the Prevention of Money-laundering Act. The move is part of India's efforts to increase regulation of digital assets.
Russia and China. Some 20 Russian companies registered their businesses in the Chinese city of Shenyang in the first two months of the year, according to a Russian official in the city. The companies, all of which produce food products, will process and sell their goods through the new Russian-Chinese commercial and industrial park in Shenyang.
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Thanks to Brett
Stratfor - New Revelations About the Nord Stream Attacks Put Ukraine in Hot Water
Allegations that pro-Ukrainian actors were behind last fall's sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines reduce the perceived Russian threat to European oil and gas infrastructure, but could also undermine Western support for Ukraine. The extent to which this occurs will likely depend on whether the Ukrainian government is believed to have participated in the attack. On March 7, multiple Western news outlets published stories that U.S. and European officials believe pro-Ukrainian saboteurs were behind the September 2022 explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines, which are operated by Russia's state-owned gas giant Gazprom. Officials reportedly have no evidence to indicate that top Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, directed or were aware of the operation. The anonymous sources cited in these reports say there remain many unknowns and declined to reveal any of the evidence informing their suspicions. However, the same day, Die Zeit and several other German media outlets reported that five men and one woman, all of whom used fake passports and were of unknown nationality, used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attacks. The yacht reportedly left a German port on Sept. 6, 2022 (nearly three weeks before the incidents began on Sept. 26) and was returned in an ''uncleaned'' fashion; German prosecutors were supposedly able to find evidence of explosives on a table in the yacht's cabin. On March 8, Germany's federal prosecutor's office confirmed that the yacht had been searched in January.
• In late September 2022, four leaks were detected on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that carry Russian gas through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Neither pipeline system was delivering gas to Europe at the time, though were under pressure which led to the leaks. The leaks were soon assessed to be deliberate explosions; they also appeared to be very precisely targeted because the two attacks on Nord Stream 1 occurred just outside of Denmark's territorial waters, while Nord Stream 2 does not go through the country's sovereign territory at all.
• In the wake of the Nord Stream leaks, many Western governments immediately called out Russia as the likeliest perpetrator, accusing the Kremlin of orchestrating an attack as a form of coercive diplomacy against the West for its support for Ukraine. However, despite significant speculation, there has been no publicly revealed evidence clearly pointing toward Russia, which has always maintained its innocence and accused Kyiv and the West of being responsible.
• On March 8, Germany's defense minister warned that it was too early to jump to conclusions, hinting it could have been a Russian false flag operation and that it may not have been ordered by the Ukrainian government.
If Ukrainian nationals were indeed behind the attacks, it would reduce the overall threat that Russia may pose to oil and gas infrastructure in Europe, despite lingering risks. Originally, the speculation that the Nord Stream 1 and 2 attacks were the work of Russia led many to believe that Moscow had demonstrated its willingness to strike energy infrastructure in Europe (even if technically outside of EU maritime territory, as the explosions occurred just beyond Denmark's 12 nautical mile territorial waters). This raised concerns that Russia could carry out sabotage operations against other infrastructure, such as Norwegian or U.K. oil and gas infrastructure in the North Sea or the Baltic Pipe connecting Norway to Poland in the Baltic Sea. But if it turns out that Russia was not behind the attacks, then there is no precedent of Russian sabotage against EU oil and natural gas infrastructure in territorial waters or exclusive economic zones to point to as evidence that the Kremlin is willing to take such risks against NATO or likely future NATO countries, like Sweden. Still, even if the perceived risk to European oil and gas infrastructure is lower, Russian sabotage or accusation of sabotage on natural gas pipelines going through Ukraine remains a distinct possibility, as Ukraine is a war zone and Russian forces have repeatedly attacked critical infrastructure in the country. For southeastern Europe, this represents a continued energy security risk since the Ukrainian pipelines delivering Russian gas to Europe remain in operation (but natural gas delivered through those pipelines also goes to Hungary, which the Kremlin may not want to harm with gas cutoffs for fear of alienating its closest ally in the European Union). Finally, if Russia was not behind the Nord Stream attacks, it does not exclude the possibility of Moscow conducting cyber and/or physical attacks against other European infrastructure in the future, even if the likelihood of this scenario is reduced.
U.S. and European leaders will see the revelations as another sign that the Ukrainian government is failing to constrain its own conduct or that of its citizens. But while this will damage their trust in Kyiv, Ukraine's Western allies are unlikely to significantly scale back their support unless the Zelensky administration is found to be directly implicated. The allegations add to a list of incidents suspected to be the work of Ukraine that Kyiv's Western backers have indicated risked not only alienating European allies but expanding the war — a scenario that NATO countries first and foremost want to avoid. But while these previous incidents drew some concern from Western governments, they were immediately linked to the Ukrainian military and intelligence services. All of the incidents were also significantly less controversial compared with the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which are infrastructure for delivering gas to NATO countries. As long as the allegations continue to suggest that the attacks took place without the approval of the Ukrainian government, it is unlikely that additional revelations will override the strategic imperatives driving high Western support of Kyiv. If, however, evidence emerges that the Ukrainian government approved the action, it could significantly fracture the United States and other major Western nations' willingness to continue funneling money and weapons into Ukraine. Some Western officials would use Kyiv's involvement in the Nord Stream leaks to argue that a Ukrainian government unwilling or unable to constrain its actions (or those of citizens claiming to act on its behalf) could conduct escalation or unauthorized provocations intended to draw NATO into the war with Russia in order to prevent the West from agreeing to a de-facto Russian victory in Ukraine by not providing sufficient weapons for it to retake more of its territory.
• The incidents involving Ukrainian actions not necessarily approved by the West include the killing of ultranationalist journalist Daria Dugina inside Russia in an apparent attempt to assassinate her father, the strike damaging of the Kerch Strait Bridge linking Crimea to Russia, and drone strikes deep inside Russia that have destroyed Russian strategic bombers (which ultimately served as Moscow's primary argument for suspending its participation in the New START treaty with the United States).
Any Ukrainian involvement in the attack could undermine public support for Western governments' pro-Ukraine stance and embolden anti-war movements. Regardless of whether Kyiv was behind the attacks or if they were the actions of a pro-Ukraine sabotage group with no direct link to the Ukrainian state, media reports connecting the blasts to Ukraine could impact the public perception and narrative of the war in Ukraine across the United States and Europe. While the White House remains staunchly behind Kyiv, there are growing calls from some, mainly Republican, U.S. lawmakers to put upper limits on the amount of U.S. financial and military assistance to Ukraine. The recent news reports could thus not only add momentum to these calls, but also have longer-term impacts on the candidates vying for the U.S. presidency in 2024 elections. In Eastern Europe, support for Ukraine is likely to remain strong regardless of these events, because of the region's higher sense of threat regarding Russia. But in Western Europe, voices calling for an end to EU support for Ukraine could become louder — particularly in Germany, which has seen some of Europe's largest protests against the Ukraine war and Russian sanctions. These types of demonstrations in Germany and other Western European states (like Italy and France) will likely increase in frequency and intensity in the wake of the recent Nord Stream revelations. Such protests have so far had little effect on Western public opinion. But the allegations that pro-Ukrainian actors were behind the September pipeline attacks — combined with even bolder Russian propaganda that can now point to the incident as proof of Western lies about the war — could rally more widespread opposition against supporting Kyiv's war efforts and the country's accession to the European Union, especially if Kyiv's involvement is confirmed.
• At two recent hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican lawmakers pressed Pentagon officials about where money and military support for Ukraine is going. On March 8, U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also rejected an invitation from Zelensky to visit Kyiv, arguing that he didn't need to travel there to ensure that Ukraine did not receive a ''blank check.'' In addition, multiple recent surveys show that overall U.S. public support for Ukraine is decreasing, while the percentage of Americans who think their government is giving Kyiv too much aid is increasing.
• Mainstream government parties across Europe will not downplay the significance of the sabotage. But to mitigate the potential for protest and public backlash, they may try to divert attention from it by arguing Russia had already halted natural gas flows through the pipeline and pointing to other direct Russian responsibilities in the conflict, while at the same time casting doubts on any Ukrainian involvement.
• For months, regular anti-war rallies have taken place in Berlin and across several cities in eastern Germany, particularly Leipzig, that have stretched across both far-left and far-right political forces in the country. Before the sabotage incidents in September, German demonstrators had been demanding the reopening of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to ease spiraling energy prices in 2022. On Feb. 24, marking the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a demonstration against supplying Ukraine with weapons saw 13,000 people take to the streets in Berlin.
• Other countries besides Germany have experienced similar demonstrations, including the Czech Republic, which in September 2022 saw 70,000 protesters gather in Prague to oppose the government's support for Ukraine. Such protests have also taken place in France, Italy and the United Kingdom, but on a much smaller scale.
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Thanks to Mike
An olde but a goode
Creation
NEVER HEARD CREATION EXPLAINED THIS WAY BEFORE!!! Who knew???
1. In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
2. Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Crème Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.
3. And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
4. So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side . And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
5. God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake" and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
6. God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.
7. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them . And Man gained pounds .
8. God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super-size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.
9. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
10. Then Satan created Cuts to the Health Care System. Amen!
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This Day in U S Military History
10 March
This Day in U S Military History March 10
1783 – USS Alliance (CAPT John Barry) defeats HMS Sybil in final naval action of Revolution in West Indies waters. Barry, in defense of a companion ship, the Duc de Lauzun which was carrying gold to fund the US war effort, maneuvered her between Sybil and Duc De Lauzun to demand the full attention of the former so that the latter might slip away to safety. Sybil then turned her fire toward Alliance and managed to send one shot from her bow chaser into the American frigate's cabin, mortally wounding a junior officer and scattering many splinters. Yet, Barry held Alliance's fire until she was within a stone's throw of her opponent. At that point, a broadside from the American warship opened some 40 minutes of close-in fighting which finally forced Sybil to flee
1849 – A riot erupts in New York where a British actor named Macready is performing at the Astor Place Opera House. Crowds are angry because of the theater's snobbish dress requirements and because Macready makes scornful comments on the vulgarity of Americans. Twenty-two people are killed and thirty-six injured when troops are called in.
1917 – On a third day of riots and demonstrations in Moscow, Russia, an estimated 25,000 workers are on strike. Army units are called in to deal with the growing unrest, but they refuse to fire on the demonstrators. These vents become known as the 'February Revolution'–the Russian (Julian) calendar of the time was 11 days behind the western one.
1942 – American aircraft launched from the American carriers Lexington and Yorktown attack Japanese vessels near Lae, New Guinea.
1943 – Chennault is promoted and his command in China is to be enlarged and named the 14th Air Force.
1944 – On New Britain, American forces capture Talasea.
1944 – On Bougainville, Japanese forces capture Hill 260 but lose ground to American counterattacks in other areas.
1945 – Patton's 3rd Army made contact with Hodge's 1st Army. They link up near Andernach completing the Allied hold on the west bank of the Rhine everywhere north of Koblenz. Field Marshal Kesselring arrives from Italy to take command of the German armies in the west.1945 – Germany blew up the Wessel Bridge on the Rhine.
1945 – 300 American bombers drop almost 2,000 tons of incendiaries on Tokyo, Japan, destroying large portions of the Japanese capital and killing 100,000 civilians. In the closing months of the war, the United States had turned to incendiary bombing tactics against Japan, also known as "area bombing," in an attempt to break Japanese morale and force a surrender. The firebombing of Tokyo was the first major bombing operation of this sort against Japan. Early in the morning, the B-29s dropped their bombs of napalm and magnesium incendiaries over the packed residential districts along the Sumida River in eastern Tokyo. The conflagration quickly engulfed Tokyo's wooden residential structures, and the subsequent firestorm replaced oxygen with lethal gases, superheated the atmosphere, and caused hurricane-like winds that blew a wall of fire across the city. The majority of the 100,000 who perished died from carbon monoxide poisoning and the sudden lack of oxygen, but others died horrible deaths within the firestorm, such as those who attempted to find protection in the Sumida River and were boiled alive, or those who were trampled to death in the rush to escape the burning city. As a result of the attack, 10 square miles of eastern Tokyo were entirely obliterated, and an estimated 250,000 buildings were destroyed. During the next nine days, U.S. bombers flew similar missions against Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe. In August, U.S. atomic attacks against Hiroshima and Nagasaki finally forced Japan's hand.
1945 – Navy and civilian nurses interned at Los Banos, Philippines flown back to U.S. Navy nurses awarded Bronze Star.
1953 – North Korean gunners at Wonsan fired on the USS Missouri, the ship responds by firing 998 rounds at the enemy position.
1968 – Battle of Lima Site 85, concluding the 11th with largest single ground combat loss of United States Air Force members (12) during the Vietnam War. Also called Battle of Phou Pha Thi, was fought as part of a military campaign waged during the Vietnam War and Laotian Civil War by the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) (then known as NVA) and the Pathet Lao, against airmen of the United States Air Force 1st Combat Evaluation Group, elements of the Royal Laos Army, Royal Thai Border Patrol Police, and the Central Intelligence Agency-led Hmong Clandestine Army. The battle was fought on Phou Pha Thi mountain in Houaphanh Province, Laos, on 10 March 1968, and derives its name from the mountaintop where it was fought or from the designation of a 700 feet (210 m) landing strip in the valley below.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
ATKINS, THOMAS E.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 March 1945. Entered service at: Campobello, S.C. Birth: Campobello, S.C. G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945. Citation: He fought gallantly on the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands. With 2 companions he occupied a position on a ridge outside the perimeter defense established by the 1st Platoon on a high hill. At about 3 a.m., 2 companies of Japanese attacked with rifle and machinegun fire, grenades, TNT charges, and land mines, severely wounding Pfc. Atkins and killing his 2 companions. Despite the intense hostile fire and pain from his deep wound, he held his ground and returned heavy fire. After the attack was repulsed, he remained in his precarious position to repel any subsequent assaults instead of returning to the American lines for medical treatment. An enemy machinegun, set up within 20 yards of his foxhole, vainly attempted to drive him off or silence his gun. The Japanese repeatedly made fierce attacks, but for 4 hours, Pfc. Atkins determinedly remained in his fox hole, bearing the brunt of each assault and maintaining steady and accurate fire until each charge was repulsed. At 7 a.m., 13 enemy dead lay in front of his position; he had fired 400 rounds, all he and his 2 dead companions possessed, and had used 3 rifles until each had jammed too badly for further operation. He withdrew during a lull to secure a rifle and more ammunition, and was persuaded to remain for medical treatment. While waiting, he saw a Japanese within the perimeter and, seizing a nearby rifle, killed him. A few minutes later, while lying on a litter, he discovered an enemy group moving up behind the platoon's lines. Despite his severe wound, he sat up, delivered heavy rifle fire against the group and forced them to withdraw. Pfc. Atkins' superb bravery and his fearless determination to hold his post against the main force of repeated enemy attacks, even though painfully wounded, were major factors in enabling his comrades to maintain their lines against a numerically superior enemy force.
DETHLEFSEN, MERLYN HANS
Rank and organization: Major (then Capt.), U.S. Air Force. Place and date: In the air over North Vietnam, 10 March 1967. Entered service at: Royal, Iowa. Born: 29 June 1934, Greenville, Iowa. Citation: Maj. Dethlefsen was 1 of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key antiaircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of antiaircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the strike by Maj. Dethlefsen's flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Maj. Dethlefsen's aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, Maj. Dethlefsen ignored the enemy's overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of antiaircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Maj. Dethlefsen flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and antiaircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy's ability to provide essential war material. Maj. Dethlefsen's consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
FISHER, BERNARD FRANCIS
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, 1st Air Commandos. Place and date: Bien Hoa and Pleiku, Vietnam, 10 March 1966. Entered service at: Kuna, Idaho. Born: 11 January 1927, San Bernardino, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On that date, the special forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between the airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800 foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down on the attacking aircraft. During the battle, Maj. Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. In the belief that the downed pilot was seriously injured and in imminent danger of capture, Maj. Fisher announced his intention to land on the airstrip to effect a rescue. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, he elected to continue. Directing his own air cover, he landed his aircraft and taxied almost the full length of the runway, which was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded aircraft. While effecting a successful rescue of the downed pilot, heavy ground fire was observed, with 19 bullets striking his aircraft. In the face of the withering ground fire, he applied power and gained enough speed to lift-off at the overrun of the airstrip. Maj. Fisher's profound concern for his fellow airman, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for March 10, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
10 March
1934: The army suspended Air Corps airmail operations until 19 March to assess the high fatality rate. A lack of instrumentation for flying at night and in bad weather contributed to nine fatalities. (5)
1943: A few P-47 Thunderbolts participated in a fighter sweep from the UK for the first time.
1945: When a pilot from the 36th Fighter Squadron landed a P-47 on an airstrip near Aachen, Germany, he became the first to land an American combat plane voluntarily in Germany since the war began. (4)
1948: A B-29 dropped a nonexplosive, 42,000-pound bomb at Muroc. (24)
1959: A Snark missile flew a several-thousand-mile round-trip after launching from Cape Canaveral. (24) The X-15A-1 rocket research plane completed its first captive flight on the wing of a B-52. (3)
1961: The 565 SMS became the second US war-ready ICBM unit to achieve operational status. (24)
1966: TAC accepted its first F-4D at Nellis AFB. (5) MEDAL OF HONOR. Maj Bernard Fisher from the 1st Commando Squadron landed an A-1E on A Shau runway, Vietnam, under fire from North Vietnamese troops to rescue a downed pilot, Maj Dafford W. Myers from the 602 FS. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Major Fisher this medal for heroism on 19 January 1967. He thus became the first Air Force man to be so honored for action in the Southeast Asian conflict. (5) (16)
1967: MEDAL OF HONOR. F-105 Thunderchiefs and F-4C Phantoms bombed the Thai Nguyen steel plant in North Vietnam for the first time. At the time, Thai Nguyen was the only plant in Southeast Asia making bridge sections, barges, and drums for fuels and lubricants. While attacking the steel plant, Capt Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen used his severely damaged F-105 to silence enemy defenses, despite intense enemy ground fire and fighter attacks, to earn the Medal of Honor. (16) (17) (21) TWIN MIG KILLER. Capt Mac C. Brestel, a F-105 pilot with the 355 TFS at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, became the first USAF pilot to down two MiGs in one mission in the Vietnam War. (16) (26)
1971: An Air Force helicopter saved 10 Japanese fishermen from rough surf and a coral reef after they were shipwrecked 200 miles southwest of Kadena AB. (16) (26)
1977: The first female navigator candidates reported to Mather AFB for undergraduate navigator training. (16) (26)
1995: The 11th Space Warning Squadron became the first unit with the ability to warn battlefield commanders of incoming theater ballistic missiles, such as the Scud missiles fired by Iraq in DESERT STORM. (26)
2007: The 326th Airlift Squadron, 512th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve Command), at Dover AFB, Del., flew its final C-5 Galaxy flight. According to plans, the squadron converted to the C-17 Globemaster III mission on 1 April and the first of 12 C-17s arrived in June. (AFNEWS, "Dover Reserve Squadron Flies Final C-5 Flight," 13 Mar 2007.)
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