Victoria Cross: E. W. Costello

EDMOND WILLIAM COSTELLO

Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps

Born: 7 August 1873, Sheikhbudin, Punjab, India
Died: 7 June 1949, Eastbourne, Sussex

Citation: On the night of the 26th July, 1897, at the Malakand, Lieutenant Costello went out from the hospital enclosure, and, with the assistance of two sepoys, brought in a wounded Lance-Halvidar who was lying 60 yards away in the open on the football ground. This ground was at the time overrun with swordsmen and swept by a heavy fire both from the enemy and our own men who were holding the sapper lines.

[London Gazette issue 26908 dated 9 Nov 1897, published 9 Nov 1897.]


Note: The Malakand Agency was in the North-West Frontier Province (now the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), in what is now northern Pakistan.

Medal of Honor: F. C. Hammond

FRANCIS COLTON HAMMOND

Hospital Corpsman, US Navy; attached 1st Marine Division

Born: 9 November 1931, Alexandria, Virginia
Died: 27 March 1953, South Korea

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a HC serving with the 1st Marine Division in action against enemy aggressor forces [in Korea] on the night of 26-27 March 1953. After reaching an intermediate objective during a counterattack against a heavily entrenched and numerically superior hostile force occupying ground on a bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, HC Hammond's platoon was subjected to a murderous barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire, followed by a vicious assault by onrushing enemy troops. Resolutely advancing through the veritable curtain of fire to aid his stricken comrades, HC Hammond moved among the stalwart garrison of marines and, although critically wounded himself, valiantly continued to administer aid to the other wounded throughout an exhausting 4-hour period. When the unit was ordered to withdraw, he skillfully directed the evacuation of casualties and remained in the fire-swept area to assist the corpsmen of the relieving unit until he was struck by a round of enemy mortar fire and fell, mortally wounded. By his exceptional fortitude, inspiring initiative and self-sacrificing efforts, HC Hammond undoubtedly saved the lives of many marines. His great personal valor in the face of overwhelming odds enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


Note: USS Francis Hammond (FF 1067) was named in his honour.

Victoria Cross: J. Blair

JAMES BLAIR

Captain, 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry

Born: 27 January 1828, Nimach, Gwalior State, India
Died: 18 January 1905, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland

Citation: For having on two occasions distinguished himself by his gallant and daring conduct.
1. On the night of the 12th of August, 1857, at Neemuch, in volunteering to apprehend 7 or 8 armed mutineers who had shut themselves up for defence in a house, the door of which he burst open. He then rushed in among them, and forced them to escape through the roof; in this encounter, he was severely wounded. In spite of his wounds he pursued the fugitives, but was unable to come up with them, in consequence of the darkness of the night.
2. On the 23rd of October, 1857, at Jeerum, in fighting his way most gallantly through a body of rebels who had literally surrounded him. After breaking the end of his sword on one of their heads, and receiving a severe sword cut on his right arm, he rejoined his troop. In this wounded condition, and with no other weapon than the hilt of his broken sword, he put himself at the head of his men, charged the rebels most effectually, and dispersed them.

[London Gazette issue 22601 dated 25 Feb 1862, published 25 Feb 1862.]


Note: Neemuch, or Nimach, is a town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in central India.

Medal of Honor: Platten, Tea, Gardiner, Hornaday, Lowthers and Robbins

FREDERICK PLATTEN

Sergeant, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 1849, Torbeck, Ireland
Died: 2 March 1939, Arizona(?)

Citation: With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.










RICHARD LONGSTREET TEA

Sergeant, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 1842, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: 14 September 1911, Prescott, Arizona

Citation: With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.










PETER W GARDINER

Private, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 1841, Carlisle, New York
Died: 1883, Arizona

Citation: With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.










ELISHA SIMPSON HORNADAY

Private, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 24 March 1851, Hendricks County, Indiana
Died: 9 July 1923

Citation: With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column . This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke the ir resistance .










JAMES LOWTHERS

Private, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 1852, Boston, Massachusetts
Died: unknown

Citation: With S other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.










MARCUS M ROBBINS

Private, Company H, 6th US Cavalry

Born: 25 July 1851, Elba, Wisconsin
Died: 21 June 1924, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Citation: With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.


Note: This action took place at Sappa Creek, Kansas, on 23 April 1875. Private James F Ayers and Trumpeter Michael Dawson were also awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during this battle.

Victoria Cross: J. Kellaway

JOSEPH KELLAWAY

Boatswain, Royal Navy; HMS Wrangler

Born: 1 September 1824, Kingston, Dorset
Died: 2 October 1880, Chatham, Kent

Citation: "Whilst Boatswain of the 'Wrangler,' in the Sea of Azoff, was taken prisoner after a stout resistance, whilst endeavouring to rescue Mr. Odevaine, Mate."
This gallant service was performed on shore near Marionpol. A detachment, consisting of Mr. Odevaine, Mate; Mr. Kellaway, Boatswain; and three Seamen, had been dispatched from the "Wrangler" to endeavour to burn some boats, fishing stations, and hay-stacks, on the opposite side of a small lake. They had nearly reached the spot, when they were fired upon by a party of fifty Russian soldiers, who suddenly rushed from their ambush, and endeavoured to cut off their retreat. One man fell into the enemy's hands, but Mr. Kellaway, and the two other seamen, had contrived to make good their escape, when Mr. Odevaine accidentally fell. Kellaway, apparently imagining him to be wounded, without a moment's hesitation returned to his rescue, risking his own life to succour his Commanding Officer. Unfortunately, while lifting up Mr. Odevaine, they were surrounded by the enemy, and, notwithstanding a gallant but hopeless resistance by Mr. Kellaway, they were both made prisoners. Commander Burgoyne, who has furnished these particulars, observes, "I was myself an observer of the zeal,gallantry, and self-devotion that characterized Mr. Kellaway's conduct."
(Despatches from Admiral Lord Lyons, of 8th September, 1855, No. 746; and of 22nd September, 1855, No. 796.)

[London Gazette issue 21971 dated 24 Feb 1857, published 24 Feb 1857.]

Medal of Honor: J. W. Mathis

JACK W MATHIS

First Lieutenant, US Army Air Corps; 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group

Born: 25 September 1921, San Angelo, Texas
Died: 18 March 1943, over Germany

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier's compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.

George Cross: G. P. Stronach

GEORGE PRESTON STRONACH

Chief Officer, Merchant Navy; SS Ocean Voyager

Born: 14 April 1912
Died: 12 December 1999

Citation: When the ship was lying in [Tripoli] harbour [on 19 March 1943], a severe aircraft attack developed and she was hit and at once caught fire. The vessel had a large consignment of petrol and ammunition on board, which was exploding heavily all the time and in spite of strenuous efforts which were made to fight the fire she had to be abandoned. The Master was killed by the explosion and the responsibility for further operations devolved on the Chief Officer.
He had been rendered temporarily unconscious but recovered almost immediately and went forward to look for survivors. He found a number of the crew sheltering in the alley way and, braving the exploding ammunition, led them to a boat alongside which took them to safety. In order to provide for the transport of any other survivors who might be found, he then lowered another boat and brought it alongside the ship. Although the vessel was now burning furiously Mr. Stronach made his way to the officers' accommodation amidships. Finding a hose with a trickle of water coming through, he held this over his head and so kept himself sufficiently wet to protect him from the worst of the heat and flames. With great difficulty he climbed into the collapsed accommodation and found one of the deck officers, unconscious and badly burned. Mr. Stronach pulled him clear and dragged him along the deck to the lowered boat. Returning to the accommodation, he began to remove the debris from another officer who was trapped. By almost superhuman efforts he dragged the man through the porthole and along the deck. He then tied a rope around his waist and lowered him over the side to the boat. As the situation was becoming desperate Mr. Stronach ordered a man to take the boat to safety and once again he returned amidships where he discovered an officer who had been severely injured. Dragging him along the deck to the side of the ship, he tied a rope around him and lowered him over the side on to a raft which had returned to the ship in response to his calls. Again Mr. Stronach continued his search for survivors and, taking a final look round aft, he saw a greaser lying unconscious in the scuppers. He dragged this man to the side of the ship, but finding there was no raft or boat alongside, put a lifebelt around him and threw him overboard. When he was satisfied that there were no (further survivors the Chief Officer jumped overboard and swam to a raft which, under his direction, returned to pick up the injured greaser. In the full knowledge that she was likely to blow up at any moment Chief Officer Stronach stayed on this burning vessel searching for survivors for an hour and twenty minutes. His inspiring leadership induced a number of the crew to get away and so saved their lives and by his gallant efforts, undertaken with utter disregard of his personal safety, he saved the lives of three officers and a greaser, all of whom were badly hurt. His action equals any in the annals of the Merchant Navy for great and unselfish heroism and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

[London Gazette issue 36256 dated 23 Nov 1943, published 19 Nov 1943.]

Victoria Cross: A. H. Wakenshaw

ADAM HERBERT WAKENSHAW

Private, The Durham Light Infantry

Born: 9 June 1914, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Date: 27 June 1942, near Mersa Matruh, Egypt

Citation: On the 27th June, 1942, South of Mersa Matruh, Private Wakenshaw was a member of the crew of a 2-pounder anti-tank gun that was sited on a forward slope in front of the infantry position.
Shortly after dawn the enemy attacked and an enemy tracked vehicle towing a light gun was brought to within short range of the position. The gun crew opened fire and succeeded in putting a round through the engine immobilising the enemy vehicle.
Another mobile gun then came into action. All members of the crew manning the 2-pounder including Private Wakenshaw were killed or seriously wounded and the 2-pounder was silenced. In this respite the enemy moved forward towards their damaged tractor in order to get the light gun into action against our infantry.
Realising the danger to his comrades, under intense mortar and artillery fire which swept the gun site, Private Wakenshaw crawled back to his gun. Although his left arm was blown off above the elbow, he loaded the gun with one arm and fired five more rounds. These succeeded in setting the tractor on fire and damaged the light gun. A near miss then killed the gun aimer and blew Private Wakenshaw away from the gun giving him further severe wounds. Undeterred he slowly dragged himself back to the gun, placed a round in the breach [sic], and was preparing to fire when a direct hit on the ammunition killed him and destroyed the gun.
In the evening after the action the body of Private Wakenshaw was found stretched out at the back of the breach [sic] block beside the ammunition box.
This act of conspicuous gallantry prevented the enemy from using their light gun on the infantry Company which was only 200 yards away. It was through the self sacrifice and courageous devotion to duty of this infantry anti-tank gunner that the Company was enabled to withdraw and to embus in safety.

[London Gazette issue 35698 dated 11 Sep 1942, published 8 Sep 1942.]

Medal of Honor: W. Parker

WILLIAM PARKER

Captain of the Afterguard, US Navy; USS Cayuga

Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Died: unknown

Citation: At the wheel on board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson, and New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern, Parker conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action in which attempts by 3 rebel steamers to butt and board were thwarted, and the ships driven off. Eleven gunboats were successfully engaged and the enemy garrisons forced to surrender during this battle in which the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.

Book list - Oct 11

Into the Parallel - YA SF, by Robin Brande
The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More Than Some Antics - humour, by John Pollack
The Enchantment Emporium - modern fantasy, by Tanya Huff
Huck Finn & Tom Sawyer Among the Indians - fiction, by Mark Twain and Lee Nelson
Smugglers of Spirits: Prohibition and the Coast Guard Patrol - memoirs, by Harold Waters
Rum Row: The Real McCoy, the Bootleg Queen, and the Liquor Fleet That Fueled the Roaring Twenties - US history, by Robert Carse
Westward Bound in the Schooner Yankee - travel, by Captain and Mrs Irving Johnson
The Wolf: How One German Raider Terrorized the Allies in the Most Epic Voyage of WWI - WW I, by Richard Guilliatt
Sailing to See: Picture Cruise in the Schooner Yankee - travel, by Captain and Mrs Irving Johnson
The Sacred Land - historical fiction, by H N Turteltaub


Ten books last month, with no rereads. I'm not setting an official goal this year, though I do expect to read around 125 books.

And no Carnegie Medal winners, so I'm still at 56 of 72.