We Remember
Valor Friday
The above is an artist’s rendering of what a lone survivor looks like. The plane is “Squawkin’ Chicken”, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, and on one April day in 1944 it was the only plane from its squadron to return. They set out on a mission with hundreds of other bombers. The mission was especially […]
Valor Friday
After Charlie Kirk’s assassination this week, President Trump announced that he will be posthumously awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I’ve briefly talked about this award in the past, but wanted to delve a bit deeper in this week’s piece. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the highest honors of the American […]
Last original member of the “Bloody Hundredth” dies
John Luckadoo, the last surviving member of the 100th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in WWII died September 1 at the age of 103. Luckadoo (inevitably nicknamed ‘Lucky’) lived up to his moniker – he survived 25 missions and was returned to the States. The man eventually known as “Lucky” was born March 16, […]
Valor Friday
I wrote about Philip Conran a while back. He’s a personal hero of mine, and the efforts to get his Air Force Cross upgraded to a Medal of Honor continues. News broke a month or so ago that legislation was (again) introduced in Congress to that effect. Closer to home, Conran’s home county of Santa […]
Valor Friday
I talked a while back about one of Norway’s greatest heroes, Captain Gunnar Sønsteby. During World War II, as a member of the Norwegian Resistance, he thrice earned that nation’s highest honor of the War Cross with Swords, among many other awards. The War Cross with Swords is analogous to an American Medal of Honor […]
Howard Augustine Wheeler , 86, passes Wednesday
I strongly suspect that most of you are asking “who WAS Howard Augustine Wheeler”? at this point. Not a vet, but you’ll see the connection. And NASCAR had Howard Augustine Wheeler Jr., more commonly known as “Humpy,” arguably the greatest promoter stock car racing has ever seen. Mr. Wheeler was the president of Charlotte […]
Valor Friday
For the several thousand men who landed at Normandy on 6 June 1944, many wouldn’t make it to VE Day just shy of one year later. As with the men that fought, the equipment was even more disposable. So it’s unusual that a tank like the M4 Sherman pictured above, named “Bomb”, would make it […]
Last WWII ace, 103, dead August 14
Our last WWII ace pilot has left us. Donald McPherson served as a Navy fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex in the Pacific theater, where he engaged Japanese forces during the final years of the war. He earned the Congressional Gold Medal and three Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service. McPherson was listed […]
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