Historical
Valor Friday
In any air force, in any war, there is always a special cadre of “aces.” An ace is a pilot (almost always a fighter pilot) who has scored at least five kills, that is to say a pilot that’s shot down five enemy aircraft. Within the category of aces, there are several sub-categories. During World […]
Valor Friday
During the Vietnam War, 235 men earned Medals of Honor. Since the end of that conflict, a further 33 have been awarded. In any such list, there’s always got to be a “first.” Roger Donlon was the first man to receive the Medal of Honor during Vietnam. Though Army Captain Humbert “Rocky” Versace, in 2008, […]
Valor Friday
I was recently reading an article about the much admired A-1 Skyraider. The single-engine light bomber and attack aircraft was designed and first flown during World War II. Coming too late to see service during that war, the aircraft is emblematic of the rapid advancements made in aviation during the period. A Skyraider is capable […]
Valor Friday
It’s been a long time since I talked about Doris Miller, a mess steward who rose to fame and everlasting glory as a hero of the day on 7 Dec 1941. Miller, untrained in the operation of an anti-aircraft gun, took the weapon and fired at the Japanese during their surprise attack on his ship […]
Valor Friday
Brendan O’Connor’s military service is a tad unorthodox. He started as an officer, but became an enlisted man. Reminds me a bit of Michael Novosel. Born in 1960, he came from a line of military men. His father was Mortimer O’Connor, a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point in, Class of 1953. […]
William Penn statue being removed to make park more welcoming and inclusive
The National Park Service has plans to tear down William Penn’s statue in Welcome Park. This park was established as a nod to the 300th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s founding. The park is named after the ship that took William Penn to Pennsylvania. Despite this park’s being dedicated to William Penn’s contributions, his statue, and the […]
Valor Friday
I briefly mentioned Peter Conover Hains last week as we explored men who spent more time in the service than is normal. Hains was the only confirmed American veteran of both the Civil War and World War I, though he didn’t see overseas service in the latter conflict. Canadian John Boucher is said to also […]
Valor Friday
Last week I looked at a few people who had spent the vast majority of their long lives in the service of this country. That led me to the discovery of a few more with exceptionally long times in uniform. The most famous 19th Century American naval officer, which I criminally overlooked last week, was […]
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