The List 7389
To All
Good Thursday Morning December 18, 2025 . It is mostly clear and sunny now and expected to be that way all day and hit 80 by noon.. The weather guessers are still busy changing and predicting clear skies until next Tuesday when they are looking at 4 days of rain through Christmas. Counting today we have 7 shopping days left before Christmas.. The crud still has me. In its grip but not as bad. I hope you are all doing well. I hope that you enjoy the story in today's List.
.Regards
skip
.HAGD
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/. Go here to see the director's corner for all 94 H-Grams.
This Day in Navy and Marine Corps History
December 18
1902 - Admiral of the Navy George Dewey receives orders to send his battleship to Trinidad and then to Venezuela to make sure that Great Britain's and Germany's dispute with Venezuela was settled by peaceful arbitration not force.
1944 - Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet encounters typhoon northeast of Samar.
Destroyers USS Hull, USS Monaghan and USS Spence sink, while 21 other ships are damaged.
1965 - River Patrol Force established in Vietnam.
1965 - Helicopters from HS-11 on USS Wasp (CVS-18) pick up crew and capsule of Gemini 7, after picking up the crew and capsule of Gemini 6 two days earlier.
1967 - Operation Preakness II begins in Mekong Delta.
1972 - Mining and bombing of North Vietnam resumes with Linebacker II Operation.
On December 18, 1620, with the English ship Mayflower anchored in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, a small party of sailors from the vessel go ashore, as its passengers prepare to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.
The famous Mayflower story began in 1606, when a group of reform-minded Separatists in Nottinghamshire, England, founded their own church, separate from the state-sanctioned Church of England. Accused of treason, they were forced to leave the country and settle in the more tolerant Netherlands. After 12 years of struggling to adapt and make a decent living, the group sought financial backing from some London merchants to set up a colony in America. On September 6, 1620, 102 passengers—dubbed Pilgrims by William Bradford, a passenger who would become the first governor of Plymouth Colony—crowded on the Mayflower to begin the long, hard journey to a new life in the New World.
On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower anchored at what is now Provincetown Harbor, Cape Cod. Before going ashore, 41 male passengers—heads of families, single men and three male servants—signed the famous Mayflower Compact, agreeing to submit to a government chosen by common consent and to obey all laws made for the good of the colony. Over the next month, several small scouting groups were sent ashore to collect firewood and scout out a good place to build a settlement. Around December 10, one of these groups found a harbor they liked to the west of Cape Cod Bay. They returned to the Mayflower to tell the other passengers, but bad weather prevented them from landing until December 18.
The Pilgrims' Miserable Journey Aboard the Mayflower
During their two-month voyage to America, the Mayflower's passengers faced cramped quarters, rough seas, limited food and numbing cold.
Signing of the Mayflower Compact
How the Mayflower Compact Laid a Foundation for American Democracy
Pilgrims had to find a way to get along with "strangers" on their ship once they landed in the New World.
Why Pilgrims Arriving in America Resisted Bathing
Rather than bathing, early American colonists believed that other practices, like regularly changing their undergarments, qualified as good hygiene.
After exploring the region, the settlers took over a cleared area previously occupied by members of a local Native American tribe, the Wampanoag. The tribe had abandoned the village several years earlier, after an outbreak of European disease. That winter of 1620-1621 was brutal, as the Pilgrims struggled to build their settlement, find food and ward off sickness. By spring, 50 of the original 102 Mayflower passengers were dead. The remaining settlers made contact with returning members of the Wampanoag tribe and in March they signed a peace treaty with a tribal chief, Massasoit. Aided by the Wampanoag, especially the English-speaking Squanto, the Pilgrims were able to plant crops—especially corn and beans—that were vital to their survival. The Mayflower and its crew left Plymouth to return to England on April 5, 1621.
Over the next several decades, more and more settlers made the trek across the Atlantic to Plymouth, which gradually grew into a prosperous shipbuilding and fishing center. In 1691, Plymouth was incorporated into the new Massachusetts Bay Association, ending its history as an independent colony.
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This day in world History December 18
1118 Alfonso the Battler, the Christian King of Aragon captures Saragossa, Spain, causing a major blow to Muslim Spain.
1812 Napoleon Bonaparte arrives in Paris after his disastrous campaign in Russia.
1862 Nathan Bedford Forrest engages and defeats a Federal cavalry force near Lexington in his continued effort to disrupt supply lines.
1862 Union General Ulysses S. Grant announces the organization of his army in the West. Sherman, Hurlbut, McPherson, and McClernand are to be corps commanders
.1865 Slavery is abolished in the United States. The 13th Amendment is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
1915 In a single night, about 20,000 Australian and New Zealand troops withdraw from Gallipoli, Turkey, undetected by the Turks defending the peninsula.
1916 The Battle of Verdun ends with the French and Germans each having suffered more than 330,000 killed and wounded in 10 months. It was the longest engagement of World War I.
1925 Soviet leaders Lev Kamenev and Grigori Zinoviev break with Joseph Stalin.
1940 Adolf Hitler issues his secret plans for the invasion of the Soviet Union--Operation Barbarossa.
1941 Japan invades Hong Kong.
1941 Defended by 610 fighting men, the American-held island of Guam falls to more than 5,000 Japanese invaders in a three-hour battle.
1942 Adolf Hitler meets with Benito Mussolini and Pierre Laval.
1944 Japanese forces are repelled from northern Burma by British troops.
1951 North Koreans give the United Nations a list of 3,100 POWs.
1956 Japan is admitted to the United Nations.
1960 A rightist government is installed under Prince Boun Oum in Laos as the United States resumes arms shipments.
1961 The Tokens earn a #1 hit with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
1965 U.S. Marines attack VC units in the Que Son Valley during Operation Harvest Moon.
1970 An atomic leak in Nevada forces hundreds of citizens to flee the test site.
1972 President Richard M. Nixon declares that the bombing of North Vietnam will continue until an accord can be reached (Operation Linebacker II).
1989 The European Economic Community and the Soviet Union sign an agreement on trade and economic communication.
2002 California Gov. Gray Davis announces the state faces a record budget deficit; the looming $35 billion shortfall is almost double the amount reported a month earlier during the state's gubernatorial campaign.
2005 Civil war begins in Chad with a rebel assault on Adre; the rebels are believed to be backed by Chad's neighbor, Sudan.
2008 United Arab Emirates holds it first-ever elections.
2010 In an opening act of Arab Spring, anti-government protests erupt in Tunisia.
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Thanks to the Bear. We will always have the url for you to search items in Rolling Thunder
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER …
. rollingthunderremembered.com .
Thanks to Micro
From Vietnam Air Losses site for ..December 18
18-Dec: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=2787
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
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1972
Nixon announces start of "Christmas Bombing" of North Vietnam
..Following the breakdown of peace talks with North Vietnam just a few days earlier, President Richard Nixon announces the beginning of a massive bombing campaign to break the stalemate. For nearly two weeks, American bombers pounded North Vietnam.
On December 13, peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam collapsed. The North Vietnamese and American negotiators traded charges and countercharges as to who was to blame. Infuriated, President Nixon ordered plans drawn up for retaliatory bombings of North Vietnam. Linebacker II was the result. Beginning on December 18, American B-52s and fighter-bombers dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. The United States lost 15 of its giant B-52s and 11 other aircraft during the attacks. North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed.
The bombings continued until December 29, at which time the North Vietnamese agreed to resume the talks. A few weeks later, the final Paris Peace Treaty was signed and the Vietnam War came to a close, ending the U.S. role in a conflict that seriously damaged the domestic Cold War consensus among the American public. The impact of the so-called "Christmas Bombings" on the final agreement was difficult to assess. Some historians have argued that the bombings forced the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table. Others have suggested that the attacks had little impact, beyond the additional death and destruction they caused. Even the chief U.S. negotiator, Henry Kissinger, was reported to have said, "We bombed the North Vietnamese into accepting our concessions." The chief impact may have been in convincing America's South Vietnamese allies, who were highly suspicious of the draft treaty worked out in October 1972, that the United States would not desert them. In any event, the final treaty did not include any important changes from the October draft.
1620
Mayflower docks at Plymouth Harbor
On December 18, 1620, the British ship Mayflower docked at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, and its passengers prepared to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.
The famous Mayflower story began in 1606, when a group of reform-minded Puritans in Nottinghamshire, England, founded their own church, separate from the state-sanctioned Church of England. Accused of treason, they were forced to leave the country and settle in the more tolerant Netherlands. After 12 years of struggling to adapt and make a decent living, the group sought financial backing from some London merchants to set up a colony in America. On September 6, 1620,
102 passengers–dubbed Pilgrims by William Bradford, a passenger who would become the first governor of Plymouth Colony–crowded on the Mayflower to begin the long, hard journey to a new life in the New World.
On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower anchored at what is now Provincetown Harbor, Cape Cod. Before going ashore, 41 male passengers–heads of families, single men and three male servants–signed the famous Mayflower Compact, agreeing to submit to a government chosen by common consent and to obey all laws made for the good of the colony. Over the next month, several small scouting groups were sent ashore to collect firewood and scout out a good place to build a settlement. Around December 10, one of these groups found a harbor they liked on the western side of Cape Cod Bay. They returned to the Mayflower to tell the other passengers, but bad weather prevented them from docking until December 18. After exploring the region, the settlers chose a cleared area previously occupied by members of a local Native American tribe, the Wampanoag. The tribe had abandoned the village several years earlier, after an outbreak of European disease. That winter of 1620-1621 was brutal, as the Pilgrims struggled to build their settlement, find food and ward off sickness.
By spring, 50 of the original 102 Mayflower passengers were dead. The remaining settlers made contact with returning members of the Wampanoag tribe and in March they signed a peace treaty with a tribal chief, Massasoit. Aided by the Wampanoag, especially the English-speaking Squanto, the Pilgrims were able to plant crops–especially corn and beans–that were vital to their survival. The Mayflower and its crew left Plymouth to return to England on April 5, 1621.
Over the next several decades, more and more settlers made the trek across the Atlantic to Plymouth, which gradually grew into a prosperous shipbuilding and fishing center. In 1691, Plymouth was incorporated into the new Massachusetts Bay Association, ending its history as an independent colony.
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. From the atchives
Thanks to Mike. The A-7 Bubbas are featured but some good shots of others. If you click on the utube URL it has a weekend of options for entertainment
Pretty good song – GREAT subject!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1yN6irzSvE&feature=youtu.be
"Kerosene Cowboy" song by Jeff Weber
"Kerosene Cowboy" by Jeff Weber. Written by Jeff Weber/Mark Allison with Randy Arrington and recorded for the major motion picture Kerosene Cowboys based on ...
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When I read this I immediately thought of 'Shadow who had told me a story many years ago of his initial NIGHT carqual in the RF-4 with |Admiral Flatley See
Shadow's story at the end
Subject: Passing of RADM James H. Flatley III, USN (Ret.)
Fellow Flag Officers,
It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III, U.S. Navy, Retired, on 12 December 2025 at age 91. RADM Flatley enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in January 1951, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, and served as a Naval Aviator until his retirement in August 1987 as Deputy Director, Naval Warfare (OP-095B) in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. His commands included Fighter Squadron THREE ONE (VF-31), Attack Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVAW-7), USS CALOOSAHATCHEE (AO-98), USS SARATOGA (CV-60), Naval Training Center Great Lakes, and Carrier Group EIGHT. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (two awards), Bronze Star with Combat "V", and numerous other combat awards for 346 combat missions in three Vietnam War deployments. He also landed a C-130 on an aircraft carrier (USS FORRESTAL), 21 times and took off 21 times, which earned a Distinguished Flying Cross (no arresting wire, no catapult.)
Rear Admiral Flatley had a distinguished lineage as the son of Vice Admiral Jame H. Flatley, Jr., a Naval Aviator and "ace" (six kills) who was awarded a Navy Cross for action during the Battle of the Coral Sea, and served in some capacity in almost every major battle of the war, except Midway. Due to having combat awards in WW2, upon retirement he was promoted to vice admiral (known as "tombstone promotion") and unfortunately died young at age 52.
Jim Flatley III enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 15 January 1951, during the Korean War, while attending Columbia Preparatory School. He was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve on 29 January 1952 and entered the U.S. Naval Academy the next day. According to the "Lucky Bag" (Yearbook), Midshipman Flatley "made eyes pop with his physical prowess. No matter what the sport, Jim was outstanding." He was a standout on the USNA soccer team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Naval Science and was commissioned an ensign on 1 June 1956.
After a two month stash at the Naval Academy, Ensign Flatley reported to Naval Air Basic Training Command at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida for flight training in August 1956. In July 1957, he reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas for advanced flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator (Heavier than Air (HTA)) on 8 October 1957. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in December 1957. The same month he reported to Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron FIVE (FASRON 5) at NAS Oceana, Virginia.
In March 1958, Lieutenant (junior grade) Flatley was assigned to Fighter Squadron THREE THREE (VF-33) "Tarsiers" at NAS Oceana. During his tour, VF-33 transitioned from the FJ-3 Fury to the F-11F Tiger and then F8U-1E Crusader, deploying twice to the Mediterranean embarked on attack carrier USS INTREPID (CVA-11) from February to August 1959 and June 1960 to February 1961. He was promoted to lieutenant in June 1960.
In January 1962, Lieutenant Flatley arrived at Naval Test Pilot School, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River. Maryland. Upon graduation from Test Pilot School, he served as Project Pilot for the C-130 Carrier Feasibility Study. After extensive landing practice ashore, in November1963 he made 29 touch-and-go's and 21 full stop landings and subsequent take offs on attack carrier USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59), without a tail hook or catapult. The C-130 was the largest and heaviest aircraft ever to land or take off from an aircraft carrier.
In January 1965, LT Flatley was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing FOUR (CVAW-4) for training as a Landing Signal Officer (LSO). In May 1965, he was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVAW-3) as LSO and Assistant Operations Officer, embarking on attack carrier USS SARATOGA (CVA-60) for a Mediterranean deployment from March to October 1966. He was spot promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1965 and promoted in August 1965.
In April 1967, Lieutenant Commander Flatley reported to Fighter Squadron ONE TWO ONE (VF-121) at NAS Miramar, California for training in the F-4B Phantom II fighter-bomber. In August 1967, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron TWO ONE THREE (VF-213) "Black Lions" at NAS Miramar, flying the F-4B, and serving as Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer. VF-213 embarked on attack carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) for two Vietnam War deployments in November 1967 to June 1968 and December 1968 to September 1969. The first deployment coincided with the Communist Tet Offensive and the Siege of Khe Sanh with intensive strike operations in South and North Vietnam. LCDR Flatley flew 191 combat missions during these two deployments. VF-213 was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.
In July 1969, LCDR Flatley attended Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base as a student, concurrently earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. He was promoted to commander in March 1970. In July 1970, Commander Flatley reported to the staff of Commander, Fleet Air, Norfolk as Inspection Coordinator and Assistant Operations Officer. asst ops
In January 1971, CDR Flatley reported to Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO ONE (VF101) at NAS Oceana for refresher training in the upgraded F-4J Phantom II. In May 1971 he assumed duty as Executive Officer of Fighter Squadron THREE ONE (VF-31) "Tomcatters" at NAS Oceana, deploying to the Mediterranean embarked on carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) from June to October 1971.
CDR Flatley assumed command of VF-31 in March 1972, deploying on SARATOGA to Vietnam in April 1972 to February 1973 coincident with the North Vietnamese "Easter Offensive," Operation Linebacker I, then a short lull, followed by Operation Linebacker II and then the signing of the Paris Peace accord, ending hostilities between the U.S. and North Vietnam. During this period of intense combat strikes, CDR Flatley flew 155 combat missions while his squadron flew 2,200 combat missions without loss of personnel or aircraft. CDR Flatley was awarded a Silver Star for leading a 45-plane strike on 19 August 1972 against heavily defended targets. According to the citation the targets were "two strategically important highway bridges and a large warehouse and storage complex. Imaginative and innovative planning enabled the strike group, in the face of intense enemy opposition and rapidly deteriorating weather, to execute a devastating attack on the assigned targets. For this period, VF-31 was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation, a Battle Efficiency Ribbon, and the RADM Joseph Clifton Award for top VF squadron in the Navy.
In May 1973, CDR Flatley was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic (COMNAVAIRLANT) as Fighter Training Coordinator. In September 1974, he reported to VF-101 again for refresher training. In October 1974, he reported to Attack Squadron ONE SEVEN FOUR (VA-174) for training in the A-7 Corsair II light attack jet.
In December 1974, CDR Flatley assumed command of Attack Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVAW-7) deploying on attack carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62) to the Mediterranean in July 1974 to January 1975 and again from October 1975 until his change of command in March 1976. He was promoted to captain in July 1975.
In March 1976, Captain Flatley was briefly assigned to the staff of COMNAVAIRLANT again as Ship's Training Officer. In June 1976, he reported to Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, Rhode Island for pre-command training.
In February 1977, CAPT Flatley assumed command of fleet oiler USS CALOOSAHATCHEE (AO 98), deploying to the Mediterranean from September 1977 to April 1978. In July 1978, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Robert Long. In May 1979 he returned to COMAVAIRLANT for pre-command training.
In June 1979, CAPT Flatley assumed command of carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) homported in Mayport, Florida, deploying to the Mediterranean in March 1980 and returning in September 1980. During the deployment he made his 1,500th carrier-arrested landing, with his son Midshipman James H. Flatley IV in the back seat. Upon returning from deployment, he took SARATOGA to Philadelphia to commence a 28-month service life extension program (SLEP). During his tenure in command, SARATOGA was awarded the Arleigh Burke Award as the most improved of 245 ships in the Atlantic Fleet.
In November 1981, CAPT Flatley was designated a rear admiral for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank and assumed command of Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 September 1982. In March 1983, Rear Admiral Flatley assumed command of Carrier Group EIGHT in Norfolk, Virginia, with responsibility as Commander, Carrier Battle Forces SECOND Fleet. He also deployed to the Mediterranean for a brief period in 1983, serving a Commander Task Force SIX ZERO (CTF 60) embarked on USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69.)
In June 84, RADM Flatley reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Strike and Amphibious Warfare Division (OP-954). In August 1986, he became Deputy Director, Naval Warfare (OP-095B). He retired on 1 August 1987.
During his career, RADM Flatley had 4,460 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,608 carrier arrested landings. He was the youngest and fourth overall to reach 1,000 carrier landings and the first to reach 1,600.
RADM Flatley's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (five awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (three awards), Bronze Star with Combat "V", Air Medal with one silver star (five awards) and Numeral "24" (strike/flight), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon?, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation (three awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards), Battle Efficiency Ribbon (two awards), Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary, Vietnam Service Medal (Five campaign stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Second Class), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Pistol Medal and expert Rifle Medal. (The flag officer transcript is missing many medals and obviously in error on some, so this is based on a photograph in uniform. The Combat Action Ribbon is unusual for an aviator.)
Other awards include the U.S. Navy League John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership; the Admiral Arleigh Burke Award for commanding the most improved of 245 ships in the Atlantic Fleet; the National Recreation and Parks Award to the military member in the Armed Forces who contributed the most to the health and welfare of his command. After retirement awards include the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civic honor, presented by the Governor to recognize individuals for extraordinary lifetime achievement, service and contributions of national or statewide significance.
After retiring from active duty, RADM Flatley served as Director of Government Programs at Cambridge Research Corp and then as General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Intermarine USA, building the Navy's first fiberglass vessel, the MHC OSPREY class minesweeper in Savannah GA. Following the end of the OSPREY program he served for seven years as CEO of Patriots Point Development Authority and Executive Director of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum on the Charleston Harbor, transforming it to South Carolina's largest tourist attraction. He became a Roper St. Francis Healthcare System Board Trustee in 1996 until he passed, serving both Bon Secours-St. Francis and Mt. Pleasant Hospitals. He served as Chairman of the Mount Pleasant Hospital Board of Directors from 2010 to 2020. In 2003, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Maritime Security Commission charged with re-establishing and overseeing the South Carolina Naval Militia. He served on the board of USS YORKTOWN Foundation and the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership. He was a member of the Golden Eagles Association, USO World Board of Governors, United States Naval Institute, Red River Valley River Rats, and life member of the Association of Naval Aviation, the Surface Navy Association, Navy Submarine League and an emeritus member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.
RADM Flatley's two oldest sons, James Henry IV and Joseph, both served as Navy fighter pilots, and daughter Kara served as an officer in the Navy Supply Corps. Seven grandsons and granddaughters serve in various capacities in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Funeral services will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
During the 1983 Mediterranean deployment by USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69), RADM Flatley and staff came aboard for several weeks to allow the permanent CTF-60 staff (RADM Jerry Tuttle) to get some time ashore. All the talk in the air wing at the time was how RADM Flatley had landed a C-130 on an aircraft carrier, and that may be the case now. But far more important in my view is 19 August 1972, as he led a major strike against North Vietnamese targets, and based on his awards it was just one of many missions he led. At the time, U.S. popular opinion and Congressional support had turned against the war. The Nixon Administration was conducting secret talks with the North Vietnamese and making major concessions to get an agreement as soon as possible, which would result in a cease-fire in October. Yet despite this, Navy pilots and aircrew were expected to continue to lay their lives on the line attacking North Vietnamese targets. And in this environment, Air Wing and Squadron leaders were expected to lead their men in doing their duty to the fullest, and that's exactly what then-CDR Flatley did as skipper of VF-31. His Silver Star citation for that raid understates the ferocity and intensity of North Vietnamese opposition. However, noteworthy in his Silver Star citation for that raid was the reference to "imaginative and innovative planning." That he led his squadron through 2,200 combat sorties without loss of personnel or aircraft was no accident, and was a testament to his leadership and understanding of how to counteract enemy tactics. The rest of his career was simply an eye-watering litany of extraordinary leadership and accomplishment, at great sacrifice to home life (I lost count of the number of deployments, but three combat deployments and 346 combat sorties was certainly a lifetime's worth.) His obituary simply says that he, "leaves behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service to his community and country." No need to embellish that.
Rest in Peace Admiral Flatley
Very respectfully,
Sam
On a personal note, RADM Flatley would periodically comment on H-grams and Passing Notes, always with keen insight, which I will miss. During IKE's '83 Med deployment (referenced above) I recall one event that showed what kind of leader he was. We were in a port without ferries (Taranto I think) and officers were going ashore in ship's boats from the quarterdeck, when an overzealous duty officer secured officers' boating in anticipation that Flatley would be going ashore in his boat. So, the line of Junior Officers, including me, waited for what seemed like an hour, maybe more. When he finally showed up, and saw the very long line, he instantly understood what had happened. It was clear he was not happy that so many had been held up. He didn't blow a gasket at the duty officer, although I think there were some quiet words. He simply crammed every J.O. that could fit onto his admiral's boat and took us ashore, tightly packed, but in style.
Samuel J. Cox (SES)
RADM, USN (Ret)
Director of Naval History
Curator for the Navy
Director Naval History and Heritage Command
202-433-2210 (work) 571-213-9392 (govt cell)
Thanks to Shadow
Skip.
Was sorry to read that Jim Flatley passed. Even though I was a Marine, I had a very unique and unforgettable experience with the man. It was a night I'll never forget and the bonus was getting to meet and know another legend of Naval Aviation.
It was during my first night CQ in the F-4 that our paths would cross. I had flown out to the Kitty Hawk early in the day to check on my troops before my first night CQ evolution. I was the AAMO and was the Det MO for the period. As luck would have it, I was introduced to Jim at our 1600 brief for our 1800 launch. Everybody called him CAG as he was gonna be the CAG on an East Coast Carrier (I Think the Saratoga) and he was going through refresh in the F-4. with RAG at Miramar. Now I was ignorant of who he was and what he was until after the brief, when one of the Navy LSO's asked me if I knew who he was? I said, "Sorry, didn't know him from Adam's house cat". He then asked me if I'd ever heard of the Navy Test Pilot, who landed a C-130 on an aircraft carrier? Yeah, that guy must have had brass balls! "Well. that's him"! Now it's hard to be humble when you're a Marine, but damn... I was impressed!
CAG ran the brief and the whole time I was torn between awestruck, to getting a little fired up about my first night CQ. I was also excited in that I'd get at least one, maybe two "Pinkies" on my first traps, since we were already on board. The Air Wing would not launch until we were already in the pattern. Well as my boyhood idol, Corky Meyer, was known to say… "The Genies of fate, pooped all over the best plans of men"! The "Hawk" sailed into a fog bank around 1700! And we sailed and sailed… and didn''t get out of it until after 2300, when they secured us for the night. Okie, my back seater and I found us a couple of racks and secured for the night. Still wired, had barely got to sleep when a young sailor rudely came in a woke me up and said, "Sir, CAG is waiiting for you in the Ready Room, you guys are going flying"! With that he politely left the room. Now I've written a story about it which I'll include with this… but suffice it to say, as I looked at my big Seiko watch... and it read, "Zero Dark Thirty"! I muttered "No effing way"! Only to hear Okie say the same thing. WTF… we'd gone from Pinkies to oh chit!
We made our way down to the Ready Room and CAG was already suited up. He looks at me and says, "The Brief is the same as 1600 except for Bingo… it's now 4.9… so every pass will be a trick or treat (in other words, you. With trap or bingo to the beach) see you on top"! With that he and his RIO left the Ready Room. Holy chit Batman!… max trap weight was 5.0! If that wasn't the worst news, I looked at the weather board and read; 300 overcast, 1/2 mile visibility! "Hey, what happened to the good deal, thousand and three for initial night Qual? By the time we got up to the flight deck, I was convinced it was all a world class "gotcha" for the only two Marine Flight Crew on the ship. Actually, I should have known better, that's something we Marines would pull if we ever got the chance, but you Navy guys have more class than that.
Anyway… read the story below and have a laugh at my expense. I ran into Flats about 4 or five times after that night… and I'll always yell out as I had at the end of that night… "That man is a lying sumbitch". He'd always smile and say, "Get outta here"! BTW… The Flatley family is legendary. All are super achievers… his brother is a class act as well.
All the Best, Shadow
Night Carrier Landings at O' Dark Thirty
or
"Hey, Don't I Get A Vote ?"
Flash back to the early 70's, some genius decided that RF-4 Photo-Phantoms should be ready to
go aboard aircraft carriers to replace the RF-8's. Trouble was all the RF-4s belonged to us... the
Marines. Most of us "Green Machine" types hadn't seen the blunt end of the boat since the
training command— not one pilot in our squadron had ever had a night trap. I was determined
that when my time came, I'd rather die than look bad.
My first night carrier landings were to be aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). I'd gotten my
required day landings and as the designated Det Maintenance Officer I had flown out to the ship
earlier in the day to check on my troops. In the ready room I found out I was scheduled for the
first night launch along with newly designated CAG James Flatley III who was going through a
refresher course in the F-4 at Miramar. I couldn't believe my good fortune, my first night traps
were going to be "easy pinkies".
CAG Flatley came into the ready room and introduced himself. Said we'd brief 1630 for an 1800
launch. After he left the room, one of the Navy guys asked if I knew who Flatley was? I
shrugged my shoulders and this guy starts telling me about Flatley.... including the no-hook,
C-130 Hercules carrier landings caper. Now even though I was a Marine... even I was impressed.
At around 1530, the ship sailed into a fog bank. By the time we briefed the weather was "Zero-
Zero". We hung out in the ready room for hours, waiting for a break. Around 2200 we secured to
our staterooms.
My back-seater and I were "wired " and took a long time to get to sleep. At 0100, a sailor rudely
awakened us by pounding on the door and saying, " Sir, CAG is waiting for you in the ready
room. You're going flying."
My initial thought was... no fucking way! I looked at my watch and saw the time... my second
thought was... no fucking way! "Oakie"... Larry Shreve, my backseater, tumbles down from the
top bunk and says... "No fucking way".
We finally got suited up and walked down to the Ready Room in a deep fog. CAG was brighteyed
and bushy-tailed; fresh as a flower... he even smelled of after shave. "Hey, let's do it", he
said, "The brief is the same as this afternoon; except for bingo, which is 4.9. So every
pass will be a trick or treat... ya got that, I'll go first and give you a PIREP down-wind... see you
up top". With that he wheeled out of the ready room and went top side.
Putting on my speed slacks and torso harness, his abbreviated lecture sank in; max trap fuel
weight for the F-4 was 5.1. With a bingo of 4.9, we only had two hundred pounds to play
with! His cavalier "trick or treat" statement meant we either got aboard immediately or went
home, we'd have to take on fuel after every trap. I thought the weather would at least be the
thousand and three required for initial night CQ until my bleary eyes scanned the chalk board
where I saw, "Estimated 300 overcast, ¾ mile." Miramar was 200 and a half.
When i reached the flight deck my face was went wet with moisture. I looked over and CAG was
climbing into his cockpit. I could barely make out his turning toward me, smiling and giving me
a thumbs up. In my heart, I wanted to believe it was just a cruel joke they were playing on this
young Marine. I actually had convinced myself of that until he started engines.
As CAG and I taxied up to the bow cats, the boss came up and said they'd work us single
frequency until turned over to CCA. CAG needed only two traps to re-qualify. I needed to get a
full bag... six.
As I crossed the shuttle, CAG was in tension and quickly fired off. His Phantom disappeared
immediately. As I went through the checklist, I tried to keep my voice as low as possible, so as
not to do a Tiny Tim impersonation, and keep my heart from pounding a hole in my chest.
God never made a blacker void than off the bow of the boat at night with no stars or moon. By
that stage of my life, I'd been shot at, hit too, but never had anything make me as tense. We fired
off into the void.
Turning final, the CCA controller, fired off a staccato of instructions and ended with a terse,
"CAG says it's workable".
Down the chute we went. I'm working harder than I've ever had to in the cockpit. This was not
the joy of flight! It was stark raving terror! CCA calls, "¾ mile, call the ball."
I glance up and nothing ! Okie, my backseater says, "200 feet"
Paddles says, "Call the ball." Another glance and still nothing.
I key the mike and say, "I can't see shit". As the expletive is leaving my lips, I'm suddenly there
and have about a nano-second before we hit the deck and catch a wire!
Unlike a day trap where one feels a bit of euphoria and exhilaration... my first night
trap left me with the impression that I'd just cheated death. Taxiing over to the purple shirts, my
knees were shaking and my boots were drum beating on the rudder pedals. Once chained down
and taking on fuel, I hear, "Shadow, go squadron common." I switch frequencies. "What'd ya
think"?
I reply, "I didn't break out until 100 to 150 feet... This is insane!"
CAG says, " I knew you'd say that... that's why I switched you over to this freq. If an old man
like me can do it, you can too"... He knew I'd take the bait. It would end up being the longest
night I ever spent in a cockpit.
CAG Flatley got his second landing and blew me a kiss after I'd refueled the second time and I
taxied up to the cat for my third shot. Airborne, the Boss announces that the Air Wing is coming
out from Miramar and that the pattern will soon be crowded.
My third trap is another 100 footer. Steeling myself for the next go while taking on fuel the
horror show begins; plane after plane is waved off... or bolters. I'm all the way up to the cat when
I had to be pushed back to take on more fuel. Over my shoulder I watch a squadron mate initiate
a wave off from below flight deck level in full afterburner. A Vigilante lands short and takes out
the 1 wire.
I'm launched and get my fourth trap. Refueling yet again, the LSO radios, "Shadow... Looks like
you're the only game in town. Everyone else has bingoed. We're going to the Admiral (Jim
Stockdale) for a waiver if you think you can hack it. It's up to you." Normally, four traps in one
night was the max allowed.
At that point, I believe exhaustion overcame fear; along with that little devil on my shoulder
saying, "I'd rather die than look bad". I said, "Fuck it...Let's do it." No sooner were the words
out of my mouth than from the back cockpit, Okie tersely says, "Hey . . don't I get a vote?"
I went on and completed my initial night qualification; six cats, six traps, all in one very long
night. As we shut down, I was numb from exhaustion and all the way back to the ready room, a
six foot conscience—my backseater—is nipping at my heels and telling me how freakin' stupid
we were to do it.
Flatley had waited for us in the ready room. He shakes my hand and says, "We did it... great
job... what'ya think"?
White as a sheet, I responded, "Honestly CAG, the last one was just as scary as the
first one and it never got any better."
He laughed and hit me with the old cliché, "If you ain't scared, you don't belong here." We were
invited us up to his room for a toddy.
Amazing how drunk you can get off one drink when you're ragged out. On the way out of his
room to my own rack, I turned and said, "CAG, I hope you never are the duty weather pilot
again, 'cause you're a lying SOB.... Workable my ass... the highest I broke out the entire night
was 150 feet"!
He just looked at me, smiled and said, "Go on, get outta here."
To this day, whenever I cross paths with Jim Flatley, I point him out and say, "You see that man
over there? He's a lying SOB. 'Workable', my ass."
He gives me that same twinkling smile every time, feigns ignorance and says: "Get outta here."
Shadow
Post script...
Flatley and I were the only two airplanes to land successfully that night out of the entire Air
Wing... and my last four traps were with only three wires when the Vigi (like the Midway) took
out the one wire... Now I don't know if someone else has gotten six in one night... but I'd be
willing to bet that no one did it under such bad conditions as we did that night. And of all the
things I've done in an airplane... that night put me in one of the smallest fraternities in the
world... and by gosh... I'm proud of it.
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From the archives
1979
Stuntman Stan Barrett breaks the sound barrier
On December 17, 1979, Hollywood stuntman Stan Barrett blasts across a dry lakebed at California's Edwards Air Force Base in a rocket- and missile-powered car, becoming the first man to travel faster than the speed of sound on land. He did not set an official record, however.
The radar scanner was acting up, and so Barrett's top speed–739.666 miles per hour by the most reliable measure–was only an estimate.
Also, he only drove his rocket car across the lakebed once, not twice as official record guidelines require. And, none of the spectators heard a sonic boom as Barrett zoomed across the course.
Barrett was a 36-year-old stuntman and ex-lightweight Golden Glove champ who had been introduced to auto racing by Paul Newman in 1971.
(He was the actor's stunt double for the film "Sometimes a Great Notion.") Barrett's car, the $800,000 Budweiser Rocket, was owned by the movie director Hal Needham, a former racer himself who had broken a nine-year-old world land-speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats the previous September. The car had a 48,000-horsepower rocket engine and, to give it a little extra kick, a 12,000-horsepower Sidewinder missile.
December 17 was a dry day with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to break the sound barrier under those conditions, Barrett had to go faster than 731.9 miles per hour. He started the rocket engine and stepped on the gas; then, after counting to 12, he pushed a button on his steering wheel to fire the Sidewinder so he could go even faster. After he zoomed past a battery of timing devices, Barrett deployed a parachute to help him slow down. In all, it took only a handful of seconds for Barrett to blast across the 5 3/4-mile lakebed.
Unfortunately, the radar speedometers on the ground malfunctioned:
Instead of the Rocket's speed, they measured the speed of a passing truck (38 miles per hour). The final speed estimate came from data by the Air Force, whose scanners seemed to indicate that the Rocket had "probably exceeded the speed of sound."
Controversy over how fast Barrett actually went persists to this day.
It took until October 1997 for another driver, in a British car called the Thrust SSC, to officially break the Mach 1 sound barrier.
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Thanks to History Facts
The shocking size of the Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire is the largest contiguous land empire in history.
There was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire and all roads led to Rome, but there has never been a larger contiguous land empire than that of the Mongols. Established in 1206 by Genghis Khan — who was born Temujin and whose name, also transliterated as Chinggis, means "universal ruler" — the empire eventually reached a size of at least 9 million square miles. To call this unlikely would be an understatement. Temujin rose to power from a tumultuous childhood, and the Mongols were a nomadic people whose territorial expansion came about largely due to brutal military tactics and fierce pragmatism. At its peak, the empire included all of modern-day China and Mongolia in addition to parts of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Korea, among others. (This map offers a sense of its vastness.) For all of Genghis' savvy, however, his descendants proved a fractious bunch who fought among themselves and oversaw his empire's decline; with the exception of his grandson Kublai Khan, few others in the dynasty are recalled fondly. Even so, Genghis' massive effect on the world might best be summarized by two staggering statistics: He was responsible for the deaths of as much as 11% of the world's population at the time, and 1 in every 200 men living today are his direct descendants.
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This Day in U S Military History
1777 – The 1st America Thanksgiving Day commemorated Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. A national Thanksgiving was declared by Congress after the American victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga in December 1777. For many years Thanksgiving celebrations were haphazard with Presidents Washington, Adams and Madison declaring occasional national festivities.
1864 – U.S.S. Louisiana, Commander Rhind, arrived off Fort Fisher, having that day been towed from Beaufort, North Carolina, by U.S.S. Sassacus, Lieutenant Commander J. L. Davis, in company with Rear Admiral Porter and his fleet. Louisiana had been loaded with powder and was to be blown up as near Fort Fisher as possible in the hope of reducing or substantially damaging that formidable Confederate work.
The day before, Porter had sent detailed instructions to Commander Rhind, adding: "Great risks have to be run, and there are chances that you may lose your life in this adventure; but the risk is worth the running, when the importance of the object is to be considered and the fame to be gained by this novel undertaking, which is either to prove that forts on the water are useless or that rebels are proof against gunpowder. . . . I expect more good to our cause from a success in this instance than from an advance of all the armies in the field." Rhind and his brave crew of volunteers proceeded in toward Fort Fisher towed by U.S.S.Wilderness, Acting Master Henry Arey, but finding the swells too severe, turned back. Major General Butler, seeing the worsening weather at Beaufort, asked Porter to postpone the attempt until the sea was calm enough to land his troops with safety.
1940 – Hitler dictated Directive No. 21 to crush Russia in a quick campaign. Its message is simple: "The German Armed Forces must be prepared, even before the conclusion of the war against England, to crush Soviet Russia in a rapid campaign." The projected operation is given the code name Barbarossa. Hitler has modified the draft plans prepared by the army in one important respect. Although three lines of attack are still suggested, Hitler's scheme reduces the importance which has been laid on the advance to Moscow. He suggests that after the first battles the center group should swing north to help clear the Baltic States and Leningrad before moving on the capital. The preparations are to be ready by May 15, 1940.
1944 – US Task Force 38 is caught in a typhoon while retiring to refuel and replenish. Three destroyers, "Hull," "Spence" & "Monaghan," are sunk and 3 fleet carriers, 4 escort carriers and 11 destroyers sustain damage.
1972 – The Nixon administration announces that the bombing and mining of North Vietnam will resume and continue until a "settlement" is reached. On December 13, North Vietnamese negotiators walked out of secret talks with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. President Richard Nixon issued an ultimatum to Hanoi to send its representatives back to the conference table within 72 hours "or else." The North Vietnamese rejected Nixon's demand and the president ordered Operation Linebacker II, a full-scale air campaign against the Hanoi area. White House Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler said that the bombing would end only if all U.S. prisoners of war were released and an internationally recognized cease-fire were in force. Linebacker II was the most concentrated air offensive of the war, and was conducted by U.S. aircraft, including B-52s, Air Force fighter-bombers flying from bases in Thailand, and Navy and Marine fighter-bombers flying from carriers in the South China Sea. During the 11 days of the attack, 700 B-52 sorties and more than 1,000 fighter-bomber sorties were flown. These planes dropped roughly 20,000 tons of bombs, mostly over the densely populated area between Hanoi and Haiphong. The North Vietnamese fired more than 1,000 surface-to-air missiles at the attacking aircraft and also used their MiG fighter-interceptor squadrons, eight of which were shot down. In a throwback to past aerial combat, Staff Sgt. Samuel O. Turner, the tail gunner on a Boeing B-52D bomber, downed a trailing MiG-21 with a blast from his .50 calibre machine guns over Hanoi. Six days later, airman, first class Albert E. Moore, also a B-52 gunner, shot down a second MiG-21 after a strike on the Thai Nguyen railyard. These were the only aerial gunner kills of the war. Twenty-six U.S.aircraft were lost, including 15 B-52s. Three aircraft were brought down by MiGs; the rest, including the B-52s, were downed by surface-to-air missiles. American antiwar activists dubbed Linebacker II the "Christmas bombing," and charged that it involved "carpet bombing"–deliberately targeting civilian areas with intensive bombing that "carpeted" a city with bombs. The campaign was focused on specific military targets and was not intended to be "carpet bombing,"but it did result in the deaths of 1,318 civilians in Hanoi. The Linebacker II bombing was deemed a success because in its wake, the North Vietnamese returned to the negotiating table, where the Paris Peace Accords were signed less than a month later.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
EADIE, THOMAS
Rank and organization: Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and date:
Off Provincetown, Mass., 18 December 1927. Entered service at: Rhode Island. Born: 7 April 1887, Scotland. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
Citation: For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession above and beyond the call of duty on 18 December 1927, during the diving operations in connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. S-4 with all on board, as a result of a collision off Prividencetown, Mass. On this occasion when Michels, Chief Torpedoman, U.S. Navy, while attempting to connect an airline to the submarine at a depth of 102 feet became seriously fouled, Eadie, under the most adverse diving conditions, deliberately, knowingly, and willingly took his own life in his hands by promptly descending to the rescue in response to the desperate need of his companion diver. After 2 hours of extremely dangerous and heartbreaking work, by his cool, calculating, and skillful labors, he succeeded in his mission and brought Michels safely to the surface.
BELL, BERNARD P.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mittelwihr, France,
18 December 1944. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth:
Grantsville, W. Va. G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945. Citation: For fighting gallantly at Mittelwihr, France. On the morning of 18 December 1944, he led a squad against a schoolhouse held by enemy troops. While his men covered him, he dashed toward the building, surprised 2 guards at the door and took them prisoner without firing a shot. He found that other Germans were in the cellar. These he threatened with hand grenades, forcing 26 in all to emerge and surrender. His squad then occupied the building and prepared to defend it against powerful enemy action. The next day, the enemy poured artillery and mortar barrages into the position, disrupting communications which T/Sgt. Bell repeatedly repaired under heavy small-arms fire as he crossed dangerous terrain to keep his company commander informed of the squad's situation. During the day, several prisoners were taken and other Germans killed when hostile forces were attracted to the schoolhouse by the sound of captured German weapons fired by the Americans. At dawn the next day the enemy prepared to assault the building. A German tank fired round after round into the structure, partially demolishing the upper stories. Despite this heavy fire, T/Sgt. Bell climbed to the second floor and directed artillery fire which forced the hostile tank to withdraw. He then adjusted mortar fire on large forces of enemy foot soldiers attempting to reach the American position and, when this force broke and attempted to retire, he directed deadly machinegun and rifle fire into their disorganized ranks. Calling for armored support to blast out the German troops hidden behind a wall, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy small-arms fire to stand beside a friendly tank and tell its occupants where to rip holes in walls protecting approaches to the school building. He then trained machineguns on the gaps and mowed down all hostile troops attempting to cross the openings to get closer to the school building. By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, T/Sgt. Bell enabled his 8-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing at least 87 and capturing 42.
Personally, he killed more than 20 and captured 33 prisoners.
BARNUM, HARVEY C., IR.
Rank and organization: Captain (then Lt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein). Place and
date: Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 December 1965. Entered service at: Cheshire, Conn. Born: 21 July 1940, Cheshire, Conn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly. Lt. Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with 2 armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing 1 platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of 2 transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion's objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for December 18, FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
18 December
1908: Wilbur Wright won France's Aero Club de la Sarthe 100-meter height prize in a flight to 110 meters (361 feet). He also set records for duration and distance of 99.8 kilometers (62 miles) in 1 hour 55 minutes. (9) (24)
1912: Lt John H. Towers (U.S. Navy) ended series of tests, begun on 26 October, to determine if subs could be spotted from the air. (24)
1913: Lt Henry B. Post set a new Army solo record of 10,600 feet in Signal Corps airplane No. 23.
1923: The US Government settled the Christmas aileron patent claim by buying the rights for $100,000. (24)
1931: In Hawaii, Lt William A. Cooke set a glider duration record of
21 hours 34 minutes 15 seconds.
1941: Lt "Buzz" Wagner became the first American ace of World War II, when he shot down his fifth Japanese plane over the Philippines in four days. He flew with the 17th Pursuit Squadron. (4)
1950: Patrol Squadron 892, the first all-Reserve Navy squadron to operate in the Korean War Zone, began flights from Iwakuni, Japan.
(24)
1958: At Point Mugu, Calif., 1Lts Einar N. Enevoldson and William T.
Smith flew F-104 Starfighters to seven time-to-climb records, including 9,842 feet in 42 seconds and 82,021 feet in 4 minutes 26 seconds. (24) PROJECT SCORE. First Atlas satellite, a 4-ton communications relay, placed in orbit. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a Christmas message on 19 December, the first time a human voice had been heard from space. (12)
1961: B-52Gs from the 4241st Strategic Wing at Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.
C., conducted the first combat evaluation launches of the GAM-72A Quail missile at Eglin AFB, Fla. (6)
1969: The Air Force Missile Development Center completed the first guided launch of an AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface television-guided missile. (12) (26)
1972: Operation LINEBACKER II: President Nixon ordered this 11-day all-out bombing campaign against targets in Hanoi and Haiphong. To 29 December, US aircraft dropped 20,370 tons of bombs, including 15,000 tons from B-52s, in strikes against one of the most heavily defended areas of the world. Altogether, the USAF completed 714 B-52 and 830 tactical fighter sorties, while the Navy and Marine Corps flew another 386 sorties in the 11 days. KC-135s flew more than 1,300 sorties to refuel various aircraft. North Vietnam managed to shoot down 15 B-52s, 2 F-4s, and 2 F-111s in this operation. (1) (16) (17) During his Linebacker II mission, SSgt Samuel O. Turner became the first B-52 tail gunner to shoot down an enemy airplane, a MiG-21. (21)
1974: President Ford signed a law to permit non-flyers to command flying units. (26)
1975: First F-15 Eagle, a two-seat trainer, delivered to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va. (12)
1985: Two H-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopters from the 31st Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron saved 13 people from the Asuncion Cinco in the South China Sea, 95 miles southwest of Manila in the Philippine Islands. The helicopters carried the survivor to Cubi Point Air Station for medical treatment. (16) (26)
1997: SUPER-TYPHOON PAKA. Through 14 January 1998, C-5s, C-141s, KC-10s and KC-135s flown by active duty, guard and reserve air crews delivered relief supplies and equipment to Guam after Super-Typhoon Paka with winds up to 236 MPH hit the island on 15 December. Despite flight restrictions and limited navigational aids, C-5s from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, Del., KC-10s and C-141s from the 60th and the 349th Air Mobility Wings at Travis AFB, Calif., and C-141s from the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord AFB, Wash., transported more than 200 emergency workers and critical provisions to Andersen AFB. (22)
2006: In a brief ceremony, the 167th Airlift Wing (West Virginia Air National Guard) unveiled its first C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The wing was transitioning from the C-130 Hercules. (32)
2007: Operation DEEP FREEZE. In Antarctica, where winter temperatures can dip as low as minus 100 F to paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize its fuel, and solidify its lubricants, the USAF validated the C-17 Globemaster III's polar airdrop capability by delivering 22,372 pounds of supplies to the South Pole. The C-17 delivered 20 containerized delivery system bundles in two passes of from 10,700 feet above sea level. (AFNEWS, "C-17 Polar Airdrop Capability Successful," 21 Dec 2007,
2007: A weapons team loaded a 20-foot mock bomb into the bomb bay of a simulated B-2 aircraft at Whiteman AFB, Mo. The replica of the 30,000 pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator was 20.5 feet long with a 31.5-inch diameter. When built, the new weapon would be able to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding. (AFNEWS, "30,000 Pound Bomb Reaches Milestone," 27 Dec 2007,
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