RIP: Nancy Wake AC GM

Nancy Grace Augusta Wake AC GM

The White Mouse

30 Aug 1912 – 7 Aug 2011

ZUI this article from The Sydney Morning Herald:

Nancy Wake, whose remarkable exploits as a British agent with the French Resistance during the Second World War made her one of the most decorated servicewomen of that conflict, was born on August 30, 1912, in the back room of a weatherboard shack in Wellington, New Zealand.

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In 1936, she met a Marseilles millionaire, Henri Fiocca, and she married him just after World War II broke out. She settled into his Marseilles mansion, leaving journalism behind. As the Nazis crossed the French border, Wake was appalled at the ''collaborationistes'' who advocated living as comfortably as possible within the Nazi yoke.

She was never so disposed herself and only a short time after the war began, became a courier for the local Resistance movement, shifting everything from simple messages and high-tech radio parts to well-secreted cells of partisans.

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So busy was she that the Gestapo came to call her ''the White Mouse'', in part it seems because whenever they felt they had this beautiful woman cornered, she was able to disappear. Finally, though, the Gestapo came for her and she was only just able to escape before getting over the Pyrenees herself.

Her husband, however, was not so fortunate. After being arrested by the Gestapo, he refused to divulge her whereabouts or give an account of her activities and was summarily executed.

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At 1 o'clock on the morning of March 31, 1943, she was parachuted back into France into the forests of Auvergne - just to the north of the town of Clermont-Ferrand - where 7000 partisans were to be found in separate groups.

Her mission was to judge the strength of the many separate bands and then radio London a heavily coded message as to what was needed in terms of munitions.

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For her courage and feats during the war, Wake was awarded nine bravery medals, including the Medal of Freedom from the US, the George Medal from Britain and the Medaille de la Resistance from France. In a controversy that continued for the next five decades, she never received a medal from the Australian government on the simple grounds that she was not fighting for any of the Australian services during the war.

Despite that, in her latter years, the federal government did contact her from time to time to see if she would accept a medal. It was consistently rejected. When the Herald asked her about this in April 2000, she was typically blunt. ''The last time there was a suggestion of giving me [an Australian medal], I told the government they could stick their medals where the monkey stuck his nuts. The thing is, if they gave me a medal now, it wouldn't be given with love, so I don't want anything from them. They can bugger off.''

ZUI also this article from The Australian:

Wake helped recruit an additional 3000 fighters to build a force of about 7000. She led groups of these fighters on guerilla attacks against German troops, installations and equipment.

In one confrontation with German soldiers, she lost her radio and codes and, therefore, all ability to communicate with her controllers in Britain. It was a severe loss because without a radio she could not receive orders or advice about air drops, nor could she report the results of her sabotage missions.

It meant a hazardous bicycle ride of 500km through German checkpoints to replace her lost codes. It was a marathon effort that took more than 70 hours. "I got back and they said, 'How are you?'. I cried. I couldn't stand up, I couldn't sit down. I couldn't do anything. I just cried," Wake recalled.

The 1944 Normandy landings were approaching and the resistance was being primed to divert as many German troops as possible. Wake's groups were constantly on the move, sleeping rough and engaging the enemy in numerous firefights. Often, the local people suffered reprisals.

Wake was leading a force of more than 7000, a highly motivated army that was making life decidedly uncomfortable for about 22,000 German storm-troopers stationed in the Auvergne. In June 1944, the Germans attacked the resistance stronghold with the help of artillery and aircraft. At the end, about 1400 German soldiers lay dead; the resistance lost about 100.

During a later attack on an arms factory, Wake killed a sentry with a karate chop to the neck.

"They'd taught this judo-chop stuff with the flat of the hand at SOE, and I practised away at it. But this was the only time I used it -- whack -- and it killed him all right. I was really surprised."

There were sabotage missions, roadblocks and gun fights. Wake led an attack on Gestapo headquarters; she reputedly executed a woman who had been spying for the Germans.

In August, Paris was liberated and Wake's fighters celebrated in Vichy where she heard of her husband's fate.

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The French government made her a Chevalier de Legion d'Honneur, awarded her the Croix de Guerre with star and two Palms, and the Medaille de la Resistance. The British gave her the George Medal and the US awarded her the Medal of Freedom with Palm. She was also entitled to wear the British 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the British War Medal 1939-45 and the Defence Medal. She also held the New Zealand Returned and Services Association's highest honour, the badge in Gold.

Despite representations from the Returned Services League, successive Australian governments refused to recognise her heroism with an award. That was rectified in March 2004 when governor-general Michael Jeffery presented her with a Companion of the Order of Australia.

George Cross: M. Willetts

MICHAEL WILLETTS

Sergeant, 3d Battalion The Parachute Regiment

Born: 13 August 1943, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Died: 25 May 1971, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Citation: At 8.24 p.m. on the evening of 25th May 1971, a terrorist entered the reception hall of the Springfield Road Police Station in Belfast. He carried a suitcase from which a smoking fuse protruded, dumped it quickly on the floor and fled outside. Inside the room were a man and a woman, two children and several police officers.
One of the latter saw at once the smoking case and raised the alarm. The Police Officers began to organise the evacuation of the hall past the reception desk, through the reception office and out by a door into the rear passage.
Sergeant Michael Willetts was on duty in the inner hall. Hearing the alarm, he sent an N.C.O. up to the first floor to warn those above and hastened himself to the door towards which a Police Officer was thrusting those in the reception hall and office. He held the door open while all passed safely through and then stood in the doorway, shielding those taking cover. In the next moment, the bomb exploded with terrible force.
Sergeant Willetts was mortally wounded.
His duty did not require him to enter the threatened area: his post was elsewhere. He knew well, after 4 months' service in Belfast, the peril of going towards a terrorist bomb but he did not hesitate to do so. All those approaching the door from the far side agree that if they had had to check to open the door they would have perished. Even when they had reached the rear passage, Sergeant Willetts waited, placing his body as a screen to shelter them. By this considered act of bravery, he risked — and lost — his life for those of the adults and children. His selflessness, his courage are beyond praise.

[London Gazette issue 45404 dated 22 Jun 1971, published 21 Jun 1971.]

Victoria Cross: W. N. W. Hewett

WILLIAM NATHAN WRIGHTE HEWETT

Lieutenant, Royal Navy; HMS Beagle

Born: 12 August 1834, Brighton, Sussex
Died: 13 May 1888, RNH Haslar, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Citation: 1st. On the occasion of a repulse of a sortie of Russians by Sir De Lacy Evans' Division on the 26th October, 1854, Mr. Hewett, then Acting-Mate of Her Majesty's Ship "Beagle," was in charge of the Right Lancaster Battery before Sebastopol. The advance of the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy, their skirmishers advancing within 300 yards of the Battery, and pouring in a sharp fire from their Minié rifles. By some misapprehension the word was passed to spike the gun and retreat; but Mr. Hewett, taking upon himself the responsibility of disregarding the order, replied, that "Such order did not come from Captain Lushington, and he would not do it till it did." Mr. Hewett then pulled down the parapet of the Battery, and with the assistance of some soldiers, got his gun round, and poured upon the advancing column of Russians a most destructive and effective fire.
For the gallantry exhibited on this occasion, the Board of Admiralty promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant.
2nd. On the 5th November, 1854, at the Battle of Inkerman, Captain Lushington again brought before the Commander-in-chief the services of Mr. Hewett, saying, "I have much pleasure in again bringing Mr. Hewett's gallant conduct to your notice."
(Sir S. Lushington to Vice-Admiral Sir J. D. Dundas, inclosed in despatches of 1st November, 1854, and 8th November, 1854).

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


Note: At the timeof his death he was Vice Admiral Sir William Hewett VC KCB KCSI.

Medal of Honor: M. M. M. Van Iersel

LUDOVICUS M M VAN IERSEL

Sergeant, US Army; Company M, 9th Infantry, 2d Division

Born: 19 October 1893, Holland
Died: 9 June 1987

Citation: While a member of the reconnaissance patrol, sent out at night to ascertain the condition of a damaged bridge [at Mouzon, France, on 9 November 1918], Sgt. Van Iersel volunteered to lead a party across the bridge in the face of heavy machinegun and rifle fire from a range of only 75 yards. Crawling alone along the debris of the ruined bridge he came upon a trap, which gave away and precipitated him into the water. In spite of the swift current he succeeded in swimming across the stream and found a lodging place among the timbers on the opposite bank. Disregarding the enemy fire, he made a careful investigation of the hostile position by which the bridge was defended and then returned to the other bank of the river, reporting this valuable information to the battalion commander.

Book list - Jul 11

The Making of Man - children's palaeoanthropology, by Dr I W Cornwall (Carnegie Medal, 1960)
Jordan Freeman Was My Friend - children's historical fiction, by Richard White
Blind Justice - historical mystery, by Bruce Alexander
Stork Raving Mad - mystery, by Donna Andrews
The Kindling - YA postapocalyptic, by Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher
Side Jobs - modern fantasy (short stories), by Jim Butcher
Time of Trial - children's historical fiction, by Hester Burton (Carnegie Medal, 1963)
Once & Future Giants: What Ice Age Extinctions Tell Us About the Fate of Earth's Largest Animals - ecology, by Sharon Levy
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - YA historical fiction, by Jacqueline Kelly
The Real Macaw - mystery, by Donna Andrews
Josh - children's, by Ivan Southall (Carnegie Medal, 1971)
A Flock of Ships - WWII fiction, by Brian Callison *


Twelve books last month, with only one reread (marked by an asterisk). I'm not setting an official goal this year, though I do expect to read around 150 books.

The three Carnegie Medal winners bring me up to 55 of 72. My thanks to the J Eugene Smith Library, Eastern Connecticut State College, Willimantic CT; the Connecticut State Library Library Service Centre, Willimantic CT; and the Fletcher Memorial Library, Hampton CT, for the ILLs.

FY12 CPO selectees

The list is out.

Was beginning to think I wouldn't see any names I knew, but finally found a nuc MM and a shower sonar tech, both from Prov. It's been eight years since I retired,* so between time and forgetfulness I imagine I won't see many more names I recognise on the CPO lists in the future....

Congratulations to all of the new selectees!


* Hard to believe it's been 16 years since I left Jax, 19 since I left Simon Lake and 22 since I left Oly!

Victoria Cross: Yeshwant Ghadge

YESHWANT GHADGE

Naik, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, Indian Army

Born: 16 November 1921, Palasgaon Village, India
Died: 10 July 1944, Upper Tiber Valley, Italy

Citation: In Italy, on l0th July, 1944, a Company of the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry attacked a position strongly defended by the enemy.
During this attack a rifle section commanded by Naik Yeshwant Ghadge came under heavy machine-gun fire at close range, which killed or wounded all members of the section except the commander. Without hesitation, and well knowing that none were left to accompany him, Naik Yeshwant Ghadge rushed the machine gun post. He first threw a grenade which knocked out the machine gun and firer, after which he shot one of the gun crew with his Tommygun. Finally, having no time to change his magazine, he grasped his gun by the barrel and beat to death the remaining two men of the gun crew. Unfortunately Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was shot in the chest and back by enemy snipers and died in the post which he had captured single handed.
The courage, determination, and devotion to duty of this Indian N.C.O. in a situation where he knew the odds against him gave little hope of survival were outstanding.

[London Gazette issue 36774 dated 2 Nov 1944, published 31 Oct 1944.]

Medal of Honor: J. J. Kelly

JOHN JOSEPH KELLY

Private, US Marine Corps; 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division

Born: 24 June 1898, Chicago, Illinois
Died: 20 November 1957, Chicago, Illinois

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage a hundred yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.


Citation: Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.


Note: Kelly was one of five Marines who received both Navy and Army medals for the same action. (Two of these double awards were for this battle in October, 1918; one had been awarded in June, 1918, and the other two were awarded for a battle in July of that year.)

Victoria Cross: A. S. Cobbe

ALEXANDER STANHOPE COBBE, DSO

Captain (local Lieutenant-Colonel), Indian Army; 1st (Central Africa) Battalion, King's African Rifles

Born: 5 June 1870, Naini Tal, India
Died: 29 June 1931, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire

Citation: During the action at Erego, on 6th October, 1902, when some of the Companies had retired, Lieutenant-Colonel Cobbe was left by himself in front of the line, with a Maxim gun. Without assistance he brought in the Maxim, and worked it at a most critical time. He then went out under an extremely hot fire from the enemy about 20 yards in front of him, and from his own men (who had retired) about the same distance behind, and succeeded in carrying in a wounded Orderly. Colonel Swayne, who was in command of the Force, personally witnessed this Officer's conduct, which he describes as most gallant.

[London Gazette issue 27517 dated 20 Jan 1903, published 20 Jan 1903.]


Notes: At the time of his death he was General Sir Alexander Stanhope Cobbe VC GCB KCSI DSO.
Erego (or Erigo) is in Somalia.

Medal of Honor: J. R. Kerrey

JOSEPH R KERREY

Lieutenant, Junior Grade, US Naval Reserve; Sea, Air, and Land Team (SEAL)

Born: 27 August 1943, Lincoln, Nebraska
Died: TBD

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL team leader during action against enemy aggressor (Viet Cong) forces [near Nha Trang Bay, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 March 1969]. Acting in response to reliable intelligence, Lt. (J.G..) Kerrey led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy's area political cadre known to be located on an island in the bay of Nha Trang. In order to surprise the enemy, he and his team scaled a 350-foot sheer cliff to place themselves above the ledge on which the enemy was located. Splitting his team in 2 elements and coordinating both, Lt. (J.G..) Kerrey led his men in the treacherous downward descent to the enemy's camp. Just as they neared the end of their descent, intense enemy fire was directed at them, and Lt. (J.G.) Kerrey received massive injuries from a grenade which exploded at his feet and threw him backward onto the jagged rocks. Although bleeding profusely and suffering great pain, he displayed outstanding courage and presence of mind in immediately directing his element's fire into the heart of the enemy camp. Utilizing his radioman, Lt. (J.G.) Kerrey called in the second element's fire support which caught the confused Viet Cong in a devastating crossfire. After successfully suppressing the enemy's fire, and although immobilized by his multiple wounds, he continued to maintain calm, superlative control as he ordered his team to secure and defend an extraction site. Lt. (J.G.) Kerrey resolutely directed his men, despite his near unconscious state, until he was eventually evacuated by helicopter. The havoc brought to the enemy by this very successful mission cannot be over-estimated. The enemy soldiers who were captured provided critical intelligence to the allied effort. Lt. (J.G.) Kerrey's courageous and inspiring leadership, valiant fighting spirit, and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of almost overwhelming opposition sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Medal of Honor to be awarded for Afghanistan

ZUI this article from The Adair Progress (Columbia KY):

Dakota Meyer, a Marine from Adair County, will receive the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, from President Barrak [sic] Obama for his heroic actions during a firefight in Afghanistan.
According to the Marine Corps Times, President Obama contacted Meyer on Monday to inform him of the decision to award him the Medal of Honor. Meyer ... becomes the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in 41 years, and is only the third living Medal of Honor recipient from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Meyer is being honored for the actions he took in a firefight that occurred in the remote village of Ganjgal in Eastern Afghanistan on Sept. 8, 2009.

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The date when President Obama will present Meyer with the Medal of Honor has not yet been announced. More details will be made available later.

According to the Marine Corps Times, two other Marines will receive the Navy Cross for heroism at Ganjgal.

Medal of Honor awarded for Afghanistan

Forgot to post this last week because I was distracted by getting ready for my vacation....

ZUI this article from ABC News:

Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry was honored at the Pentagon today for the heroism that cost him his right hand but saved the lives of two of his fellow soldiers.

Petry is only the second living recipient of the nation's highest award for valor in the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq.

President Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Petry on Tuesday at a White House ceremony, at which he said the Army Ranger's service "speaks to the very essence of America -- the spirit that says no matter how hard the journey, no matter how steep the climb, we don't quit."

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Petry lost his right hand on May 26, 2008 during what his platoon commander described as one of the most complex Special Operations raids ever conducted in Afghanistan at the time. A platoon of Rangers was targeting a high-value target hiding in a compound in eastern Afghanistan.

Special Operations forces typically conduct their missions at night, but this mission was more dangerous because it was conducted during daylight. Almost immediately after getting out of their helicopters, the Rangers came under strong enemy fire.
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When asked by a reporter what message he had for younger soldiers about what they could learn from his experience, Petry said, "Give it your best. Always put your faith in those to your left and right, and may y'all come home safe. And thank you."

ZUI also this ABC News blog post. The president's remarks from the presentation are here.

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

LEROY ARTHUR PETRY

Staff Sergeant, US Army; D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

Born: 29 July 1979, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Died: TBD

Citation: Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first grenade explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. A second grenade then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed. Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers. Staff Sergeant Petry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army.

Victoria Cross: B. S. Gordon

BERNARD SIDNEY GORDON, MM

Lance Corporal, 41st Battalion (Queensland) Australian Imperial Force

Born: 16 August 1891, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Died: 19 October 1963, Torquay, Queensland, Australia

Citation: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 26/27th August, 1918, east of Bray.
He led his section through heavy shell fire to the objective, which he consolidated. Single-handed he attacked an enemy machine gun which was enfilading the company on his right, killed the man on the gun, and captured the post, which contained one officer and ten men. He then cleared up a trench, capturing twenty-nine prisoners and two machine guns. In clearing up further trenches he captured twenty-two prisoners, including one officer, and three machine guns.
Practically unaided, he captured, in the course of these operations, two officers and sixty-one other ranks, together with six machine guns, and displayed throughout a wonderful example of fearless initiative.

[London Gazette issue 31082 dated 24 Dec 1918, published 24 Dec 1918.]

Medal of Honor: J. Trautman

JACOB TRAUTMAN

First Sergeant, Company I, 7th US Cavalry

Born: 1840, Germany
Died: 7 November 1898, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Citation: Killed a hostile Indian at close quarters [at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, on 29 December 1890], and, although entitled to retirement from service, remained to the close of the campaign.

Victoria Cross: J. J. Farmer

JOSEPH JOHN FARMER

Provisional Lance-Corporal, Army Hospital Corps

Born: 5 May 1855, Clerkenwell, London
Died: 30 June 1930, Northwood, Middlesex

Citation: For conspicuous bravery during the engagement with the Boers at the Majuba Mountain, on the 27th February, 1881, when he showed a spirit of self-abnegation and an example of cool courage which cannot be too highly commended.
While the Boers closed with the British troops near the wells, Corporal Farmer held a white flag over the wounded, and when the arm holding the flag was shot through, he called out that he had "another." He then raised the flag with the other arm, and continued to do so until that also was pierced with a bullet.

[London Gazette issue 24973 dated 17 May 1881, published 17 May 1881.]


Note: Majuba Hill is near Volksrust, South Africa. This was the main battle of the First Boer War, and was a decisive victory for the Boers.

Medal of Honor: E. S. Michael

EDWARD STANLEY MICHAEL

First Lieutenant, US Army Air Corps; 364th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group

Born: 2 May 1918, Chicago, Illinois
Died: 10 May 1994, Utah(?)

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as pilot of a B17 aircraft on a heavy-bombardment mission to Germany, 11 April 1944. The group in which 1st Lt. Michael was flying was attacked by a swarm of fighters. His plane was singled out and the fighters pressed their attacks home recklessly, completely disregarding the Allied fighter escort and their own intense flak. His plane was riddled from nose to tail with exploding cannon shells and knocked out of formation, with a large number of fighters following it down, blasting it with cannon fire as it descended. A cannon shell exploded in the cockpit, wounded the copilot, wrecked the instruments, and blew out the side window. 1st Lt. Michael was seriously and painfully wounded in the right thigh. Hydraulic fluid filmed over the windshield making visibility impossible, and smoke filled the cockpit. The controls failed to respond and 3,000 feet were lost before he succeeded in leveling off. The radio operator informed him that the whole bomb bay was in flames as a result of the explosion of 3 cannon shells, which had ignited the incendiaries. With a full load of incendiaries in the bomb bay and a considerable gas load in the tanks, the danger of fire enveloping the plane and the tanks exploding seemed imminent. When the emergency release lever failed to function, 1st Lt. Michael at once gave the order to bail out and 7 of the crew left the plane. Seeing the bombardier firing the navigator's gun at the enemy planes, 1st Lt. Michael ordered him to bail out as the plane was liable to explode any minute. When the bombardier looked for his parachute he found that it had been riddled with 20mm. fragments and was useless. 1st Lt. Michael, seeing the ruined parachute, realized that if the plane was abandoned the bombardier would perish and decided that the only chance would be a crash landing. Completely disregarding his own painful and profusely bleeding wounds, but thinking only of the safety of the remaining crewmembers, he gallantly evaded the enemy, using violent evasive action despite the battered condition of his plane. After the plane had been under sustained enemy attack for fully 45 minutes, 1st Lt. Michael finally lost the persistent fighters in a cloud bank. Upon emerging, an accurate barrage of flak caused him to come down to treetop level where flak towers poured a continuous rain of fire on the plane. He continued into France, realizing that at any moment a crash landing might have to be attempted, but trying to get as far as possible to increase the escape possibilities if a safe landing could be achieved. 1st Lt. Michael flew the plane until he became exhausted from the loss of blood, which had formed on the floor in pools, and he lost consciousness. The copilot succeeded in reaching England and sighted an RAF field near the coast. 1st Lt. Michael finally regained consciousness and insisted upon taking over the controls to land the plane. The undercarriage was useless; the bomb bay doors were jammed open; the hydraulic system and altimeter were shot out. In addition, there was no airspeed indicator, the ball turret was jammed with the guns pointing downward, and the flaps would not respond. Despite these apparently insurmountable obstacles, he landed the plane without mishap.

George Cross: Rev. H. C. Pugh

HERBERT CECIL PUGH

Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Born: 2 November 1898, Johannesburg, South Africa
Died: 5 July 1941, Atlantic Ocean (aboard HM Transport Anselm)

Citation: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS to: —
The Reverend Herbert Cecil PUGH, M.A. (Oxon.), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (deceased).
The Reverend H. C. Pugh, after seeing service in this country, was posted to Takoradi and embarked on H.M.T. Anselm, carrying over 1,300 passengers, for West Africa at the end of June, 1941. She was torpedoed in the Atlantic [north of the Azores] in the early hours of the 5th July, 1941. One torpedo hit a hold on Deck C, destroying the normal means of escape. Mr. Pugh came up on deck in a dressing gown and gave all the help he could. He seemed to be everywhere at once, doing his best to comfort the injured, helping with the boats and rafts (two of these were rendered unserviceable as a result of the explosion) and visiting the different lower sections where the men were quartered. When he learned that a number of injured airmen were trapped in the damaged hold, he insisted on being lowered into it with a rope. Everyone demurred because the hold was below the water line and already the decks were awash and to go down was to go to certain death. He simply explained that he must be where his men were. The deck level was already caving in and the hold was three parts full of water so that, when he knelt to pray, the water reached his shoulders. Within a few minutes the ship plunged and sank and Mr. Pugh was never seen again. He had every opportunity of saving his own life but, without regard to his own safety and in the best tradition of the Service and of a Christian Minister, he gave up his life for others.

[London Gazette issue 37920 dated 1 Apr 1947, published 28 Mar 1947.]

Victoria Cross: E. P. Leach

EDWARD PEMBERTON LEACH

Captain, Royal Engineers

Born: 2 April 1847, Londonderry, County Londonderry, Ireland
Died: 27 April 1913, Caddenabbia, Lake Como, Italy

Citation: For having, in action with the Shinwarris near Maidanah, Afghanistan, on the 17th March, 1879, when covering the retirement of the Survey Escort who were carrying Lieutenant Barclay, 45th Sikhs, mortally wounded, behaved with the utmost gallantry in charging, with some men of the 45th Sikhs, a very much larger number of the enemy.
In this encounter Captain Leach killed two or three of the enemy himself, and he received a severe wound from an Afghan knife in the left arm. Captain Leach's determination and gallantry in this affair, in attacking and driving back the enemy from the last position, saved the whole party from annihilation.

[London Gazette issue 24790 dated 9 Dec 1879, published 9 Dec 1879.]


Note: The Shinwari are a Pashtun tribe of western Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan.

Medal of Honor: J. K. Koelsch

JOHN KELVIN KOELSCH

Lieutenant (Junior Grade), US Navy; Utility Helicopter Squadron 2

Born: 22 December 1923, London, England
Died: 16 October 1951, North Korea

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue unit [in North Korea, on 3 July 1951]. Although darkness was rapidly approaching when information was received that a marine aviator had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in hostile territory, Lt. (J.G.) Koelsch voluntarily flew a [Sikorsky HO3S-1] helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable aircraft without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite the increasingly intense enemy fire, which struck his helicopter on 1 occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeeded in locating the downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on the arms and legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed on the side of the mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the aviator from the wreckage, Lt. (J.G.) Koelsch led them from the vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy forces for 9 days and rendering such medical attention as possible to his severely burned companion until all were captured. Up to the time of his death while still a captive of the enemy, Lt. (J.G.) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.


Note: USS Koelsch (DE 1049/FF 1049) was named in his honour.

Hue test

According to this test, one out of 255 women and one out of 12 men have some form of color vision deficiency. Try the test - arranging differently coloured blocks according to their hue - and see how well you do. A perfect score is 0; I got 13.


H/T to Jenny.

Honours

The Queen's Birthday Honours List was released on 11 June. Reading through it, I see:

Order of the British Empire
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Colin FIRTH
Actor. For services to Drama.
(London, W1D)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Julia Catherine, Mrs DONALDSON
Author and Playwright. For services to Literature.
(London, W8)

Firth received this year's Best Actor Oscar for his role as King George VI in The King's Speech; I know him from The Importance of Being Earnest. Donaldson is the author of numerous children's books, including The Gruffalo.

House colour

You Should Live in a Blue House

You are an intense thinker, but you also have a calm about you. You spend a lot of time ruminating, trying to figure out this world you live in. Friends think you're wise, and they come to you first for advice. You are a realist, and you tell it like it is - even if how it is isn't pretty.

What Color House Should You Live In?

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

Anybody have some blue paint?

Carnegie Medal books

Having finished reading the Newbery Medal winners in August of '09, 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 72 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 (aka Circus Shoes), 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
1951: The Wool-pack, 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 and Other Stories from the Old Testament, 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
2010: The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
2011: Monsters of Men, by Patrick Ness

So the count now is 52 down, 20 to go. The ILLs are still coming in - my thanks to the Connecticut State Library Library Service Centre, Middletown CT, and the Babcock Library, Ashford CT.

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

** Published in the US as A Northern Light.

*** 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.

Book list - Jun 11

King David's Spaceship - SF, by Jerry Pournelle *
African Exodus: The Origins of Modern Humanity - palaeoanthropology, by Chris Stringer and Robin McKie
Cockatiels at Seven - mystery, by Donna Andrews
Agatha H and the Airship City - steampunk, by Phil & Kaja Foglio
Mirkheim - SF, by Poul Anderson *
Swan for the Money - mystery, by Donna Andrews
The People of the Wind - SF, by Poul Anderson
The Man Who Counts - SF, by Poul Anderson *
Thunder and Lightnings - children's, by Jan Mark (Carnegie Medal 1976)
Roar of the Tiger - WWII memoirs, by James H Howard
High Justice - SF (short stories), by Jerry Pournelle
Ghost Drum - children's fantasy, by Susan Price (Carnegie Medal 1987)


Twelve books last month, with three rereads (marked by asterisks). I'm not setting an official goal this year, though I do expect to read around 150 books.

The two Carnegie Medal winners bring me up to 52 of 72. My thanks to the Connecticut State Library Library Service Centre, Middletown CT, and the Babcock Library, Ashford CT, for the ILLs.

Carnegie and Greenaway Medal winners announced

The winners are:

The Carnegie Medal, for an outstanding book for children: Monsters of Men, by Patrick Ness.

(Reviews here and here. Series review here.)

The Kate Greenaway Medal, for distinguished illustration in a book for children: FArTHER, by Grahame Baker-Smith.

(Review here and author/illustrator interview here.)

ZUI this article from The Guardian.

Victoria Cross: Guise, Hill and Graham

JOHN CHRISTOPHER GUISE

Major, 90th Regiment

Born: 27 July 1826, Highnam, Gloucestershire
Died: 5 February 1895, Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action on the 16th and 17th of November, 1857, at Lucknow.
Elected by the Officers of the Regiment.

[London Gazette issue 22212 dated 24 Dec 1858, published 24 Dec 1858.]







SAMUEL HILL

Serjeant, 90th Regiment

Born: 1826, Glenavy, County Antrim, Ireland
Died: 21 February 1863, Meerut, India

Citation: For gallant conduct on the 16th and 17th of November, 1857, at the storming of the Secundra Bagh at Lucknow, in saving the life of Captain Irby, warding off with his firelock a tulwar cut made at his head by a sepoy, and in going out under a heavy fire to help two wounded men. Also for general gallant conduct throughout the operations for the relief of the Lucknow garrison.
Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment.

[London Gazette issue 22212 dated 24 Dec 1858, published 24 Dec 1858.]


PATRICK GRAHAM

Private, 90th Regiment

Born: 1837, Dublin, Ireland
Died: 3 June 1875, Dublin, Ireland

Citation: For bringing in a wounded comrade under a very heavy fire, on the 17th of November, 1857, at Lucknow.
Elected by the private soldiers of the Regiment.

[London Gazette issue 22212 dated 24 Dec 1858, published 24 Dec 1858.]

Medal of Honor: J. P. Fleming

JAMES PHILIP FLEMING

Captain (then First Lieutenant), US Air Force; 20th Special Operations Squadron

Born: 12 March 1943, Sedalia, Missouri
Died: TBD

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Fleming (then 1st Lt.) distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport Helicopter. Capt. Fleming went to the aid of a 6-man special forces long range reconnaissance patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force [near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 November 1968]. Despite the knowledge that 1 helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, Capt. Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with the tail boom hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on fuel, Capt. Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, he remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. Capt. Fleming made a successful takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. Capt. Fleming's profound concern for his fellowmen, and 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.

Victoria Cross: T. Wilkinson

THOMAS WILKINSON

Bombardier, Royal Marine Artillery

Born: 1831, York, Yorkshire
Died: 22 September 1887, York, Yorkshire

Citation: Specially recommended for gallant conduct in the advanced Batteries, 7th June, 1855, in placing sand-bags to repair the work under a galling fire; his name having been sent up on the occasion, as worthy of special notice, by the Commanding Officer of the Artillery of the Right Attack.
(Letter from Colonel Wesley, Deputy Adjutant-General, Royal Marines.)

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

Medal of Honor: A. J. Tomlin

ANDREW JACKSON TOMLIN

Corporal, US Marine Corps; USS Wabash

Born: 15 March 1845, Goshen, New Jersey
Died: 1 November 1906, Goshen, New Jersey

Citation: As corporal of the guard on board the U.S.S. Wabash during the assault on Fort Fisher, on 15 January 1865. As 1 of 200 marines assembled to hold a line of entrenchments in the rear of the fort which the enemy threatened to attack in force following a retreat in panic by more than two-thirds of the assaulting ground forces, Cpl. Tomlin took position in line and remained until morning when relief troops arrived from the fort. When one of his comrades was struck down by enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced under a withering fire of musketry into an open plain close to the fort and assisted the wounded man to a place of safety.

Give a girlfriend a book

15 June, in case you weren't aware (you probably weren't) is
National Give A Girlfriend A Book Day.

Make it happen.

Victoria Cross: J. W. Foote

JOHN WEIR FOOTE

Honorary Captain, Canadian Chaplain Services

Born: 5 May 1904, Madoc, Ontario, Canada
Died: 2 May 1988, Norwood, Ontario, Canada

Citation: At Dieppe, on 19th August, 1942, Honorary Captain Foote, Canadian Chaplain Services, was Regimental Chaplain with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
Upon landing on the beach under heavy fire he attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post which had been set up in a slight depression on the beach, but which was only sufficient to give cover to men lying down. During the subsequent period of approximately eight hours, while the action continued, this officer not only assisted the Regimental Medical Officer in ministering to the wounded in the Regimental Aid Post, but time and again left this shelter to inject morphine, give first-aid and carry wounded personnel from the open beach to the Regimental Aid Post. On these occasions, with utter disregard for his personal safety, Honorary Captain Foote exposed himself to an inferno of fire and saved many lives by his gallant efforts. During the action, as the tide went out, the Regimental Aid Post was moved to the shelter of a stranded landing craft. Honorary Captain Foote continued tirelessly and courageously to carry wounded men from the exposed beach to the cover of the landing craft. He also removed wounded from inside the landing craft when ammunition had been set on fire by enemy shells. When landing craft appeared he carried wounded from the Regimental Aid Post to the landing craft through very heavy fire.
On several occasions this officer had the opportunity to embark but returned to the beach as his chief concern was the care and evacuation of the wounded. He refused a final opportunity to leave the shore, choosing to suffer the fate of the men he had ministered to for over three years.
Honorary Captain Foote personally saved many lives by his efforts and his example inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer, as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire-swept beach will never be forgotten.

[London Gazette issue 34766 dated 14 Feb 1946, published 12 Feb 1946.]

Medal of Honor: W. D. Halyburton, Jr.

WILLIAM DAVID HALYBURTON JR

Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, US Naval Reserve; 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division

Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, North Carolina
Died: 10 May 1945, Okinawa

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.


Note: USS Halyburton (FFG 40) was named in his honour.

RIP: John Alison

John R Alison
21 Nov 1912 - 6 Jun 2011

ZUI this article from the Wall Street Journal:

John Alison was a U.S. combat ace in World War II and an innovator in developing Air Force commando tactics.

Maj. Gen. Alison, who died Monday at age 98, served in the China-Burma-India and Pacific theaters, was shot down at least twice and had seven confirmed kills as well as a number of probable kills.

An intimate of Air Force commander Henry "Hap" Arnold, he also advised Gen. Dwight Eisenhower on using gliders to ferry troops on D-Day.

*******

...Mr. Alison initiated a daring night interception of Japanese bombers, downing two. His P-40 fighter—ill-equipped for night fighting—was badly shot up and Mr. Alison ended up ditching in a river. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for the action, in part because of the novelty of the night kills.

In 1944, as co-commanders of the first Air Commando Force, Mr. Alison and Lt. Col. Philip Cochran organized an unprecedented operation inside Burma—now Myanmar—then occupied by experienced Japanese jungle fighters.

Using a combined force of fighter planes, bombers, transports, gliders, ambulance planes and newfangled helicopters, the commanders established fortified bases behind Japanese lines in Burma, greatly facilitating a larger assault from British forces. Mr. Alison personally led the force into action, piloting a glider and 15 men to an improvised landing area in a teak forest.

In June 1942, he reported to China to serve as deputy squadron commander in Maj David Lee "Tex" Hill's 75th Fighter Squadron, the USAAF successor to the American Volunteer Group (the Flying Tigers). I remember reading about Alison in a book about the AVG when I was a kid - a long time ago, but I recognised his name immediately when I saw it in the obituaries list.

Left to right: Maj John Alison, Major "Tex" Hill, Capt "Ajax" Baumler
and Lt Mack Mitchell

George Cross: K. Smith

KENNETH SMITH

Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals; attached Long Range Desert Group

Born: 7 December 1920, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Died: 10 January 1945, Ist, Yugoslavia

Citation: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to: —
No. 2328696 Signalman Kenneth SMITH, Royal Corps of Signals (Humby, near Grantham, Lincs.).

[London Gazette issue 37311 dated 19 Oct 1945, published 16 Oct 1945.]

Note: Smith was attached to an LRDG patrol based on the Adriatic island of Ist. Sabotage was a daily occurance. He found a time-bomb on a table at his detachment's billet, which was shared with civilians and their children. Realising that the bomb was ticking and could explode at any moment, he carried it out of the building. It exploded while he was still carrying it, and he was blown to pieces. He was the only casualty of the blast, and undoubtably saved many lives.

The island of Ist is now part of Croatia.

Victoria Cross: P. J. Badcoe

PETER JOHN BADCOE

Major, Royal Australian Infantry Corps; Australian Army Training Team Vietnam

Born: 11 January 1934, Malvern, South Australia, Australia
Died: 7 April 1967, Phú Thọ, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, South Vietnam

Citation: 41400 Major PETER JOHN BADCOE was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Australian Staff Corps in December 1952. He was allotted to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery in which he served in a number of Regimental and Staff postings until August 1965. He then transferred to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and joined the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in August 1966. He was posted as Sector Operations Officer in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
On 23rd February 1967 he was acting as an Advisor to a Regional Force Company in support of a Sector operation in Phu Thu District. He monitored a radio transmission which stated that the Subsector Adviser, a United States Army Officer, had been killed and that his body was within 50 metres of an enemy machine gun position; further, the United States Medical Adviser had been wounded and was in immediate danger from the enemy. Major BADCOE with complete disregard for his own safety moved alone across 600 metres of fire-swept ground and reached the wounded Adviser, attended to him and ensured his future safety. He then organised a force of one platoon and led them towards the enemy post. His personal leadership, words of encouragement, and actions in the face of hostile enemy fire forced the platoon to successfully assault the enemy position and capture it, where he personally killed the machine gunners directly in front of him. He then picked up the body of the dead officer and ran back to the Command post over open ground still covered by enemy fire.
On 7th March 1967, at approximately 0645 hours, the Sector Reaction Company was deployed to Quang Dien Subsector to counter an attack by the Viet Cong on the Headquarters. Major BADCOE left the Command group after their vehicle broke down and a United States Officer was killed; he joined the Company Headquarters and personally led the company in an attack over open terrain to assault and capture a heavily defended enemy position. In the face of certain death and heavy losses his personal courage and leadership turned certain defeat into victory and prevented the enemy from capturing the District Headquarters.
On 7th April 1967, on an operation in Huong Tra District, Major BADCOE was with the 1st A.R.V.N. Division Reaction Company and some armoured personnel carriers. During the move forward to an objective the company came under heavy small arms fire and withdrew to a cemetery for cover, this left Major BADCOE and his radio operator about 50 metres in front of the leading elements, under heavy mortar fire. Seeing this withdrawal, Major BADCOE ran back to them, moved amongst them and by encouragement and example got them moving forward again. He then set out in front of the company to lead them on; the company stopped again under heavy fire but Major BADCOE continued on to cover and prepared to throw grenades, when he rose to throw, his radio operator pulled him down as heavy small arms fire was being brought to bear on them; he later got up again to throw a grenade and was hit and killed by a burst of machine gun fire. Soon after, friendly artillery fire was called in and the position was assaulted and captured.
Major BADCOE'S conspicuous gallantry and leadership on all these occasions was an inspiration to all, each action, ultimately, was successful, due entirely to his efforts, the final one ending in his death. His valour and leadership were in the highest traditions of the military profession and the Australian Regular Army.

[London Gazette issue 44431 dated 17 Oct 1967, published 13 Oct 1967.]

Medal of Honor: B. F. Hilliker

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HILLIKER

Musician, Company A, 8th Wisconsin Infantry

Born: 23 May 1843, Golden, New York
Died: 18 October 1916, Los Angeles, California

Citation: When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force [at Mechanicsburg, Mississippi, on 4 June 1863,] he laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to "lay him in the shade; he won't last long." He recovered from this wound being left with an ugly scar.

R-12 wreck located

According to this article from the International Business Times, an exploration team has located and documented the wreck of USS R-12 (SS 89) in 600 feet of water off the Florida Keys. R-12, in use as a training submarine, was lost for unknown reasons on 12 June 1943. Her CO, another officer and three enlisted men who were on watch on the bridge survived; the other 27 crewmen on board were lost, as were 13 trainees and two Brazilian Navy officers who were there to observe a torpedo exercise.

The Backstroke of the West

What do you get when you take Revenge of the Sith, add Chinese subtitles, and then translate them into English? This....

FY12 MCPO and SCPO selectees

This year's SCPO list was released today - which reminded me that I hadn't seen the MCPO list.

The MCPO list, dated 4 May, is here. I see two names I recognise - an MS a CS and a nuke ET from Providence.

The SCPO list is here. I see three or four names on this list - another MS CS, an SK LS and one or two A-gangers, all from Prov. (One A-ganger I'm sure of; the other has both a common first name and a common surname, but is probably the one I know.)

Belated congratulations to all selectees!

Medal of Honor to be awarded for Afghanistan

ZUI this article from the Tacoma (WA) News-Tribune:

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord Ranger who lost his right hand while protecting fellow soldiers from a live grenade will become the second living service member to earn a Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, the White House announced Tuesday.

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, 31, will receive his medal from President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony July 12. He continues to serve at Lewis-McChord with a 75th Ranger Regiment headquarters unit.

*******

Petry is not available for other interviews, and his regiment is not discussing his honor for now, a Ranger spokeswoman said.

Petry lost his hand and suffered shrapnel injuries during an operation in Paktya, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008.

He was already wounded when an enemy fighter tossed a grenade into a chicken coop where he was taking cover with two other soldiers. He picked up the weapon, which exploded as he threw it and severed his hand.

*******

Petry, a New Mexico native, will be the ninth service member to earn a Medal of Honor during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Seven of those were awarded posthumously.

Last year, Staff Sgt. Salvator Giunta became the first living, active-duty soldier to earn the military’s highest honor when Obama awarded him a Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

*******


Petry has deployed eight times in his Army career. He has received two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and three Army Commendation Medals.

He and his wife, Ashley, have four children, Brittany, Austin, Reagan and Landon.

Book list - May 11

Dragonquest - SF, by Anne McCaffrey *
Doggirl - YA, by Robin Brande
Everybody Sees the Ants - YA, by A S King (ARC)
Owls Well That Ends Well - mystery, by Donna Andrews
Thumbs, Toes, and Tears: And Other Traits That Make Us Human - palaeoanthropology, by Chip Walter
The White Dragon - SF, by Anne McCaffrey *
Vet in the Vestry - memoirs, by Alexander Cameron *
Other Worlds Than Ours - SF (short stories), by Nelson Bond


Eight books last month, with three rereads (marked by asterisks). I'm not setting an official goal this year, though I do expect to read around 150 books. And I'm still at 50 of 71 on the Carnegie Medal books.

The Israel question

There's been a lot of discussion lately about President Obama's stand on Israel and a return to that nation's 1967 borders.

Personally, I think the idea of returning Israel to its former borders has great merit, but I feel that Obama has erred greatly in not going far enough. The borders as shown in the map below are unfortunately not very precise, but I'm sure it would not be difficult to find a sufficient number of surveyors to tend to this.

All those who then find themselves on what they consider to be the wrong side of the line should of course be permitted - even encouraged - to move.

Victoria Cross: Darwan Singh Negi

DARWAN SINGH NEGI

Naik, 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles

Born: 4 March 1883, Karbartir Village, India
Died: 24 June 1950, Kafarteer Village, Uttar Pradesh, India

Citation: For great gallantry on the night of the 23rd-24th November [1914], near Festubert, France, when the regiment was engaged in retaking and clearing the enemy out of our trenches, and, although wounded in two places in the head, and also in the arm, being one of the first to push round each successive traverse, in the face of severe fire from bombs and rifles at the closest range.

[London Gazette issue 28999 dated 7 Dec 1914, published 4 Dec 1914.]


Note: Naik is an Indian Army rank equivalent to a corporal.