We Remember
Air Force Pilot, lost over Vietnam, identified
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Donald Downing was flying a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam September 5, 1967, when his wingman described a “large, bright fireball” after which Downing’s plane went silent. U.S. Air Force Captain Donald W. Downing was assigned to the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force in September […]
Valor Friday
Today’s Valor Friday piece is going to be cribbed from Navy Times. During the Korean War, Lt. j.g. John Koelsch, equipped with a promising new helicopter, dedicated his service to rescuing downed pilots. Koelsch’s most notable sortie ultimately cost him his life, but through his actions, the pilot he risked his life to save survived. […]
Valor Friday
Last week, as we wrapped up the dramatic rescue of Bat 21, I discussed the Medal of Honor earning heroics of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Thomas Norris. Norris received the Medal of Honor from President Ford in 1976, after having initially refused the award. He was presented with the medal at a White House ceremony where […]
Friday Fragments
Well, first up is the formerly useful American Civil Liberties Union. I guess I am REALLY old – I remember when they used to be impartial defendants of the Bill of Rights, in its entirety. Heck, I remember when the National Rifle Association mentioned that the ACLU had actually supported the NRA’s side of lawsuits […]
“Harry Doyle”, Army vet, passes age 90.
Perhaps the funniest ex Army corporal ever passed on at the tender age of 90. Dubbed “Mr. Baseball” by no less than Johnny Carson, Bob Uecker epitomized baseball’s humor like few have done before or since, and was a touchstone of the Milwaukee Brewers almost from their start through two league championships (both American […]
WWII Ace COL Perry Dahl dead at 101
Perry Dahl, who had a storied career flying for the US., died at the tender young age of 101. He is described as one of the last of 1297 air aces – I did not find a definitive list of survivors but did see a reference to him as one of four left – and […]
Valor Friday
Where last we left Lieutenant Colonel Iceal “Gene” Hambleton and 1st Lieutenant Mark Clark they were trapped in South Vietnam, amidst the largest North Vietnamese Army (NVA) combined arms offensive of the war. It was April 5, 1972, and Hambleton had been alone on the ground for three days after being the lone survivor from […]
Tarawa Marine to be laid to rest
SGT. Robert F. Van Heck was 25 when he was killed in 1943 on the island of Betio, part of the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Island chain. He was a member of the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which saw heavy combat over several days of fighting against the Japanese military on an […]
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