To All,
Good Friday morning February 7. The rain came as advertised this morning and is still drizzling a bit. Just enough to make the trip to the Bubba Breakfast entertaining with idiots crossing all lanes of traffic at high speed. The breakfast went well with about 27 show up. 5! To 63 degrees.
The tree has dropped a ton of leaves thank to the rain so I will have to go out and address that in a bit when it stops so that I can get them before they sink to the bottom of the pool. The forecast is calling for rain on Wednesday. Maybe some of the plants will survive the drought as long as not too many weeds take advantage and start to sprout.
We are getting a new TV installed today. I am looking forward to it. It is so big I may not need my glasses to watch it
It looks like the drizzle has stopped…..I hope
Have a great weekend
Warm Regards,
Skip
Make it a GREAT Day
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Go here to see the director's corner for all 86 H-Grams
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/
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.
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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.
On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York's Kennedy Airport—and "Beatlemania" arrives.
It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with "I Want to Hold Your Hand." At Kennedy, the "Fab Four"—dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts—were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil.
Two days later, Paul McCartney, age 21, Ringo Starr, 23, John Lennon, 23, and George Harrison, 20, made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show. Although it was difficult to hear the performance over the screams of teenage girls in the studio audience, an estimated 73 million U.S. television viewers, or about 40 percent of the U.S. population, tuned in to watch. Sullivan immediately booked the Beatles for two more appearances that month. The group made their first public concert appearance in the United States on February 11 at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and 20,000 fans attended. The next day, they gave two back-to-back performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, and police were forced to close off the streets around the venerable music hall because of fan hysteria. On February 22, the Beatles returned to England.
The 1960s
The Beatles' first American tour left a major imprint in the nation's cultural memory. With American youth poised to break away from the culturally rigid landscape of the 1950s, the Beatles, with their exuberant music and good-natured rebellion, were the perfect catalyst for the shift. Their singles and albums sold millions of records, and at one point in April 1964 all five best-selling U.S. singles were Beatles songs. By the time the Beatles first feature-film, A Hard Day's Night, was released in August, Beatlemania was epidemic the world over. Later that month, the four boys from Liverpool returned to the United States for their second tour and played to sold-out arenas across the country.
Later, the Beatles gave up touring to concentrate on their innovative studio recordings, such as 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band, a psychedelic concept album that is regarded as a masterpiece of popular music. The Beatles' music remained relevant to youth throughout the great cultural shifts of the 1960s, and critics of all ages acknowledged the songwriting genius of the Lennon-McCartney team. In 1970, the Beatles disbanded, leaving a legacy of 18 albums and 30 Top 10 U.S. singles.
During the next decade, all four Beatles pursued solo careers, with varying success. Lennon, the most outspoken and controversial Beatle, was shot to death by a deranged fan outside his New York apartment building in 1980. McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contribution to British culture. In November 2001, George Harrison succumbed to cancer. Ringo Starr was knighted himself for "services to music" in 2018.
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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Thanks to the Bear and Dan Heller
Rollingthunderremembered.com .
Hello All,
Thanks to Dan Heller and the Bear
Links to all content can now be found right on the homepage http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com. If you scroll down from the banner and featured content you will find "Today in Rolling Thunder Remembered History" which highlights events in the Vietnam war that occurred on the date the page is visited. Below that are links to browse or search all content. You may search by keyword(s), date, or date range.
An item of importance is the recent incorporation of Task Force Omega (TFO) MIA summaries. There is a link on the homepage and you can also visit directly via https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/task-force-omega/. There are 60 summaries posted thus far, with about 940 to go (not a typo—TFO has over 1,000 individual case files).
If you have any questions or comments about RTR/TFO, or have a question on my book, you may e-mail me directly at acrossthewing@protonmail.com. Thank you Dan
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url below and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
From Vietnam Air Losses site for "Thursday 6 February
February 6: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=1586
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
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
The site works, find anyone you knew in "search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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Thanks to nice news
In times of overwhelm, it can be the simplest things that bring us peace. This Friday morning, that simple thing is a short clip of a "Parade of Nations" hosted at a Michigan elementary school. The parade features students at the school proudly representing their countries of origin — 42 nations total — and it's exactly what we all need right now. Best of all: Brad Williams, the dad who posted the now-viral video of the parade, is looking to connect with organizers to create more events like it around the country.
Researchers Digitally "Unroll" 2,000-Year-Old Herculaneum Scroll
Diamond Light Source
The image above may not look like much, but it's actually a 2,000-year-old Herculaneum scroll that was scorched by Mount Vesuvius. Although hundreds of these scrolls have been located among the remains, it's been a challenge to open them without causing damage, let alone read them. That's changing thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge — and the project just hit a breakthrough.
A team of researchers competing in the challenge recently announced that they managed to digitally "unroll" and even start reading the charred contents of one scroll, known as PHerc. 172. "This scroll contains more recoverable text than we have ever seen in a scanned Herculaneum scroll," Brent Seales, one of the co-founders of the challenge, said in a statement.
To get to this point, the team used a machine at the U.K.'s Diamond Light Source research facility to create an X-ray beam that can delve into the artifact's delicate layers without causing harm. "It can see things on the scale of a few thousandths of a millimeter," Adrian Mancuso, the facility's director of physical sciences, told the BBC.
Now, the researchers are confident that they will be the first people to read the ink in two millennia — an exciting prospect for anyone interested in tech, history, or humanity. "I just love that connection with whoever collected them, whoever wrote them, whoever rolled those scrolls up and put them on the shelves," said Nicole Gilroy, the head of book conservation at Oxford's Bodleian Libraries, where the scroll is held. "There's a real human aspect to it that I just think is really precious."
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From the archives
DON'T LET TH E OLD MAN IN
Thanks to Newell. Toby Keith was a great Country singer and a constant visitor to the armed forces overseas and at home. I will miss him…skip
Family and Friends,
Last night Toby Keith lost his years-long struggle with stomach cancer. His death robs Country Music of one of its most robust and creative male voices. Whether via his song-writing or in his dynamic performances, his talents exploded in energetic message-laden honesty.
In 2002 his spirited "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue" responded to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and aptly mirrored the patriotic zeal of our wounded angry nation. The enclosed music-video of "Don't Let The Old Man In" was written prior to Toby's cancer diagnosis. His September 18, 2023 performance of "…Old Man", however, conveyed fresh personal gravity to its substance. A message ignored by the Old Man, who breached Toby's entryway less than five months later.
Newell
TOBY KEITH'S "DON'T LET THE OLD MAN IN"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfQDqY6mC4&authuser=0
The Meaning Behind Toby Keith's Solemn Ballad "Don't Let the Old Man In"
BY TINA BENITEZ-EVES
After receiving the first Country Icon Award at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday (September 28), Toby Keith shared an emotional performance of his 2018 ballad "Don't Let the Old Man In."
The poignant performance marked a rare return to the stage for Keith, who revealed in 2022 that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The Meaning
For Keith, who released the song on his 2019 compilation Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years, the lyrics became more resonant within his own life in recent years.
In the song, the "old man" is a metaphor for death. The lyrics face mortality, the fight to live and survive, regardless of one's situation.
Don't let the old man in
I wanna leave this alone
Can't leave it up to him
He's knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
(Despite the hardship, and the effects of time,
the narrator laughs at the face of death.)
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Clint Eastwood
"Don't Let the Old Man In" was originally written by Keith for Clint Eastwood's 2018 film The Mule, based on the true story of a WWII veteran in his 80s who worked as a courier (mule) for a Mexican drug cartel. Keith was inspired to write the song after a conversation he had with Eastwood while the two played golf.
Eastwood, who was about to turn 88, revealed he was about to start working on a new movie called The Mule. When Keith asked him "How do you do it, man?" Eastwood responded, "I just get up every morning and go out. …And I don't let the old man in."
Keith immediately started writing around Eastwood's words, and what he knew about his character in the film and became consumed by the song. "People were talking to me and they would say, 'Did you hear what I just said?' and I was like, 'No,' because I wasn't listening to any conversations," said Keith. "I was consumed by 'Don't Let the Old Man In.' I worked so hard on it. When I finally sang the line, I thought, it's got to be dark, it's got to be a ballad and it's got to be simple."
When it was time for Keith to record the demo, he was sick, which worked in his favor when singing the darker ballad. "I was sick as a dog that day," remembered Keith. "I was coughing and sneezing and thinking, this is terrible. I gave it the best vocal I could that day, and I sent it off. It's a real raspy, sleepy, tired, sick vocal. I said, 'Well now you've got a reference, and I'll go back and put a vocal on it for you.' "
After hearing Keith's song, Eastwood wanted to feature it in the film and didn't want the vocals changed.
"He wanted it sick and tired and dark like that," said Keith.
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Thanks to Interesting Facts
The Apollo 11 astronauts signed autographs as life insurance policies.
APOLLO 11 ASTRONAUTS
The Apollo 11 mission was a dangerous endeavor that put the crew's lives at risk, a fact not lost on astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Aware of the risks ahead, the crew of the historic moon mission signed autographs as a way to provide for their families in case of disaster. At the time, standard life insurance policies were extremely expensive for interstellar missions, and would not have adequately supported the astronauts' families. So, lacking any traditional protection, the astronauts cleverly realized that there was a market out there for signatures from American heroes such as themselves.
The three men entered quarantine roughly a month ahead of the July 1969 mission to the moon. During their free time, they signed hundreds of autographs known as "covers" — signed envelopes postmarked with important dates, such as the date of the moon landing itself. The covers were delivered to the astronauts' families, who held onto them in the event that tragedy struck. Thankfully, the Apollo 11 crew returned unharmed, so these "insurance policies" weren't sold. The crews of Apollo 12 through 16 continued this tradition until 1972, though all of those crafts also returned safely. In the 1990s, covers from the Apollo 11 mission began appearing in memorabilia auctions and commanded incredible value, some selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
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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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Thanks toMicro
We need more stories like this: https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/man-stunned-restaurant-stranger-pays-85-breakfast-bill
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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 2024, 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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjVKR3eNHxo
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Thanks to the Independent American
Benjamin Netanyahu stepping back into the White House for the first time in years must have felt like a homecoming—except this time, the guy behind the Resolute Desk actually respects him.
After four years of Biden's cold-shoulder routine, Israel's Prime Minister finally met with President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza. And, as expected, the moment Trump even hinted at relocation as a possible solution, Democrats and their globalist allies predictably lost their minds.
Here's the thing: Trump has an uncanny ability to say what everyone already knows but is too afraid to say out loud. The establishment has spent decades insisting that the Gaza situation is some kind of delicate, solvable puzzle—if only Israel would "do more." Meanwhile, Hamas continues to control the strip with an iron fist, using civilians as human shields while raking in foreign aid money.
The people of Gaza? They're stuck in the crossfire, unable to leave because their own leadership (and their biggest Western apologists) would rather keep them there for political leverage. But the second Trump points out the obvious—that some Palestinians actually want to leave and should be allowed to—the left loses its collective mind.
And let's be clear: Palestinian leaders have never wanted a two-state solution. That's just the talking point they feed the West while they teach kids to glorify terrorism and dream of a world without Israel. A peaceful resolution is impossible when one side's entire mission statement is the elimination of the other side
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Thanks to 1440
Need To Know
Sanctuary City Suit
The Justice Department sued Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County yesterday over their laws limiting the involvement of local police in the enforcement of federal immigration policies, areas commonly known as "sanctuary" jurisdictions. The lawsuit came a day after newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi called for such regions to be federally defunded.
At least a dozen states and hundreds of cities—including New York and California—have statutes prohibiting local law enforcement, to some degree, from cooperating with federal requests to detain migrants or provide information on noncitizens (see map). Such laws ostensibly serve to cultivate trust between immigrant communities and authorities, though critics claim they allow cities and states to flout federal authority.
The tensions hinge on legal questions around whether the federal government can commandeer states to fulfill its obligations, known as the anticommandeering doctrine. The Trump administration argues federal power preempts such state laws. See an overview of the debate here.
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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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