ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017

USS BRISTOL DD857 VETERANS ASSOCIATION

WINTER 2016 -2017 NEWSLETTER

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Bristol “stuff”.

Heroes Among Us…………………..1 Heroes Among Us carrying fuel and other oil products essential to modern warfare. After Father Aloysius H. Schmitt……..2 USS Fechteler (DE-157), a overhaul at New York City, she took In Memoriam……………………3 Buckley-class destroyer escort of part in experimental antisubmarine exercises in Narragansett Bay, from A Mother Asked…………………5 which she sailed on 28 February Pre-planning a Must……………..5 1944 for the Azores and Derry, Northern Ireland. Arriving on 6 Heroes Photo Collage…………..6 March 1944, she joined the escort of Blockade Of Wonsan……………7 a New York-bound convoy, reaching the United States on 22 March. Destroyer Challenges China Claims………………………….17 On 1 April 1944, Fechteler sailed from New York for Hampton Roads, William “Bill” Crawford………18 Virginia, where she joined a convoy Heroes Meet After WWII……..21 for Bizerte, arriving on 22 April after coming under heavy enemy air Buddy Trampler, WWII, 11th the United States Navy, was Airborne………………………22 attack two days before. two days named in honor of Augustus before. Homeward-bound, Fechteler 9th Infantry Division and the USS Fechteler, a Rear Admiral w a s t o r p e d o e d b y U - 9 6 7 General John Pope (AP 110)….22 serving in the United States commanded by Albrecht Brandi on Navy during World War I. 5 M a y i n t h e W e s t e r n April 1966 Atlantic Storm That Nearly Sank BRISTOL……….23 Fechteler was launched on 22 Mediterranean. As the ship began to April 1943 at the Norfolk Naval break in two and sink, it was Even cooks can be heroes……..24 Shipyard; sponsored by Miss abandoned. Twenty-nine of the crew were killed and 26 wounded. USS Albert Weber Honor Flight……24 Joan S. Fechteler, granddaughter of Rear Admiral Fechteler and Laning and other ships of the convoy rescued 186 survivors. A POEM WORTH READING 26 niece of Lieutenant Frank Casper Fechteler; and commissioned 1 At our reunion in Wilmington, NC, POW/MIA Update 79 WWII 1st J u l y 1 9 4 3 , L i e u t e n a n t Lt. Ben Barnes’Recovery Effort.27 this past September, I had the Commander C. R. Simmers in privilege of speaking with David Thurston Gaines, dies at 94……27 command. Nixon. David told me that he was Between 8 September 1943 and rescued by a British ship after the Lt. Gen. John Kelly, USMC, "The sinking of Fetcheler. The Brits Last Six Second………………..28 31 December, Fechteler made two voyages on the key convoy transported David and some of his True Heroes……………………30 route New York - Netherlands shipmates to Gibraltar with only the clothes that he had on his back. West Indies - North Africa, escorting vulnerable tankers Continued on Page 3 NIXON

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Our own Gary Johnson

Photo Cr: Nicki Kohl, Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Father Aloysius H. Schmitt (December 4, 1909 – December 7, 1941) was a Roman Catholic priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, who served as a chaplain in the United States Navy during World War II.[1]

Born in St. Lucas, Iowa, Fr. Schmitt studied at Loras College (then named Columbia College) in Dubuque, Iowa[1] and graduated in 1932.[2] He then studied in Rome for the priesthood. He was ordained on December 8, 1935. Father Schmitt was first assigned as an associate at Saint Mary's Church in Dubuque. He was also assigned to a parish in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After four years, he received permission to become a chaplain, and joined the United States Navy. He was appointed Acting Chaplain with rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG) on June 28, 1939.

On December 7, 1941, Fr. Schmitt was serving on board the battleship USS Oklahoma during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, when a hit caused the ship to capsize. A number of sailors, including Fr. Schmitt, were trapped in a compartment with only a small porthole as the means of escape. Fr. Schmitt helped a number of men through this porthole. When it came his time to leave, he declined and helped more men escape.[1] In total, he helped 12 men escape. [citation needed]

Fr. Schmitt died on board the Oklahoma. He was the first chaplain of any faith to have died in World War II.

Fr. Schmitt was honored posthumously by the U.S. government when it awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. A destroyer escort named USS Schmitt was commissioned in 1943 by the Navy in his honor and served the U.S. Navy until 1967, when it was transferred to Taiwan.

Continued on page 3 Father Schmitt

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NIXON will be missed by his family and the Bill was a Customer of mine at larger community in which he was Dorado. As gruff a curmudgeon as The Brits outfitted the survivors so actively involved since moving to there ever was. with British uniforms until David Grass Valley in 1978. Bill’s friends and his shipmates were transferred and colleagues are legion. He was a His first day coming to Dorado, he to US Navy F o u r t h D e g r e e K n i g h t s o f pissed and moaned about getting into the store in his wheel chair or …………………………………….. Columbus, and a member of Grass Valley Elks — both of which — walker. That continued for years. Father Schmitt helped in his development and My sales team was confused by his creation of “Bill’s Wheels.” Bill’s The Christ the King Chapel at Loras gruff exterior. He had most of them Wheels served as a safety net for quaking in their millenial boots. I College was dedicated in his those needing wheelchairs and memory and contains some of Fr. t h i n k N e i l f i n a l l y c a m e t o electric scooters but falling through understand him. I told them it is just Schmitt's property that was donated the cracks of the numerous medical to the school. an act or defense mechanism. I said, assistance programs. Since its Ask him about the hat he wore that inception, “Bill’s Wheels” has City Island, in the Mississippi River proudly displayed the air craft provided devices free to hundreds of near Dubuque, Iowa (formerly carrier he was on. When the USS local people needing such help. He known as Ham's Island, after Missouri was being moved to was proceeded in death by his Mathias Ham who once owned it) Seattle after her retrofit he just was renamed Chaplain Schmitt parents, Harold and May (Ruby) wanted to try and get a ride on her Memorial Island. It is the location of Dobbins, and his wife of 63 years, once again. An 80 yr old plus had Dubuque Greyhound Park and Aileen “Honey” Dobbins tears just thinking about it. (Townsend). Casino. We once made a late night delivery He is survived by his son Michael On 8 October 2016, members of the around Thanksgiving if I recall. Bill and wife, Linda (Bertoncini); Patriot Guard Riders from Dubuque was alone at his home. I sat and granddaughters, Kimberly (Polo) of and other locations performed an talked with him for a while about Sacramento, Seana (Inducil) of honor guard to escort the casket the Navy. He smiled from ear to ear bearing the remains of Chaplain Mission Viejo, and grandson Mark the entire time. Schmitt to his alma mater. Our Mobley of Ukiah; sister Penny Shipmate, Gary Johnson, performed Weiss of Livonia, Michigan; brother He never mentioned Pearl Harbor in Joseph Kalhorn of Howell, the lead pall bearer, carrying at the all our conversations over the years. M i c h i g a n ; a n d s i x g r e a t - dead and left of the casket. He was at Pearl and survived. He grandchildren. Funeral services will went on to several more wars aboard …………………………………….. be Friday, Sept. 23 at St. Patrick’s the USS Missouri from what I Catholic Church in Grass Valley. A gather. In Memoriam Knights of Columbus Honor Guard will escort the casket to the church Now I know what a hero looks like. William (Bill) Dobbins Plank at 11:45 a.m. A Be kind to them even if they are a Owner bit gruff at times. 12:30 p.m. Rosary service will be passed peacefully in his sleep early conducted prior to the funeral He had every right to be a lovable Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. He was 95. service which begins at 1 p.m., grouch ass. His daughter used to A 30-year sailor, veteran of three followed by graveside Military come in with him and say Dad be wars and a Pearl Harbor survivor, he Honors at St. Patrick Cemetery. A nice. We didn't mind he was so was very proud of his U.S. Navy reception will follow at St Patrick’s funny once you got to know him Hall.Services are under the direction service. He retired in 1970 as a RIP Bill. I salute you! An American Chief Boatswian’s Mate, and of Hooper and Weaver Mortuary. hero! honored to carry the monikor Tribute to Bill Dobbins “Boats” for those many years. He ……………………………….

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Theodore (Ted) I. Taper, 84, Erwin Zimmer, ET2, 57-58 Ester Speranza, 26 September 2016 passed away in Maine, at Falmouth Zimmer, Erwin E. (Erv) Age 79, of by The Sea on Nov. 7, 2016 after an A p p l e Va l l e y, p a s s e d a w a y Editor’s Note: extended illness. Ted was born in peacefully on November 6, 2016; Canonsburg, PA on Oct. 17, 1932, U.S. Navy veteran. After retiring My wife, Anne, tried to telephone the fourth of eleven children of from the insurance industry, he Ester Speranza to see how the wife Ignatius and Anna Taper. His father greatly enjoyed a second career as a of our deceased shipmate, Ed died while Ted was in his early grain inspector, checking barges and Speranza, was doing. Unable to teens, forcing him to enter the boxcars which allowed him to reach Ester by telephone, Anne left a workforce at a young age to help appreciate the birds and animals he message for her son, Ed. Ester’s support the family. He joined the US saw along the river and in the woods son, Ed, left a voice message stating Navy at the age of 18, beginning a near the railroad tracks. Erv was an that Ester died on 26 September of 22 year military career which avid outdoorsman and treasured the lung cancer. According to Ed, Ester included service during the Korean days he spent in the fields, woods, only experienced discomfort two and Vietnam Wars. He married and on the lakes of Minnesota. He days before she died. Ed Speranza Lorraine Petrin of Fall River, Mass tended his garden, watched expressed his gratitude that Anne in 1953. They had one daughter, countless hours of youth sports as a thought to call. Ester and our Dale. Though Ted was stationed in father and grandfather, and was shipmate, Ed Speranza, were two many locations during his military always ready for a game of fun people to be around. career, the Fall River area was cribbage. He is survived by his We travelled in a group to the always home base and the family loving wife of 54 years, Gail; his Norfolk reunion and I laughed most returned there after his retirement children Theresa (Tom) Lydon, of the way down listening to Ed and from the Navy in 1972, settling in Christine (Tim Rogotzke) Zimmer, Ester carryon about one thing or Swansea. During his many years in Erwin J. (Janet), and Terence another. Ed and Ester loved going Swansea, Ted was an active member (Peggy); his grandchildren Madeline to Atlantic City. In fact, they moved of the American Legion Post 303 and Derek Lydon; Josephine, Olivia to Monroe Twp, NJ, to be closer to and an enthusiastic participant in and Dominic Lonetti; Zeb and Senia their favorite haunt before returning nearly all their endeavors. He was Zimmer; and Maxwell, Ellen and to Staten Island, NY, after Ed senior always helpful, kind, and good Mary Zimmer; and his sister Jeannie suffered a stroke. humored, and enjoyed spending (Tony) Dircks. Also survived by time with friends and family. He many relatives and friends including A little anecdote about lung cancer. was an avid baseball and football those from American Legion Post I am a volunteer Emergency fan. In 2015, he moved to Somerset 1776 and the Fort Snelling Tuesday Medical Technician in NJ. We and resided at Clifton Assisted Memorial Rifle Squad. Mass of responded to a call where the Living until his recent acute illness. Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on patient’s pain meds pump failed and Ted was predeceased by his wife, Tuesday, November 15, at Church of needed to be transported back to Lorraine. He is survived by his the Risen Savior, 1501 County Road hospital for a replacement. When daughter Dale Harrison of Cape 42 E, Burnsville, MN. Visitation one we arrived, I could smell the heavy Elizabeth, Maine, her husband Bob, hour before Mass at the Church with odor of cigarette smoke. Stupid me and two grandchildren, Leslie and luncheon to follow. Interment at started to chastise the patient about Kevin, as well as several brothers Fort Snelling National Cemetery at smoking. I did not know at the time and sisters, all residing in the 1 p.m. Memorials may be sent to St. that the patient was terminal. How Midwest. At Ted's request, there will Labre Indian School (stlabre.org) or stupid could I be? All of our not be a funeral. A memorial National Wildlife Federation training dictates that we should not remembrance will be arranged at a (nwf.org). Washburn-McReavy.com be judgmental. Here I was breaking later date. In lieu of flowers, Davies Chapel 612-377-2203 that rule. Well Ed and Ester are with donations may be made in his honor God and may they rest in peace. to the Scholarship Fund of American …………………………………….. Legion Post 303 in Swansea. …………………………………….

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Clayton D. Hall a burial flag and a Presidential Hall, Clayton D. 88, long-time Yet another mother asked this Memorial Certificate are provided Minneapolis resident, now living in President... 'Why did my son have to at no cost to the family. Vermillion, S.D. passed away die at Gettysburg ?' peacefully on December 29, 2016. Burial benefits are also available Clayton served his country at age 17 And yet another mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to for spouses and dependents of in the US Navy at the end of WWII the veteran in a national as a storekeeper, stationed in die on a frozen field near Valley Naples, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey. Forge ?' cemetery even if they predecease In peacetime he attended business the veteran, acceding to the college for one year and night Then long, long ago, a mother website http:// asked.. school for 7 years. He became a www.cem.va.gov(click on Veteran CPA in 1958. He was secretary/ Services, then on burial benefits in treasurer of Swanson and Young- ’Heavenly Father ... why did my dale, Inc. and retired after 34 years. Son have to die on a cross outside of the drop down menu). Grateful for sharing his life: his Jerusalem ?' wife, Elsie, daughter, Nancy Foster, The answer is always the same... 'So Family members need to contact Vermillion S.D., daughter, Lisa that others may live and dwell in a funeral home to assist with (Gary) Stewart, Raleigh, N.C., peace, happiness, and freedom. making burial arrangements at a grandchildren, Jon Stewart, San …………………………………. national cemetery. Francisco, CA, Heidi (Nathan) DeVries of Vermillion, SD, April Pre Planning Is A Must To s c h e d u l e a b u r i a l , f a x Kappler, Raleigh, NC, Thomas documentation to the National (Jenna) Kunstle, Orange City, IA, No one likes to think about death, Cemetery Scheduling Office at great-grandchildren, Hope and J.D. but if a veteran wants to be buried DeVries, and Jacob and Benjamin 1866-900-6417 and follow up with a Kunstle. A memorial service will be with military rights, or in a national phone call to 1-800-535-1117. held at a later date. cemetery, pre planning is a must. Veterans are entitled to burial The United States Department of A Mother Asked Contributed by benefits when buried in a private Gary Hults Veterans Affairs (VA) has a cemetery including a government A m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s website which includes headstone or marker, a burial flag President... 'Why did my son have to information about national and a Presidential Memorial die in Iraq ?' cemeteries, preparing in advance, Certificate at no cost to the donating burial flags and burial A m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s family. Some veterans may also President.. 'Why did my son have to benefits for veterans buried in a be eligible for burial allowances. die in Saudi Arabia ?' private cemetery. To insure eligibility of burial in a VA For more information on A m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s cemetery, discharge papers are eligibility call 1-800-827-1000. President... 'Why did my son have to required. Family members should be die in Kuwait ?' made of aware of where these Arrangements for military burials in private cemeteries can also be A n o t h e r m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s papers are kept. President... 'Why did my son have to arranged by calling the local VFW die in Vietnam ?' The discharge papers are also or American Legion Post. required for burial benefits in a A n o t h e r m o t h e r a s k e d private cemetery. For the VFW go to http:// this President... 'Why did my son www.vfw.org/find-a-post. For the have to die in Korea ?' The VA has 131 national American Legiongo to http:// cemeteries and those eligible for www.members.legion.org/CGI-BIN/ A n o t h e r m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s President... 'Why did my son have to the benefits are entitled to a lansawebwebapp=MYLEPOST+we die on Iwo Jima ?' gravesite at one of the national brtn=wr_dsplcr+ml=LANSA:XHT cemeteries, providing space is ML+part=TAL+lang=ENG A n o t h e r m o t h e r a s k e d t h i s available. Opening and closing of

President... 'Why did my son have to the grave, perpetual care, a …………………………………… die on a battlefield in France ?' government headstone or marker,

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Type to enter text Herb Ross Joe Guchek 25th ID Mark Jarvis USAF Mark & Cathy Jarvis USAF Vietnam

Matt Bloomberg, my son-in- Above: Jarvis family law, 1SG , & LTC Kairns with daughter, Sam (r) and son-in-law at Ft Bliss, TX

Below: Rob

Black and white photo above taken Earl “Charlie” Weaver, April 1945 at the Philadelphia Navy Machinist Mate Yard. Photo shows wounded warriors Extraordinair, Vietnam returning from Europe.

Editor’s Note: The next time that you go to MacDonald’s or any other restaurant, think about the man or woman standing or sitting next to you. That woman may have been an army nurse in Vietnam and had earned a Silver Star. I worked with that woman

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Blockade of Wonsan minesweepers in the largest were ordered to evacuate Wonsan on shipbuilding program since World December 9, 1950, taking 7,009 Wonsan was a strategic point during War II. Other vessels were damaged refugees, 3,384 military personnel, the war, located on North Korea's by mines and battery fire as well but 1,146 vehicles and 10,013 tons of southeastern coast with a large the loss of the Pirate and Pledge cargo in the process. General harbor, an airfield, a petroleum proved to be the major engagement MacArthur's plan was to regroup in refinery, 75,000 people, and as during the operation. Japan before launching another many as 80,000 troops, including offensive, while holding Pusan several artillery batteries. After the Operation Tailboard Perimeter. When the North Koreans Battle of Inchon, in which General Operation Tailboard was the and Chinese recaptured the city, Douglas MacArthur landed on the codename for the United States defenses were rebuilt in a more northwestern shores of the Korean Army landing at Wonsan, and it was formidable way, additional sea peninsula, he ordered X Corps to found to have been unnecessary. mines were deployed and new make a landing at Wonsan where Preparations began over 800 miles artillery batteries were erected. they would proceed west, link up away at Inchon where on October with the Eighth Army and then The blockade began on February 16, 15, thousands of marines and 1951 and would last 861 days until advance towards Pyongyang, the soldiers, 30,184 in total, embarked capital of North Korea. the armistice in July 1953. During transports to participate in the nearly three years of blockading North Korean naval forces had been landing. When they arrived off United States Navy ships and well supplied by the Soviet Union Wonsan on October 20, the aircraft engaged shore batteries and China with all sorts of sea mines clearance of the mine fields was still repeatedly. Several American and they were used as much as taking place so for five days X vessels were damaged by land based possible to defend Wonsan. Soviet Corps and the 1st Marine Division artillery fire though none were military advisors were also were forced to remain on ship to destroyed. UN Tast Group 95.2 was employed to create more effective wait for a clear path to the beaches. assigned to the blockade and they mine fields. One of the first When it came time to land on first bombarded Wonsan on objectives of the blockade was to October 15, the North Koreans had February 17, 1951, targeting begin plotting the locations of mines already withdrawn and the British everything used by the communists and then destroy them. Because of and South Koreans were securing and causing heavy damage. this, the use of minesweepers the area. Ultimately the landing was On February 19, the destroyer USS became a necessity and eventually not needed and MacArthur was dozens would serve in the blockade. Ozbourn, under Commander Ross criticized for not using the X Corps E. Freeman, was fired on by shore Operation Wonsan, or the Clearance in the pursuit of the retreating North of Wonsan, began on October 10 of batteries in the Wonsan area. She Korean Army on the Inchon front. received two direct hits and several 1950, ten days before the landing On October 19, the South Korean was scheduled to take place. Rear near misses and successfully Army captured Pyongyang so rescued a downed pilot from the Admiral James H. Doyle instead of heading there the commanded Task Force 90, a fleet Valley Forge with a motor boat, American army went north along the while he was adrift in a mine field. of dozens of American warships coast to occupy Hungnam and the which were used in the clearance. The coxswain of the boat received a Chosin Reservoir areas while the Bronze Star for the rescue. Ozbourn Two days later on October 12, mines 3rd Infantry Division landed at eventually returned to San Diego in sank the sweepers USS Pledge and W o n s a n i n N o v e m b e r a s April 1951 for repairs and later USS Pirate, killing twelve men and reinforcements. sailed back to North Korea. wounding dozens of others, all Evacuation of Wonsan while under accurate fire from North On February 24, the undefended Korean shore batteries. The United UN forces would not hold Wonsan island of Sindo-ri, in Wonsan States Navy Pacific Fleet responded for long: after the massive Chinese Harbor, was captured by South by starting the production of new intervention in the war, Allied forces Korean marines supported by two

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American destroyers and two destroyer USS Brinkley Bass was what they reported as being two frigates. Wonsan shore batteries also slightly damaged while engaging a submarines. The chase was dueled with UN warships on March battery, she sustained eight eventually discontinued and the 3, but there were no recorded hits. casualties in the action. damage to the Walke was The battleship USS New Jersey temporarily repaired and she made participated in her first shore Action off Rei-To for Japan. A later investigation of bombardment mission of the war on On May 24, the UN station ship at the incident recovered a small metal May 20, 1951. While patrolling off Wonsan detected several small craft disk from the damaged ship and Wonsan, North Korean batteries southeast of Rei-To Island. In a one when analyzed it was concluded to opened fire and she was struck by sided night engagement, the light have been part of a torpedo one shell. cruiser USS Manchester and the detonator. The Walke was later Brinkley Bass used radar to direct repaired and returned to hostile Slightly damaged, she sustained one Korean waters the following year. man killed and two wounded, her their fire and broke the enemy only casualties during the war. formation. Four sampans were Battle of the Buzz Saw Another shot was a near miss and recovered the following day along passed over the New Jersey from aft with the bodies of eleven enemies, The Battle of the Buzz Saw, as to port. She then responded by one other wounded North Korean United States Navy personnel called bombarding the enemy position was taken prisoner and the sampans it, was a response to the UN's until they were silenced. The type of were found to have been converted attacks on Wonsan. After causing warfare experienced at Wonsan to minelayers, with four M-26 mines heavy damage to North Korean would last throughout the war. each. forces within the previous months, the situation escalated as the Operation Fireball USS Walke Incident communists started utilizing new USS Walke was a destroyer, under weapons to lift the blockade. On Operation Fireball was the code July 6, 1951, the United States name for a bombardment of the Captain Marshall Thompson, of Task Force 77 which was by now l a u n c h e d a n o t h e r n a v a l Wonsan area from May through bombardment of the area, causing S e p t e m b e r. I t i n v o l v e d t h e assigned to naval operations in the Wonsan area. On June 12 of 1951, high casualties and tempting the cooperation of naval vessels and North Koreans to retaliate with an aircraft from the 5th Air Force the Walke was about sixty miles off the coast of North Korea, at position especially heavy bombardment on which caused heavy damage to the July 17, 1951. North Koreans. On the night of May 38-52 N, 129-25 E, when she was 21 and May 22, during the height of struck either by a torpedo or a For four and a half hours the the fighting, two American LSMRs, floating sea mine which had destroyers USS O'Brien, USS Blue supported by light cruisers and separated from a field. The resulting and USS Alfred A. Cunningham destroyers, fired 4,903 rockets in explosion severely damaged the engaged the batteries at Wonsan, thirty-five minutes, further Walke's hull on her port side and firing 2,336 rounds of 5-inch shells. damaging the defenses of the city. twenty-six men were killed and the North Koreans offered heavy UN carrier aircraft were used to fire forty others wounded. Many of the resistance and over 500 splashes flares while the warships focused on casualties were blown over the side were counted but there was no gunnery. and into the water when the serious damage to the American explosion occurred and it took a vessels. The next day USS Evans It was the first time LSMRs would long time before all of them could engaged the batteries and received be deployed in the siege of Wonsan be recovered. four near misses, wounding four and over time would cause heavy men aboard the ship. casualties to the North Korean Shortly thereafter, sailors on the garrison. Between June and nearby destroyers USS Hubbard and Operation Kickoff September the LSMRs would USS Bradford spotted an oil slick discharge a total of 12,924 5-inch off of Walke's starboard side so they Between late June through August rockets. During the operation, began dropping depth charges on 1951, North Korean attacks on

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American ships seemed to increase first day of the maneuvers, the Seven enemy guns opened fire on so the United States began LSMRs USS LSMR-409 and USS the Uhlmann that day and after a concentrating on destroying enemy LSMR-525 received heavy accurate long engagement, five of the guns batteries. On June 28, destroyer USS fire from enemy batteries on the were destroyed and 117 splashes Henry W. Tucker received counter- islands of Kalmagak, Umi-do and were counted by the sailors but there battery fire while conducting a Ho-do Pan-do. Both of the vessels were no hits. The Uhlmann had to bombardment of Wonsan Harbor. were struck by shells and damaged break off the attack without She was struck by one round, but not seriously. Over 500 shells silencing the remaining two artillery causing light superficial damage and splashed in the water around USS pieces because allied patrols entered one man was injured. O'Brien and she sustained at least a the area. couple of hits. One man was injured A few days later on July 3, frigate although the damage was light. USS Because the communists were still USS Everett was attacked by the New Jersey and heavy cruiser USS mining the approaches of Wonsan batteries and took hits, killing one Helena also participated in the and Hungnam, the commander of man and wounding seven others. bombardment. CTF-95 ordered on September 5, the The Americans responded with an minesweeping group CTG-95.6 to attack by the Fast Carrier Task On July 31, the Helena engaged in a sweep the coastline so as to allow Force. In one day 247 bombing gunnery duel, she was hit one time UN ships to remain within gunfire sorties were carried out against before delivering counter battery range of the shore at all times while Wonsan and 600 South Korean fire which destroyed seven gun blockading. Upon completion, allied marines raided the mainland from emplacements and an ammunition warships nolonger had to withdraw the island of Cho-do. dump. There were no casualties out of range each night. While caused by the shell striking the ship supporting the minesweepers On July 6, destroyer USS Evans but near misses wounded two men. involved in the mission, destroyer landed men on the island of USS William Seiverling was hit Hwangto-do and then with two other On August 4, British Royal Marines three times on September 8 by destroyers, bombarded buildings installed mortars on Hwangto-do for ground based artillery, her fire room and a torpedo station. USS Blue use in countering the North Korean flooded but there were no casualties. captured Kukto Island the following shore batteries and on August 11, day and established an observation USS Hopewell, using SFCP, fired On September 10, the minesweepers point to keep watch on North direct and indirect fire missions Redstart and Heron were again Korean positions. On July 11, in the against enemy troop concentrations damaged by shell fire from Wonsan, vicinity of Yo-do island, USS Blue and transportation targets in Wonsan this time while rechecking pre- and the Evans were attacked, area. Minesweepers USS Dextrous, swept waters and on September 20, approximately fifty splashes were USS Heron and USS Redstart also USS Orleck bombarded enemy counted near the ships but none of came under fire by shore batteries troops and mortar positions, scoring them were hit. Due to the attacks, that same day while conducting five hits which destroyed an particularly the Battle of the Buzz check sweep operations in the ammunition dump. Orleck also Saw, American naval commanders vicinity of Hodo-pando. Dextrous attacked a large sampan, suspected decided on launching Operation suffered two direct hits; killing one of minelaying, and struck her four K i c k o f f w h i c h r e f e r r e d t o man, three wounded and moderate times with gunfire. On September maneuvers within Wonsan Harbor, damage. 24, the ROKN PF-62 was also aimed at reducing the batteries. damaged by shore battery fire. After With the exception of an attack on three hits, the frigate was Every day on from July 17, 1951, USS Uhlmann on August 20, while moderately damaged and caught on elements of the allied fleet, assigned off Hodo-pando, Operation Kickoff fire. Three South Korean sailors to bombardment groups, would sail proved to be a success as the were wounded but they were able to at five knots to bombard known number of attacks on blockading save their ship from complete enemy positions and continue doing ships decreased for a while until destruction. so from 3:00 pm until dark. On the new batteries were constructed.

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Minesweeping operations would of attacks at Wonsan and other closely straddled with thirty-six continue for months, the UN ships nearby coastal targets from rounds but there was no damage or constantly swept various areas to November 1 to November 6, 1951, casualties. She also made three ensure that no new mine fields were during which she targeted the direct hits on the North Korean laid. Incidents of shore batteries petroleum refinery at Wonsan, command post. scoring hits on allied warships also trains, bridges, tunnels, railroads, became less common and for weeks troop concentrations and shore The George K. MacKenzie was no vessels were damaged until batteries. engaged again on January 24 from October 29 when the USS Osprey Han-do Pan-do, along with the USS was engaged. The Osprey's engine From November 22 to 24, LSR Marshall. Neither ship was damaged room flooded after being hit three Division 31, including the LSMRs, and there were no casualties, two times and communications went out, 401, 403 and 404, conducted fire 76-millimeter mortar rounds one man was seriously wounded missions and on November 24 and splashed 1,000 yards away from the though the ship was saved from 25, naval gunfire supported a Marshall. TF-77 rescued survivors sinking. By November 9, the guerrilla raid on the island of Ka-do from a helicopter crash on February minesweeping mission was eighty where several North Korean 8, twenty-five miles outside of percent complete, accurate shore prisoners were taken. On November Wonsan. Reports from RESCAP battery fire delayed the UN ships 28 and 29, the North Koreans indicate that personnel involved from completing the operation for a launched a small offensive were apparently in enemy hands. few more weeks. operation, in it, armed sampans Heavy flak in the area was the attacked the island settlement on probable cause. The grounded Escalation of the Naval War Hwangto-do, killing one civilian and helicopter was also destroyed by taking five civilians prisoner. TF-77 aircraft. By the one-year In late 1951 and 1952 intelligence anniversary of the blockade, from captured or surrendered North Most of the homes on the island bombing Wonsan occurred on a Koreans became more frequent and were destroyed in the attack and the daily basis though occasionally the reliable. The information told the N o r t h K o r e a n s s u ff e r e d n o UN fleet would combine their United States that the enemy was casualties. Another large scale firepower for larger engagements. building sampans for minelaying bombardment of Wonsan took place and preparing offensives against the on December 20, with the battleship On February 16, exactly one year islands around Wonsan. MIG USS Wisconsin participating. Six after the blockade began, USS aircraft were also being reported in days later the ROKN PC-740 was Gregory, USS Twining and USS larger numbers and would begin to lost, presumably due to striking a Rowan attacked in the usual threaten UN aircraft and the mine off of To-do in Wonsan bombardments that would last until blockading force. North Korean Harbor. the end of the war. Enemy shore Army troops, well supplied by the batteries were active on March 13, Soviets and the Chinese, were also On January 11, 1952, the next at Kalmagak, Wonsan against UN c o n d u c t i n g l a r g e a r t i l l e r y significant gunnery duel began siege forces. Counter battery bombardments that demonstrated when the Redstart and Dextrous engagements by USS Manchester, their supply of ammunition. received accurate battery fire from USS James E. Kyes, USS McGinty Ho-do Pan-do while they were and USS Douglas H. Fox, plus the Shore batteries increased their sailing without an escort. The fire help of Fast Carrier Task Force effectiveness as well, now that fire was concentrated on the Dextrous planes silenced the enemy guns. control was being equipped, air and she sustained considerable Shore battery fire was most accurate burst rounds were also starting to be superficial damage and a loss of one to date indicating the possible use of used. With the minesweeping man killed and two wounded. Later fire control equipment. operation mostly completed, on, the USS Gregory and USS American bombardment groups George K. MacKenzie engaged in a USS Wiltsie and Brinkley Bass began shelling the city again. The one hour duel with four 76- engaged shore batteries at Wonsan USS New Jersey carried out a series millimeter batteries. MacKenzie was on March 20, utilizing SFCP

10 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 spotting. Brinkley Bass scored seven from shore batteries east of total so the Silverstein and the direct hits on one of the batteries Kalmagak while providing fire Maddox returned the fire and located near the city of Wonsan. support for the Condor. Wiltsie was suppressed the batteries. Aircraft Neither ship was struck, but the attacked a few more times within from USS Valley Forge were also Bass received some shrapnel. March the next several days and they were called in to provide close air 20 marked the beginning of a four- all inconclusive contacts. support. Silverstein received 110 day attack on the blockade by North rounds of estimated 105 millimeter Korean artillery, on May 21 USS USS George K. MacKenzie batteries though she was not Osprey was taken under fire by In the Wonsan area on April 10, damaged, Maddox received two enemy shore batteries while TF-77 carried out a coordinated rounds. There were no allied searching for mines. strike using the guns of USS Saint casualties in the action. Utilizing SFCP spot, Osprey Paul and USS Hanson. USS USS Waxbill attacked a shore silenced three batteries and suffered Silverstein, to the north of Ho-do battery the following day and on no damage. Brinkley Bass and USS Pan-do, received 30 rounds of April 28 the Silverstein, and USS Stickell silenced a battery at enemy fire at a range of 12,400 Conserver received fire from Ho-do Kalmagak on March 22. USS yards with fall of shot fifty to 300 Pan-do. With South Korean small Wiltsie received fire from the yards from the ship but without craft, the allied ships bombarded the batteries east of Kalmagak on March damaging her. The incident was opposing battery and laid a 23 and, together with Brinkley Bass, taken as evidence that the North smokescreen while other nearby responded with counter-battery fire Koreans were beginning to use fire ships withdrew. The Conserver to silence the enemy guns. During control more regularly. On April 11, received ten rounds of estimated the following day the Bass was the Wiltsie and the McGinty were 122-millimeter fire. On May 7, USS struck again with one round from taken under fire by Wonsan shore Waxbill was fired on by twelve Ho-do Pan-do, wounding five men, batteries. Both ships conducted rounds but apparently did not return one seriously, and causing damage maneuvers in separate areas and fire and on May 10, while sweeping to the ship's radio and electronics. delivered counter battery fire. Wonsan Harbor, USS Merganser On March 28 USS Burlington was Silverstein, USS Cabildo and USS and USS Redhead received ten fired on from Ho-do Pan-do, shots Apache fired suppression fire rounds of enemy fire from straddled the ship but evasive against the batteries on Ho-do Pan- Kalmagak. maneuvers prevented probable hits. do. The McGinty was straddled by The Burlington responded with 123 Also that day, the Maddox and USS enemy shore batteries as she moved Laffey attacked North Korean rounds of her own and caused a near Wonsan on April 17. McGinty small forest fire. railroad targets, scoring many hits, and the USS Maddox replied with two railroad cars were damaged April 1952 counter fire and the enemy guns along with two buildings. Batteries ceased. USS Cabildo was attacked on Kalmagak fired ten rounds of 76- USS Leonard F. Mason experienced again from shore batteries on April millimeter fire at the sweepers, the an explosion in the depth charge 29 from Ho-do Pan-do. Three near nearest one landing 100 yards from starboard detonator locker on April misses straddled ship and one direct the ship. Counter fire by Maddox 1, while bombarding Ho-do Pan-do, hit amidships caused minor damage scored two more hits. On the next no casualties were reported. The to structure and electrical wiring, day, the Maddox, the Laffey, the Wiltsie, USS McGinty, and USS two were wounded. Herbert J. Thomas and the USS Condor were also engaged in the Evansville, received 206 rounds of action. USS Symbol, USS Murrelet On the same day, USS Silverstein and USS Maddox, in a swept area seventy-five and 155-millimeter fire and USS Edmonds received enemy and an hour long engagement. fire near Wonsan on April 2 and south of Yo-do, were covering the again no damage or casualties were withdrawal of two friendly sampans North Koreans were using hidden experienced. The same day USS from Umi-do, when suddenly enemy guns which were difficult to locate Wiltsie received ten near misses batteries opened fire. The sampans but were believed to have been fired received the first salvos, around 30

11 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 from Han-do Pan-do, Hapchin-ni no casualties were reported but machine gun battery. The damage and Kalamagak. Return fire twenty-one shot holes were found to was light and there were no destroyed three enemy gun positions have passed through the flag over casualties. Hwangto-do was and the Thomas was hit once, the island. USS Albuquerque was bombarded again on August 16 by causing little damage and no straddled by enemy fire on June 12, the North Koreans with four 155- casualties. On May 17, TG-95.2 wounding one man and on June 19 millimeter artillery pieces and large reported that an interrogation of the North Koreans staged another mortars from Kalmagak. The guns seven prisoners, captured off Ho-do artillery bombardment against could not be located so none of the Pan-do the day before, revealed that friendly held Hwangto-do. USS allied warships could respond. the enemy were planning an attack Parks caught 300 enemy troops on Yodo in the near future. Troops repairing a railroad, south of Typhoon Karen are being concentrated in two Wonsan on the same day, and fired Typhoon Karen swept through locations on He-do Pan-do and are twenty-eight rounds. Korean waters over the next few going to use about eighty fishing She reported inflicting seventy-four days so also blockading activities sampans for transport. Ten days later were suspended. Several UN on May 27, shore batteries at casualties and scoring hits on a warships were damaged during the Wonsan fought against the USS railroad bridge and tracks. When it became dark, Parks also fired star height of the storm. The communists Cabildo and Ozbourn. In a typical used the chance to attack Hwangto- duel the American ships bombarded shells at the location for bombing runs by allied aircraft. The next do again. After the typhoon passed the coast and were not damaged, the USS Lewis fired seven rounds of 5- day after USS Ozbourn accepted the exchange in the siege of Wonsan occurred a month later on August inch shells at an enemy battery on surrender of two North Koreans Kalmagak, which was firing on soldiers. 10, 1952. Enemy gun positions on He-do Pan-do, fired upon USS friendly islands in the Wonsan area. USS O'Bannon suppressed enemy Barton and USS Jarvis with The enemy artillery was silenced batteries on May 29 after the North approximately 250 75-millimeter to although they killed one person and Koreans opened fire on friendly 155-millimeter guns. The Barton wounded and two others. islands. The USS Ozbourn, USS suffered superficial damage, one On September 11, 1952, batteries on Radford, and USS Heron also man killed, and one wounded. Jarvis Umi-do fired eighteen 105- engaged on May 29 and May 30. was not damaged and counter millimeter rounds at the USS Lewis, Ozbourn received six rounds of 155- battery fire destroyed two gun no damage or casualties. On millimeter fire and, the Radford, ten emplacements. September 13, aircraft from the USS rounds of estimated 75-millimeter Bon Homme Richard attacked a 130 gunfire with the nearest one landing Two days after, the USS Grapple was the target for about thirty foot naval like vessel near Wonsan fifty yards from the ship. The Heron and sank it with rockets and 20 was hit by machine gun fire that hit rounds of 105-millimeter artillery. The ship was hit once below the millimeter strafing. The enemy ship aft section of the vessel. There were was one of the few sunk by UN no friendly casualties in any of the waterline causing slight damage. USS Barton fired eighty-nine shots forces during the war. Two days actions and in all cases the ships later, the Barton hit was suspected returned fire with naval guns. in response and scored three hits on two North Korean batteries. The of being a floating mine while On June 5, the O'Bannon, Radford ROKN FS-905, was also attacked sailing 100 miles due east of and the Lofberg attacked and on May 12. Wonsan Harbor. Five enlisted men silenced a battery of 75-millimeter were counted missing and later guns south of Ho-do Pan-do. The While anchored off Yo-do Island, presumed dead, six other men were artillery opened fire on some with a cargo of gasoline and wounded. The fire room flooded and American minesweepers but quickly ammunition for motor torpedo there was other less severe damage. quieted by the escorts. North boats, ROKN FS-905 was taken Flooding was brought under control Koreans artillery in Wonsan under fire by enemy shore guns and and she set a course for Sasebo bombarded Hwangto-do on June 7, received one hit in the starboard under her own power.

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USS Cunningham received five hits Hungnam. In these engagements minesweepers were fired upon by on September 19. Guns from there were no casualties but in a approximately seventy-five rounds Wonsan, estimated to be 105 to 155- final attack later on that day, a single on December 11. The small millimeters, at a distance of 3,500 MIG-15 destroyed one of four F4Us minesweepers were forced to slip yards away, hit the Cunningham in another action near Hungnam. their gear and use smoke pots to with their first shot, four more help cover themselves. That same followed along with seven nearby On October 16, USS Toledo was day, USS Waxbill and USS Marshall air bursts. Eight Americans were shot at with four rounds from collided west of Yo-do, Waxbill wounded but none of them fatal and estimated 75-millimeter and 122- sustained topside damage to hull the ship was moderately damaged millimeter guns. No damage was fittings but was still operational and though she was capable of firing reported as all of the shells landed otherwise unharmed. 159 rounds of return fire with 5-inch splashed in the water around 1,000 and 3-inch guns. yards short of the ship, USS On December 12 the Marshall was Mansfield was also attacked with attacked again, twenty rounds were USS Toledo in September 1951. about forty 75-millimeter rounds. fired her way but as usual the For over a month no artillery was communists could not hit their USS Jenkins and USS Taylor came exchanged until November 20 when target. USS Grasp and the Seiverling under fire from accurate shore the USS Kite and USS Thompson were also attacked and they too batteries in the vicinity of Hwangto- received fire from 120-millimeter escaped harm. About forty rounds of do, the two vessels received an guns. The Thompson was hit by one North Korean artillery targeted the estimated twenty-one rounds of 90- round of the many which straddled Waxbill and the Marshall on millimeter and three rounds of 105- her, one man suffered wounds and December 13, while they were millimeter, there was no damage. minor material damaged resulted. patrolling near the Namchongang's N o r t h K o r e a n f o r c e s a l s o USS Kite fought another duel on the mouth. Though the fire was bombarded Hwangto-do though following day. She received fifty- accurate, no hits were made. The their batteries were silenced by five 75-millimeter rounds but again closest shot splashed in the water thirty-nine rounds from the Jenkins. sustained no casualties. ten feet from the Waxbill which The North Koreans attacked Yo-do caused shrapnel damage. Twelve Island with artillery a few days later On November 25, the Thomson shots were fired by the Americans in and on September 23 the USS Iowa found herself in action, this time return. was attacked but her 16-inch guns against enemy aircraft. Jets dropped quickly silenced the perpetrators. six to eight explosives over the Waxbill came under fire again on USS Taylor also silenced a battery American ship, the closest landing December 19, three rounds were on September 25 and the Heron 300 yards away. The aircraft were fired her way but none struck the received 105-millimeter fire but was heard by the Thompson's lookout ship. A few days later, USS Toledo not damaged. Three splashes were but radar showed nothing. USS received the same treatment while counted near the ship. Merganser was fired upon by guns bombarding the city but was not at the mouth of the Namchongang damaged either. On December 23, North Korean air attack River on December 6, the Seiverling while providing gunfire support for The first and only naval air battle at replied with 101 rounds, and was the minesweepers in Wonsan Wonsan and Hungnam occurred on herself taken under fire by guns on Harbor, USS Marshall, USS October 7. MIG-15s attacked TF-77 Kalmagak. Fifty-six additional McGowan received approximately aircraft three times, one MIG made shells were then sent in that thirty rounds of estimated 75- a firing pass on two American AD direction. millimeter shells. During the firing, four to nine airbursts fell near the planes so they returned fire. There On the following day, Merganser were no damage or casualties on McGowan, sixty to seventy near received thirty more rounds of 75- Marshall, and several rounds either side and the MIGs retired to millimeter fire from Kalmagak but the west. Later on four MIG-15s b e t w e e n t h e m i n e s w e e p e r s . she was not damaged. USS Shields, Throughout the engagements the attacked a flight of F4Us while two U S S S e i v e r l i n g a n d U N others attacked eight ADs near North Koreans failed to cause any

13 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 damage. The McGowan engaged in communication wires were also but no damage resulted in any of the another shore battery action two damaged. Two bunkers caved in on attacks. The Prichett was attacked days later. Hwangto-do. again on March 25 but no damage was sustained, USS Shelton, USS Height of the Fighting USS De Haven and USS Moore Eversole, ROKN AMS-502 and responded with a bombardment of January 2, 1953 marked the first day AMS-515 engaged in a similar their own and they received fire action the following day. in a large scale North Korean with the nearest shells splashing 400 bombardment of the UN held yards away. February 16, was the USS Los Angeles was hit by one islands in Wonsan Harbor. Over the second anniversary of the blockade. enemy round on March 27 but the course of the next few months, Despite that Wonsan was mostly damage was light and no one was enemy shore batteries in and around r u i n s i t r e m a i n e d a k e y injured. A day later two air bursts Wonsan fired hundreds of rounds transportation hub for communists landed 200 yards from the Prichett primarily against Hwangto-do and forced, which gave UN forces the and on March 30 and March 31, the Yo-do. The operation lasted until incentive for continuing blockade Prichett evaded thirty-five more May and less sporadically thereafter. duties. Because of the constant enemy shots without damage. Eight It was also a failure, UN intelligence threat of amphibious assault, days of combined naval and air estimated that ninety percent of the approximately 30,000 North Korean operations then started against the North Korean shore batteries were soldiers and 6,000 civilians were defenses of Wonsan. TF-77 aircraft active against friendly islands rather pinned down and therefore could not pounded the city but the results were than the blockading fleet, though be used at the frontline. negligible. On April 2, USS Los throughout the bombardments, Angeles received another hit by which occurred almost on a daily On March 5, during a heavy UN Wonsan shore batteries. This time basis, only four friendlies were bombardment in Wonsan Harbor, there was only minor structural killed and fifteen wounded. During USS Missouri was challenged by damage to the mainmast though the operation, UN ships constantly five rounds of 105-millimeter shore thirteen men were injured. Fourteen responded with counter battery fire. battery fire. Missouri was not hit others, who were wearing body and she hastily silenced the battery. On February 9 and February 10, a armor, were also hit but not Five days later the Missouri wounded. maximum effort strike by American received fifteen more rounds of 75- naval aircraft was conducted against millimeter to 155-millimeter cannon The North Korean batteries targeted supply concentrations and transport fire while bombarding the city. The naval vessels on April 5, USS targets from Wonsan through American ship escaped damage Maddox received six rounds of 75- Songjin to Chongjin and Hoeryong. again, the nearest shot landing 500 millimeter while ROKN AMS-515 USS Philippine Sea, USS Oriskany yards off. USS Merganser was also avoided fifty shots of 105- and USS Kearsarge participated in engaged with the nearest shot millimeter fire, neither of the ships the operations which caused splashing harmlessly 200 yards from were struck. Two days later on April extensive damage to the communists her. 7, the communists again targeted the logistics system. As part of the blockading ships but without results. communist bombardment in the On March 18, 1953, USS Los USS Los Angeles and USS McCord Wonsan area, enemy shells killed Angeles was carrying out evaded two rounds, the enemy also two men on February 14, including bombardment duties at Wonsan continued their bombardment of an American marine, and wounded when two air bursts and one surface friendly islands off Wonsan. On nine others in the most successful round landed near the ship. On April 8, at least sixty-four shots North Korean artillery attack against March 22, during another heavy were fired at the fleet and a couple UN land forces. A command post on bombardment, two 90-millimeter air days after, USS Eversole and the Yo-do was also damaged, one bursts and two 105-millimeter Los Angeles engaged in a duel with DUKN was destroyed and two other rounds landed near the Missouri but shore batteries. sustained damaged to their hulls. An she was undamaged. USS Prichett a i d s t a t i o n , t w o t e n t s a n d and the Waxbill also received fire

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On April 16, the Maddox was hit to 105-millimeter rounds at the USS came under fire on the following with one shot out of 156 fired at her J a m e s C . O w e n s a n d U S S day, along with the friendly islands during a forty-minute action against Henderson, no damage or casualties of Wonsan Harbor. USS Bremerton a ten-gun battery. The shot, a 76- were reported. The James C. Owens engaged in a heavy gun strike millimeter, hit port side on the main was attacked on April 25 though against enemy batteries eighteen deck, tearing a sixteen inch hole and again there was no damage rounds of 76-millimeter to 105- wounding three men. Maddox sustained. On April 29, as the millimeter shells flew by. One near responded with counter fire but bombardment of UN held island miss minorly wounded two men and failed to silence the hostile guns. continued, a HU-1 helicopter the ship received superficial damage USS Shelton was fired at three times received fourteen rounds of VT topside. USS Samuel N. Moore was on April 17. April 19 was a lively fuzed enemy shells while on a mine hit by a 90-millimeter shell on May day during the Blockade of Wonsan. reconnaissance flight over Wonsan 8 but it did no significant damage. Twenty-five rounds from 105- Harbor. The aircraft was not The round starboard side just above millimeter guns were fired at the damaged but the encounter told the the waterline. The same battery fired Eversole but as was typical, the Americans that another new type of at USS Brush, sixty-four total. North Koreans did not strike the weapon was being used by North ship. USS Curlew also received Korean forces. USS Gurke also Allied air strike against Yo-do island three shots and another forty-one at avoided six enemy shells that day. On May 15, TF-77 aircraft attacked the New Jersey and USS Renshaw. April 1953 was reported by the an airfield on Yo-do island while The only ship damaged in action American ships silenced the that day was the USS James E. United States Navy as being the height of the three-year battle with batteries on the islands. USS Brush Kyes. One 155-millimeter round, was also hit in the mount that day, out of sixty, tore a three foot hole enemy forces firing over 2,000 artillery rounds in defiance of the making it inoperable, and nine men through the Kyes, wounding four were wounded, four seriously. The men in the process, one seriously. blockade alone, and over 1,000 more at the friendly guerrilla held battleship New Jersey was fired at North Korean bombardment of UN islands. Usually the was average on May 27 but her 16-inch guns held islands was about 500 rounds a month. quickly put an end to it, meanwhile N o r t h K o r e a n s t r o o p s a l s o the islands were still receiving their On April 22, the North Korean constructed hidden batteries on Ho- daily barrage which continued in bombardment of UN held islands d o P a n - d o , t h e A m e r i c a n s June. heavy gun strikes also continued, with dozens of rounds bombarded them with 5-inch guns continued, the communists resisted b e i n g f i r e d e a c h d a y, U S S without effect. Because of this, UN every UN attack but very few hits Manchester also sustained slight naval forces were ordered to stay were made. On June 3, Wonsan superficial damage from a battery. out of the area in daylight until the shore batteries fifteen 105- Between 2:30 and 4:00 pm on April weapons could be destroyed by millimeter shells at the USS John A. 23, the island of Tee-do was under cruisers and battleships or naval Bole and USS Lofberg but no intense enemy fire from gun aircraft. damage occurred. The guns were positions on Kalma Pan-do. Five silenced by return fire. marines were wounded, including Mine warfare also increased during one American. USS Henderson the month of April, after months of USS LSMR-409 was hit on June 4, provided counter fire while USS finding nothing, thirty-two new causing moderate damage to the Owen took aboard the casualties. mines were found in Wonsan messing compartment and the radio During the mission, Henderson and Harbor. On May 2 the hidden guns room, and resulting in five men Owen were fired on so they made two hits and two near misses wounded. The enemy fired thirty withdrew and TF-77 aircraft took each on the USS Maddox and USS rounds of 76-millimeter fire before over by bombing the area. Owen, both ships received slight being silenced by over 200 rockets d a m a g e a n d t h e r e w e r e n o from the LSMR. USS PC-706 On the next day, Wonsan guns fired casualties. Over two hundred shells destroyed five North Korean fishing around 100 rounds of 76-millimeter were fired by the enemy. The Gurke boats on the beach at the northern

15 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 end of Ho-do Pan-do. The weather fatal, and she received forty-five friendly islands until July 23 when was very foggy and sure enough r o u n d s o f d i ff e r e n t c a l i b e r the Saint Paul drew twelve rounds Typhoon Judy was announced the altogether. The destroyer was of 155-millimeter fire and all of the following morning which hampered moderately damaged. Thirty-six shots splashed in the water ten to TF-77's operations for three days. shells were fired at the Saint Paul fifty yards from the ship. On July 27 The Lofberg and the John A. Bole but she was not hit. the Saint Paul fired the last were attacked on June 8 by batteries American shots of the battle against but it was another inconclusive A small surface engagement shore batteries. With the signing of contact. Bole spent the next day occurred the same day. An armed an armistice, the fighting came to an bombarding enemy guns. On June South Korean Army intelligence end after 861 days of action. 11, the USS Wiltsie received an boat encountered a North Korean estimated forty-five rounds of 105- thirty foot patrol boat and for ten Aftermath minutes the vessels fought until the millimeter fire. The vessel was hit United Nations ships at Wonsan one time on the starboard side of her North Koreans withdrew under cover of a battery. The patrol boat achieved a significant goal by main deck but was still completely maintaining a blockade against operational. Shrapnel caused a lot of had a speed of twenty knots, carried hostile territory for so long. UN damage and a four-inch hole in the a radio and was armed with rocket launchers, machine guns and the naval forces inflicted heavy deck. No casualties were inflicted casualties on the North Korean on American forces. crew carried various small arms. On June 19 the Rowan and the forces while sustaining Three days after this incident the Bremerton were fired on but no hits comparatively few casualties of USS Bremerton, USS Lofberg and resulted. their own. The North Korean USS John A. Bole exchanged fire artillerymen who defended Wonsan with the batteries, several guns were USS Manchester was conducting a were mostly ineffective, thousands destroyed and there were no friendly heavy bombardment of Wonsan on of dollars worth of artillery shells casualties. The Lofberg, the Bole or about July 3 when fragments were wasted. Wonsan was destroyed and the USS Current received 110 from a near miss put a two inch hole and remained so for years after the rounds of fire on the next day in the after stack and through the war, but due to its location, it was without effect. Shore batteries on door of a powder room, no one was eventually rebuilt and is still an Ho-do Pan-do were increasingly hurt though. On July 7, enemy important strategic point. g u n n e r s o n H o - d o P a n - d o menacing the allied blockade, Editor’s Note: concentrated fire was directed concentrated their on the blockade. against destroyers in Wonsan Harbor Over 300 rounds of 76-millimeter to Our shipmate, Dick Brusky, related on June 17. USS Irwin and USS 122-millimeter fire landed near the to me that Bristol took part in Rowan re-escaped to seventy-five USS Lofberg, USS Thomason and gunfire support as allied troops founds and the Henderson avoided USS Hamner. Thomason suffered withdrew to Wonsan. US carrier another seventy-five, the nearest holes and dents topside due to air based aircraft strafed and conducted landing ten yards from the burst straddles but there were no bombing runs on the approaching Henderson. casualties. The Americans returned Chinese Army. One of those aircraft 880 rounds of counter battery fire was disabled by ground fire and the The Irwin and the Rowan would before the action ended. pilot had to ditch. The downed pilot fight another battle the following A few days after, enemy artillery was rescued and dropped off on the day. In it the North Koreans scored fantail of Bristol. their most number of hits in one fired forty-eight rounds of 76- engagement. USS Irwin was hit by millimeter to 105-millimeter shells Bristol’s CO would not return pilot one round from Kalmagak and it at USS Saint Paul and scored a hit to his carrier without first getting tore a three foot hole in the main on a gun mount. Two guns were many gallons of ice cream for deck. Five American sailors were damaged but nobody was wounded. Bristol crew. Carrier CO complied wounded. The Rowan suffered five For the next several days the North and pilot returned to his carrier ./// hits and ten casualties, none of them Koreans focused on attacking

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Destroyer Challenges the Chinese and U.S. allies in the region. China Claims During 2016, analysts have The destroyer Decatur marked a significant conducted a close patrol increase in U.S. presence in 21 OCT of the disputed the South China Sea, Paracel Islands, a move though the Navy has been that challenges China’s diligent about calling the claimed dominion over the patrols routine. South China Sea islands, according to two U.S. During a July visit to officials familiar with the China’s North Sea Fleet action. Headquarters in Qingdao, China, the Navy’s top The patrol did not cross the officer said the U.S. would 12mile territorial limit of continue its patrols in the any of the features, but was region. intended to challenge claims in the Paracels, one “The U.S. Navy will official said claims the continue to conduct routine U.S. and neighboring and lawful operations countries have called a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , excessive. including in the South In the past, officials have said China Sea, in order to protect the that such patrols are not solely rights, freedoms and lawful uses of The patrol comes amid tensions directed at China, but are as Beijing doubles down on its sea and airspace guaranteed to all challenges to the excessive claims of this will not change,” said Adm. claims to control most of the all parties. The Paracel Islands are South China Sea and the land John Richardson, chief of naval claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam and operations. features that pepper the 1.4 million China square mile body of water. Tensions around the Paracel Islands Navy Times first reported in July spiked earlier in the week when The distance of the patrol is that U.S. destroyers have been significant because if the ship China confirmed it had stationed patrolled within 12 miles, the Navy troops on Woody Island, where would handle it as a freedom of it has already built an airstrip, navigation operation that asserts according to a UPI report. U.S. rights to freely operate in China claims control of most waters claimed by other of the 69South China Sea, and countries. has sought to bolster those claims by building manmade Those operations need to be islands atop reefs and shoals in approved at the highest levels. the Spratly Islands chain. It's unclear whether the U.S. Those claims were views this patrol as a freedom of invalidated by a ruling in navigation operation. the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, "USS Decatur (DDG 73) which said China could not conducted this transit in a create territorial rights by routine, lawful manner without building islands on reefs and ship escorts and without incident sandbars. on Oct. 21," said Defense Department spokesman Cmdr. China rejected the court’s Gary Ross. "The United States ruling, saying that it did not conducts these routine operations regularly patrolling China’s claims have jurisdiction because of on a regular basis around the in the Spratly Islands and in the prior agreements with the involved world, in full compliance with Paracels. Experts called it a show parties to negotiate bilaterally. international law." of force that signals resolve to [Source: Navy Times David B. Larter | October 21, 2016}]

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William "Bill" Crawford work, moving about with stooped moments and then quietly uttered was an unimpressive figure, one you shoulders, a quiet gait, and an something like, "Yep, that's me." could easily overlook during a averted gaze. If he noticed the hustle hectic day at the U.S. Air Force and bustle of cadet life around him, Mouths agape, my roommate and I Academy. Mr. Crawford, as most of it was hard to tell. For whatever looked at one another, then at the us referred to him back in the late reason, Bill blended into the book, and quickly back at our 1970s, was our Squadron janitor. woodwork and became just another janitor. Almost at once, we both fixture around the Squadron. The stuttered, "Why didn't you ever tell !While we Cadets busied ourselves Academy, one of our nation's us about it?" He slowly replied after preparing for academic exams, premier leadership laboratories, kept some thought, "That was one day in athletic events, Saturday morning us busy from dawn till dusk. And my life and it happened a long time parades, and room inspection, or Mr. Crawford...well, he was just a ago." I guess we were all at a loss never ending leadership classes-Bill janitor. for words after that. We had to hurry quietly moved about the squadron off to class and Bill, well, he had mopping and buffing floors, That changed one fall Saturday chores to attend to. emptying trash cans, cleaning afternoon in 1976. I was reading a toilets, or just tidying up the mess book about World War II and the After that brief exchange, things 100 college-age kids can leave in a tough Allied ground campaign in were never again the same around dormitory. Italy, when I stumbled across an our squadron. Word spread like incredible story. wildfire among the Cadets that we Sadly, and for many years, few of us had a hero in our midst - Mr. gave him much notice, rendering On September 13, 1943, a Pvt. Crawford, our janitor, had been little more than a passing nod or William Crawford from Colorado, bestowed The Medal! Cadets who throwing a curt, "G'morning!" in his assigned to the 36th Infantry had once passed by Bill with hardly direction as we hurried off to our Division, had been involved in some a glance, now greeted him with a daily duties. Why? Perhaps it was bloody fighting on Hill 424 near smile and a respectful, "Good because of the way he did his job - Altavilla, Italy. morning, Mr. Crawford." he always kept the squadron area spotlessly clean, even the toilets and "William Crawford's Medal of Those who had before left a mess showers gleamed. Frankly, he did Honor Citation." for the "janitor" to clean up, started his job so well, none of us had to taking it upon themselves to put notice or get involved. After all, The words on the page leapt out at things in order. cleaning toilets was his job, not me, "in the face of intense and ours. overwhelming hostile fire... with no Cadets routinely stopped to talk to regard for personal safety... on his Bill throughout the day and we even M a y b e i t w a s h i s p h y s i c a l own initiative, Private Crawford began inviting him to our formal appearance that made him disappear single-handedly attacked fortified Squadron functions. He'd show up into the background. Bill didn't enemy positions." It continued, "For dressed in a conservative dark suit move very quickly, and in fact, you c o n s p i c u o u s g a l l a n t r y a n d and quietly talk to those who could say he even shuffled a bit, as intrepidity at risk of life above and approached him, the only sign of his if he suffered from some sort of beyond the call of duty, the heroics being a simple blue, star- injury. His gray hair and wrinkled President of the United States..." spangled lapel pin. Almost face made him appear ancient to a overnight, Bill went from being a group of young cadets. "Holy cow," I said to my roommate, simple fixture in our Squadron to And his crooked smile, well, it "you're not going to believe this, but one of our teammates. looked a little funny. Face it, Bill I think our janitor is a Medal of was an old man working in a young Honor recipient." We all knew Mr. Mr. Crawford changed too, but you person's world. What did he have to Crawford was a World War II Army had to look closely to notice the offer us on a personal level? vet, but that didn't keep my friend difference. After that fall day in from looking at me as if I was some 1976, he seemed to move with more Maybe it was Mr. Crawford's sort of alien being. Nonetheless, we purpose, his shoulders didn't seem to personality that rendered him almost couldn't wait to ask Bill about the be as stooped, he met our greetings invisible to the young people around story. with a direct gaze and a stronger him. Bill was shy, almost painfully "good morning" in return, and he so. He seldom spoke to a Cadet We met Mr. Crawford bright and flashed his crooked smile more unless they addressed him first, and early Monday and showed him the often. The Squadron gleamed as that didn't happen very often. Our page in question from the book, always, but everyone now seemed to janitor always buried himself in his anticipation and doubt on our faces. notice it more. Bill even got to know He stared at it for a few silent most of us by our first names,

18 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 something that didn't happen often team. When our daily words to Mr. 8.) No Job is Beneath a Leader. If at the Academy. While no one ever Crawford turned from perfunctory Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor formally acknowledged the change, "hellos" to heartfelt greetings, his recipient, could clean latrines and I think we became Bill's Cadets and demeanor and personality outwardly smile, is there a job beneath your his Squadron. changed. It made a difference for all dignity? Think about it. of us. As often happens in life, events 9.) Pursue Excellence. No matter sweep us away from those in our 4.) Take Time to Know Your People. what task life hands you, do it well. past. The last time I saw Bill was on Life in the military is hectic, but Dr. Martin Luther King said, "If life graduation day in June 1977. As I that's no excuse for not knowing the makes you a street sweeper, be the walked out of the Squadron for the people you work for and with. For best street sweeper you can be." Mr. last time, he shook my hand and years a hero walked among us at the Crawford modeled that philosophy simply said, "Good luck, young Academy and we never knew it. and helped make our dormitory area man." With that, I embarked on a Who are the heroes that walk in a home. career that has been truly lucky and your midst? blessed. 10.) Life is a Leadership Laboratory. 5.) Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. All too often we look to some Mr. Crawford continued to work at Crawford certainly didn't fit school or class to teach us about the Academy and eventually retired anyone's standard definition of a leadership when, in fact, life is a in his native Colorado, one of four hero. Moreover, he was just a leadership laboratory. Those you Medal of Honor recipients who private on the day he earned his meet every day will teach you lived in the small town of Pueblo. Medal. Don't sell your people short, enduring lessons if you just take A wise person once said, "It's not for any one of them may be the hero time to stop, look, and listen. I spent life that's important, but those you who rises to the occasion when duty four years at the Air Force Academy, meet along the way that make the calls. On the other hand, it's easy to took dozens of classes, read difference." Bill was one who made turn to your proven performers hundreds of books, and met a difference for me. Bill Crawford, when the chips are down, but don't thousands of great people. I gleaned our janitor, taught me many ignore the rest of the team. Today's leadership skills from all of them, valuable, unforgettable leadership rookie could and should be but one of the people I remember lessons, and I think of him often. tomorrow's superstar. most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Here are ten I'd like to share: 6.) Leaders Should Be Humble. Don't miss your opportunity to 1.) Be Cautious of Labels. Labels Most modern day heroes, and some learn. you place on people may define leaders, are anything but humble, your relationship to them and bind especially if you calibrate your Bill Crawford was a janitor. their potential. Sadly, and for a long "hero meter" on today's athletic However, he was also a teacher, time, we labeled Bill as just a fields. End zone celebrations and friend, role model, and one great janitor, but he was so much more. self-aggrandizement are what we've American hero. He passed away on Therefore, be cautious of a leader come to expect from sports greats. Mar. 15, 2000 and was buried on the who callously says, "Hey, he's just Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy grounds of the U.S. Air Force an Airman." Likewise, don't tolerate working to celebrate his past Academy in Colorado Springs, the O-1, who says, "I can't do that, heroics. Leaders would be well Colorado. I'm just a Lieutenant." served to do the same. 2.) Everyone Deserves Respect. For more on the life of Bill Because we hung the "janitor" label 7.) Life Won't Always Hand You Crawford and the action that earned on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly What You Think You Deserve. We him his Medal of Honor, please go treated him with less respect than in the military work hard and, dang t h e f o l l o w i n g s i t e : http:// others. He deserved much more, and it, we deserve recognition, right? homeofheroes.com/profiles/ not just because he was received the However, sometimes you just have profiles_crawford2.html Medal of Honor. Bill deserved to persevere, even when accolades respect because he was a janitor, don't come your way. Perhaps you ……………………………… walked among us, and was a part of weren't nominated for junior officer our team. or airman of the quarter as you thought you should - don't let that Take United 93 Down! 3.) Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be stop you. Don't pursue glory; pursue courteous to all around you, excellence. Private Bill Crawford U.S. Air Force Lt. Heather "Lucky" regardless of rank or position. didn't pursue glory - he did his duty Penney was a rookie in the fall of Military customs, as well as and then swept floors for a living. 2001, the first female F-16 pilot ever common courtesies, help bond a at the 121st Fighter Squadron of the

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District of Columbia Air National He planned to strike the plane's took them over the Pentagon, still Guard 113th Wing located at Joint cockpit. Without batting an eye, the billowing smoke as service Base Andrews, Camp Springs, petite, blonde, 25-year old Penney, members and employees and rescue Maryland. She had grown up one of the Air Force's first female personnel desperately worked to smelling jet fuel, as her father, fighter pilots - and who had never contain the blaze and save lives. retired U.S. Air Force Col. John "scrambled" a jet fighter before - Penney, was a veteran air racer who replied, "I'll take [down] the tail." What she and Sasseville didn't know flew jets in Vietnam and was a flight it at the time, Flight 93 had already captain with United Airlines at the "We wouldn't be shooting it down - crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. time. She got her pilot's license we would be ramming the aircraft, She didn't have to take out an when she was a literature major at because we didn't have weapons on airliner full of innocent civilians, the Purdue. She planned to be a teacher. board," Penney said in an interview hostages on board were willing to But during a graduate program in with the Washington Post. She do just what the two Guard pilots American studies, Congress opened added, "I gave some thought to had been willing to do: give their air combat aviation to women and whether I would have time to eject, lives for their country. Penney was nearly first in line. "I but I had to be sure. You only get signed up immediately," Penney one chance. You don't want to eject Her mission soon changed to says. "I wanted to be a fighter pilot and then miss. You have to stick helping clear and establish a like my dad." with it the whole way." defensive cap over Washington's airspace and escorting Air Force On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, Penny What made her mission more One, with then-President George W. and others from her squadron had terrifying was her knowledge that Bush aboard, to Andrews Air Force just finished two weeks of air her father was a flight captain for Base. combat training in Nevada. They United Airlines at the time, flying an were sitting at a briefing table when East Coast rotation that could have Their lives were spared, but many someone looked in to say a plane included Flight 93. It turns out that were lost, including that of a family had hit the World Trade Center. her father had been piloting United friend. When it happened once, they 93 earlier in the day but had gotten assumed it was some yahoo in a off at Boston, something she had no One of John Penney's best work Cesna. Word slowly filtered in that it way of knowing at the time. buddies and cubicle mate back at was not a small private plane, but United's pilot training center, two commercial airplanes that had On that cool, clear morning, Penney Captain Jason Dahl, was the pilot of slammed into the Twin Towers in jammed the throttle of her unarmed United 93 that fateful morning. New York; then, that a third plane F-16 fighter jet at Andrews Air had flown into the Pentagon; and F o r c e B a s e i n t o a r o a r i n g Had the passengers of that plane not finally, that a fourth plane, United "scramble" takeoff, skipping the overcome the terrorists and taken it Airlines Flight 93, was heading normal half-hour pre-flight, down in a field outside Shanksville, toward Washington, D.C. to knowing that if her mission was Pennsylvania, "Lucky" would have possibly take out the Congress or successful, she would not be coming died killing one of her father's the White House. back. closest friends, among others.

Penney and her commanding officer, But none of her thousands of hours "It would have been utterly Col. Marc Sasseville, were ordered in the air quite compared with the devastating for my wife and me," to stop United Airlines Flight 93 urgent rush of launching on what John Penney told the Post. "With from reaching the nation's capital was meant to be a one-way flight to Jason on the plane, it would have and hitting its intended target. But a midair collision. been an additional level of grief. But there was no time to arm their there were thousands of families that F-16s, which had only dummy "It was so surreal because the air learned about the loss of their loved training ammo on board - no space was so quiet," she recalled. "I ones that day." incendiary high-explosive bullets really didn't have much emotion or and no missiles. They were flying time to reflect that day because I When Lt. "Lucky" Penney thinks the only missiles they had. was focused on getting the job done, about her role on Sept. 11 and how She and Col. Marc Sasseville made but there was significant adrenalin." it will be remembered, she said she a desperate pact - they would be She muttered a fighter pilot's prayer hoped media attention on the attacks kamikaze pilots, on a suicide - "God, don't let me f**k up" - and won't make Americans fearful of the mission, to stop Flight 93 from followed her commander into the future. hitting Washington at any cost. sky under full military take-off power, afterburners scorching their "We saw so much of the best of trail. Their flight path from Andrews ourselves come out that day, with

20 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 strangers helping strangers and who served in USS Rogers Blood The author organizes the numerous many courageous acts," she said. APD 115. eyewitness accounts into six "We remembered something more chapters that cover each aspect of important than ourselves, and that In the Philippines, Luce got the the kamikaze attack and its was the community to which we nickname of Lucky Luce as she aftermath. The chapters describe the belonged." survived Japanese air attacks and planes circling, the actual attack, the shot down three enemy aircraft in carnage, abandoning ship, time in In the time since that clear blue January 1945. However, Luce's luck the water, and the rescue. These morning, Penney said, "I've come to did not continue long since from chapters contain less than a handful realize that heroism isn't something April 1, 1945, she was assigned to of specific times and few references unique or possessed by only a various radar picket stations to what happened to other ships at chosen few. That courage is there surrounding Okinawa to protect the the same radar picket station [2]. inside of each and every one of us. main American fleet. During Despite the many years that passed In the normal, perfectly average breakfast on May 4, 1945, radar between the sinking of Luce and the people that helped each other in the detected about 90 enemy planes interviews for this book, the moments before the towers fell. The approaching from the north about survivors graphically describe what first responders. Neighbors and 100 miles out. American fighter happened. Orville Hiles describes strangers coming together and planes picked off some of them, but what happened to him when one of lifting each other up. Those who two Luce surviving crewmen the kamikaze planes exploded (p. sacrificed to undertake the remember hearing a report through 133): dangerous and difficult task of their earphones that 28 Japanese cleaning up and rebuilding. How, in aircraft were circling Radar Picket Next thing I knew, I was standing on defiance of those who would Station No. 12, where the destroyer my head in the corner of the turret, threaten our way of life, how we all Luce and four other smaller ships in the safety net, and my clothes got up that next morning and went prepared for battle [1]. were all burned off. I only had about on." a six inch strip around my belt with The first kamikaze plane to damage my keys, and the rest, I think, was Penney, a single mother of two girls, Luce nearly hit the bridge and basically nude, with the exception of works at Lockheed Martin as a splashed off the starboard side. The my life jacket, which was burning. I director in the F-35 program. She is plane's bomb that exploded on threw that right off. Suffering from now a major and no longer a combat impact knocked out much of the burns, I wandered towards the flier. She flew two tours in Iraq and ship's electrical system and caused wardroom to get some medical she serves as a part-time National some casualties from the shrapnel. attention. Guard pilot, mostly hauling VIPs After that, the crew's accounts of the around in a military Gulfstream number and types of planes that hit Cliff Jones tells of a gruesome shark (C-38), pursuing a second master's Luce become somewhat attack that he witnessed (pp. 160-1): degree. inconsistent. Surels tries to summarize the several stories that As I was helping a man get aboard "The real heroes are the passengers contain quite a few discrepancies (p. one of the little ships, two long grey on Flight 93 who were willing to 127): shapes quickly went under me sacrifice themselves. I was just an through the water, about ten or accidental witness to history." In less than a minute after the first twelve feet down. They were sharks, -Heather "Lucky" Penney plane splashed off the starboard going for our barber—I can't recall bow, at least two other planes had his name—and while he had his life …………………………………….. simultaneously hit the aft section, jacket on, he was bleeding. He was and possibly a third crashed close to swimming toward the ship when Heroes Meet After WWII midships on the port side. . . . One of those two sharks got him. It was an the planes that hit, in all probability, awful, bloody mess as they chopped carried a bomb which blew up in the him and pulled him under. He I attended a veterans affair hosted by aft magazine, the combined disappeared. I never wanted to go a local long term care facility and explosion of the ammunition and the into the ocean again. The fear of the Leisure Knoll (Manchester, NJ) bomb blowing out a section of the sharks was imbedded in me. Veterans Club. The highlight of the bottom of the ship, thereby giving it affair was the introduction of two of the coup de grace, as the ship had In contrast to F. Julian Becton's Leisure Knoll’s residents who probably already started to sink history of the destroyer Laffey, served in the navy during WWII. because of the damage caused by which gives the captain's Nick Velardi served in the USS Luce the first plane which splashed close perspective, this history of the DD 522, and Anthony Marchitelli to the ship and exploded. destroyer Luce presents the feelings and experiences of various surviving

21 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 officers and crewmen. The Epilogue USS General John Pope (AP-110) On 20 November 1966 the first describes the annual Luce reunions was a troop transport that served elements of the 199th Light Infantry that started in 1985 and that allowed with the United States Navy in Brigade departed the Oakland Army survivors to share their feelings that World War II. After the war she was Base on the General Daniel I. many had buried for several transferred to the Army and Sultan. Two days later, on 22 decades. J.C. Phillips, who had been redesignated USAT General John November 1966, the General John making breakfast for the crew when Pope. She later served in the Korean Pope departed Oakland Army Base i n t e r r u p t e d b y a p p r o a c h i n g and Vietnam Wars as a civilian- with the second of two elements of kamikaze planes, was able to make manned Military Sea Transportation the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, breakfast again for the survivors at Service vessel, as USNS General elements of the 1st and 2nd the 1988 reunion aboard the John Pope (T-AP-110). Brigades of the 9th Infantry museum ship USS Kidd, a destroyer Division, and the 58th Field Depot. of the same class as USS Luce. General John Pope was launched On 12 December 1966, the 199th under a Maritime Commission Light Infantry Brigade and 9th Before Luce sank, requests for contract 21 March 1943 by the Infantry Division disembarked the assistance had been broadcast and Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock General John Pope in Vung Tau, the radioman, “Tony” Marchitelli, Company of Kearny, New Jersey; South Vietnam. Three days later, on aboard Roger Blood APD 115, acquired by the Navy 2 July 1943; 15 December 1966 the 58th Field received those distress calls. Roger placed in ferry commission the same Depot disembarked the General Blood rescued the survivors of the day for transfer to Baltimore for John Pope at Qui Nhon. Luce sinking. As it turns out Nick conversion to a transport by and Tony met each other many years Maryland Drydock Company, and In early January 1967, the General later in Leisure Knoll. Heroes commissioned in full 5 August John Pope returned to San Francisco among us. 1943, Captain George D. Lyon in Bay. On 8 January 1967, she command. departed Oakland Army Base with …………………………………….. the remaining elements of the 9th General John Pope reactivated 17 Infantry Division to South Vietnam, Buddy Trampler, WWII, August 1965 to serve again as a disembarking the units at Vung Tau civilian-manned ship of MSTS, on 30 January 1967. In April 1967, 11th Airborne operating from San Francisco. From she transported the 589th Engineer 1965 through 1970, she transported Battalion to Qui Nhon from At the same veterans event, Buddy troops to bases in the Pacific and Far Oakland. On 7 July 1967, the Trampler, aged 92 who looks like a East, supporting the anti-communist General John Pope departed U.S. man in his 60s, served in the 11th struggle in Vietnam. During three Naval Base San Diego, transporting Airborne during WWII. consecutive months, November and elements of the U.S. Army 244th December 1966, and January 1967, Av i a t i o n C o m p a n y ( a e r i a l Buddy told the story of a combat the General John Pope, along with surveillance), elements of D jump where one of the parachutists’ the USNS General Daniel I. Sultan, Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th parachute did not open but transported U.S. military troops to Infantry Regiment (C Packet), and “streamed”. Buddy explained that Southeast Asia. elements of the 3rd Marines, 9th the decent is very quiet. During this Marine Regiment. On 21 July 1967, jump, Buddy heard other members On 6 June 1966, elements of the she arrived in Okinawa to disembark of his “stick” yelling, “streamer, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment partial elements of the 3rd Marine streamer”. boarded the General John Pope at Regiment. She arrived at Vung Tau Oakland Army Base. Eighteen days on 29 July 1967 to disembark the Looking up Buddy saw the streamer later on 24 June 1966, the 503rd PIR 244th Aviation Company and the and was able to maneuver his chute disembarked at Vung Tau, South 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry close enough to grab the falling Vietnam. On 23 July 1966, elements Regiment. She sailed on to Da Nang soldier. They both made it to the of the 64th Transportation Company to disembark remaining elements of ground safely. Buddy never saw the boarded the General John Pope, and the 3rd Marines. other soldier again. That is heroism. departed from the Tacoma, Washington Outport Facility, On 1 September 1967, she departed …………………………………… arriving in Okinawa on 5 August Oakland Army Base with elements 1966. Departing Okinawa the of the 1st Battalion (Mechanized) 9th Infantry Division and following day, she disembarked the 50th Infantry, reaching Okinawa on 64th TC at Qui Nhon, South 18 September 1967. She departed the USS General John Pope Vietnam on 10 August 1966. Okinawa the following day and on (AP 110) 22 September 1967 disembarking the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry at

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Qui Nhon. On 1 November 1967, Upon arrival in Vietnam, the troops experience saw two passengers and the General John Pope again disembarked Pope via cargo nets one crewmember killed. departed Oakland Army Base with into landing craft as though it was elements of the 61st Assault an amphibious assault. The morning fog clung to the Helicopter Company, the 92nd surface of lower New York Bay. The Assault Helicopter Company, the The troops were just glad to be off sound of distant foghorns, seagulls 1 3 4 t h A s s a u l t H e l i c o p t e r that nightmare, USS General John cawing overhead, and buoy bells Company,§ The third packet of the Pope. My brother-in-law told me clanging in the damp air broke the 221st Signal Company(Pictorial) that within a month the battalion silence. Slowly standing upriver and the 45th Military Intelligence commander was killed in action. from the Verrazano Narrows came Detachment, arriving in Okinawa on You don’t have to earn the Medal of the great white liner. As her 17 November 1967 for a 24-hour Honor to be a hero. Surviving the apparition loomed larger out of the layover. Departing Okinawa the journey to a war zone is heroic shrouding mist it became apparent following day she arrived at Qui enough. that the ship had endured a beating Nhon, South Vietnam on 21 at the hand of the merciless North November 1967 and disembarked …………………………………….. Atlantic. the 61st Assault Helicopter Company. She then departed and April 1966 Atlantic Storm Her curved forecastle was buckled arrived at Cam Ranh Bay South back, deck railing and bulwarks Vietnam on Thanksgiving Day, 23 That Nearly Sank BRISTOL were torn away from the bow, November 1967 disembarking all window casings held makeshift units. The photo below shows the plywood shutters, and a huge white “greenies” this Italian cruise liner tarpaulin was strung mournfully Now what this history of the Pope experienced during that storm back across the forward facing expanse of doesn’t tell you is the 30 or son then. her broad superstructure to shield days those poor troopers of 9 ID did h e r v i s c e r a l while embarked on Pope. It took On April wounds from almost a month to reach Vietnam. 12, 1966 the eyes of Pope stopped in Pearl Harbor and the t h e w o r l d . other ports for refueling on the way. With her flag This little respite gave the troops a at half-mast, chance to get their land legs back for the the number of hours that they spent in port.

During much of the cruise, most of the troops were sea sick. The berthing compartments were crammed with troops who slept 5 high. The deck in the berthing compartments for the most part were covered with vomitus. The odor was horrendous.

Queuing for meals started in the morning. A troop may reach the mess line by lunch time. On most occasions, troopers endured other troopers vomiting on the mess tables next to them. Michelangelo was hit by a massive MICHELANGELO stoically Things were so bad aboard ship that storm in the mid-Atlantic, with steamed up the Hudson River two troopers from B Company, 2d waves up to 20 meters (65 ft) high, toward her pier at the foot of West B a t t a l i o n , 4 7 t h I n f a n t r y they hit the ship, breaking high over 50th Street. (Mechanized) jumped over board. the bridge and washing over the Efforts to rescue them failed. Their open decks. Then a wave so big, it BRISTOL endured similar seas bodies were never recovered. tore a large hole in the forward enroute from Brooklyn, NY, to San superstructure. Sadly, this violent Juan, Puerto Rico. I remember the Boatswains Mates securing the

23 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 midships passageway with 1” line in When BRISTOL reached Naval entrance to San Juan just opposite of a mesh fashion across the opening . Base San Juan, it was all hands to El Morro Castle. I secured the storerooms in the same get BRISTOL in some semblance of ………………………………... fashion where “stuff” may shift. sea worthy shape for the return trip. The “deck apes” worked furiously to Even cooks can be heroes While the MICHELANGELO replace tiles on the deck of the steamed from East to West, inboard passageway forward of BRISTOL steamed from North to midships. The snipes had their Sitting around the dining room table South. Which was worse, I can’t hands full getting the boilers back in just talking about stuff in general, I say. But, let me tell you about the action. As I remember, everyone asked “Pop Pop” if he had any heroes we had that dreadful night. had liberty before we left San Juan. stories about his experience in Captain William S Butler had the Now those are the guys you want in Vietnam. Here’s his response: “I Con. I don’t know who had the your lifeboat. was a cook in a base camp located helm and lee helm. Those guys near Long Binh, about 25 miles were great performing their tasks Here’s a photo of the motor north of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh and keeping us into the enormous whaleboat partially torn from its City. Every morning at 0400, I seas that terrible day and night. davits, which crashed into the deck would drive into Saigon and collect house. The little room where the the local civilian employees and BRISTOL got hit with a major bring them back to camp. These “greenie” that partially lifted employees consisted mostly of Mount 51 off the main deck. young women, but also a couple of Tons of water flooded the upper “papa sans”. and lower handling rooms below the gun mount. The Con The workers worked mainly in the realized that B R I S T O L scullery washing the pots and pans. was not rising as quickly as The papa sans were trying to teach before and ordered the Damage me Vietnamese. Of course, the only Control Party to investigate, thing they taught me were the dirty which they did. Repair One words. Whenever I used these found that the lower handling words to the young women, they room was flooded to the would yell back at me. “did papa overhead. They determined this san teach you?’” by tapping on the handling room bulkhead. In order to …………………………………… start the pumps, someone had to go into the handling room to Albert Weber TM2 “hit” the switch and get the pumps going. post office had been got wrecked. I snapped the photo above the Upon opening the access watertight morning after. Photo below taken door (WTD) in the Chief’s Quarters, night before arriving in San Juan sea water flooded the compartment. Photo above shows a freighter that With the pumps activated, Repair didn’t make it to San Juan and sank One secured the WTD. Now the on the sand bar at the mouth of the water in the compartment had to be eliminated. A bailing party bailed the sea water into the Chief’s head where it would drain over the side.

While all of this heroic work was going on, the poor snipes performed miracles so that we didn’t’t lose the load and founder. We took greenies down the forward stack, which knocked out, I believe at least one Honor Flight Honoree 5 boiler, if not two. How about the October 2016 guys in after steering. That’s not a Continued on page 25 fun place to be even in calm seas. I can only imagine how it must feel to be selected as an Honoree for the

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Honor Flight. Here are some of the photos of Al’s experience on his trip to Washington, DC:

Al and his escort in Oklahoma

Photo above: Welcoming home back in Oklahoma.

Photo left: Group photo of all the honorees

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A POEM 'Tho a Veteran died today. Who won for us the freedom When politicians leave this earth, That our country now enjoys. WORTH READING Their bodies lie in state, Should you find yourself in danger, While thousands note their passing, With your enemies at hand, He was getting old and paunchy And proclaim that they were great. Would you really want some cop- And his hair was falling fast, out, And he sat around the Legion, Papers tell of their life stories With his ever-waffling stand? Telling stories of the past. From the time that they were young, But the passing of a Veteran Or would you want a Veteran Of a war that he once fought in Goes unnoticed, and unsung. His home, his country, his kin, And the deeds that he had done, Just a common Veteran, In his exploits with his buddies; Is the greatest contribution Who would fight until the end. They were heroes, every one. To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise He was just a common Veteran, And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors And cons his fellow man? And his ranks are growing thin, His tales became a joke, But his presence should remind us All his buddies listened quietly Or the ordinary fellow We may need his likes again. For they knew where of he spoke. Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country For when countries are in conflict, But we'll hear his tales no longer, And offers up his life? We find the Veteran's part, For ol' Joe has passed away, Is to clean up all the troubles And the world's a little poorer The politician's stipend That the politicians start. For a Veteran died today. And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, If we cannot do him honor He won't be mourned by many, To the service that he gives. While he's here to hear the praise, Just his children and his wife. Then at least let's give him homage For he lived an ordinary, While the ordinary Veteran, At the ending of his days. Very quiet sort of life. Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal Perhaps just a simple headline He held a job and raised a family, And perhaps a pension, small. In the paper that might say: Going quietly on his way; "OUR COUNTRY IS IN And the world won't note his It is not the politicians MOURNING, passing, With their compromise and ploys, A VETERAN DIED TODAY." Contributed by Don Tanner

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POW/MIA Update 79 recovery. A Joint POW/MIA Addressing all ship personnel at Accounting Command (now a part Pearl Harbor, the Admiral advised, WWII of Defense POW/MIA Accounting "The female sleeping quarters will 1st Lt. Ben Barnes’ Agency, DPAA) investigation team be out-of-bounds for all males. Recovery Effort went to Germany in 2010 to conduct Anybody caught breaking this rule field research and interview an eye will be fined $20 the first time." witness to the crash. The witness led On Dec. 5, 1944, 1st Lt. Ben B investigators to the location of the He continued, " Anybody caught Barnes flew his P51aircraft as part wreckage, which was consistent breaking this rule the second time of the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th with records from German will be fined $50. Fighter Grouper on an escort investigators in the 1950s. With mission to Berlin, Germany, to this evidence in hand, DPAA Being caught a third time will cost protect U.S. bombers. He had brought a recovery team to the you a fine of $100. Are there any only been in the European theater site in 2015 to excavate. They questions?" of operations for less than six recovered two .50 caliber machines months when he took off that guns as well as possible human At this point, a seasoned old Master day. On the return flight,Barnes, remains, personal equipment and Chief from the engine room stood along with other aircraft in his material evidence. The serial up and inquired: "How much for a unit, encountered the enemy. His number on the machine guns season pass???" plane was last reported northeast of matched those on Barnes’ aircraft. Berlin over Eberswalde, Germany. With the use of mitochondrial Contributed by Marty Walsh At the time, the area where he DNA, as well as dental and …………………………………………. was last seen was a Russian anthropological analysis and occupied zone, making it circumstantial evidence, DPAA was Thurston Gaines, dies at 94 impossible for an American able to identify the remains as Graves Registration team to further Barnes’. His next of kin decided investigate. Because of this, Barnes One of the original Tuskegee to have his remains returned to Airmen, Dr. Thurston L. Gaines, Jr., was considered missing in action, Miller, South Dakota, his and later presumptively declared died in California Saturday. He was hometown, for permanent burial. 94. deceased. The political situation in On Oct. 15, 2016, nearly 72 years that area did not change after the after he took his last flight, Barnes Gaines, as one of World War II's war, still prohibiting the American was buried with full military government from searching for Tuskegee Airmen, was one of the honors. That same month, staff at United State's first black military Barnes’ remains. Unsure that he Cambridge American Cemetery in would ever be recovered, his name pilots. He flew a P-51 Mustang in Madingley, England, placed a 1945. was inscribed on the Walls of the 14 bronze rosette next to his name on Missing at Cambridge American the Wall of the Missing to denote In April 1945, Gaines was shot Cemetery, along with more than that he had been recovered, 5,000 other Americans. American down over Germany and captured. identified and accounted for. He was held in German prisons until Battle Monuments Commission Honoring Barnes did not end there; (ABMC) World War II cemeteries he was liberated in June of 1945 by The Martlesham Heath Aviation Gen. Patton's division. around the world include the names Society and Control Tower Museum of those considered missing in specifically honored him during action, lost or buried at sea. The Gaines received the Congressional t h e i r R e m e m b r a n c e S u n d a y Gold Medal from President George cemetery where the name is ceremony on Nov. 13, 2016. To this etched is based on the area W. Bush in 2007. He also received day, the local citizens consider it a the Purple Heart. where the individual went missing, duty to honor men such as Barnes, or near the airfield from which who were based out of Martlesham Gaines became a medical doctor as they flew. The U.S. government Airfield during the war. 1st Lt. Ben chose to do this as a permanent a civilian and worked as a surgeon Barnes’ name appears with a bronze for 17 years in New York. way to honor those that rest in rosette on the Wall of the Missing at unmarked graves. For more than Cambridge American Cemetery in 60 years, Barnes remained one of In retirement, Gaines lived in Sun M a d i n g l e y , E n g l a n d . City West and Litchfield Park before the many names on the wall one of …………………………………… more than 82,000 Americans from moving to California. World War II whose remains have The Department of the Navy is never been recovered. But in 2010 now assigning females to quarters in the Department of Defense had a a separate, private, OFF LIMITS lead they hoped would result in a area on all aircraft carriers...

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Lt. Gen. John Kelly, USMC, starting its seven-month combat Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq. tour. Two "The Last Six Second Marines, Corporal Jonathan Yale A few minutes later a large blue and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, truck turned down the alley way - This is an unbelievable story of 22 and 20 years old respectively, perhaps 60-70 yards in length, bravery that I thought you would one from each battalion, were and sped its way through the want to know of it. assuming the watch together at the serpentine of concrete jersey walls. entrance gate of an outpost that The truck stopped just short of If you'd like to know more about contained a makeshift where the two were posted and Trump's pick for Homeland barracks housing 50 Marines. The detonated, killing them both Security, USMC Gen. John Kelly, same broken down ramshackle catastrophically. Twenty-four brick please read the speech that he gave building was also home to 100 Iraqi masonry houses were damaged or just 4 days after he lost his son in police, also my men and our allies in destroyed. A mosque 100 yards combat. One can hardly conceive of the fight against the terrorists in away collapsed. The truck's engine the enormous grief held quietly Ramadi, a city until recently the came to rest two hundred yards within General Kelly as he spoke. most dangerous city on earth and away knocking most of a house Even if you do not want to know owned by Al Qaeda. Yale was a dirt down before it stopped. Our more about Trump?s pick, read it poor mixed-race kid from Virginia explosive experts reckoned the blast anyway, it?s about the few brave with a wife and daughter, and a was made of 2,000 pounds of who let the rest of us live free?and mother and sister who lived with explosives. Two died, and because then forward it to your friends. him and whom he supported as well. these two young infantrymen didn't He did this on a yearly salary of less have it in their DNA to run from "The Last Six Seconds" than $23,000. danger, they saved 150 of their Iraqi and American brothers-in-arms. On Nov 13, 2010, Lt General John Haerter, on the other hand, was a Kelly, USMC, gave a speech to the middle class white kid from Long When I read the situation report Semper Fi Society of St. Louis, MO. Island. They were from two about the incident a few hours after This was four days after his son, Lt completely different worlds. Had it happened I called the regimental Robert Kelly, USMC, was killed by they not joined the Marines they commander for details as something an IED while on his 3rd Combat would never have met each other, or about this struck me as different. tour. During his speech, General understood that multiple America's Marines dying or being seriously Kelly spoke about the dedication exist simultaneously depending on wounded is commonplace in and valor of our young men and one's race, education level, combat. We expect Marines women who step forward each and economic status, and where you regardless of rank or MOS to stand every day to protect us. might have been born. But they their ground and do their duty, and were Marines, combat Marines, even die in the process, if that is During the speech, he never forged in the same crucible of what the mission takes. But this just mentioned the loss of his own son. Marine training, and because of this seemed different. The regimental He closed the speech with the bond they were brothers as close, or commander had just returned from moving account of the last six closer, than if they were born of the the site and he agreed, but reported seconds in the lives of two young same woman. that there were no American Marines who died with rifles blazing witnesses to the event - just Iraqi to protect their brother Marines. The mission orders they received police. I figured if there was any from the sergeant squad leader I am chance of finding out what actually "I will leave you with a story about sure went something like, "Okay happened and then to decorate the the kind of people they are, about you two clowns, stand this post and two Marines to acknowledge their the quality of the steel in their let no unauthorized personnel or bravery, I'd have to do it as a combat backs, about the kind of dedication vehicles pass. You clear?" I am also award that requires two eye- they bring to our country while they sure Yale and Haerter then rolled witnesses and we figured the serve in uniform and forever after as their eyes and said in unison bureaucrats back in Washington veterans. Two years ago when I was something like, "Yes Sergeant," with would never buy Iraqi statements. If the Commander of all U.S. and Iraqi just enough attitude that made the it had any chance at all, it had to forces, in fact, the 22 ND of April point without saying the words, "No come under the signature of a 2 0 0 8 , t w o M a r i n e i n f a n t r y kidding, we know what we're general officer. battalions, 1/9 "The Walking Dead," doing." They then relieved two other and 2/8 were switching out in Marines on watch and took up their I traveled to Ramadi the next day Ramadi. One battalion in the closing post at the entry control point of and spoke individually to a half- days of their deployment going Joint Security Station Nasser, in the dozen Iraqi police all of whom home very soon, the other just Sophia section of

28 ussbristoldd857.org January 31, 2017 told the same story. The blue truck and gaining speed the whole time. Border Patrol, Coast Guardsmen, turned down into the alley and Here, the recording shows a number and Marines - to safeguard that gift immediately sped up as it made its of Iraqi police, some of whom had and guarantee no force on this way through the serpentine. They all fired their AKs, now scattering like earth can ever steal it away. said, "We knew immediately what the normal and rational men they was going on as soon as the two were -some running right past the It has been my distinct honor to Marines began firing." The Iraqi Marines. They had three seconds left have been with you here today. Rest police then related that some of to live. a s s u r e d o u r A m e r i c a , t h i s them also fired, and then to a man, experiment in democracy started ran for safety just prior to the For about two seconds more, the over two centuries ago, will forever explosion. All survived. Many were recording shows the Marines' remain the "land of the free and injured, some seriously. One of the weapons firing non-stop the truck's home of the brave" so long as we Iraqis elaborated and with tears windshield exploding into shards of never run out of tough young welling up said, "They'd run like glass as their rounds take it apart Americans who are willing to look any normal man would to save his and tore in to the body of the ( I beyond their own self-interest and life." "What he didn't know until deleted) who is trying to get past comfortable lives, and go into the then," he said, "And what he learned them to kill their brothers - darkest and most dangerous places that very instant, was that Marines American and Iraqi-bedded down in on earth to hunt down, and kill, are not normal." the barracks totally unaware of the those who would do us harm. fact that their lives at that moment Choking past the emotion he said, depended entirely on two Marines God Bless America , and SEMPER "Sir, in the name of God, no sane standing their ground. If they had FIDELIS !" man would have stood there and been aware, they would have known done what they did. No sane man. they were safe because two Marines They saved us all." What we didn't stood between them and a crazed know at the time, and only learned a suicide bomber. The recording couple of days later after I wrote a shows the truck careening to a stop summary and submitted both Yale immediately in front of the two and Haerter for posthumous Navy Marines. In all of the instantaneous Crosses, was that one of our security violence Yale and Haerter never cameras, damaged initially in the hesitated. By all reports and by the blast, recorded some of the suicide recording, they never stepped back. attack. It happened exactly as the They never even started to step Iraqis had described it. It took aside. They never even shifted their exactly six seconds from when the weight. With their feet spread truck entered the alley until it shoulder width apart, they leaned detonated. into the danger, firing as fast as they could work their weapons. They You can watch the last six seconds had only one second left to live. of their young lives. Putting myself in their heads I supposed it took The truck explodes. The camera about a second for the two Marines goes blank. Two young men go to to separately come to the same their God. Six seconds. Not enough conclusion about what was going on time to think about their families, once the truck came into their view their country, their flag, or about at the far end of the alley. Exactly no their lives or their deaths, but more time to talk it over, or call the than enough time for two very brave sergeant to ask what they should do. young men to do their duty into Only enough time to take half an eternity. That is the kind of people instant and think about what the who are on watch all over the world sergeant told them to do only a few tonight - for you. m i n u t e s b e f o r e , " L e t n o unauthorized personnel or vehicles We Marines believe that God gave pass." The two Marines had about America the greatest gift he could five seconds left to live. It took bestow to man while he lived maybe another two seconds for them on this earth - freedom. We also to present their weapons, take aim, believe he gave us another gift and open up. By this time the truck nearly as precious - our soldiers, was half-way through the barriers sailors, airmen, U S Customs and

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Charlie Weaver submitted this photo

Heroes among us: Diane Coleangelo, kneeling, donates her time, money, and equipment to support our disabled veterans who participate in Face Of America bicycle ride from DC to Gettysburg, PA.

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