War Stories
Valor Friday
This Valor Friday piece is hot off the presses. The medal hasn’t even been awarded yet, in fact, it’s that fresh. Word came earlier this week that Sergeant Major Thomas “Patrick” Payne is an Army Ranger assigned to the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). In an odd turn this is all based on anonymous tipsters, no […]
Valor Friday
I’ve highlighted the bravery of many aviators in this column, but the more research I do, the more incredible stories turn up. Here’s another one. William Shomo hailed from a small town near Pittsburgh, where he was born in 1918. After high school he attended both the Cincinnati and Pittsburgh Schools of Embalming from 1937-1940. […]
Last D-day landing craft tank restored, moved to museum
Picture is LCT 7074, one of more than 800 ships built for the Invasion of Normandy. This particular boat carried 10 tanks and their soldiers to Gold Beach at 0200 on 7 June, 1944 (H-hour+19:30), then returned with a load of prisoners of war. She survived German shelling that sank a sister ship beside her as […]
Archaeologists locate the South Carolina battlefield where Patriot John Laurens died
John Laurens was only 27 when he died in action at the Battle of Combahee River in August 1782 during the American Revolutionary War. He was in England at the start of the war studying law, but came back to the colonies, determined to join the fight on behalf of his country. His father pulled […]
Valor Friday
Today I’ll be discussing two men whose heroism was performed in the face of fire, quite literally. Word comes to us this week that the heroism and sacrifice of our first subject is coming to the movie screen. Military.com reports that Red Erwin’s grandsons are bringing the story to life. Henry “Red” Erwin was just […]
Valor Friday
Bradley Smith was born in Little Rock, AR on September 11th, 1985 but raised in Troy, IL. Active with his Baptist church he played football at Triad High School. On his 16th birthday, 9/11 happened, leading him on a course of service. Enlisting into the US Air Force in 2006, he finished basic training as […]
Queen approves award of Victoria Cross to WWII hero
Consider this an early Valor Friday. The story is too incredible not to relay immediately. Another case of long overdue recognition has been righted this week. Queen Elizabeth II yesterday approved award of the Victoria Cross for Australia (posthumous) to Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean (RANR). Sheean was only 18 when he died protecting his […]
75 Years ago today…
Colonel Paul Tibbets flew his B-29 heavy bomber “Enola Gay” over Hiroshima, Japan 75 years ago today. At 0815 local time on 8/6/45 (1915 hours EDT 8/5/45) his bombardier Major Thomas Ferebee released their top-secret payload. Their payload was so secret only he, Tibbets, and the weaponeer Navy Captain William “Deak” Parsons knew what was […]
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