Victoria Cross: J. Bythesea & W. Johnstone

JOHN BYTHESEA

Commander (then Lieutenant), Royal Navy; HMS Arrogant

Born: 15 June 1827, Freshford, Somerset
Died: 18 May 1906, West London

Citation: On the 9th of August, 1854, having ascertained that an Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor of Russia had landed on the island of Wardo, in charge of a mail and despatches for the Russian General, Commander Bythesea obtained permission for himself and William Johnstone, a stoker, to proceed on shore with the view to intercept them. Being disguised and well armed, they concealed themselves until the night of the 12th, when the mail-bags were landed, close to the spot where they lay secreted in the bushes. The mails were accompanied by a military escort, which passed close to them, and which, as soon as it was ascertained that the road was clear, took its departure. Availing themselves of this opportunity, Commodore [sic] Bythesea and the stoker, attacked the five men in charge of the mail, took three of them prisoners, and brought them in their own boat on board the "Arrogant." The despatches were carried to General Baraguay d'Hilliers, who expressed himself in the highest terms of approval.
(Despatch from Captain Yelverton, inclosed in a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Napier, of 31st January, 1856.)

(London Gazette Issue 21971 dated 24 Feb 1857, published 24 Feb 1857.)


Note: Cmdr Bythesea was Rear Admiral J Bythesea VC CB CIE at the time of his death.


WILLIAM JOHNSTONE

Stoker, Royal Navy; HMS Arrogant

Born: 1821, Hannover, Germany
Died: 20 August 1857, at sea in the West Indies, aboard HMS Brunswick

Citation: This person was the companion of Commander Bythesea in the above-mentioned enterprize.
(Despatch from Captain Yelverton, inclosed in a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Napier, of 13th January, 1856.)

(London Gazette Issue 21971 dated 24 Feb 1857, published 24 Feb 1857.)

Medal of Honor: W. A. Crouse, J. W. Ehle and J. L. Hull

WILLIAM ADOLPHUS CROUSE

Watertender, US Navy; USS Concord (PG 3)

Born: 22 October 1866, Tannettsburg, Pennsylvania
Died: 27 June 1941

Citation: On board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, P.I., 21 May 1898. Following the blowing out of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Crouse hauled the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.





JOHN WALTER EHLE

Fireman First Class, US Navy; USS Concord (PG 3)

Born: 11 May 1873, Kearney, Nebraska
Died: 25 July 1927

Citation: On board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, 21 May 1898. Following the blowing out of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Ehle assisted in hauling the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.





JAMES L HULL

Fireman First Class, US Navy; USS Concord (PG 3)

Born: 27 November 1873, Patoka, Illinois
Died: unknown

Citation: On board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, 21 May 1898. Following the blowing out of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Hull assisted in hauling the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere, which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.

NASA news

ZUI this press release from NASA:

NASA Television will air the launch of the next residents of the International Space Station and the return of the current station crew. Coverage begins with a broadcast of prelaunch activities March 11 and continues through the landing of the current station crew on April 7.

Expedition 19 Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Michael Barratt and spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi, a U.S. citizen, are scheduled to launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft to the station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, March 26, at 6:49 a.m. CDT (5:49 p.m. Kazakhstan time). Simonyi will fly to the station under an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency.

After a two-day trip, the Soyuz will dock to the station on Saturday, March 28. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata is scheduled to launch Wednesday aboard space shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission. Wakata will remain with Padalka and Barratt until returning to Earth on shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in June. Padalka, Barratt and Wakata will serve on the station as part of Expedition 20, the station's first six-person crew.

Expedition 18 Commander Michael Fincke, Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov and Simonyi will return to Earth Tuesday, April 7, at about 3:22 a.m. (2:22 p.m. Kazakhstan time) in the Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft now docked to the station. Fincke and Lonchakov have been aboard the orbiting laboratory since October 2008.

Upcoming NASA TV Soyuz launch and landing programming events (all times CDT):

March 11, Wednesday
11 a.m. - Expedition 18 and spaceflight participant video file of departure breakfast in Star City, Russia

*******

March 26, Thursday
5 a.m. - Prelaunch activities video file feed from Baikonur
6 a.m. - Launch coverage from Baikonur and Johnson Space Center in Houston (launch scheduled at 6:49 a.m.; launch replays follow conclusion of launch coverage)
9 a.m. - Launch day activities, launch and post launch interviews video file

March 28, Saturday
7:45 a.m. - Coverage of Soyuz docking to station (docking scheduled at 8:15 a.m., post-docking news conference follows)
10:45 a.m. - Hatch opening, welcoming ceremony (hatch opening scheduled at 11:10 a.m.)
1 p.m. - Video file of the docking to the station, hatch opening and welcoming ceremony

*******

April 6, Monday
8:30 p.m. - Expedition 18, 19 and spaceflight participant farewell ceremony and Soyuz TMA-13 hatch closure (scheduled at 9 p.m.)
11:45 p.m. - Coverage of Expedition 18 and spaceflight participant undocking from station (scheduled at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday)

April 7, Tuesday
2 a.m. - Deorbit burn and landing coverage (scheduled at 2:31 a.m.; landing in Kazakhstan scheduled at 3:22 a.m.)
1 p.m. - Post-landing video file feed
4 p.m. - Fincke post-landing interview and Star City welcoming ceremonies video file

ZUI also this press release:

Internet visitors can now see the Earth as never before -- live from the International Space Station via streaming video, seven days a week.

The streaming video views of Earth and the exterior structure of the station are from cameras mounted outside the laboratory complex, orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles an hour at an altitude of 220 miles. The video is transmitted to the ground -- and Web viewers -- primarily while the astronauts aboard the complex are asleep, usually from about 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. CST. When live feeds are not available, a map showing the current location and path of the station will be streamed from NASA's Mission Control in Houston.

The streaming video will include audio of communications between Mission Control and the astronauts, when available. When the space shuttle is docked to the station, the stream will include video and audio of those activities.

*******

To view the streaming station video and for more information about the station and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Col Padalka. Dr Barratt. Dr Simonyi. Dr Wakata. Col Fincke. Col Lonchakov.

WWI vet receives Légion d'honneur

ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News:

The last surviving UK soldier to have served in the trenches during World War One has been bestowed with France's highest decoration in a ceremony conducted at his nursing home in Somerset yesterday, Monday 9 March 2009.

At 110 years old, Harry Patch known as 'The Last Fighting Tommy' was awarded the Légion d'honneur medal by the French Ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne for his participation at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, which saw the death of 70,000 British troops.

Mr Patch was conscripted to the British Army in 1917 and was recruited to The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry as a Lewis gunner assistant. In the four months he spent as a Private, Mr Patch was involved in some of the fiercest fighting of WWI before a light shell exploded above his head and ended his military career.

*******

Over the years Mr Patch has received various honours including the British War and Victory medals, the Chevalier of the Order award and has been granted the Freedom of The City of Wells.

The Légion d'honneur is the highest decoration in France and Henry Allingham, the other surviving British veteran of World War One, will also be honoured with the award next week.

Wikipedia has an article about Mr Patch here (and one about Mr Allingham here).

Medal of an officer of the Légion d'honneur

Victoria Cross: H. Auten

HAROLD AUTEN, DSC

Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve; commanding HMS Stock Force

Born: 22 August 1891, Leatherhead, Surrey
Died: 3 October 1964, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, USA

Citation: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals to the undermentioned Officers and Men for services in action with enemy submarines:–
To receive the Victoria Cross.
Lieut. Harold Auten, D.S.C., R.N.R.

(London Gazette Issue 30900 dated 14 Sep 1918, published 13 Sep 1918.)


H.M.S. "Stock Force," under the command of Lieutenant Harold Auten, D.S.C., R.N.R., was torpedoed by an enemy submarine at 5 p.m. on the 30th July, 1918 [twenty five miles south west of Start Point, Cornwall]. The torpedo struck the ship abreast No. 1 hatch, entirely wrecking the fore part of the ship, including the bridge, and wounding three ratings. A tremendous shower of planks, unexploded shells, hatches and other debris followed the explosion, wounding the first lieutenant (Lieutenant E. G. Grey, R.N.R.) and the navigating officer (Lieutenant L. E. Workman, R.N.R.) and adding to the injuries of the foremost gun's crew and a number of other ratings. The ship settled down forward, flooding the foremost magazine and between decks to the depth of about three feet. "Panic party," in charge of Lieutenant Workman, R.N.R., immediately abandoned ship, and the wounded were removed to the lower deck, where the surgeon (Surgeon Probationer G. E. Strahan, R.N.V.R.), working up to his waist in water, attended to their injuries. The captain, two guns' crews and the engine-room staff remained at their posts.
The submarine then came to the surface ahead of the ship half a mile distant, and remained there a quarter of an hour, apparently watching the ship for any doubtful movement.
The "panic party" in the boat accordingly commenced to row back towards the ship in an endeavour to decoy the submarine within range of the hidden guns. The submarine followed, coming slowly down the port side of the "Stock Force," about three hundred yards away. Lieutenant Auten, however, withheld his fire until she was abeam, when both of his guns could bear. Fire was opened at 5.40 p.m.; the first shot carried away one of the periscopes, the second round hit the conning tower, blowing it away and throwing the occupant high into the air. The next round struck the submarine on the water-line, tearing her open and blowing out a number of the crew.
The enemy then subsided several feet into the water and her bows rose. She thus presented a large and immobile target into which the "Stock Force" poured shell after shell until the submarine sank by the stern, leaving a quantity of debris on the water. During the whole of the action one man (Officer's Steward, Second Class, R. J. Starling) remained pinned down under the foremost gun after the explosion of the torpedo, and remained there cheerfully and without complaint, although the ship was apparently sinking, until the end of the action.
The "Stock Force" was a vessel of 360 tons, and despite the severity of the shock sustained by the officers and men when she was torpedoed, and the fact that her bows were almost obliterated, she was kept afloat by the exertions of her ship's company until 9.25 p.m. She then sank with colours flying, and the officers and men were taken off by two torpedo boats and a trawler.
The action was cited as one of the finest examples of coolness, discipline and good organisation in the history of "Q" ships.

(London Gazette Issue 31021 dated 20 Nov 1918, published 19 Nov 1918.)


Note: The brevity of the initial citation was due to the fact that Q-ships were at that point still considered a secret weapon, not to be mentioned in public. The follow-on explanation was published after the Q-ships had been declassified.
The report that the U-boat - which has been variously identified as U-98 and UB-80 - had sunk was incorrect. Both of those boats survived the war; U-98 was surrendered on 16 Jan 1919, and UB-80 was surrendered (to Italy) on 26 Nov 1918. German records do not show any U-boats lost between 20 Jul 18 (UB-124) and 3 Aug 18 (UB-53).

Medal of Honor: L. Wood

LEONARD WOOD

Assistant Surgeon, US Army

Born: 9 October 1860, Winchester, New Hampshire
Died: 7 August 1927, Boston, Massachusetts

Citation: Voluntarily carried dispatches through a region infested with hostile Indians, making a journey of 70 miles in one night and walking 30 miles the next day [during the summer of 1886]. Also for several weeks, while in close pursuit of Geronimo's band and constantly expecting an encounter, commanded a detachment of Infantry, which was then without an officer, and to the command of which he was assigned upon his own request.

Note: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and USS Leonard Wood (AP 25/APA 12) were named in his honour.

Kepler mission scheduled to lift off today

ZUI this post from the Los Angeles Times:

The first spacecraft dedicated to finding potentially habitable planets beyond our solar system is poised to blast off from Cape Canaveral tonight on a three-year mission to probe 150,000 stars in the most sweeping hunt for Earthlike objects ever undertaken by NASA.

By the end of the Kepler mission, scientists will probably know whether planets like ours -- where liquid water can exist on the surface to nurture life -- are common in the universe, or so rare that we are virtually alone in the cosmic sea.

*******

The $590-million Kepler mission, scheduled to lift off at 7:49 p.m. Pacific time, consists of the widest-field telescope ever flown by NASA. The nearly 15-foot-long instrument has a 55-inch-wide mirror that can simultaneously scrutinize thousands of stars in its search for extrasolar planets, or exoplanets. It will accomplish this by looking for periodic dimming -- or winking -- of a star's light caused by planets crossing in front of it, which scientists refer to as a transit.

Many of the 340 or so known exoplanets, principally discovered by a team in Europe and another at UC Berkeley headed by well-known planet hunter Geoff Marcy, have been found using the same method.

But most of those planets are gas giants, like Jupiter, that orbit very close to their parent stars. Those planets would be far too hot to sustain life, even if they had a rocky surface.

No potentially habitable planet has been found outside our solar system.

*******

The Kepler spacecraft -- named after 17th century German astronomer Johannes Kepler, who discovered the laws of planetary motion -- will be able to scan a region of the northern sky between the constellations Cygnus and Lyra that contains about 4.5 million stars. Of the total, according to mission scientist Natalie Batalha of San Jose State University, 150,000 stars have been selected for intense study.

*******

Kepler will launch on a three-stage Delta II rocket and eventually drift about 45 million miles away so it won't have to contend with the reflected light of the moon and Earth.

Most of the stars in its survey are relatively close, from tens of light-years to 3,000 light-years away.

Marines commemorate battle of Gibraltar

Led by The Royal Marines Band, 40 Commando Royal Marines march through Main Street, Gibraltar

ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News:

Royal Marines from 40 Commando returned to a rain-swept Gibraltar this weekend, the scene of one of their most famous and historic battles, to exercise their freedom of the place and unveil their new monument.

On Saturday 28 February 2009, the Commandos conducted a ceremonial parade. It was the first time the Freedom of Gibraltar has been exercised since it was awarded in 1996 and, despite the rain, the Main Street parade was lined with people and dignitaries before a public reception was held by the Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton KBE, himself a Royal Marine.

The next day the Chief Minister unveiled the monument, sited near the point where the Marines first came ashore in 1704. Commandant General Royal Marines, Major General Garry Robison, then dedicated the monument.

The weekend's events, which culminated with a band concert in St Michael's Cave, commemorated the capture of 'The Rock' in an amphibious assault on 24 July 1704 by British and Dutch Marines as part of the War of the Spanish Succession. They then withstood a prolonged siege from October 1704 to April 1705, achieving "immortal glory" according to commentators at the time.

*******

40 Commando's Alpha Company and attached ranks have been practising arms drill and marching for weeks in preparation for the parade. On the transit from the United Kingdom, on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay, the company was even practising on the flight deck of the ship.
Marine Andy Tipping, aged 22 from Durham, said:

"We were all proud to be a part of this parade. All Royal Marines learn about the taking and holding of Gibraltar during our training and it's a great honour to follow in the footsteps of our forebears."

The Commandos are in Gibraltar as their first port of call on the Royal Navy's Taurus 09 deployment.

MOD photograph © Crown Copyright/MOD 2009

Operational Honours List

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell GM*,
11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC

ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News:

The first Bar to the George Medal to be awarded in 26 years is among a catalogue of prestigious honours given to brave British Armed Forces personnel.

The posthumous award to Warrant Office Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, who died in September last year whilst attempting to disarm an improvised explosive device (IED), was announced in the presence of his widow, Mrs Toni O'Donnell.

The first Bar to the George Medal means it has been awarded to the same person twice and WO2 O'Donnell, who at the time of his death already held the George Medal for his work defusing bombs in Iraq, was recommended for the further honour in recognition of his remarkable actions in two separate incidents in May and July 2008.

*******

Another historic moment was the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to three members of the same regiment - the first time this has happened. Acting Sergeant Alwyn Stevens, Corporal Robert McClurg and Lance Corporal Jon Toge, all members of The Royal Irish Regiment, demonstrated great personal courage whilst mentoring colleagues from the Afghan National Army in Helmand.

These recipients are amongst more than 100 brave Service personnel to be included in Armed Forces Operational Awards List No 32, for the period April to September 2008. Those honoured include members of the British Army's 16 Air Assault Brigade and 4 Mechanised Brigade, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, as well as civilians. Acts of bravery in the operational theatres of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in the UK, are recognised.

Lance Corporal Jone Toge CGC,
The Royal Irish Regiment

Amongst the medals awarded were these (quoted from the article linked to above):

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Lance Corporal Jone Bruce Toge R IRISH
After his commander was incapacitated Toge took command of the Operational Mentoring Liaison Team which was supporting the Afghan National Army to the south of Musa QaIeh. He gallantly led his men and personally extracted four injured soldiers from a killing area as well as the lead Afghan National Army sergeant following a RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) strike.

Military Cross

Major Nicholas George Calder SCOTS
Calder led D Company 5 SCOTS through the most intense dismounted combat experienced in the battle group in the north west area of operations [in Afghanistan]. He provided an example of unflinching physical and moral courage and ensured the security of Musa Qaleh.

Major John Stuart McDonald PARA
Whilst covering the absence of the Company Commander at Forward Operating Base Inkerman [in Afghanistan], McDonald skilfully manoeuvred his platoons to suppress the enemy and moved decisively to defeat the insurgents. He displayed exceptional and overt gallantry in the face of the enemy and inspired the men around him.

Sergeant Christopher Paul Richards RDG
In spite of significant threats Sergeant Richards commanded a lead tank [in Iraq] with outstanding nerve, determination and exemplary gallantry in the face of the enemy.


Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Alexander Marc Duncan RAF
Duncan displayed consummate professionalism and strength of character while recovering an aircraft with a VIP party onboard and pressing ahead with an air assault [in Afghanistan] in the face of intense fire to ensure the force protection of the battle group.

Queen's Gallantry Medal

Corporal William Glyndwr Owen PARA
After a patrol struck an anti-tank mine [in Afghanistan] Owen selflessly and without hesitation raced to reach casualties and administer first aid despite the obvious threat of further mines. He is awarded for his selfless dedication and devotion to duty.

The complete list of awards can be found here.

Major Stuart McDonald MC,
The Parachute Regiment

Update 1040 17 Mar: ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News:

A father and son have both been awarded commendations in the latest operational honours list for their actions on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Major David Wilson of the Joint Service Signal Unit (Cyprus) was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his work in Basra over the summer of 2008 while his son, Private Tom Wilson of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was Mentioned in Dispatches for his actions in Helmand province, Afghanistan, over the same period.

Major Wilson was the Quartermaster of the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Basra between February and August 2008. He was responsible for feeding, watering, clothing and housing the entire population of the base for this period.

*******

Private Wilson had only recently joined the Army in January 2006, and acted as a machine gunner and team medic in 4 Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

On what was to be a testing first operational tour, he was based in Forward Operating Base Inkerman in the Upper Sangin Valley. One of 250 soldiers in the austere and remote base, his company was the first to occupy the location for a full six-month tour during the summer months when the Taliban have traditionally been at their most aggressive.

MOD photographs © Crown Copyright/MOD 2009

The Cybils: 2008 winners

It's been two and a half weeks since the winners of the Cybils were announced, and I'm finally getting around to posting them.... (Better late than never, right?)

The categories and winners are:

Easy Readers: I Love My New Toy, by Mo Willems
Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade): The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult): The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
Fiction Picture Books: How to Heal a Broken Wing, written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Graphic Novels (Middle Grade): Rapunzel's Revenge, written by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, and illustrated by Nathan Hale
Graphic Novels (Young Adult): Emiko Superstar, written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Steve Ralston
Middle Grade Fiction: The London Eye Mystery, by Siobhan Dowd
Non-Fiction Middle Grade/Young Adult Books: The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir, by Cylin Busby and John Busby
Non-Fiction Picture Books: Nic Bishop Frogs, written and illustrated by Nic Bishop
Poetry: Honeybee, by Naomi Shihab Nye
Young Adult Fiction: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E Lockhart

The page linked to above includes brief descriptions of each book. There are also links to their Amazon.com listings, though of course I highly recommend using these for info only and actually buying from your local independent bookstore.

At the time the finalists were announced, I hadn't read any of them. I've since read The Graveyard Book, which I highly recommend. (It was also this year's winner of the Newbery Medal.) Don't know if I'll read all of these, but some of them certainly look interesting.

Book list - Feb 09

Everything You Want - YA, by Barbara Shoup
The Secret-Keeper - children's, by Kate Coombs
The Horizon - WWI fiction, by Douglas Reeman
Tales from Silver Lands - children's folktales, by Charles J Finger (Newbery Medal, 1925)
The Illustrated Man - SF, by Ray Bradbury
Julia's Kitchen - children's, by Brenda A Ferber
Secret Keeper - YA, by Mitali Perkins
The Graveyard Book - children's, by Neil Gaiman (Newbery Medal, 2009)
The Dust of 100 Dogs - YA, by A S King
A La Carte - YA, by Tanita S Davis
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch - fantasy, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
The Eaves of Heaven: A Life in Three Wars - biography, by Andrew X Pham
The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents - YA fantasy, by Terry Pratchett (Carnegie Medal, 2001)
Badge of Glory - historical fiction, by Douglas Reeman

14 books this month, with no rereads. To reach my goal of 209 books this year, I'll have to average 17.417 per month, so I'm currently (28 books) still a little behind track (35). Not a problem....

The two Newbery Medal winners bring my total thus far up to 73 of 88, and the one Carnegie Medal winner brings me up to 14 of 69.


(A bit late with this, due to having to work Sunday and the library's closing early yesterday due to snow.)

Victoria Cross: A. E. Sephton

ALFRED EDWARD SEPHTON

Petty Officer, Royal Navy; HMS Coventry

Born: 19 April 1911, Warrington, Cheshire
Died: 19 May 1941, eastern Mediterranean Sea

Citation: Petty Officer Sephton was Director Layer when H.M.S. Coventry was attacked by aircraft [on 18 May 1941, off Crete], whose fire grievously wounded him. In mortal pain and faint from loss of blood he stood fast doing his duty withhout [sic] fault until the Enemy was driven off. Thereafter until his death his valiant and cheerful spirit gave heart to the wounded. His high example inspired his shipmates and will live in their memory.

(London Gazette Issue 35365 dated 2 Dec 1941, published 28 Nov 1941.)


Note: Petty Officer Sephton's VC was stolen on 25 September 1990 whilst on display in Coventry Cathedral, and has not been recovered.

Medal of Honor: J. M. Jackson

JOE M JACKSON

Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force; 311th Air Commando Squadron

Born: 14 March 1923, Newman, Ga.
Died: TBD

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Lt. Col. Jackson distinguished himself [on 12 May 1968] as pilot of a C-123 aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson volunteered to attempt the rescue of a 3-man USAF Combat Control Team from the special forces camp at Kham Duc. Hostile forces had overrun the forward outpost and established gun positions on the airstrip. They were raking the camp with small arms, mortars, light and heavy automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire. The camp was engulfed in flames and ammunition dumps were continuously exploding and littering the runway with debris. In addition, 8 aircraft had been destroyed by the intense enemy fire and 1 aircraft remained on the runway reducing its usable length to only 2,200 feet. To further complicate the landing, the weather was deteriorating rapidly, thereby permitting only 1 air strike prior to his landing. Although fully aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt. Lt. Col. Jackson elected to land his aircraft and attempt to rescue. Displaying superb airmanship and extraordinary heroism, he landed his aircraft near the point where the combat control team was reported to be hiding. While on the ground, his aircraft was the target of intense hostile fire. A rocket landed in front of the nose of the aircraft but failed to explode. Once the combat control team was aboard, Lt. Col. Jackson succeeded in getting airborne despite the hostile fire directed across the runway in front of his aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson's profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself, and the Armed Forces of his country.

Obama

Barack is very disappointed with me!


I only scored 21 on the Obama Test

NASA news

First, the space shuttle. ZUI this NASA press release dated 25 Feb:

NASA's Space Shuttle Program has established a plan that could support shuttle Discovery's launch to the International Space Station, tentatively targeted for March 12. An exact target launch date will be determined as work progresses with the shuttle's three gaseous hydrogen flow control valves.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians have started removing Discovery's three valves, two of which will undergo detailed inspection. Approximately 4,000 images of each valve will be reviewed for evidence of cracks. Valves that have flown fewer times will be installed in Discovery. Engineering teams also will complete analysis and testing to understand the consequences if a valve piece were to break off and strike pressurization lines between the shuttle and external fuel tank. Hardware modifications may be made to the pressurization lines to add extra protection in the unlikely event debris is released.

NASA and contractor teams have been working to identify what caused damage to a flow control valve on shuttle Endeavour during its November 2008 flight. Part of the main propulsion system, the valves channel gaseous hydrogen from the main engines to the external tank. After a thorough review of shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight on Feb. 20, NASA managers decided more understanding of the valve work was required before launching Discovery.

*******

If Discovery's tentative launch date holds, there will be no effect on the next two shuttle launches: STS-125 to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and STS-127 to the International Space Station.

And second, Kepler. ZUI this press release dated 26 Feb:

Launch of NASA's Kepler telescope is targeted for no earlier than Friday, March 6, from Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. There are two launch windows, from 10:49 - 10:52 p.m. and 11:13 - 11:16 p.m. EST.

Kepler is a spaceborne telescope designed to search the nearby region of our galaxy for Earth-size planets orbiting in the habitable zone of stars like our sun. The habitable zone is the region around a star where temperatures permit water to be liquid on a planet's surface.

Liquid water is considered essential for the existence of life as we know it. The vast majority of the approximately 300 planets known to orbit other stars are much larger than Earth, and none is believed to be habitable. The challenge for Kepler is to look at a large number of stars in order to statistically estimate the total number of Earth-size planets orbiting sun-like stars in the habitable zone. Kepler will survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy.

Engineers are reviewing all common hardware between the Delta II rocket carrying the Kepler telescope and the Taurus XL launch vehicle. On Tuesday, a Taurus carrying NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory failed to reach orbit. Managers want to confirm there will not be similar issues with Kepler's Delta II.

Kepler's original March 5 target launch date was moved one day later to accommodate the additional time for analysis. The March 6 target date still must be confirmed by the U.S Air Force, which manages the eastern launch range. Kepler's Flight Readiness Review is on Monday, March 2.

Kepler: NASA image

RIP: Philip José Farmer

Philip José Farmer
26 Jan 1918 – 25 Feb 2009

ZUI this article from the Peoria (IL) Journal Star:

Long after he became an internationally recognized science fiction writer, the usually elusive Philip Jose Farmer lent his fame to a favorite project: Peoria’s public libraries.

Fans would come from around the world to attend Farmer-related events, particularly when the Lakeview branch celebrated his Grand Master Award for Science Fiction in 2001. Puzzled local library patrons might wander by to sample the cookies, occasionally asking what was causing all the fuss. Farmer would crack his tight-lipped smile, but seemed unfazed by either global attention or the local lack thereof.

Farmer died at his North Peoria home Wednesday morning. He was 91.

*******

Michael Croteau, webmaster for pjfarmer.com, the official Philip Jose Farmer Web site, calls Farmer “that great teacher we all wish we had.” The relationship lead Croteau to read authors from Herman Mellville to Edgar Rice Burroughs to Carl Hiassen.

*******

Although Farmer was not always recognized here, he always credited Peoria and its libraries with his love for reading and writing. His family moved to Peoria from Indiana when he was 4. Some of Farmer’s earliest memories involved the McClure Branch Library.

“That’s where I started reading widely,” he said in a 1998 interview, citing the science fiction, the boys’ adventure books and magazines. “And then when I got to the adult section, I just went ape. Literally, because I discovered the Tarzan books.”

That sly humor and love of wordplay never deserted him, despite a series of strokes and health problems during the last few years. Over more than five decades of writing, he wrote more than 75 books and countless short stories. He won science fiction’s highest honor, the Hugo Award, three times. He was nominated for five more. Yet friends and collaborators prefer to remember his generosity of spirit.

I've been a PJF fan since the early '70s, when I read Lord of the Trees, The Mad Goblin, The Gate of Time, the first few World of Tiers books, and others. I'd say The Maker of Universes, The Gate of Time (but not the later, expanded version, Two Hawks from Earth), Tarzan Alive and Time's Last Gift are my favourites of his books.

Farmer's official website is here. A complete bibliography of his books can be found here. ISFDB has another one, including short stories, here. (There's one at his official site as well, of course.) And Wikipedia has an article.

WWII U-boat to be raised

ZUI this article from the Aberdeen Press and Journal:

A German submarine war grave from World War II which has been seeping deadly poisons into the North Sea is finally set to be raised.

The wreck of the U-864, which was sunk by the Royal Navy submarine HMS Venturer in 1945, has been leaking her cargo of highly poisonous mercury into the seabed off the west coast of Norway in an area fished by Scottish trawlermen.

*******

The U-864 was on a secret mission to Japan, carrying Messerschmitt jet engine parts and 65 tonnes of toxic mercury, used for making weapons.

*******

The U-864 has gone down in history as the only submarine to be sunk by another submarine while underwater.

The wreck was discovered in 2003 in two pieces 500ft beneath the sea and in 2006 it was found that the 1,857 canisters holding the mercury were corroding.

Since then, locals and fishermen have pleaded for the wreck to be raised but the authorities refused, claiming it was too risky.

See here for more about U-864, and here for more about HMS Venturer.

Shuttle launch delayed further

ZUI this press release from NASA:

During a thorough review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight, NASA managers decided Friday that more data and possible testing are required before launching the STS-119 mission to the International Space Station.

Engineering teams have been working to identify what caused damage to a flow control valve on shuttle Endeavour during its November 2008 flight.

*******

The shuttle has three flow control valves that channel gaseous hydrogen from the main engines to the external fuel tank. Teams also have tried to determine the consequences if a valve piece were to break off and strike part of the shuttle and external fuel tank.

The Space Shuttle Program has been asked to develop a plan to inspect additional valves similar to those installed on Discovery. This plan will be reviewed during a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Afterward, the program may consider setting a new target launch date.

STS-119 (space shuttle Discovery) was originally scheduled to be launched last fall. The flight will deliver the final pair of power-generating solar array wings and truss element to the International Space Station.

COL Lee J Archambault (USAF) will be the mission commander. and CDR Dominic A Antonelli (USN) will serve as pilot. The mission specialists are Joseph Acaba, Richard R Arnold II, John L Phillips and Steven R Swanson. Antonelli, Acaba and Arnold will be making their first spaceflight; this will be the second flight for Archambault and Swanson, and the third for Phillips.

WWI soldiers to be reburied

ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News:

The remains of around 400 British and Australian soldiers killed in the First World War Battle of Fromelles in France are to be exhumed from mass graves and individually buried.

The excavation of six mass graves at Fromelles is due to start in May 2009 and is expected to take up to six months, after which all the bodies will be permanently laid to rest in individual graves at a new Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

*******

The mass war graves, which are believed to contain the remains of up to 400 individuals who died in the battle, were discovered in 2008.

*******

British and Australian families who believe they have connections to, or information on, the soldiers who may be buried at Fromelles are being encouraged to come forward to assist with the process.

DNA samples will be taken from a small cross-section of the remains to determine the viability of a larger testing programme, and the potential for a formal identification.

The Battle of Fromelles began 19 days after the opening of the Somme campaign. It was the first major battle involving Australian and British troops on the Western Front. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, of which 1,917 were killed, and the 61st British Division suffered 1,547 casualties, either killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

*******

The main British regiments involved in the battle, and therefore the most likely to have men buried at Fromelles, were the Gloucestershire Regiment (now The Rifles), the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Ox & Bucks) (now The Rifles), the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (now The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers), the Worcestershire Regiment (now The Mercian Regiment), and the Machine Gun Corps (disbanded and no modern equivalent).

Anyone believing they may be related to British soldiers buried at Fromelles should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, Historic Casualty & Deceased Estates Casework, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Building 182, Imjin Barracks, Gloucester GL3 1HW, Email: jccchistcasso3@spva.mod.uk, Tel: 01452 712612 Extension 6303.

Victoria Cross: T. Wilkinson

THOMAS WILKINSON

Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve; commanding HMS Li Wo

Born: 1 August 1898, Widnes, Lancashire
Died: 14 February 1942, at sea south of Singapore

Citation: On 14th February, 1942, H.M. Ship Li Wo, a patrol vessel of 1,000 tons, formerly a passenger steamer on the Upper Yangtse River, was on passage from Singapore to Batavia. Her ship's company consisted of eighty-four officers and men, including one civilian; they were mainly survivors from His Majesty's Ships which had been sunk, and a few from units of the Army and the Royal Air Force. Her armament was one 4 inch gun, for which she had only thirteen practice shells, and two machine guns.
Since leaving Singapore the previous day, the ship had beaten off four air attacks, in one of which fifty-two machines took part, and had suffered considerable damage. Late in the afternoon, she sighted two enemy convoys, the larger of which was escorted by Japanese naval units, including a heavy cruiser and some destroyers. The commanding officer, Lieutenant T. Wilkinson, R.N.R., gathered his scratch ship's company together and told them that, rather than try to escape, he had decided to engage the convoy and fight to the last, in the hope that he might inflict damage upon the enemy. In making this decision, which drew resolute support from the whole ship's company, Lieutenant Wilkinson knew that his ship faced certain destruction, and that his own chances of survival were small.
H.M.S. Li Wo hoisted her battle ensign and made straight for the enemy. In the action which followed, the machine guns were used with effect upon the crews of all ships in range, and a volunteer gun's crew manned the 4 inch gun, which they fought with such purpose that a Japanese transport was badly hit and set on fire.
After a little over an hour, H.M.S. Li Wo had been critically damaged and was sinking. Lieutenant Wilkinson then decided to ram his principal target, the large transport, which had been abandoned by her crew. It is known that this ship burnt fiercely throughout the night following the action, and was probably sunk.
H.M.S. Li Wo's gallant fight ended when, her shells spent, and under heavy fire from the enemy cruiser, Lieutenant Wilkinson finally ordered abandon ship. He himself remained on board, and went down with her. There were only about ten survivors, who were later made prisoners of war.
Lieutenant Wilkinson's valour was equalled only by the skill with which he fought his ship. The VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed upon him posthumously in recognition of his own heroism and self-sacrifice, and of that of all who fought and died with him.

*******

The following amendment is made:-
In London Gazette Supplement No. 37387 of 14th December, 1945, Page 6084, the Award of Mention in Despatches (Posthumous) to Lieutenant Thomas WILKINSON, R.N.R., is cancelled, this officer's services being now recognised by the Award of the VICTORIA CROSS, gazetted herein.

(London Gazette Issue 37819 dated 17 Dec 1946, published 13 Dec 1946.)


Note: The same issue of the Gazette also reported that Temporary Sub-Lieutenant R G G Stanton, RNR, First Lieutenant (and only surviving officer) of HMS Li Wo, was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Acting Petty Officer A W Thompson was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, and Leading Seaman V Spencer and Able Seaman A Spendlove were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Spencer had manned the port machine gun on HMS Li Wo, and the other three men had served as crew for the 4-inch gun.
Temporary Lieutenant E N Derbridge, RNZNVR, Temporary Sub-Lieutenant J G Petherbridge, Malaya RNVR, Able Seaman D Palmer, Acting Chief Petty Officer C H Rogers, Leading Seaman W D Wilding and Able Seaman J Smith all received mention in despatches, posthumously in the case of the first three. (CPO Rogers, one of the survivors of Li Wo, had already survived the sinking of HMS Repulse on 10 Dec 1941.)

Medal of Honor: C. Nugent

CHRISTOPHER NUGENT

Orderly Sergeant, US Marine Corps; USS Fort Henry

Born: 1840, County Craven, Ireland
Died: 6 May 1898

Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Fort Henry, Crystal River, Fla., 15 June 1863. Reconnoitering on the Crystal River on this date and in charge of a boat from the Fort Henry, Orderly Sgt. Nugent ordered an assault upon a rebel breastwork fortification. In this assault, the orderly sergeant and his comrades drove a guard of 11 rebels into the swamp, capturing their arms and destroying their camp equipage while gallantly withholding fire to prevent harm to a woman among the fugitives. On 30 July 1863, he further proved his courage by capturing a boat off Depot Key, Fla., containing 2 men and a woman with their baggage.

Ten great post-apocalyptic SF novels

The List Universe offers such a list (with comments*), viz:

1. Alas, Babylon, by Pat Frank
2. Planet of the Apes, by Pierre Boulle
3. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
4. The Wild Shore: Three Californias, by Kim Stanley Robinson
5. Eternity Road, by Jack McDevitt
6. The Postman, by David Brin
7. A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M Miller Jr
8. Earth Abides, by George R Stewart
9. On the Beach, by Nevil Shute
10. Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

Numbers in bold indicate the ones I've read. I loved both Alas, Babylon and Lucifer's Hammer; Earth Abides, on the other hand, didn't particularly excite me, and while I loved the first section of A Canticle for Leibowitz, I hated the other two.


* And also links to Amazon, for further information.

Victoria Cross: J. T. Cornwell

JOHN TRAVERS CORNWELL

Boy First Class, Royal Navy; HMS Chester

Born: 8 January 1900, Leyton, Essex
Died: 31 May 1916, North Sea

Citation: Mortally wounded early in the action [off Jutland, 31 May 1916], Boy, First Class, John Travers Cornwall remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders, until the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him. His age was under sixteen and a half years.

(London Gazette Issue 29752 dated 15 Sep 1916, published 15 Sep 1916.)

Medal of Honor: H. E. Erwin

HENRY E ERWIN

Staff Sergeant, US Army Air Corps; 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force

Born: 8 May 1921, Adamsville, Alabama
Died: 16 January 2002, Alabama

Citation: He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan [on 12 April 1945]. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.

Requiescat in pace

Today would have been my brother's 70th birthday. He was born in a New York City vastly different from the one we know today. FDR was president, George VI was king; Adolf Hitler was chancellor, with six months to go before he started World War II. My dad was a grad student at Columbia, working on an MS in botany; Mum was a housewife, in a day when most married women stayed at home.

He dropped out of high school when he was 17 to join the Navy - reported in to RTC Great Lakes just a couple days after my second birthday - so I didn't see much of him when I was a kid; maybe once a year he'd come home on leave for a few days. Brought us some neat presents, too - I still remember the book about Pompeii he brought us after one of his Med runs.

In Athens, 1957 - Med run aboard USS Everglades (AD 24).

He started out as an electrician's mate (EM), but then converted to interior communications electrician (IC) very shortly thereafter.

IC2 aboard ship - not sure which one.

During his career he served aboard USS Everglades (AD 24), USS New (DD 818), USS Randolph (CVS 15), USS Proteus (AS 19), USS Hoel (DDG 13) and USS Fox (DLG 33). He also did two tours on shore duty, at NTC Great Lakes and at DATC San Diego.

Aboard USS Randolph (CVS 15) - 1962.

Milwaukee, 24 Nov 1962.

He had a Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, the Navy Good Conduct Medal (x4), the National Defence Service medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Visiting a boat whilst stationed on the tender - 1966.

ICC at his last reenlistment - 1973.

Not only was there a fifteen-year difference in our ages, but while he enlisted at 17, I waited until I was 27. Thus he did his twenty years (plus a two-month extension to finish a WestPac), and retired five and a half years before I enlisted. The first time I went in to see a recruiter, I talked with him for about 45 minutes; then I went home, called my brother, and spent an hour and a half discussing things with him. Then I went back to the recruiter....

With his wife and kids - an Xmas card from the late '70s.

He'd stayed in San Diego after he retired, so when I went out there for A school I stayed with him and his family, instead of in the barracks. I was amazed at how much alike we'd turned out, despite the difference in our childhoods (with him as the eldest and me as the youngest of four).

He died of a stroke in 1985, just a few days after his 46th birthday. We still miss him.

Many thanks to my niece for the photos.

RIP: Sqn Ldr Terry Spencer DFC

Terry Spencer DFC
18 Mar 1918 - 8 Feb 2009

ZUI this article from The Times:

Terry Spencer excelled in two audacious careers — first as a Second World War fighter pilot specialising in very low-level strafing raids across occupied Europe, and later as a celebrated Life magazine photographer covering wars in the Congo, Vietnam and the Middle East.

He was born during a Zeppelin raid on England in 1918. When the Second World War broke out he joined the Army, but he was unhappy serving with the Royal Engineers, and subsequently obtained a transfer to the Royal Air Force.

After training as a pilot, he was posted to a squadron flying American P51 Mustangs, the fastest fighters in the world at that time. Flying in pairs, low over the water to avoid German radar, the Mustangs flew deep into France, Germany and other occupied countries attacking trains, boats and army convoys.

*******

On D-Day in 1944, he flew combat missions over the Channel, above the thousands of boats, from warships to landing craft, all heading for the French coast. Later that month the squadron was sent to cope with the latest German secret weapon — the V1 flying bombs.

Spencer downed a record of eight V1s and, like other V1 "aces", developed a technique of nudging the bombs with his wingtip, toppling the V1 gyro and causing it to crash.

Shortly after that he flew cover over the ill-fated airborne operation at Arnhem. This was followed by escorting large formations of American Flying Fortresses bombing the Ruhr. In the winter of 1944 Spencer left 41 Squadron to command the 350 Belgian unit equipped with the latest Spitfire X1Vs — strafing locomotives and military convoys in Germany.

In February 1945 he was shot down while attacking ground targets near Munster. He baled out and landed in a field beside some French slave workers but was soon surrounded by German soldiers. He was taken to a German interrogation centre, but escaped soon afterwards during an Allied bombing raid. Spencer and a New Zealander commandeered a motor bicycle, stole some petrol and reached the American lines. He rejoined his unit, by then in Holland, to be greeted by his CO and fighter ace Group Captain Johnny Johnson, who exclaimed: “Terry, where the bloody hell have you been the last five weeks?”

In April 1945 while leading a section of Belgian Spitfires over the Baltic, Spencer was flying close above the sea when he was hit by fire from a German destroyer. His plane disintegrated. He shot into the air and his parachute was blown out of its pack and opened before he hit the water. A prisoner of war for the second time, he was liberated shortly afterwards, towards the end of hostilities, and his recovery from bad burns was helped by his saline bath in the Baltic. He ended the war as a squadron leader with an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross and a Belgian Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

*******

With the coming of apartheid, South Africa became a major international story. Spencer then began a long, successful career in photo-journalism with Life magazine, starting by covering unrest and violence, including the Sharpeville massacre. With the “winds of change” sweeping the African continent he went on to report and photograph the Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya, the Congo uprisings and mutinies, Biafra and the Algerian war.

*******

Sent to Nigeria to do a story on the Sultan of Kano, Spencer received a cable asking whether he could photograph the Sultan in his harem. He replied: “ONLY WOMAN PHOTOGRAPHER CAN ENTER HAREM OR POSSIBLY EUNUCH STOP NOT EVEN FOR LIFE MAGAZINE AM EYE PREPARED MAKE SACRIFICE NECESSARY FOR LATTER”.

*******

Terry Spencer was born on March 18, 1918, in Bedford. His father was the wealthy heir of an engineering firm. Spencer was educated at Cheltenham College and then gained an engineering degree at Birmingham University. He started the war in the Warwickshire Yeomanry with horses, and was transferred to the Royal Engineers before joining the RAF.

In September 2008, cancer was diagnosed and Spencer was told that he would not live until Christmas. A bon vivant to the end, he invited all his friends to a pre-wake party on December 21.

After 62 years of marriage, Terry and Lesley Spencer died within 24 hours of each other. She telephoned him at the hospital in Odiham, Hampshire, and asked the nurse to hold the phone to his ear as he was very weak. Lesley told him that she loved him very much, went to sleep and never woke up.

Terry and Lesley Spencer are survived by their two daughters. Their only son died as a small child.

Spencer's DFC was gazetted on 19 Jun 1945:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations:-
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Squadron Leader Terence Spencer (47269), R.A.F. (Lieut., Corps of Royal Engineers).
This officer's keenness for air operations has won great praise. He has completed a very large number of sorties and has invariably attacked his targets with great courage and determination thereby achieving much success. One one occasion in February, 1945, Squadron Leader Spencer was forced to come down in enemy territory. He was captured, but subsequently rejoined his unit. He has been responsible for the destruction of one enemy aircraft and a good number of mechanical vehicles.

[London Gazette issue 37142 dated 22 Jun 1945, published 19 Jun 1945.]

More information can be found here, here and here.

Victoria Cross: Agan Singh Rai

AGAN SINGH RAI

Rifleman (Acting Naik*), 2nd Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army

Born: 1920, Aapswarah, Okhaldunga District, Nepal
Died: 27 May 2000, Kathmandu, Nepal

Citation: In Burma on 24th and 25th June, 1944, after fierce fighting, the enemy, with greatly superior forces, had captured two posts known as "Water Piquet" and "Mortar Bluff". These posts were well sighted and were mutually supporting and their possession by the enemy threatened our communications.
On the morning of 26th June, 1944, a Company of the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was ordered to recapture these positions.
After a preliminary artillery concentration, the Company went into the attack but on reaching a false crest about 80 yards from its objective, it was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire from a machine-gun in "Mortar Bluff" and a .37 [sic] millimetre gun in the jungle, suffering many casualties. Naik Agansing Rai, appreciating that more delay would inevitably result in heavier casualties, at once led his section under withering fire directly at the machine-gun and, firing as he went, charged the position, himself killing three of the crew of four. Inspired by this cool act of bravery the section surged forward across the bullet swept ground and routed the garrison of "Mortar Bluff."
This position was now under intense fire from the .37 [sic] millimetre gun in the jungle and from "Water Piquet". Naik Agansing Rai at once advanced towards the gun, his section without hesitation following their gallant leader. Intense fire reduced the section to three men before half the distance had been covered but they pressed on to their objective. Arriving at close range, Naik Agansing Rai killed three of the crew and his men killed the other two. The party then returned to "Mortar Bluff" where the rest of their platoon were forming up for the final assault on "Water Piquet". In the subsequent advance heavy machine-gun fire and showers of grenades from an isolated bunker position caused further casualties. Once more, with indomitable courage, Nalk Agansing Rai, covered by his Bren gunner, advanced alone with a grenade in one hand and his Thompson Sub-Machine gun in the other. Through devastating fire he reached the enemy position and with his grenade and bursts from his Thompson Sub-Machine gun killed all four occupants of the bunker.
The enemy, demoralized by this N.C.O.'s calm display of courage and complete contempt for danger, now fled before the onslaught on "Water Piquet" and this position too was captured.
Naik Agansing Rai's magnificent display of initiative, outstanding bravery and gallant leadership, so inspired the rest of the Company that, in spite of heavy casualties, the result of this important action was never in doubt.

(London Gazette Issue 36730 dated 5 Oct 1944, published 3 Oct 1944.)




* Naik was the British Indian Army rank equivalent to Corporal, above Lance Naik and below Havildar.

Medal of Honor: O. Burkard

OSCAR BURKARD

Private, Hospital Corps, US Army; 3rd US Infantry Regiment

Born: 21 December 1877, Achern, Germany
Died: 18 February 1950, Rome, New York

Citation: For distinguished bravery in action against hostile Indians.




Note: Private Burkard received his medal for action against the Chippewa at Leech Lake, northern Minnesota, on 5 October 1898. This was the last Medal of Honor awarded for an Indian campaign.

RIP: Herbert Hamrol

Herbert Heimie Hamrol
10 Jan 1903 - 5 Feb 2009

ZUI this article from the San Francisco Chronicle:

Herbert Heimie Hamrol was the last known survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, and right up until the minute he died today at the age of 106, he packed every moment as if it were his last.

Mr. Hamrol's still-crisp memories of the smoke and the ruin served as the only true time machine left for a catastrophe most people know only from ancient photographs. But that was only a part of what Mr. Hamrol brought to the plate when he woke up each morning at his home in Daly City.

He was also the oldest known grocery clerk in San Francisco, punching a clock until a week before he died at a local hospital of complications from pneumonia. And if you were lucky enough to talk with him, you would likely learn a thing or two.

*******

As recently as 2000, there were 16 survivors at the annual quake commemoration, held at 5:12 a.m. at Lotta's Fountain to mark the exact moment the quake began. But last year, on the 102nd anniversary, Mr. Hamrol was the only survivor present.

*******

Mr. Hamrol remembered little of the actual quake, being just 3 years old when it happened. But the nuggets he did recall became more important as the years rolled by and older survivors passed away.

"I remember my mother carrying me down the stairs," he said last spring. He also remembered staying in Golden Gate Park while smoke filled the skies and rubble lay heaped everywhere.

"We don't get an earthquake every day, so we celebrate the one we had," he added. "It was a beautiful earthquake."

Mr. Hamrol was born in San Francisco on January 10, 1903. After graduating from the 6th grade he took a job delivering meat for a butcher. He also worked as phone company clerk and food wholesaler before settling in as a clerk at Andronico's market on Irving Street in 1967.

*******

Mr. Hamrol's wife of 40 years, Cecilia, died in 1969. He always kept her picture in his room, and he told The Chronicle in 2003, "Every morning I say 'good morning' to her."

*******

Mr. Hamrol is survived by another son in addition to Bill [Hamrol of Galt, California], Burt Hamrol of San Francisco; and five grandchildren.

ZUI also this article, dated 18 Apr 2006, from the New York Times.

What office supply are you?

You Are a Post-it

You have a good memory. Your memory is so good, in fact, that it can be down right annoying at times. You don't mean to nag, but you like to remind people what they're supposed to be doing. You may be a bit of a pest, but you're awfully cute. So no one minds it all too much when you pop up. You would make a good manger, salesperson or attorney. You can cram a lot of info into that head of yours.

What Office Supply Are You?

"Manger"? I hope they mean "manager"! I'd make a terrible salesperson - you have to like people a whole lot better than I do (or at least be much better than I am at pretending you like people) in order to be a good one. And I think I feel insulted at being told I'd make a good lawyer....

Victoria Cross: L. W. Jones

LOFTUS WILLIAM JONES

Commander, Royal Navy; commanding HMS Shark

Born: 13 November 1879, Petersfield, Hampshire
Died: 31 May 1916, aboard HMS Shark, North Sea

Citation: On the afternoon of the 31st May, 1916, during the action [off Jutland], Commander Jones in HMS ‘Shark,’ Torpedo Boat Destroyer, led a division of destroyers to attack the enemy Battle Cruiser Squadron. In the course of this attack a shell hit the ‘Shark's’ bridge, putting the steering gear out of order, and very shortly afterwards another shell disabled the main engines, leaving the vessel helpless. The Commanding Officer of another Destroyer, seeing the ‘Shark's’ plight, came between her and the enemy and offered assistance, but was warned by Commander Jones not to run the risk of being almost certainly sunk in trying to help him. Commander Jones, though wounded in the leg, went aft to help connect and man the after wheel. Meanwhile the forecastle gun with its crew had been blown away, and the same fate soon afterwards befell the after gun and crew. Commander Jones then went to the midship and the only remaining gun, and personally assisted in keeping it in action. All this time the ‘Shark’ was subjected to very heavy fire from enemy light cruisers and destroyers at short range. The gun's crew of the midship gun was reduced to three, of whom an Able Seaman was soon badly wounded in the leg. A few minutes later Commander Jones was hit by a shell, which took off his leg above the knee, but he continued to give orders to his gun's crew, while a Chief Stoker improvised a tourniquet round his thigh. Noticing that the Ensign was not properly hoisted, he gave orders for another to be hoisted. Soon afterwards, seeing that the ship could not survive much longer, and as a German Destroyer was closing, he gave orders for the surviving members of the crew to put on lifebelts. Almost immediately after this order had been given, the ‘Shark’ was struck by a torpedo and sank. Commander Jones was unfortunately not amongst the few survivors from the ‘Shark’ who were picked up by a neutral vessel in the night.

Medal of Honor: V. R. Capodanno and L. D. Peters

VINCENT ROBERT CAPODANNO

Lieutenant, Chaplain Corps, US Navy; 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)

Born: 13 February 1929, Staten Island, New York
Died: 4 September 1967, Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force [in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 September 1967], Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.


Note: USS Capodanno (FF 1093) was named in his honour. On 19 May 2006, a Cause for Beatification and Canonization was opened in his name by Archbishop Edwin F O'Brien.


LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS

Sergeant, US Marine Corps; Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division

Born: 16 September 1946, Johnson City, New York
Died: 4 September 1967, Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with Company M [in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 September 1967]. During Operation SWIFT, the marines of the 2d Platoon of Company M were struck by intense mortar, machinegun, and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force. As the company rallied its forces, Sgt. Peters maneuvered his squad in an assault on any enemy defended knoll. Disregarding his safety, as enemy rounds hit all about him, he stood in the open, pointing out enemy positions until he was painfully wounded in the leg. Disregarding his wound, he moved forward and continued to lead his men. As the enemy fire increased in accuracy and volume, his squad lost its momentum and was temporarily pinned down. Exposing himself to devastating enemy fire, he consolidated his position to render more effective fire. While directing the base of fire, he was wounded a second time in the face and neck from an exploding mortar round. As the enemy attempted to infiltrate the position of an adjacent platoon, Sgt. Peters stood erect in the full view of the enemy firing burst after burst forcing them to disclose their camouflaged positions. Sgt. Peters steadfastly continued to direct his squad in spite of 2 additional wounds, persisted in his efforts to encourage and supervise his men until he lost consciousness and succumbed. Inspired by his selfless actions, the squad regained fire superiority and once again carried the assault to the enemy. By his outstanding valor, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Sgt. Peters upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Book list - Jan 09

Boston Jane - YA historical fiction, by Jennifer L Holm
Silent Steel: The Mysterious Death of the Nuclear Attack Sub USS Scorpion - naval history, by Stephen Johnson
Dead Girl Walking - YA, by Linda Joy Singleton
Dead Time - mystery, by Eleanor Taylor Bland
A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers - children's poetry, by Nancy Willard (Newbery Medal, 1982)
Sub: An Oral History of US Navy Submarines - naval history, by Mark Roberts
Slow Burn - mystery, by Eleanor Taylor Bland
Gone Quiet - mystery, by Eleanor Taylor Bland
Sister Light, Sister Dark - YA fantasy, by Jane Yolen
White Jenna - fantasy, by Jane Yolen
Savage Wilderness - historical fiction, by Harold Coyle
The Lost Island of Tamarind - YA, by Nadia Aguiar
Letters from Rifka - children's historical fiction, by Karen Hesse
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians - YA, by Brandon Sanderson


14 books this month, with no rereads. To reach my goal of 209 books this year, I'll have to average 17.417 per month, so I'm currently a little behind track, but I have faith in my ability to catch up.

The one Newbery Medal winner brings my total thus far up to 71 of 88; I'm still at 13 of 69 Carnegie Medal winners.