Medal of Honor to be awarded for Korea

ZUI this article from the Maui News:

Family members of the late Anthony T. Kahoohanohano could not contain their excitement Wednesday when President Barack Obama signed a bill that included a provision to award the Medal of Honor to Kahoohanohano who died fighting in the Korean War in 1951.

It "feels great . . . like a big weight was lifted off our shoulders," said Madeline Kahoohanohano of Kahului, Anthony Kahoohanohano's sister-in-law.

*******

Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 on Wednesday in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The White House will determine where and when the award will be given, and those details have not been finalized, [US Senator Daniel] Akaka's staff said.

ZUI also this article from the Honolulul Star-Bulletin:

[Pfc] Kahoohanohano, from Maui, was 19 when he was killed Sept. 1, 1951, at Chupa-ri on the Korean peninsula. He was assigned to Company H, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and was in charge of a machine gun squad supporting another Army company when the enemy attacked.

The citation for his Distinguished Service Cross says, "Because of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, it was necessary for the friendly troops to execute a limited withdrawal."

Kahoohanohano's squad provided covering fire for the withdrawing forces. Wounded in the shoulder, Ka-hoohanohano "gathered a supply of grenades and ammunition and returned to his original position to face the enemy alone."

The enemy concentrated on Kahoohanohano's position, and when he ran out of ammunition, he continued to fight with a shovel. His stand inspired U.S. forces to launch a counterattack, the Army citation said.

The bodies of 13 enemy soldiers were found in Kahoohanohano's position. Two had been beaten to death with the shovel.

Update 1109 7 Aug 10: It's been over ten months since this was announced, but the medal has still not been presented.

Fat Cat (Robin Brande)

Long, long ago - spring of '71, or thereabouts - I stopped off at the bookstore on my home from school one Monday afternoon, as I so often did, and was pleasantly surprised to find new paperback editions of two books I'd enjoyed at the library: When Worlds Collide, by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer, and its sequel, After Worlds Collide. (Much better than the movie, of course!) Fortunately, I had a couple dollars in my pocket*, and was able to take them both home with me. I read When... that evening, and After... the next day. And then on Wednesday I reread After..., and on Thursday I reread When... - and I don't think I've ever read another book twice so close together.

Until a couple years ago, that is, when I read a book I liked so much that when I got to the bottom of the last page, I didn't even put the book down; I flipped straight back to the first page and read it again. That book was Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature, by Robin Brande, and I kept thinking that I really ought to write some sort of review of it, since I liked it so much. But I really, really hate writing book reviews, so....

Then last weekend the library's copy of Fat Cat, Brande's second book, finally arrived. I got it at once, expecting a good read, and wasn't disappointed.

The book begins, presumably, on the first day of school; at any rate, it's the first day of Special Topics in Research Science. Mr Fizer has a stack of pictures, torn out of National Geographic and other magazines, and each student in the class will go up and, without looking, draw a picture from the stack. The picture selected will provide the topic for that student's research project.

Catherine "Cat" Locke is hoping for a picture of some sort of insects, so that she can build on the fig wasp project she'd done over the summer. But when she gets back to her seat and looks at the picture, she sees a group of Homo erectus - three males and a female - defending a carcass from a pack of hyenas. At first she's at a total loss for what to do, but then:

When I opened my eyes again, there was the woman's butt. And the rest of the woman. And for some reason, it occurred to me in that moment that she was actually kind of cool in her prehistoric way - strong, determined-looking, ready to haul off and hurl that rock while the guys just shouted and looked concerned.

And she was thin. Not emaciated, fashion-model thin, but that good muscular thin like you see on women athletes. She looked like she could run and hunt and fight just as well as the men - maybe even better.

And that's when I realized: I wanted to be her.

To look like her, rather, because Cat isn't thin and fit. Quite the opposite, in fact - she's had the nickname "Fat Cat" for several years now. And so her research project is going to be an attempt at living a pseudo-erectus lifestyle, eating only what H erectus ate (no processed foods) and avoiding as much as possible, with due regard to safety and health, use of technology (walking instead of riding in a car, using the stairs instead of the lift).

But after a few months, between the exercise and the dietary change Cat is no longer fat. In fact, she's turning into a pretty hot chick. And now she has to deal with the boys who are moving in on her - including the former best friend who betrayed her years ago....

I liked the whole concept of Cat's research project. In addition to the physical changes, she has to deal with the idea of suddenly becoming someone boys are interested in, and the resulting changes in her life - first date, first kiss, &c. She has her friend Amanda to help, but the girls have no idea of how the male mind works. (Not that the boys are any better at dealing with the female mind.) So it's a learning experience for all concerned....

Brande says that her next book will be a romantic comedy involving quantum physics and string theory. I'm looking forward to reading that one, too.

Fat Cat, by Robin Brande. Alfred A Knopf, 2009. Young adult. Available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, of course - though buying through IndieBound or from your local independent bookseller is highly recommended!


* The average paperback was what, 75 cents in 1971? Or were they still 60 cents?

Victoria Cross: G. Meynell

GODFREY MEYNELL, MC

Captain, 5th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides), 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army

Born: 30 May 1904, Meynell Langley, Derbyshire
Died: 29 September 1935, Mohmand, North West Frontier, India (now Pakistan)

Citation: For most conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty.
On the 29th September, 1935, while operating against Mohmand tribesmen in the attack on Point 4080, Captain Meynell was Adjutant of the Battalion. In the final phase of the attack, the Battalion Commander was unable to get information from his most forward troops. Captain Meynell went forward to ascertain the situation and found the forward troops on the objective, but involved in a struggle against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. Seeing the situation he at once took over command of the men in this area. The enemy, by this time, was closing in on the position from three sides.
Captain Meynell had at his disposal two Lewis guns and about thirty men. Although this party was maintaining heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy, the overwhelming numbers of the latter succeeded in reaching the position. Both the Lewis guns were damaged beyond repair and a fierce hand to hand struggle commenced.
During the struggle Captain Meynell was mortally wounded and all his men were either killed or wounded.
Throughout the action Captain Meynell endeavoured by all means to communicate the situation to Headquarters, but determined to hold on at all costs and encouraged his men to fight with him to the last.
By so doing he inflicted on the enemy very heavy casualties which prevented them from exploiting their success.
The fine example Captain Meynell set to his men, coupled with his determination to hold the position to the last, maintain the traditions of the Army and reflect the highest credit on the fallen officer and his comrades.

(London Gazette Issue 34235 dated 24 Dec 1935, published 24 Dec 1935.)


Note: This was the only Victoria Cross presented by HM King Edward VIII during his reign.
For their service during the Mohmand operations on the North West Frontier in 1935, Capt F J Doherty MB, Indian Medical Service, and Lieut G J Hamilton, Corps of Guides, were made Companions of the Distinguished Service Order; Lieut J N D Tyler, Royal Artillery, was awarded the Military Cross; and Gunner E A Thomas, Royal Artillery, was awarded the Military Medal.

Medal of Honor: R. R. Wright

RAYMOND R WRIGHT

Specialist Fourth Class, US Army; Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division

Born: 5 December 1945, Moriah, New York
Died: 24 September 1999, New York(?)

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While serving as a rifleman with Company A [in the Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam], Sp4c. Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol [on 2 May 1967] in an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier. Sp4c. Wright's unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from an enemy bunker system protected by numerous snipers in nearby trees. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Sp4c. Wright and another soldier leaped to the top of a dike to assault the position. Armed with a rifle and several grenades, he and his comrade exposed themselves to intense fire from the bunkers as they charged the nearest one. Sp4c. Wright raced to the bunker, threw in a grenade, killing its occupant. The 2 soldiers then ran through a hail of fire to the second bunker. While his comrade covered him with his machinegun, Sp4c. Wright charged the bunker and succeeded in killing its occupant with a grenade. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. While his comrade again covered him with machinegun fire, Sp4c. Wright charged in and killed the enemy rifleman with a grenade. The 2 soldiers worked their way through the remaining bunkers, knocking out 4 of them. Throughout their furious assault, Sp4c. Wright and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire from the treeline as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. Overcoming stubborn resistance from the bunker system, the men advanced into the treeline forcing the snipers to retreat, giving immediate chase, and driving the enemy away from the friendly unit so that it advanced across the open area without further casualty. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sp4c. Wright returned to his unit to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. This 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy casualties, and averted further friendly casualties. Sp4c. Wright's extraordinary heroism, courage, and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.


Note: The other soldier mentioned in the citation was Sgt Leonard B Keller, who also received the Medal of Honor for this action.

RIP: Leonard Keller

Leonard B Keller
25 Feb 1947 – 18 Oct 2009

ZUI this article from the Pensacola (FL) News Journal:

A Milton man who received the Medal of Honor for his service in Vietnam died after a motorcycle crash as he was leaving a veterans’ club Sunday.

Leonard “Len” Keller, 62, died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola following a crash outside the Fleet Reserve Association in Milton Sunday afternoon.

This article from the Northwest Florida Daily News includes further details on the accident.

************* *** *************

LEONARD B KELLER

Sergeant, US Army; Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division

Born: 25 February 1947, Rockford, Illinois
Died: 18 October 2009, Pensacola, Florida

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty [on 2 May 1967, in the Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam]. Sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sgt. Keller's unit suddenly came under Intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Sgt. Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing 1 Viet Cong who attempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers, dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire. Armed with a light machine gun, Sgt. Keller and his comrade began a systematic assault on the enemy bunkers. While Sgt. Keller neutralized the fire from the first bunker with his machine gun, the other soldier threw in a hand grenade killing its occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire directed to them, the 2 men charged, killing the enemy within. Continuing their attack, Sgt. Keller and his comrade assaulted 4 more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of bunkers into the treeline, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt. Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. The 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly casualties. Sgt. Keller's selfless heroism and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.


Note: The comrade mentioned in the citation was Specialist Fourth Class Raymond R Wright, who was also awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.

Victoria Cross: J. Maxwell

JOSEPH MAXWELL, MC DCM

Lieutenant, 18th (New South Wales) Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Born: 10 February 1896, Forest Lodge, New South Wales, Australia
Died: 6 July 1967, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia

Citation: For most conspicuous bravery and leadership in attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrees, North of St. Quentin, on the 3rd October, 1918.
His company commander was severely wounded early in the advance, and Lt. Maxwell at once took charge. The enemy wire when reached under intense fire was found to be exceptionally strong and closely supported by machine guns, whereupon Lt. Maxwell pushed forward single-handed through the wire and captured the most dangerous gun, killing three and capturing four enemy. He thus enabled his company to penetrate the wire and reach the objective. Later, he again dashed forward and silenced, single-handed, a gun which was holding up a flank company. Subsequently, when with two men only he attempted to capture a strong party of the enemy, he handled a most involved situation very skilfully, and it was due to his resource that he and his comrades escaped.
Throughout the day Lt. Maxwell set a high example of personal bravery, coupled with excellent judgment and quick decision.

[London Gazette issue 31108 dated 6 January 1919, published 3 January 1919.]


Note: Maxwell was subsequently awarded a Bar to his Military Cross for his actions near Rainecourt, France, on 9 August 1918.

Medal of Honor: W. Seach

WILLIAM SEACH

Ordinary Seaman, US Navy; USS Newark (C 1)

Born: 23 May 1877, London, England
Died: 24 October 1978, Brockton, Massachusetts

Citation: In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China during the battles of 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900. June 13: Seach and 6 others were cited for their courage in repulsing an attack by 300 Chinese Imperialist soldiers and Boxer militants with a bayonet charge, thus thwarting a planned massive attack on the entire force. June 20: During a day-long battle, Seach ran across an open clearing, gained cover, and cleaned out nests of Chinese snipers. June 21: During a surprise sabre attack by Chinese cavalrymen, Seach was cited for defending gun emplacements. June 22: Seach and others breached the wall of a Chinese fort, fought their way to the enemy's guns, and turned the cannon upon the defenders of the fort. Throughout this period and in the presence of the enemy, Seach distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Hope

"These are hard times. The world hurts. We live in fear and forget to walk with hope. But hope has not forgotten you. So ask it to dinner. It's probably hungry and would appreciate the invitation."

-- Libba Bray, Going Bovine

Victoria Cross: E. S. F. Fegen

EDWARD STEPHEN FOGARTY FEGEN

Commander (acting Captain), Royal Navy; commanding HMS Jervis Bay

Born: 8 October 1891, Southsea, Hampshire
Died: 5 November 1940, Atlantic Ocean aboard HMS Jervis Bay

Citation: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to

the late Commander (acting Captain) Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen, Royal Navy

for valour in challenging hopeless odds and giving his life to save the many ships it was his duty to protect.
On the 5th of November, 1940, in heavy seas, Captain Fegen, in His Majesty's Armed Merchant Cruiser Jervis Bay, was escorting thirty-eight merchantmen [in convoy HX34]. Sighting a powerful German warship he at once drew clear of the Convoy, made straight for the Enemy, and brought his ship between the Raider and her prey, so that they might scatter and escape. Crippled, in flames, unable to reply, for nearly an hour the Jervis Bay held the German's fire. So she went down; but of the merchantmen all but four or five were saved.

[London Gazette issue 34999 dtd 22 Nov 1940, published 22 Nov 1940]

Note: The German ship that sank Jervis Bay - a 14,000-ton merchant cruiser which had been converted from a 1922-vintage passenger liner - was the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer, commanded by Theodor Krancke.
Fegen, as commanding officer of HMS Garland, was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal (the Board of Trade Medal for Saving Life) in silver during World War I.

Medal of Honor: T. W. Custer

THOMAS WARD CUSTER

Second Lieutenant, Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry

Born: 15 March 1845, New Rumley, Ohio
Died: 25 June 1876, near the Little Bighorn River, Montana Territory

Citation: Capture of flag [at Namozine Church, Virginia] on 3 May 1863.










Citation: 2d Lt. Custer leaped his horse over the enemy's works [at Sayler's Creek, Virginia, on 6 April 1865] and captured 2 stands of colors, having his horse shot from under him and receiving a severe wound.


Note: One of 19 men to receive the Medal of Honor twice. He was George Armstrong Custer's younger brother, and died with him at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

RIP: Generalleutnant Günther Rall

Günther Rall
10 Mar 1918 - 4 Oct 2009

Günther Rall, one of Germany's top fighter aces of World War II, died Sunday at his home in Bad Reichenhall, Germany. ZUI this article (in German) from Frankfurter Allgemeine, and also this article at Warbirds.

According to Wikipedia, Rall flew a total of 621 combat missions, was shot down eight times and was wounded thrice. He scored a total of 275 victories, 272 of them on the Eastern Front (including 241 Soviet fighters), flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109. After the war, he served with the West German Air Force; a page on his service (also in German) can be found at their website.

Ace Pilots also has a biography of Rall.




Bundesarchiv photos of Genlt Rall (1970 and 1943) copied from Wikimedia Commons.

58, please....

I found a 57 yesterday afternoon. Anybody have a 58?

Mistakes

Mayor's Assistant: I guess it is better to learn from the mistakes of others rather than to make them yourself.
Robot Police Officer: Speaking of which, could you get your management personnel to admit to making mistakes? There are many learning opportunities going undocumented.

-- Freefall

Victoria Cross: A. M. C. McReady-Diarmid

ALLASTAIR MALCOLM CLUNY McREADY-DIARMID

Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Captain), 17th (Service) Battalion The Middlesex Regiment

Born: 21 March 1888, Southgate, North London
Died: 1 December 1917, Moeuvres Sector, France

Citation: His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer:-
T./Lt. (A.Capt.) Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid (formerly Arthur Malcolm McReady-Drew), late Midd'x R.
For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership.
When the enemy penetrated some distance into our position [on 30 November 1917] and the situation was extremely critical, Captain McReady-Diarmid at once led his company forward through a heavy barrage. He immediately engaged the enemy, with such success that he drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and capturing 27 prisoners.
The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all its officers. This gallant officer at once called for volunteers and attacked. He drove them back again for 300 yards, with heavy casualties. Throughout this attack Captain McReady-Diarmid led the way himself, and it was absolutely and entirely due to his marvellous throwing of bombs that the ground was regained.
His absolute disregard for danger, his cheerfulness and coolness at a most trying time inspired all who saw him.
This most gallant officer was eventually killed by a bomb when the enemy had been driven right back to their starting point.

[London Gazette issue 30578 dated 15 Mar 1918, published 12 Mar 1918.]

Medal of Honor: R. E. Rosser

RONALD E ROSSER

Corporal, US Army; Heavy Mortar Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division

Born: 24 October 1929, Columbus, Ohio
Died: TBD

Citation: Cpl. Rosser, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. While assaulting heavily fortified enemy hill positions [in the vicinity of Ponggilli, Korea, on 12 January 1952], Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, was stopped by fierce automatic-weapons, small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire. Cpl. Rosser, a forward observer was with the lead platoon of Company L, when it came under fire from 2 directions. Cpl. Rosser turned his radio over to his assistant and, disregarding the enemy fire, charged the enemy positions armed with only carbine and a grenade. At the first bunker, he silenced its occupants with a burst from his weapon. Gaining the top of the hill, he killed 2 enemy soldiers, and then went down the trench, killing 5 more as he advanced. He then hurled his grenade into a bunker and shot 2 other soldiers as they emerged. Having exhausted his ammunition, he returned through the enemy fire to obtain more ammunition and grenades and charged the hill once more. Calling on others to follow him, he assaulted 2 more enemy bunkers. Although those who attempted to join him became casualties, Cpl. Rosser once again exhausted his ammunition obtained a new supply, and returning to the hilltop a third time hurled grenades into the enemy positions. During this heroic action Cpl. Rosser single-handedly killed at least 13 of the enemy. After exhausting his ammunition he accompanied the withdrawing platoon, and though himself wounded, made several trips across open terrain still under enemy fire to help remove other men injured more seriously than himself. This outstanding soldier's courageous and selfless devotion to duty is worthy of emulation by all men. He has contributed magnificently to the high traditions of the military service.

New Space Station crew launched

ZUI this NASA press release dated 30 September:

The next residents of the International Space Station launched into orbit aboard a Soyuz spacecraft Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, Russian cosmonaut Max Suraev and spaceflight participant Guy Laliberte lifted off at 2:14 a.m. CDT.

Future Expedition 22 Commander Williams, Soyuz Commander Suraev and Laliberte are scheduled to dock with the station at 3:37 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2. They will spend nine days as members of a joint crew that includes Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA's Mike Barratt and Nicole Stott, the European Space Agency's Frank De Winne, Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and the Canadian Space Agency's Bob Thirsk.

*******

On Oct. 10, Padalka will transfer command of the station to De Winne, who will become commander of the next station mission, designated Expedition 21. Padalka, Barratt and Laliberte will land in Kazakhstan at about 11:29 p.m. Padalka and Barratt have been aboard the orbiting laboratory since March 2009.

Laliberte, a Canadian citizen and the founder of Cirque du Soleil, is flying to the station under an agreement between the Russian Federal Space Agency and Space Adventures, Ltd. He will spend nine days aboard the orbiting laboratory.

ZUI also this article from the Montreal Gazette:

The billionaire founder of the Cirque du Soleil blasted off into orbit on a Russian rocket on Wednesday to bring his trademark humour and acrobatic energy into the ultra-serious world of space flight.

Guy Laliberte, 50, a Canadian who spent millions from a personal fortune on his two week visit to the International Space Station (ISS), is likely to be the last such "space tourist" for several years.

He blasted off on schedule from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome, located in neighbouring Kazakhstan, at 0714 GMT alongside a professional Russian cosmonaut and a US astronaut.

Televised images showed the three crew members waving at mission control from the cockpit of the Soyuz spacecraft with a toy lion mascot dangling from the ceiling.

The Soyuz successfully reached its designated orbit and is due to dock with the ISS on Friday at 0835 GMT.

Laliberte, a former fire-eater and stiltwalker, is taking nine red clown noses into space -- one for each member of the ISS crew -- and has said he will not abandon his lighter side once in space.

*******

The circus founder, the seventh person to go into space as a tourist, could be the last for some time as seats will be limited aboard the Soyuz once NASA takes its shuttles out of service from 2010.

"When we have the chance we will send another tourist into space but for the moment we don't know which year it will be," said [Russian space agency head Anatoly] Perminov, confirming there will be no space tourist in 2010.

COL Williams (US Army, ret). Col Suraev (Russian AF). Laliberte. Col Padalka (Russian AF). Dr Barratt. Stott. Col de Winne (Belgian AF).* Maj Romanenko. Dr Thirsk.


* Or Viscount de Winne, if you prefer.

Book list - Sep 09

Moondial - children's, by Helen Cresswell
The Disunited States of America - AH/SF, by Harry Turtledove
Operation Yes - YA, by Sara Lewis Holmes
The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir - memoirs, by Cylin Busby and John Busby
Her Majesty's Spymaster: Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham, and the Birth of Modern Espionage - English history, by Stephen Budiansky
The Other Side of Truth - YA, by Beverley Naidoo (Carnegie Medal, 2000)
Federations: Vast, Epic, Interstellar - SF (short stories), edited by John Joseph Adams
Bagthorpes Unlimited - children's, by Helen Cresswell
Skellig - YA, by David Almond (Carnegie Medal, 1998)
A Swiftly Tilting Planet - YA fantasy, by Madeleine L'Engle
Many Waters - YA fantasy, by Madeleine L'Engle
Bagthorpes v the World - children's, by Helen Cresswell
Dead Girl Dancing - YA, by Linda Joy Singleton
Farthing - AH/mystery, by Jo Walton
Ha'penny - AH/mystery, by Jo Walton
Half a Crown - AH/thriller, by Jo Walton
Arm of the Starfish - YA, by Madeleine L'Engle
Bagthorpes Abroad - children's, by Helen Cresswell
Bagthorpes Haunted - children's, by Helen Cresswell
The Lady in Red: An Eighteenth-Century Tale of Sex, Scandal, and Divorce - English history, by Hallie Rubenhold
My Side of the Mountain - children's, by Jean Craighead George *


21 books this month, with one reread (marked with an asterisk). To reach my goal of 209 books this year, I have to average 17.417 per month, so I'm currently ahead of track.

The two Carnegie Medal winners bring me up to 19 of 70.

Carnegie Medal books

Having finished reading the Newbery Medal winners, I'm continuing with the books which have been awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal - the British equivalent of the Newbery Medal, now awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

The medal was first awarded in 1937, for the best children's book of 1936, but there have been three years when no book was considered suitable, so there are only 71 winners thus far. In addition to the gold medal, the winner receives £500 worth of books to donate to a library of his/her/their choice.

Here's the list. (Dates marked in red indicate the six books I had already read before last year; dates in purple indicate the ones I've read since.)

1936: Pigeon Post, by Arthur Ransome
1937: The Family from One End Street, by Eve Garnett
1938: The Circus is Coming, by Noel Streatfield
1939: Radium Woman, by Eleanor Doorly
1940: Visitors from London, by Kitty Barne
1941: We Couldn't Leave Dinah, by Mary Treadgold
1942: The Little Grey Men, by 'BB' (D J Watkins-Pitchford)
1943: Prize withheld as no book was considered suitable
1944: The Wind on the Moon, by Eric Linklater
1945: Prize withheld as no book was considered suitable
1946: The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge
1947: Collected Stories for Children, Walter De La Mare
1948: Sea Change, by Richard Armstrong
1949: The Story of Your Home, by Agnes Allen
1950: The Lark on the Wing, by Elfrida Vipont Foulds
1951: The Woolpack, by Cynthia Harnett
1952: The Borrowers, by Mary Norton
1953: A Valley Grows Up, by Edward Osmond
1954: Knight Crusader, by Ronald Welch (Felton Ronald Oliver)
1955: The Little Bookroom, by Eleanor Farjeon
1956: The Last Battle, by C S Lewis
1957: A Grass Rope, by William Mayne
1958: Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philipa Pearce
1959: The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliff
1960: The Making of Man, by Dr I W Cornwall
1961: A Stranger at Green Knowe, by Lucy M Boston
1962: The Twelve and the Genii, by Pauline Clarke
1963: Time of Trial, by Hester Burton
1964: Nordy Bank, by Sheena Porter
1965: The Grange at High Force, by Philip Turner
1966: Prize withheld as no book was considered suitable
1967: The Owl Service, by Alan Garner
1968: The Moon in the Cloud, by Rosemary Harris
1969: The Edge of the Cloud, by Kathleen Peyton
1970: The God Beneath the Sea, by Leon Garfield and Edward Blishen
1971: Josh, by Ivan Southall
1972: Watership Down, by Richard Adams
1973: The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, by Penelope Lively
1974: The Stronghold, by Mollie Hunter
1975: The Machine Gunners, by Robert Westall
1976: Thunder and Lightnings, by Jan Mark
1977: The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler, by Gene Kemp
1978: The Exeter Blitz, by David Rees
1979: Tulku, by Peter Dickinson
1980: City of Gold, by Peter Dickinson
1981: The Scarecrows, by Robert Westall
1982: The Haunting, by Margaret Mahy
1983: Handles, by Jan Mark
1984: The Changeover, by Margaret Mahy
1985: Storm, by Kevin Crossley-Holland
1986: Granny was a Buffer Girl, by Berlie Doherty
1987: The Ghost Drum, by Susan Price
1988: A Pack of Lies, by Geraldine McCaughrean
1989: Goggle-eyes, by Anne Fine
1990: Wolf, by Gillian Cross
1991: Dear Nobody, by Berlie Doherty
1992: Flour Babies, by Anne Fine
1993: Stone Cold, by Robert Swindells
1994: Whispers in the Graveyard, by Theresa Breslin
1995: Northern Lights, by Philip Pullman*
1996: Junk, by Melvin Burgess
1997: River Boy, by Tim Bowler
1998: Skellig, by David Almond
1999: Postcards From No Man's Land, by Aidan Chambers
2000: The Other Side of Truth, by Beverley Naidoo
2001: The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett
2002: Ruby Holler, by Sharon Creech
2003: A Gathering Light, by Jennifer Donnelly
2004: Millions, by Frank Cottrell Boyce
2005: Tamar, by Mal Peet
2006: **
2007: Just in Case, by Meg Rosoff
2008: Here Lies Arthur, by Philip Reeve
2009: Bog Child, by Siobhan Dowd

So the count now is 19 down, 51 to go. Unfortunately, our local library system (Groton, Waterford and Mystic/Noank) only has a dozen or so of the ones I haven't read yet, so I'm going to have to make a lot of ILL requests....

Skellig is a very strange book....


* His Dark Materials, Book 1. Published in the US as The Golden Compass.

** Up through the award for 2005, the winners were referred to by the year of publication. Beginning in 2007, the winners were referred to by the year the award was given, as with the American Newbery Medal. Thus there is no "2006 winner" of the Carnegie Medal. Tamar, the 2005 winner, was published in '05, and received the medal in '06. Just in Case, the 2007 winner, was published in '06 and received the award in '07.