To All,
Good Monday Morning May 8 2023.
I hope you all had a great weekend.
A week from today are the services and celebration of life events for Rick "Wigs" Ludwig. If you do not have the details let me know.
Regards,
Skip
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1863 USS Flag, commanded by Cmdr. James H. Strong, captures schooner Amelia while attempting to run the blockade out of Charleston.
1911 Capt. Washington I. Chambers prepares the requisition for the first US Navy airplane, the Triad A-1, marking the birth of Naval Aviation.
1919 Seaplane Division One, comprised of three NC flying boats, takes off from Naval Air Station, Rockaway, New York for Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the first leg of a projected Transatlantic flight.
1942 The Battle of the Coral Sea ends with the Japanese retiring from the area and calling off the Port Moresby amphibious operation. During battle, SBDs from USS Lexington (CV 2) and USS Yorktown (CV 5) damage the Japanese carrier Shokaku and force her to retire.
1945 The unconditional surrender of Germany was ratified by Allies in Berlin. This event is remembered as V-E Day!
1963 - Navy ships evacuate 2,279 civilians from Haiti during crisis.
1972 - U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft mine Haiphong Harbor in North Vietnam.
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Today in History
May 8
1450 Jack Cade's Rebellion–Kentishmen revolt against King Henry VI.
1541 Hernando de Soto discovers the Mississippi River which he calls Rio de Espiritu Santo.
1559 An act of supremacy defines Queen Elizabeth I as the supreme governor of the church of England.
1794 The United States Post Office is established.
1846 The first major battle of the Mexican War is fought at Palo Alto, Texas.
1862 General 'Stonewall' Jackson repulses the Federals at the Battle of McDowell, in the Shenendoah Valley.
1864 Union troops arrive at Spotsylvania Court House to find the Confederates waiting for them.
1886 Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton invents Coca Cola.
1895 China cedes Taiwan to Japan under Treaty of Shimonoseki.
1904 U.S. Marines land in Tangier, North Africa, to protect the Belgian legation.
1919 The first transatlantic flight by a navy seaplane takes-off.
1933 Mahatma Gandhi—actual name Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—begins a hunger strike to protest British oppression in India.
1940 German commandos in Dutch uniforms cross the Dutch border to hold bridges for the advancing German army.
1942 The Battle of the Coral Sea between the Japanese Navy and the U.S. Navy ends.
1945 The final surrender of German forces is celebrated as VE (Victory Europe) day.
1952 Allied fighter-bombers stage the largest raid of the war on North Korea.
1958 President Dwight Eisenhower orders the National Guard out of Little Rock as Ernest Green becomes the first black to graduate from an Arkansas public school.
1967 Boxer Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in U.S. Army.
1984 The Soviet Union announces it will not participate in Summer Olympics planned for Los Angeles.
1995 Jacques Chirac is elected president of France.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post
Skip… For The List for Monday, 8 May 2023… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1968-1965)
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 8 May 1968… This one is for HC-7… a great rescue story…
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.
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Thanks to Bruddah ….and Dr. Rich
The Incredibly stupid one
[Great stories from several USN Aviators in the Hanoi Hilton, and Doug Hegdahl's incredible story of survival ...]
Incredible story!
If this guy was stupid.......What does that say about the rest of us?
I'm definitely a moron!
It's as if the Lord knew this man would be best served where He sent him! He answered so many prayers.
(10) A Heroic POW's Strange and Epic Journey - YouTube
As a retired Chief, I can assure you that you should never underestimate the ingenuity of a young Sailor. He's either going to do something brilliant or disastrous, but he will leave you wondering how he ever managed it. - I.M. Dunn
I met Doug while attending SERE school in San Diego. He could still recite all of the names. While all of the prisoners wanted to go home, the vast majority of them refused to accept special treatment such as early release and Doug was no exception. While true he was "ordered" to accept early release, I think they convinced him just how much good he could do for his fellow prisoners because he had memorized all their names, some of whose fates were unknown to the military and to their families. These men were fiercely loyal to our Country and to each other. They truly represented the best of America. - D. Mann
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Thanks to Al
Subject: Punday Morning Humor
Submitted by Skip Leonard:
• John Travolta tested negative for coronavirus last night. Turns out it was just Saturday night fever.
• The World Health Organization has announced that dogs cannot contract Covid-19. Dogs previously held in quarantine can now be released. To be clear, WHO let the dogs out.
• I saw an ad for burial plots, and thought to myself that's the last thing I need.
• Intelligence is like underwear. It is important that you have it, but not necessary that you show it off.
• Relationships are a lot like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?
• A courtroom artist was arrested today for an unknown reason, details are sketchy.
• People are making end of the world jokes like there's no tomorrow.
• Whatever you do, always give 100% unless you're donating blood
• What do you call a sleepwalking nun? Roamin' Catholic.
• What did Snow White say when she came out of the photo booth? Someday my prints will come.
• A girl said she recognized me from her vegetarian club but I'd never met herbivore.
• I've always had an irrational fear of speed bumps but I'm slowly getting over it.
• What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it? Short.
• I've finally told my suitcases there will be no holiday this year. Now I'm dealing with the emotional baggage.
• If you're not supposed to eat at night, why is there a light bulb in the refrigerator?
• My dad died when we couldn't remember his blood type. As he died, he kept insisting "be positive," but it's hard without him.
• Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
• There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.
Submitted by Al Anderson:
• Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen.
• What's the difference between a hippo and a zippo? One is really heavy and the other is a little lighter.
• Hear about the new restaurant called Karma? There's no menu - you get what you deserve.
• I went to buy some camouflage trousers yesterday, but couldn't find any.
• What do you call a bee that can't make up its mind? A maybe.
• I tried to sue the airline for losing my luggage. I lost my case.
• Is it ignorance or apathy that's destroying the world today? I don't know and don't really care.
• I wasn't originally going to get a brain transplant, but then I changed my mind.
• Which country's capital has the fastest-growing population? Ireland. Every day it's Dublin.
• I saw an ad for burial plots, and I thought: "That's the last thing I need!"
• Need an ark? I Noah guy.
• You're not completely useless, you can always serve as a bad example.
• I broke my finger last week. On the other hand, I'm okay.
• Did you hear about the guy who got hit in the head with a can of soda? He was lucky it was a soft drink.
• To the mathematician who thought of the idea of zero. Thanks for nothing!
Submitted by Susie DeHardt:
• How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
• Venison for dinner again? Oh deer!
• A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are sketchy.
• I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
• Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
• England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .
• I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.
• They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.
• I changed my iPod's name to Titanic. It's syncing now.
• Jokes about German sausages are the wurst.
• I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.
• I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.
• This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.
• When chemists die, apparently they barium.
• I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can't put it down.
• I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.
• I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
• Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?
• When you get a bladder infection you know urine trouble.
• Broken pencils are pretty much pointless.
• What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.
• I dropped out of the Communism class because of lousy Marx.
• All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen. As of now, it appears the police have nothing to go on.
• I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded the dough.
• Velcro - what a rip off !
Submitted by Mike Ryan:
• Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.
• She was only a moonshiner's daughter, but I miss her still.
• What do you call a pig with laryngitis? Disgruntled.
• Why do bees stay in their hives during winter? Swarm.
• Just so everyone is clear, I'm going to put on my glasses.
• A commander walks into a bar and orders everyone a round.
• I lost my job as a stage designer, but I left without making a scene.
• Never buy flowers from a monk. Only you can prevent florist friars.
• How much did the pirate pay to get his ears pierced? A buccaneer.
• I once worked at a cheap pizza shop to get by. I kneaded the dough.
• My friends and I have named our band 'Duvet.' It's a cover band
• I lost my girlfriend's audiobook, and now I'll never hear the end of it.
• Why is 'dark' spelled with a k and not c? Because you can't 'c' in the dark.
• Why is it unwise to share your secrets with a clock? Time will tell.
• When I told my contractor I didn't want carpeted steps, he gave me a blank stare.
• Bono and The Edge walk into a Dublin bar, and the bartender says, "Oh no, not U2 again."
• Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it's a whole sentence.
• Scientists got together to study effects of alcohol on a person's walk, and the result was staggering.
• I'm trying to organize a hide and seek tournament, but good players are really hard to find.
• I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. I won't lie - it was a rocky road.
• What do you say to comfort a friend who's struggling with grammar? There, their, they're.
• I went to the toy store and asked the assistant where the Schwarzenegger action figures were, and he replied, "Aisle B, back."
• What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up his own incision? Suture self.
• I've started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It's all about raisin awareness.
Submitted by Colleen Grosso:
A sign…
• IN A SHOE REPAIR STORE IN VANCOUVER: We will heel you. We will save your sole. We will even dye for you.
• ON A BLINDS AND CURTAIN TRUCK: Blind man driving.
• OVER A GYNECOLOGIST'S OFFICE: Dr. Jones, at your cervix.
• IN A PODIATRIST'S OFFICE: Time wounds all heels.
• ON A SEPTIC TANK TRUCK: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
• AT AN OPTOMETRIST'S OFFICE: If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place.
• ON A PLUMBER'S TRUCK: We repair what your husband fixed.
• ON ANOTHER PLUMBER'S TRUCK: Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.
• AT A TIRE SHOP IN MILWAUKEE: Invite us to your next blowout
• ON AN ELECTRICIAN'S TRUCK: Let us remove your shorts.
• IN A NON-SMOKING AREA: If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and will take appropriate action.
• ON A MATERNITY ROOM DOOR: Push. Push. Push.
• AT A CAR DEALERSHIP: The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment.
• OUTSIDE A MUFFLER SHOP: No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.
• IN A VETERINARIAN'S WAITING ROOM: Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!
• AT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY: We would be delighted if you send in your payment on time. However, if you don't, YOU will be de-lighted.
• IN A RESTAURANT WINDOW: Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up.
• IN THE FRONT YARD OF A FUNERAL HOME: Drive carefully. We'll wait.
• AT A PROPANE FILLING STATION: Thank Heaven for little grills.
• IN A CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: Best place in town to take a leak.
• ON THE BACK OF ANOTHER SEPTIC TANK TRUCK: Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises
Have a great week,
Al
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https:geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: EU to Expand Russia Sanctions, Syria Rejoins Arab League
Damascus' membership in the group was suspended when the civil war erupted over a decade ago.
By: GPF Staff
May 8, 2023
Targeting China. The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Chinese companies that sell equipment that could be used by Russia to produce weapons, according to the Financial Times. The EU's 11th package of Russia sanctions, which will be discussed later this week, includes seven Chinese companies engaged in the production of semiconductors and other electronic products. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing would protect its interests if the bloc imposed sanctions against Chinese firms.
Saudi credentials. Syria's membership in the Arab League has been reinstated, 12 years after its suspension. Saudi Arabia was the biggest backer of the move, which the bloc described as part of an "Arab-led political path" to resolving the long-standing crisis in the country. This comes as Riyadh is hosting the first face-to-face talks in Jeddah between the leaders of Sudan's warring factions. Both developments are the latest in the kingdom's attempts to boost its diplomatic credentials in the Arab world.
Asking for help. Authorities in the Russian-backed Moldovan breakaway region of Transdniestria have asked Russia to deploy more soldiers to the region, its representative in Moscow, Leonid Manakov, told RIA Novosti news agency. He said Russian peacekeepers were the main factor preventing Moldova and Ukraine from making a move on the region, located on the border of the two countries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia had not yet prepared a response to the appeal.
Looking for consensus. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns in Beijing on Monday. During their talks, Qin said "a series of wrongful rhetoric and actions" by the U.S. had undermined the consensus reached by both countries' presidents last year. He told Burns that China and the United States should focus on stabilizing bilateral relations.
Meeting in Seoul. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks in Seoul on Monday. The two leaders said their nations will work to tackle the growing security threats in East Asia. South Korea's opposition leader, however, openly criticized the meeting, accusing Yoon of conducting "submissive diplomacy."
The Weekly Rundown: Russia Marks Victory Day, Japan's Leader Visits South Korea
May 8, 2023
What We're Tracking
Russia observes Victory Day as the Ukrainian offensive looms. Russia will mark its most important holiday on May 9, Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. While Russia has canceled many traditional May 9 parades and related events across the country due to security concerns, President Vladimir Putin will as customary speak at the parade on Red Square. Compared with last year, the parade will likely be even more emotionally charged amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, where speculation is swirling that Ukrainian troops will soon launch a counteroffensive — particularly following a May 5 decision by Russian occupation authorities to evacuate civilians in the Zaporizhzhia region, a likely target of the offensive. Ukraine's offensive is unlikely to commence before the holiday to avoid providing Putin political grounds to announce new mobilization measures during the speech, an otherwise unlikely move due to the unpopularity of such measures.
U.S. national security advisor visits Saudi Arabia. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is traveling to Saudi Arabia on May 6 for a meeting with Saudi and Emirati officials. The trip comes as U.S.-Saudi ties continue to fray over Saudi Arabia's independent energy strategy, human rights record and intervention in the civil war in Yemen. But the United States nonetheless remains eager to patch up ties amid growing concerns that Saudi Arabia is drifting toward U.S. rival China, which in 2022 was also the largest market for Saudi oil exports. Riyadh sees its growing ties with Beijing as a move toward greater independence as opposed to joining any given geopolitical bloc. But as long as the United States is unwilling to give Saudi Arabia needed security and political guarantees, there's little Sullivan can do to arrest this drift and restore Washington's once-close relationship with the oil-rich Arab Gulf state.
Japan's leader visits South Korea. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on May 7 for a two-day visit. The visit signifies the resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the neighboring countries after more than a decade of fraught relations. Yoon and Kishida are expected to discuss national security issues, including North Korea and China, as well as high-tech collaboration, particularly in advanced semiconductors supply chains. Tokyo and Seoul's historical grievances have long hindered trilateral security cooperation between Japan, South Korea and the United States. The resumption of positive relations is thus a boon for Washington, especially as it looks to counter China's military influence in the Asia-Pacific.
Chileans elect Constitutional Council. Chile will hold an election on May 7 to appoint the 50 members of the Constitutional Council who will add to a basic text being drafted by a coalition of experts. The inclusion of a group of experts in the constitutional rewrite process indicates the final text will almost certainly be more moderate than the left-wing constitution Chileans rejected in a referendum held in September 2022. But if a large number of left-wing and independent members are appointed to the council, the body will likely still push for an expanded state presence in sectors such as health care, the pension system and education, potentially reducing private sector control over these sectors. They could also seek to alter water and land rights in the constitution, which would negatively impact Chile's copper and lithium mining sectors that rely on the business-friendly aspects of the country's current constitution.
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I saw this in Defense News this morning. You. could add that after you do it your body tells you that you messed up again and lets you know when you get out of bed the next morning….skip
"The years between 50 and 70 are the hardest. You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down." -T.S. Elliot
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From the Archives
Thanks to Bob
VIETNAM --- 50 YEARS LATER, OUR GREATEST GENERATION.
Many will say that those who fought ,one year, WW11 from June 6,1944 to May 1945 made-up the greatest generation, granted casualties in WW11 were much higher, but the 10 years of Vietnam took a much higher toll on America and it's allies. We won both wars battles, but the scars of Vietnam remain until today, and in my opinion, no greater accolades should be bestowed on any veterans, than those of Vietnam. Unappreciated by the American public, betrayed by the American government's corrupt politicians, sent into battle with inferior weapons, AR-15, Laws anti armor, etc. Our soldiers never lost a battle. Despite these handicaps, this generation of soldiers were the best we ever fielded.
Watch this video, narrated by Sam Elliott.
In case you haven't seen this, it is a powerful tribute to our generation of Vietnam veterans.
Vietnam, 51 years later…
https://www.youtube.com/embed/aVeBtnfAxP8
SAM ELLIOTT
NARRATES THIS STIRRING VIDEO....
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Thanks to Frank …And Dr. Rich
I suspect many of you took road trips to many of these spots, in many of the 50's cars shown … fun remembering!!
As an Air Force Brat that traveled back and forth across the country I can tell you this brought back a lot of memories. I went through most of these places growing up in the back seat with my two younger sisters in a series of 1949 to 1956 Chevys with no air conditioning.
1950s America - Vintage USA Road Trip in COLOR
Hop in the TIME MACHINE for a road trip back in time.
Check out this superb collection of vintage COLOR photos of car travel in 1950s America.
Much better FULL SCREEN ...
1950s America - Vintage USA Road Trip in COLOR
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This Day in U S Military History…….May 8
1919 – First Lieutenant Elmer F. Stone, USCG, piloting the Navy's flying boat NC-4 in the first successful trans-Atlantic flight, took off from the Naval Air Station at Rockaway, New York, at 1000 hours on 8 May, 1919, together with the NC-1 and NC-3. Although the NC-1 and NC-3 did not complete the journey, the NC-4 successfully crossed the Atlantic and landed in Lisbon, Portugal on 27 May 1919. Stone was decorated that same day by the Portuguese government with the Order of the Tower and Sword.
1942 – Both the Japanese and the American fleets become aware of each other's positions due to aerial reconnaissance. In the battle that follows, the USS Lexington is badly damaged and abandoned. (She will later be sunk by an American destroyer) The USS Yorktown is also hit. On the Japanese side, the Shokaku is seriously damaged. Of major importance is the loss of trained pilots on the Japanese side, as they take severe aerial losses. The battle is noteworthy for several reasons. The Japanese are forced to abandon their attack on Port Moresby, the first real stumbling block in their expansion. It is also the first time that a naval battle has taken place without visual contact between the main combatants. The damage done to the ships was achieved by aircraft launched from carriers and not by naval guns.
1945 – Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine. The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark–the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany. The main concern of many German soldiers was to elude the grasp of Soviet forces, to keep from being taken prisoner. About 1 million Germans attempted a mass exodus to the West when the fighting in Czechoslovakia ended, but were stopped by the Russians and taken captive. The Russians took approximately 2 million prisoners in the period just before and after the German surrender. Meanwhile, more than 13,000 British POWs were released and sent back to Great Britain. Pockets of German-Soviet confrontation would continue into the next day. On May 9, the Soviets would lose 600 more soldiers in Silesia before the Germans finally surrendered. Consequently, V-E Day was not celebrated until the ninth in Moscow, with a radio broadcast salute from Stalin himself: "The age-long struggle of the Slav nations…has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over."
1972 – President Richard Nixon announces that he has ordered the mining of major North Vietnamese ports, as well as other measures, to prevent the flow of arms and material to the communist forces that had invaded South Vietnam in March. Nixon said that foreign ships in North Vietnamese ports would have three days to leave before the mines were activated; U.S. Navy ships would then search or seize ships, and Allied forces would bomb rail lines from China and take whatever other measures were necessary to stem the flow of material. Nixon warned that these actions would stop only when all U.S. prisoners of war were returned and an internationally supervised cease-fire was initiated. If these conditions were met, the United States would "stop all acts of force throughout Indochina and proceed with the complete withdrawal of all forces within four months." Nixon's action was in response to the North Vietnamese Nguyen Hue Offensive. On March 30, the North Vietnamese had initiated a massive invasion of South Vietnam. Committing almost their entire army to the offensive, the North Vietnamese launched a three-pronged attack. In the initial attack, four North Vietnamese divisions attacked directly across the Demilitarized Zone into Quang Tri province. Following that assault, the North Vietnamese launched two more major attacks: at An Loc in Binh Long Province, 60 miles north of Saigon; and at Kontum in the Central Highlands. With the three attacks, the North Vietnamese committed 500 tanks and 150,000 regular troops (as well as thousands of Viet Cong) supported by heavy rocket and artillery fire. The North Vietnamese, enjoying much success on the battlefield, did not respond to Nixon's demands. The announcement that North Vietnamese harbors would be mined led to a wave of antiwar demonstrations at home, which resulted in violent clashes with police and 1,800 arrests on college campuses and in cities from Boston to San Jose, California. Police used wooden bullets and tear gas in Berkeley; three police officers were shot in Madison, Wisconsin; and 715 National Guardsmen were activated to quell violence in Minneapolis.
2001 – China rejected a US plan to repair EP-3 the spy plane and fly it away. China protested the resumption of U.S. surveillance flights off its coast and said it would refuse to let the United States fly out a crippled Navy spy plane.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
PHELPS, CHARLES E.
Rank and organization: Colonel, 7th Maryland Infantry. Place and date: At Laurel Hill, Va., 8 May 1864. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Born: 1 May 1833, Guilford, Vt. Date of issue: 30 March 1898. Citation: Rode to the head of the assaulting column, then much broken by severe losses and faltering under the close fire of artillery, placed himself conspicuously in front of the troops, and gallantly rallied and led them to within a few feet of the enemy's works, where he was severely wounded and captured.
ROBERTSON, ROBERT S.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company K, 93d New York Infantry. Place and date: At Corbins Bridge, Va., 8 May 1864. Entered service at: Argyle, N.Y. Birth: Argyle, N.Y. Date of issue: 2 August 1897. Citation: While acting as aide_de_camp to a general officer, seeing a regiment break to the rear, he seized its colors, rode with them to the front in the face of the advancing enemy, and rallied the retreating regiment
ROBINSON, JOHN C.
Rank and organization: Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers. Place and date: At Laurel Hill, Va., 8 May 1864. Entered service at: Binghamton, N.Y. Birth: Binghamton, N.Y. Date of issue: 28 March 1894. Citation: Placed himself at the head of the leading brigade in a charge upon the enemy's breastworks; was severely wounded.
WELCH, STEPHEN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 154th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Dug Gap, Ga., 8 May 1864. Entered service at: Allegany, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. Birth: Groton, N.Y. Date of issue: 13 April 1894. Citation: Risked his life in rescuing a wounded comrade under fire of the enemy.
HALL, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve. Place and date: Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942. Entered service at: Utah. Born: 31 October 1913, Storrs, Utah. Citation: For extreme courage and conspicuous heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty as pilot of a scouting plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May, Lt. (j.g.) Hall dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing materially to the destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, facing heavy and fierce fighter opposition, he again displayed extraordinary skill as an airman and the aggressive spirit of a fighter in repeated and effectively executed counterattacks against a superior number of enemy planes in which 3 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Though seriously wounded in this engagement, Lt. (j.g.) Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable tactics pursued throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane safe.
*KROTIAK, ANTHONY L.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 8 May 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 15 August 1915, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946. Citation: He was an acting squad leader, directing his men in consolidating a newly won position on Hill B when the enemy concentrated small arms fire and grenades upon him and 4 others, driving them to cover in an abandoned Japanese trench. A grenade thrown from above landed in the center of the group. Instantly pushing his comrades aside and jamming the grenade into the earth with his rifle butt, he threw himself over it, making a shield of his body to protect the other men. The grenade exploded under him, and he died a few minutes later. By his extraordinary heroism in deliberately giving his life to save those of his comrades, Pfc. Krotiak set an inspiring example of utter devotion and self-sacrifice which reflects the highest traditions of the military service.
*POWERS, JOHN JAMES
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 July 1912, New York City, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. Other Navy award: Air Medal with 1 gold star. Citation: For distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, while pilot of an airplane of Bombing Squadron 5, Lt. Powers participated, with his squadron, in 5 engagements with Japanese forces in the Coral Sea area and adjacent waters during the period 4 to 8 May 1942. Three attacks were made on enemy objectives at or near Tulagi on 4 May. In these attacks he scored a direct hit which instantly demolished a large enemy gunboat or destroyer and is credited with 2 close misses, 1 of which severely damaged a large aircraft tender, the other damaging a 20,000-ton transport. He fearlessly strafed a gunboat, firing all his ammunition into it amid intense antiaircraft fire. This gunboat was then observed to be leaving a heavy oil slick in its wake and later was seen beached on a nearby island. On 7 May, an attack was launched against an enemy airplane carrier and other units of the enemy's invasion force. He fearlessly led his attack section of 3 Douglas Dauntless dive bombers, to attack the carrier. On this occasion he dived in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, to an altitude well below the safety altitude, at the risk of his life and almost certain damage to his own plane, in order that he might positively obtain a hit in a vital part of the ship, which would insure her complete destruction. This bomb hit was noted by many pilots and observers to cause a tremendous explosion engulfing the ship in a mass of flame, smoke, and debris. The ship sank soon after. That evening, in his capacity as Squadron Gunnery Officer, Lt. Powers gave a lecture to the squadron on point-of-aim and diving technique. During this discourse he advocated low release point in order to insure greater accuracy; yet he stressed the danger not only from enemy fire and the resultant low pull-out, but from own bomb blast and bomb fragments. Thus his low-dive bombing attacks were deliberate and premeditated, since he well knew and realized the dangers of such tactics, but went far beyond the call of duty in order to further the cause which he knew to be right. The next morning, 8 May, as the pilots of the attack group left the ready room to man planes, his indomitable spirit and leadership were well expressed in his own words, "Remember the folks back home are counting on us. 1 am going to get a hit if 1 have to lay it on their flight deck." He led his section of dive bombers down to the target from an altitude of 18,000 feet, through a wall of bursting antiaircraft shells and into the face of enemy fighter planes. Again, completely disregarding the safety altitude and without fear or concern for his safety, Lt. Powers courageously pressed home his attack, almost to the very deck of an enemy carrier and did not release his bomb until he was sure of a direct hit. He was last seen attempting recovery from his dive at the extremely low altitude of 200 feet, and amid a terrific barrage of shell and bomb fragments, smoke, flame and debris from the stricken vessel.
*RICKETTS, MILTON ERNEST
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 5 August 1913, Baltimore, Md. Appointed from: Maryland. Citation: For extraordinary and distinguished gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of the Engineering Repair Party of the U.S.S. Yorktown in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. During the severe bombarding of the Yorktown by enemy Japanese forces, an aerial bomb passed through and exploded directly beneath the compartment in which Lt. Ricketts' battle station was located, killing, wounding or stunning all of his men and mortally wounding him. Despite his ebbing strength, Lt. Ricketts promptly opened the valve of a near-by fireplug, partially led out the fire hose and directed a heavy stream of water into the fire before dropping dead beside the hose. His courageous action, which undoubtedly prevented the rapid spread of fire to serious proportions, and his unflinching devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*KEITH, MIGUEL
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Combined Action platoon 1-3-2, 111 Marine Amphibious Force. place and date: Quang Ngai province, Republic of Vietnam, 8 May 1970. Entered service at: Omaha, Nebr. Born: 2 June 1951, San Antonio, Tex. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Combined Action platoon 1-3-2. During the early morning L/Cpl. Keith was seriously wounded when his platoon was subjected to a heavy ground attack by a greatly outnumbering enemy force. Despite his painful wounds, he ran across the fire-swept terrain to check the security of vital defensive positions and then, while completely exposed to view, proceeded to deliver a hail of devastating machine gun fire against the enemy. Determined to stop 5 of the enemy soldiers approaching the command post, he rushed forward, firing as he advanced. He succeeded in disposing of 3 of the attackers and in dispersing the remaining 2. At this point, a grenade detonated near L/Cpl. Keith, knocking him to the ground and inflicting further severe wounds. Fighting pain and weakness from loss of blood, he again braved the concentrated hostile fire to charge an estimated 25 enemy soldiers who were massing to attack. The vigor of his assault and his well-placed fire eliminated 4 of the enemy soldiers while the remainder fled for cover. During this valiant effort, he was mortally wounded by an enemy soldier. By his courageous and inspiring performance in the face of almost overwhelming odds, L/Cpl. Keith contributed in large measure to the success of his platoon in routing a numerically superior enemy force, and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.
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May 8
AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 8
THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
1911: The Navy ordered its first airplane, the A-1 amphibian, from Glenn Curtiss. Therefore, today is officially the birthday of naval aviation. (21)
1918: Capts John F. Gallagher, Robert J. Hunter, and Claude T. Uren became the first medical officers to be assigned as flight surgeons at US airfields. (24)
1919: Lt Cmdr A. C. Read took off on the first air crossing of the Atlantic in an NC-4 flying boat. 1926: Through 9 May, Floyd Bennett and Lt Cmdr Richard E. Byrd flew the Josephine Ford, a Fokker C-2 Trimotor monoplane, on the first flight to the North Pole from Kings Bay, Spitsbergen. (9)
1935: In 14 hours 19 minutes, Amelia Earhart flew the first nonstop flight from Mexico City to Newark.
1937: Nine Airmen (6 officers and 3 enlisted AAC) received the Mackay Trophy for demonstration of expert instrument flying and navigation, and the will to overcome obstacles to accomplish their mission under exceptionally adverse weather conditions during a flight of three Martin B-10 bombers from Langley Field to Allegan, Michigan. (USAF Art Program)
1944: Eighth Air Force began large raids on French and Belgian airfields at Juvencourt, Laon, Florennes, Thionville, St. Dizier, Orleans, Bourges, and Avord. (4)
1951: KOREAN WAR. An H-5 helicopter picked up two U.S. soldiers north of Seoul, encountering small arms fire in the area. (28)
1952: KOREAN WAR. In the first of four major interdiction strikes, Fifth Air Force fighter-bombers flew nearly 465 sorties against the enemy supply depot at Suan, about 40 miles southeast of Pyongyang, in the largest one-day attack since the war began. In a13-hour period, the UN pilots damaged or destroyed over 200 supply buildings, personnel shelters, revetments, vehicles, and gun positions. Enemy antiaircraft fire shot down an F-86 at the Kunu-ri marshaling yards. This was the first loss of a Sabre on a fighter-bomber sortie. (28)
1960: The Air Force removed its first operational missile, a Thor, from a field unit in the UK and sent it to Vandenberg AFB for confidence testing. Confidence launches preceded SAC's operational test program. (6)
1970: MACKAY TROPHY. An AC-119K gunship attacked a heavily defended road section in SEA. Despite losing 15 feet of the aircraft's right wing and an aileron, the crew destroyed three enemy supply trucks and then returned to base. For that feat, the crew earned the trophy. (21)
1970: An AC-119K gunship attacks a heavily defended road section in SEA. Despite losing 15 feet of the aircraft's right wing and an aileron, the crew destroys three enemy supply trucks and then returns to base. For that feat, the crew receives the trophy.
1972: Operation LINEBACKER I. President Nixon approved this operation as a military measure to end the Vietnam War. It included the mining of all ports in North Vietnam, and the interdiction of supply and communication lines. (5) (17)
1994: Operation PROVIDE PROMISE. Through 26 July, 5 C-141s started flying humanitarian missions from Germany to Bosnia. They joined the earlier deployment of C-130s from the 437 AW and 315 AW at Charleston AFB. The C-141s delivered over 7,000 tons of cargo by the time their flights ended on 26 July. (16)
1995: Through 11 May, ANG units rescued thousands of flood victims after 22 inches of rain fell on Louisiana within two days. (16) (26)
2000: Through 9 May, the RQ-4A Global Hawk participated in a Linked Seas Exercise, flying from Eglin AFB to Portugal and back during a 28-hour sortie. The Global Hawk also completed a 14.1-hour mission on 11-12 May 2000. (3)
2001: SECDEF Donald H. Rumsfeld made the USAF the executive agent for the Pentagon's space activities. (21
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