Search Results for purple heart day
Current News – WWII Chapel in Australia + Purple Heart Day
St. Christopher’s
ROCKHAMPTON, Australia — As 33,000 troops take part in Talisman Saber war games near Rockhampton along the central Queensland coast, a small chapel overlooking a pasture serves as a reminder of when about 70,000 U.S. soldiers called the city home.
The nondenominational Saint Christophers Chapel, built in 1943 by the Army’s 542nd Engineer Battalion, is the only structure remaining from when Rockhampton served as a springboard and training location for Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s World War II island-hopping campaign. The city hosted the 1st Cavalry Division and the 24th, 32nd and 41st infantry divisions on a half-dozen camps between 1942-44.
Along with the open-air, pavilion-style chapel, the grounds include a band rotunda dedicated to a servicemember who helped maintain the chapel decades ago. A concrete pillar from an artillery declination station used by 41st Infantry Division howitzers stands at the chapel’s foot, a
Cliff Hudson, 79, of Sawtell, New South Wales, first visited the chapel about 30 years ago because it shares its name with his son. “My wife always wanted our daughter to get married here because of the Christopher name,” he said.
Hudson said he is drawn by the chapel’s interior boards listing names, sporting events and results of competitions from the 1940s. The boards were taken from a nearby war-era sports field and placed inside and U.S. and Australian flags and seals adorn the gates and interior.
Saint Christopher’s nearly deteriorated in the years after WWII. Vandals destroyed parts of the chapel in 1959, prompting locals and the 41st Infantry Division Association to start caring for the site. Today, the chapel and its grounds are immaculately maintained, and church services are held each year on the Sunday closest to the Fourth of July.
Julie Henderson, 77, of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, said she’s glad the chapel still stands. “It’s nice to come and remember the soldiers who served in the war because we weren’t there,” she said.
For further information about the chapel please click HERE!
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Military Humor – from the Prisoners themselves – 
Air Activity in Java
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Farewell Salutes –
William Andrews Jr. – Palm Springs, FL; US Air Force, Korea, Bronze Star
Lowell Bailey – Thomaston, GA; US Army, Korea, POW
Bruce D’Agostino – Natick, MA; US Air Force, photographer (Founder of Humanitaian International)
John Ekenbarger – Nashua, NH; US Army, Korea, POW
Richard Ford – Broad Channel, NY; US Army, WWII
George Franklin – Pensacola, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 127th Engineers/11th Airborne Division, demolition
Quentin Gifford – Mankato, MN; US Navy, WWII, USS Oklahoma, KIA (Pearl Harbor)
Thomas Madison – Austin, TX; US Air Force, Vietnam, Col. (Ret. 20 yrs.), pilot, POW
Warren Glenn Ranscht – Racine, WI; US Army, WWII, ETO, WIA
Albert Zuidema – Falls Church, VA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, pilot, WIA
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Personal Note – for Purple Heart Day posts click HERE!
Please remember that today 7 August is the U.S. observation of Purple Heart Day. Shake the hand of a veteran!
And say a prayer for our 3 Marines missing in the waters off Australia. Thank You.
Lt. Benjamin R. Cross of Bethel, Maine; Cpl. Nathan Ordway of Wichita, Kansas; and Pfc Reuben Velasco of California.
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Purple Heart Day
“Wounded Warrior” painting by: US Marine Michael Fay
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause, hoping to get the medal reinstated for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. He succeeded – 22 February 1932 the US War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
This medal is awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also given to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
The ‘impersonal chaos of war’ display in the Hall of Honor
The most Purple Hearts awarded to any individual soldier is nine (9) to USMC Sergeant Albert Luke Ireland; five (5) for World War II and four (4) for his action in the Korean War.
Total Casualties as of May 27, 2013
| Total Serving | Battle Deaths | Other Deaths | Total Deaths | Wounded | ||
| Revolutionary War | 4,435 | 4,435 | 6,188 | |||
| War of 1812 | 286,730 | 2,260 | 2,260 | 4,505 | ||
| Mexican War | 78,718 | 1,733 | 11,550 | 13,283 | 4,152 | |
| Civil War | 2,213,363 | 140,414 | 224,097 | 364,511 | 281,881 | |
| Spanish American | 306,760 | 385 | 2,061 | 2,446 | 1,662 | |
| World War I | 4,734,991 | 53,202 | 63,114 | 116,316 | 204,002 | |
| World War II | 16,112,566 | 291,557 | 113,842 | 405,399 | 670,846 | |
| Korean War | 5,720,000 | 33,746 | 3,249 | 36,995 | 103,284 | |
| Vietnam War | 8,744,000 | 47,355 | 10,796 | 58,151 | 153,303 | |
| Desert Storm | 2,225,000 | 147 | 235 | 382 | 467 | |
| Enduring Freedom | 1784 | 318 | 2.286 | 9,675 | ||
| Iraqi Freedom | 3483 | 890 | 4,422 | 31,935 | ||
| Totals | 580,182 | 430,370 | 1,010,876 | 1,478,096 |
Farewell Salutes –
Charles Andres III – Harvey, LA; US Army, WWII, Lt.Col. (Ret.), Purple Heart
Anthony DiTommasso – Providence, RI; USMC, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
Herbert Faulk – Alcatraz, CA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Kenneth French – Charleston, MI; US Army, WWII, Purple Heart
Joseph Gallagher – Radcliff, KY; US Army, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Lt.Col. (Ret. 37 years), 2 Bronze Stars, 3 Purple Hearts
Keith James – Easley, SC; US Army, Vietnam, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
William Kiernan – Williamsburg, VA; US Army, WWII, Corps of Engineers, Purple Heart
Herdis McCrary – Green Bay, WI; US Army, Korea, 2 Purple Hearts
Albert Russo – Ambridge, PA; US Army, WWII, ETO, 2nd Ranger Batt., bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts
Noel Seeburg Jr. – Chicago, IL, US Army, WWII, PTO, Capt., Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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FOR THOSE WHO EARNED THE MEDALS.
Purple Heart patch for those wounded in WWII
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause…
View original post 340 more words
Purple Heart Day
Purple Heart patch for those wounded in WWII
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause, hoping to get the medal reinstated for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. He succeeded – 22 February 1932 the US War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
This medal is awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also given to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
The ‘impersonal chaos of war’ display in the Hall of Honor
The most Purple Hearts awarded to any individual soldier is nine (9) to USMC Sergeant Albert Luke Ireland; five (5) for World War II and four (4) for his action in the Korean War.
“Wounded Warrior” painting by U.S. Marine Michael Fay
The estimates for each war read as:
WWI – 320,518 WWII – 1,076,245 Korea – 118, 650 Vietnam – 351, 794 Persian Gulf – 607 Iraq – 34,000 Afghanistan – 2,700 Click on images to enlarge.#############################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
DeWayne Anderson – Arvada, CO; US Army, WWII & Korea, @ Bronze Stars, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Mo Breeding – Oklahoma City, OK; US Army, WWII & Korea, Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars & Purple Heart
William Bush – Utica, NY & New Smyrna Bch, FL; US Naby, Vietnam, Purple Heart
Melvin Chubb – Joplin, MO; US Air Force, Lt. General, Vietnam, 500 combat missions, Purple Heart
Carl Donica Jr. – Springfield, MO; US Navy, corpsman, Vietnam, Purple Heart
Peter Duchscherer – Fairbanks, AK; US Army, Vietnam, Purple Heart
Harold Greene – New York, US Army, MGeneral, Afghanistan, Purple Heart
Herbert Harkey Jr. – Riverside County, CA; USMC, LtCol. (Ret. 27 yrs.), 2 tours Vietnam, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
William Kunz – Rockford, IL; US Army, 3rd InfantryDiv., WWII, ETO, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Charles Roth – Des moines, IA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
James Tucker – Las Vegas, NV; US Army, medic, Purple Heart
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10 NOV. USMC Birthday | 11 NOV. Veterans Day 🇺🇸
Happy 248th USMC Birthday
10 November 2023 – The United States Marine Corps’ 248th Birthday
Prior to 1921, Marines celebrated the recreation of the Corps on 11 July with little pomp or pageantry. On 21 October 1921, Major Edwin North McClellan, in charge of the Corps’s fledgling historical section, sent a memorandum to Commandant John A. Lejeune, suggesting the Marines’ original birthday of 10 November be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. Lejeune so ordered in Marine Corps Order 47.
11 November 2023 – U.S. Veterans Day
On November 11th, we pause to reflect on the history of this great Nation and honor all those who fought to defend it. Originally titled “Armistice Day” and intended to celebrate the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” Veterans Day allows us to give thanks to veterans past and present, men and women from all walks of life and all ethnicities, who stood up and said, “Send me.” We recognize your sacrifices, your sense of duty and your love for this country.
Remembrance Day around the world!
Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of WWI, to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V, in 1919, the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente.
Poppy from MaryLou in the Netherlands
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
John H. Amter – Brooklyn, NY; US Navy, WWII, ETO, Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class
Thank you – To ALL our veterans!
Felix A. Berrios – Houston, TX; US Army, Qatar, SSgt., 25/160th Signal Brigade, KWS
Billy A. DeBord (18) – Miamisburg, OH; US Army, Korea, Pfc., F Co/2/5/1st Calvary Division, KIA (Yongdong, SK)
James B. Delaney (102) – Sharon, MA; US Navy, WWII, PTO
Troy Fields Jr. – Knott Co, KY; Civilian, Newport News Shipyard welder / US Navy, WWII, gunner
Gene Jutlander – Monroe, UT; US Navy, WWII, gunner
Bobbie Knight – Orrville, OH; US Army, West Point “Black Knights” coach / College basketball coach, “The General”
Robert Larson – Cheyenne, WY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 15th Air Force tail gunner
Thomas Ken Mattingly – Hialeah, FL; US Navy, test pilot / NASA astronaut, RAdmiral (Ret. 27 y.)
Sarah M. Osofsky – Warwick, RI; US Army WAC, WWII
Arthur B. Smith (104) – Ontario, CAN; RC Army, WWII, Captain, 4th Field Reg/2nd Division
Bert Winzer (101) – Macungie, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 501/101st Airborne “Devil’s Brigade”, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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THEY SERVE TOO!!
Michael’s tree, with my deepest thanks to Lavinia & Rick Ross @ Salmon Brook Farm
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4 JULY, AMERICA’S 247TH BIRTHDAY
SEEMS WE DON’T SAY IT ENOUGH – SO, I’M TRYING TO FIX THAT RIGHT HERE – GOD BLESS THE USA!!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!
Here we celebrate with a 1776 song…
HARK, hark the sound of war is heard,
And we must all attend;
Take up our arms and go with speed,
Our country to defend.
Our parent state has turned our foe,
Which fills our land with pain;
Her gallant ships, manned out for war,
Come thundering o’er the main.
There’s Charleton, Howe and Clinton too,
And many thousand more,
May cross the sea, but all in vain,
Our rights we’ll ne’er give o’er.
Our pleasant homes they do invade,
Our property devour;
And all because we won’t submit
To their despotic power.
Then let us go against our foe,
We’d better die than yield
We and our sons are all undone,
If Britain wins the field.
Tories may dream of future joys,
But I am bold to say,
They’ll find themselves bound fast in chains,
If Britain wins the day.
Husbands must leave their loving wives,
And sprightly youths attend,
Leave their sweethearts and risk their lives,
Their country to defend.
May they be heroes in the field,
Have heroes’ fame in store;
We pray the Lord to be their shield,
Where thundering cannons roar.
We can rant, we can complain and we can thank the troops for giving us the right to do so! Today we celebrate our country’s birthday, traditional BBQ’s, fireworks, family and friends, we have a day off and have a ball! – and to whom do we owe it all? You guessed it_____
THE SOLDIER’S POEM
When this is over
And we come home again,
Forget the band
And cheers from the stand;
Just have the things
Well in hand –
The things we fought for.
UNDERSTAND?
_____Pfc C.G. Tiggas
ONLY A SAILOR
He’s only a sailor on the boundless deep,
Under foreign skies and tropical heat.
Only a sailor on the rolling deep,
In summer rain and winter sleet.
TAKE A MOMENT TO LISTEN TO YOUR ANTHEM – IN FULL.
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FUN FACT:
Denmark is the only country outside of the United States that holds an official 4th July celebration. Celebrated annually since 1911, thousands of people from across the country gather in Rebild National Park in Jutland for picnics, speeches and to sing some American classics. Known as Rebildfesten, its organizers claim that it is is the biggest celebration of US independence outside of the USA.
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Fourth of July Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Margaret Bailey – Eastview, KY; Civilian, WWII, Civil Air Patrol Squadron 3
John A. Connolly Sr. – Wilkes-Barre, PA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, Corpsman w/ 3rd Marine Division
Alfonzo Chavez Jr. – Mesa, AZ; US Army, Vietnam, 187th Rakkasans, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Arthur F. Giles Jr. – Richardson, TX; US Merchant Marines, WWII / US Army, Korea
Robert Haas Sr. (100) – Beltsville, MD; US Army, WWII, Chief Warrant Officer
Richard Kaufmann – Chicago, IL; US Army, WWII, ETO
James J. Naughton – Youngstown, OH; US Army, Desert Shield/Storm & Iraq, 187th Rakkasans, Sgt.
John A. Popeo – Utica, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII. PTO, 188th/11th Airborne Division
John I. Stacks – Cedar Lake, IN; US Army, Vietnam, 82nd Airborne Division
George, Walker Jr. – Holyoke, MA, US Air Force, Vietnam
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MEMORIAL DAY 2022
Today we commemorate our country’s most solemn national day of remembrance – Memorial Day. We honor the men and women of our military who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. The Army leadership especially wants to thank our Gold Star families. We, along with a grateful nation remain inspired by your remarkable strength and fortitude.
As you reflect on this day, remember it has been granted to us by some of the most noble, selfless, and courageous men and women our country has ever produced. Of those who laid down their lives in defense of our great nation, all the way back to those who gave their lives to establish it, we remember.
Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.
For all of us who walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, it is our responsibility, our duty, and even our privilege to honor their sacrifice.
Stay safe. Stay ready. Stay strong
Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army
For Freedom
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE 2022//
Notable humanitarian, educator, and tennis player Arthur Ashe once said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Each year, Memorial Day offers us an opportunity to reflect on those who have given the last full measure in service to our great Nation and with the aim of securing freedom throughout the world. We owe the deepest debt of gratitude to all who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, and to the loved ones they left behind. This Memorial Day, let us remember the greatness of past generations and find inspiration in their courage, devotion, and selfless determination.
Gold Star family
2. Each fallen hero is the embodiment of the valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty that our Nation has come to expect of her Marines in times of crisis. From every generation, a select few rise up and put themselves in harm’s way to protect the ideals on which America was founded. Their stories serve as a continual reminder that freedom should not be taken for granted. We can’t rest on the sacrifices of past generations – peace, freedom, and global security require constant vigilance. Pacing threats around the globe uphold the truth of President Ronald Reagan’s sentiment that “freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.”
3. So this Memorial Day, we honor the courageous actions and sacrifices of our fallen heroes, and we look to them for inspiration as we prepare for the next battlefields. Technology and tactics may change, but the fighting spirit of United States Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen remains strong.
4. Enjoy this holiday weekend. Stay safe, and remember you are a living memorial to all our fallen heroes.
Semper Fidelis,
David H. Berger, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.//
D-Day memorial, Beford, VA
Riverside Cemetery POW Memorial
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Not Military Humor – (Please click on images to read)
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Farewell Salutes –
Richard Adams – Solon, OH; US Army, WWII, ETO
Winnie Ancar Sr. – City Price, LA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Interpreter
Anthony Bova – Plattsburgh, NY; US Air Force, Vietnam
Mildred Bourgeois – Cril, OK; US Navy WAVE, WWII, Aviation Radio Technician
James A. Coleman, USA; US Army, Korea, Sgt., Co I/3/19/24th Infantry Division, KIA (Hwach-on Reservoir, SK)
Luther Cranford – Eatonton, GA; US Navy, WWII, PTO
William J. Dees (101) – Fredericktown, MO; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Anderson Dyer – USA; USMC, WWII, Navajo Code Talker
Raymond Femc – Forest City, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co E/187/11th Airborne Division
Willie Goudeau (100) – Evergreen, LA; US Army, WWII, Major, Corps of Engineers
Marion Prince – Morganton, GA; US Army, Japanese Occupation, 511/11th Airborne Division
Larry Spencer – Wichita, KS; US Navy, Vietnam,F4B pilot, Commander, USS Ranger & Enterprise, POW, 4 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts
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Letter V / Army Birthday & Flag Day 2021
Passing the time aboard ship
Dear Letter V Yep! Still at sea
Mom, I was seriously thinking of tearing this letter up, as I couldn’t for the life of me locate an airmail stamp aboard ship. I kept at it though until finally fortune smiled down on me and success was mine. I have been pretty lucky so far at my card playing activities and should it hold out until we reach some civilized port, why I’ll be ahead and you will be pleasantly surprised when you receive my check for like amount. We can cable home money from abroad so might just as well take your advice — surprised? — and send it home for that day when we shall all return.
We have a large map of the world hanging up on the wall, which supplies us with as much amusement trying to figure out just where we are. According to figures, dates, times and patience, we should be hitting a port sometime real soon. In fact there is a rumor being whispered about that we will hit one tomorrow. Now this rumor comes from good authority seeing that it came from a fellow whose first sergeant is a second cousin to the uncle of the father of the first mate whose brother is third cook on this boat. Now, can’t you see why we are so glumly overjoyed? All kidding aside though, we should be nearing one soon.
We saw a movie last night down in the mess hall. It was quite an old picture, but luckily for me, I hadn’t seen it before, so therefore I spent my most enjoyable hour so far on this trip. The officers on this trip haven’t been having it quite as tough as us, but rough enough. In order to pass away their time they have taken up the game of badminton with a zeal and I must say have really kept at it until now this regiment can boast it has not only badminton players, but experts as well. By the way, I have also learned how to play the old card game of Cribbage. Ever hear tell of it before? Well mom, that is all for today, so once again I’ll sign off, but before I do, give my regards to all and I’ll write again soon.
Love and kisses, Everett
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Current News – 14 June 2021
Flag Day
U.S. Army Birthday
U.S. Army 246th Birthday
AND
U.S. 246th FLAG DAY
A previous post for these two special days! Click Here!
OR HERE!
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Military Humor –
Now I can’t stress the importance here!!
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Farewell Salutes –
Lloyd Alumbaugh – Jasper, MI; US Army, Korea, Sgt., Ambulance Co./7th Medical/7th Infantry Division, KIA (Chosin Reservoir)
Dalton Beals – Pennsville, NJ; USMC, Pfc., Co. E/ Parris Island
John Dale – Ellijay, GA; USMC, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Sgt. (Ret.)
Kenneth R. Foreman – Brown County, OH; US Army, Korea, Cpl., Co. A/1/32/7th Infantry Division, KIA (Chosin Reservoir)
Warren C. Gillette – Klamath Falls, OR; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Oklahoma, KIA (Pearl Harbor, HI)
Mary Herda – brn: SCOT; Civilian, WWII, Boeing aileron production
Dorothy Jones – Tacoma, WA; Civilian, WWII, Fort Lewis Army Base Hospital
Jacqueline Jacquet Melvin – Lake Geneva, WI; US Navy WAVE, WWII, PTO, Lt., Flight nurse
Robert Risch – Brookings, SD, US Navy, WWII
Norbert Schatz (100) – Boonville, IN; US Army, WWII, cook
John J. Sitarz – Weirton, WV; US Army, WWII, ETO, Pfc., Co. L/3/110/28th Infantry Division, KIA (Hürtgen Forest, GER)
Thomas G. Wade – Burke, VA; US Army, Vietnam, Lt. Comdr. (Ret. 23 y.), 101st Airborne Division, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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Veterans Day 2020 Remembrance and Gratitude
My post for this Veterans Day is dedicated to Sgt. Walter Morgan Bryant Jr., USMC; R.I.P my dear friend!
… there is an old Marine poem… it says: ‘When I get to heaven, To St. Peter I will tell, Another Marine reporting sir, I’ve served my time in hell.” ______ Eugene Sledge, USMC veteran of Peleliu & Okinawa
For the U.S. Marine Birthday, 10 November – CLICK HERE!!
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He’d stand out in any crowd.
I thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many Pilots’ planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, Freedom is not free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant “Amen”
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, Freedom isn’t free!!
by: Kelly Strong, posted at vietvet.org
For Remembrance of the Pacific War, from: “The Voice of the Angels” newspaper of the 11th Airborne Association
For All Those In Free Countries Celebrating Remembrance 0r Poppy Day
Poem from another Vietnam veteran…
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For The Military Today –
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Avrutik – Yonkers, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, CBI, radioman
Grover “Spook” Browning – Newdale, ID; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Anthony Colavito – West Calwell, NJ; US Army, WWII, PTO, demolition
James Dunn – Lubbock, TX; US Navy, WWII, Purser, USS Franklin
Morris Horton – Sidney, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co. F/187/11th Airborne Division
Adrian Miller – Winamac, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 101st Airborne Division
Albert Sakey – Boston, MA; US Navy, WWII, ATO & PTO, PT-boat radioman
Ottis Stout (101) – TX & CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, B-17 tail gunner
James Thomas – Dry Ridge, KY; US Army, 188/11th Airborne Division
Paul W. Wilkins – USA; US Army, Korea, Cpl., B Co./1/21/24th Infantry Division, KIA (Choch’iwan, SK)
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I have a list of parades and celebrations, if anyone is interested, tell me where you’ll be 11 November 2020 and I will see if I can locate one near you!!
No Veteran Should Be Without a Place to Call Home
Free Help for Homeless Veterans Dial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access to VA services for homeless and at-risk Veterans
Homeless Veteran Chat Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends
https://www.va.gov/homeless for more information
Are You a Veteran in Crisis or Concerned About One?
Did you know that VA offers same day services in Primary Care and Mental Health at 172 VA Medical Centers across the country? Make the Connection Resource Locator
Contact the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255.)
Don’t know what number to call?
1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is never the wrong number
Have a concern, compliment, or recommendation for VA?
Call the White House VA Hotline at 1-855-948-2311
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Ted Crosby – An Ace in a Day
n a dramatic painting by Roy Grinnell, Lieutenant (j.g.) Willis Hardy, a member of Crosby’s VF-17 Squadron from the carrier USS Hornet, flames a Japanese kamikaze plane that was on its way to attack the American naval task force off Okinawa, April 6, 1945. The Hellcat’s distinctive “white checkerboard” markings show it belongs to the USS Hornet (CV12).
As Ted Crosby watched, Yamato’s giant, 18-inch guns hit the water, their enormous weight probably helping the battleship capsize. Suddenly, Yamato’s No. 1 magazine exploded, sending up a huge coil of smoke and flame that could be seen for over 100 miles. It was a strange foretaste of the atomic mushroom clouds that would envelope Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later.
Watching from above, Crosby had no feeling of elation. “I was thinking of the Japanese crew,” he said in a 2011 interview. “Three thousand lives lost.” As a former fighter pilot and Navy man, he could appreciate what it meant to go down fighting with his comrades.
During his World War II career, Ted Crosby served aboard two Essex-class carriers, Bunker Hill (CV 17) and Hornet (CV 12). There were 24 Essex-class carriers built during the war, and they soon became the backbone of America’s naval offensive in the Pacific. The efforts of pilots like Crosby not only turned defeat into victory, but also changed the course of naval warfare forever.
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Ensign John T. Crosby, shortly after being commissioned in May 1943.
An autumn raid on Rabaul was a major effort involving several American carriers. It was also Ted Crosby’s first taste of battle. The raid of November 11, 1943, involved dogfights on a massive scale. It was an aerial free-for-all, with the new F6F Hellcat generally gaining the upper hand over the vaunted Mitsubishi A6M Zero or “Zeke.”
On November 26, 1943, Ted got his first kill—a piece of a Mitsubishi G4M Betty bomber. A steady stream of .50-caliber slugs sprayed from Ted’s six machine guns peppered and shattered the Betty’s tail and rear-gun position. Other Hellcats chimed in, joining Crosby’s symphony of destruction until the stricken bomber crashed. When he got back to Bunker Hill, he claimed the Betty, but it was determined that the other pilots had a share in its downing. As a result, Crosby’s official score stood at one-quarter of a Japanese bomber.
In dogfights and strafing runs, Ted had only one rule: “Don’t be in any one spot for more than 10 seconds! When I looked in my rear view mirror, I’d often see flak bursts where my plane had just been.”
In January 1945, Ted joined a newly reformed VF-17 aboard the USS Hornet. The new VF-17 appropriated the old formation’s skull and crossbones logo, but this time the men would be exclusively flying Hellcats, not Corsairs. The commander of the new VF-17 was Lt. Cmdr. Marshall U. “Marsh” Beebe.
On April 16, 1945, Ted Crosby became an ace in a day, shooting down five Japanese planes on a single mission. The Marines had landed on Okinawa on April 1 and, as time went on, the battle for the island intensified. Swarms of kamikazes flew out of Kyushu on suicide missions, crashing into any Allied ship they could find in the area. Ted and his fellow aviators called them “kami-krazies.” They seemed to conform to the wartime stereotype of fanatics who would rather commit suicide than surrender.
Crosby began April 16 on a target combat air patrol with Lt. Cmdr. Beebe. Crosby’s division (four Hellcats) was led by Lieutenant Milliard “Fuzz” Wooley; Ensigns J. Garrett and W.L. Osborn completed the quartet. As VF-17’s war diary put it, “Wooley’s division ‘tallyhoed’ [engaged] 12 Jacks and Zekes at 24,000 feet and started working them over.”
Actually, there were two groups of Japanese planes, a dozen or so at around 24,000 feet and a second group that was flying about 9,000 feet lower. Their main target was a destroyer, possibly a Fletcher-class vessel, that was cruising north of Okinawa. Ted could not recall the name of the ship, but its call sign was “Whiskey Base.”
The fighter director aboard the destroyer was happy to see Hellcats above him but dismayed when it appeared that they were leaving. “The fighter director said, ‘I see what you guys are doing––don’t leave us!’ Wooley replied, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll be back. We want to meet these guys halfway before they can get to you!’”
In the process, Wooley and Crosby became separated from the other pilots. Squadron Commander Beebe called them, asking for their position. Crosby said, “Fuzz” replied, ‘Never mind, skipper, we got them [the Japanese] cornered!’”
The first plane Crosby encountered was a Mitsubishi J2M “Jack” fighter that was coming head on. Crosby and his adversary were seemingly on a collision course, like two medieval knights jousting in a tournament.
“Well, I met that Japanese plane head on with my six .50-caliber guns, and the impact of the bullets blew him apart. Part of his engine and propeller, with the prop still turning, flew right over my head. I picked out another [Japanese plane], executed a turn, and went right after him.”
The second was a Zeke, a kamikaze, not a fighter, so Ted proceeded with caution. “We all realized you had to watch out what you did because the kamikazes were loaded with TNT to do us maximum damage. When you hit one, they would really explode! Once they exploded, you’d find yourself flying through lots of garbage and debris.”
After he downed the Zeke, Crosby attempted to find his division leader only to notice tracer bullets zipping past his Hellcat. Ironically, Ted had found his leader, but not in the way he wanted! The bullets were from Wooley who, in the excitement, had mistaken Crosby for the enemy. Realizing his error, Wooley sheepishly radioed Ted, “Did I get you, Ted?”
“Noooo.…” Ted replied, “but let’s settle down and get more of these guys!”
Wooley readily complied, going after another Japanese plane, but found he was out of ammunition. Ironically, his last few bursts had been expended when he mistakenly fired on Ted. Wooley dove down, making himself a decoy by luring enemy planes into Crosby’s guns. The ruse was successful, enabling Ted to down two more Japanese planes.
They decided to call it a day, but as they started back to the carrier Crosby spotted kamikaze heading toward the same destroyer they had helped protect earlier. Ted gave chase, tattooing the Japanese plane with a spray of .50-caliber lead. He broke off his attack because they were nearing the destroyer, and he knew that the ship’s radar could not distinguish friend from foe.
Sure enough, the destroyer opened fire, and the kamikaze, already disabled by Ted’s guns, angled down and crashed onto a nearby island. Thus, Ted Crosby became an ace in day, credited with three Jacks, a Zeke, and a Val dive bomber. His skill and valor that day won him the coveted Navy Cross.
Ted says he did not feel too good about downing those kamikazes at first. He realized that most of the suicide pilots had little training and were for the most part sitting ducks to experienced Navy airmen. However, Ted felt better “when I was told the extent of the damage they did on ships, and by shooting them down I was saving American lives.”
Crosby also had a close call on a photo-recon mission near Shokaku, after American carrier planes had attacked Japanese shipping in the area. “I had my plot board out and I’m putting down the time of day, the slant of the sun, and all that had to do with photography. Suddenly, I saw stuff [bullets] bouncing off my wing. I look back, and there’s this guy on my tail—probably a George. Only time I ever had a guy on my tail.”
After one pass the George broke off the attack and seemed to head back to his base. Crosby was not inclined to follow him. At the moment he was alone, and following an enemy plane over enemy territory did not seem like a wise thing to do. After he got back to Hornet, Ted found an unexploded 30mm shell in his cockpit armor, mute testimony to his luck and the fact that American aircraft designs protected their pilots.
Ted Crosby remained in the Navy after the war and retired with the rank of commander.
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Military Humor –
“Ya might hafta catch a boat. One of those kids ya just chased off th’ field wuz the pilot”
The new “Learn-as-you-Go” pilot training method.
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Farewell Salutes –
Ed Bearrs – Billings, MT; USMC, WWII, PTO, Cpl., 3rd Marine Raider Battalion & 7/1st Marine Division, Purple Heart / Historian
John Bero Jr. – Buffalo, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Bronze Star
Patrick Chess – Yakima, WA; US Navy, WWII shipfitter 3rd Class, USS Oklahoma. KIA (Pearl Harbor)
Gabriel J. Eggud – USA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 1st Lt., pilot, 110/71 Reconnaissance Group, KIA (New Guinea)
Ellis Fryer – Dearborn, MI; US Navy, WWII & Korea
Donald Lesmeister – Harvey, ND; US Navy, Korea, USS Wiltsie
Jack McPherson – Casper, WY; US Army, WWII, Chief Warrant Officer/ Korea & Vietnam/ NSA (Ret.)
June Pearce – Waukon, IA; Civilian, B-17 riveter
Charles Perkins – Quincy, MA; US Navy, WWII, PTO
Donald Schimmels (100) – Kewaunee, WI; US Army Air Corps, WWII
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Pacific Paratrooper 
