Aberratiodontus wui (China)
Alexornis antecedens (Mexico)
Protopteryx fengningensis (China)
getting old?
6 years ago
27 April 2010
Cretaceous birds
Darren Naish, at Tetrapod Zoology, has written a few interesting posts on (amongst other things) Cretaceous birds recently:
Carnegie and Greenaway short lists announced
CILIP - the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - have released the short lists for this year's Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal.
The Andrew Carnegie Medal, named for the Scottish philanthropist, has been awarded annually since 1937 to the writer of "an outstanding book for children." In addition to the gold medal, the winner receives £500 worth of books to donate to a library of his/her choice.
This year's short list consists of:
Pratchett and Reeve have both received the Carnegie Medal before, Pratchett for The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents (2001) and Reeve for Here Lies Arthur (2008). The Graveyard Book was last year's winner of the Newbery Medal; if it wins the Carnegie it will be the first book to receive both medals. (Sharon Creech is the only author thus far to hold both medals, but they were awarded for different books in different years.)
The Kate Greenaway Medal, named for the nineteenth-century artist, has been awarded annually since 1957 to the illustrator of "an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people." As with the Carnegie Medal, the winner receives a golden medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of his/her choice; since 2000, the winner has also been awarded the £5000 Colin Mears Award.
This year's short list consists of:
Riddell has already received the Greenaway Medal twice, for Pirate Diary (2001) and Jonathan Swift's “Gulliver” (2004). And there's The Graveyard Book again. (No book or author/illustrator has yet won both the Carnegie and the Greenaway.)
(Amazon UK links provided for reference. Most, if not all, are probably also available from Amazon US. Supporting independent booksellers, as always, is recommended.)
The winners will be announced on 24 June.
The Andrew Carnegie Medal, named for the Scottish philanthropist, has been awarded annually since 1937 to the writer of "an outstanding book for children." In addition to the gold medal, the winner receives £500 worth of books to donate to a library of his/her choice.This year's short list consists of:
Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Bloomsbury (Age range 11+)
The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury (Age range 9+)
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden, by Helen Grant
Penguin (Age range 14+)
Rowan the Strange, by Julie Hearn
Oxford University Press (Age range 12+)
The Ask and the Answer, by Patrick Ness
Walker (Age range 14+)
Nation, by Terry Pratchett
Doubleday (Age range 11+)
Fever Crumb, by Philip Reeve
Scholastic (Age range 9+)
Revolver, by Marcus Sedgwick
Orion (Age range 12+)
Pratchett and Reeve have both received the Carnegie Medal before, Pratchett for The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents (2001) and Reeve for Here Lies Arthur (2008). The Graveyard Book was last year's winner of the Newbery Medal; if it wins the Carnegie it will be the first book to receive both medals. (Sharon Creech is the only author thus far to hold both medals, but they were awarded for different books in different years.)
The Kate Greenaway Medal, named for the nineteenth-century artist, has been awarded annually since 1957 to the illustrator of "an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people." As with the Carnegie Medal, the winner receives a golden medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of his/her choice; since 2000, the winner has also been awarded the £5000 Colin Mears Award.This year's short list consists of:
Leon and the Place Between, illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith and written by Angela McAllister
Templar (Age range: 8+)
Harry & Hopper, illustrated by Freya Blackwood and written by Margaret Wild
Scholastic (Age range: 6+)
The Great Paper Caper, by Oliver Jeffers
HarperCollins (Age range: 4+)
Millie's Marvelous Hat, by Satoshi Kitamura
Andersen (Age range:4+ )
Crazy Hair, illustrated by Dave McKean and written by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury (Age range: 6+)
The Graveyard Book, illustrated by Chris Riddell and written by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury (Age range: 9+)
The Dunderheads, illustrated by David Roberts and written by Paul Fleischman
Walker (Age range: 8+)
There are Cats in This Book, by Viviane Schwarz
Walker (Age range: 2+)
Riddell has already received the Greenaway Medal twice, for Pirate Diary (2001) and Jonathan Swift's “Gulliver” (2004). And there's The Graveyard Book again. (No book or author/illustrator has yet won both the Carnegie and the Greenaway.)
(Amazon UK links provided for reference. Most, if not all, are probably also available from Amazon US. Supporting independent booksellers, as always, is recommended.)
The winners will be announced on 24 June.
25 April 2010
Victoria Cross: F. W. Holmes
FREDERICK WILLIAM HOLMES
Lance-Corporal, 2nd Battalion the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Born: 15 September 1889, Tottenham, Middlesex
Died: 22 October 1969, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
Citation: At Le Cateau [France] on 26th August [1914], carried a wounded man out of the trenches under heavy fire and later assisted to drive a gun out of action by taking the place of a driver who had been wounded.
(London Gazette issue 28985 dtd 25 Nov 1914, published 24 Nov 1914.)
Lance-Corporal, 2nd Battalion the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Born: 15 September 1889, Tottenham, Middlesex
Died: 22 October 1969, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
Citation: At Le Cateau [France] on 26th August [1914], carried a wounded man out of the trenches under heavy fire and later assisted to drive a gun out of action by taking the place of a driver who had been wounded.(London Gazette issue 28985 dtd 25 Nov 1914, published 24 Nov 1914.)
Medal of Honor: G. H. O'Brien, Jr.
GEORGE HERMAN O'BRIEN JR
Second Lieutenant, US Marine Corps Reserve; Company H, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
Born: 10 September 1926, Fort Worth, Texas
Died: 11 March 2005, Midland, Texas
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle platoon commander of Company H, in action against enemy aggressor forces [on 27 October 1952]. With his platoon subjected to an intense mortar and artillery bombardment while preparing to assault a vitally important hill position on the main line of resistance which had been overrun by a numerically superior enemy force on the preceding night, 2d Lt. O'Brien leaped from his trench when the attack signal was given and, shouting for his men to follow, raced across an exposed saddle and up the enemy-held hill through a virtual hail of deadly small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire. Although shot through the arm and thrown to the ground by hostile automatic-weapons fire as he neared the well-entrenched enemy position, he bravely regained his feet, waved his men onward, and continued to spearhead the assault, pausing only long enough to go to the aid of a wounded marine. Encountering the enemy at close range, he proceeded to hurl handgrenades into the bunkers and, utilizing his carbine to best advantage in savage hand-to-hand combat, succeeded in killing at least 3 of the enemy. Struck down by the concussion of grenades on 3 occasions during the subsequent action, he steadfastly refused to be evacuated for medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon in the assault for a period of nearly 4 hours, repeatedly encouraging his men and maintaining superb direction of the unit. With the attack halted he set up a defense with his remaining forces to prepare for a counterattack, personally checking each position, attending to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. When a relief of the position was effected by another unit, he remained to cover the withdrawal and to assure that no wounded were left behind. By his exceptionally daring and forceful leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, 2d Lt. O'Brien served as a constant source of inspiration to all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the recapture of a strategic position on the main line of resistance. His indomitable determination and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Second Lieutenant, US Marine Corps Reserve; Company H, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
Born: 10 September 1926, Fort Worth, Texas
Died: 11 March 2005, Midland, Texas
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle platoon commander of Company H, in action against enemy aggressor forces [on 27 October 1952]. With his platoon subjected to an intense mortar and artillery bombardment while preparing to assault a vitally important hill position on the main line of resistance which had been overrun by a numerically superior enemy force on the preceding night, 2d Lt. O'Brien leaped from his trench when the attack signal was given and, shouting for his men to follow, raced across an exposed saddle and up the enemy-held hill through a virtual hail of deadly small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire. Although shot through the arm and thrown to the ground by hostile automatic-weapons fire as he neared the well-entrenched enemy position, he bravely regained his feet, waved his men onward, and continued to spearhead the assault, pausing only long enough to go to the aid of a wounded marine. Encountering the enemy at close range, he proceeded to hurl handgrenades into the bunkers and, utilizing his carbine to best advantage in savage hand-to-hand combat, succeeded in killing at least 3 of the enemy. Struck down by the concussion of grenades on 3 occasions during the subsequent action, he steadfastly refused to be evacuated for medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon in the assault for a period of nearly 4 hours, repeatedly encouraging his men and maintaining superb direction of the unit. With the attack halted he set up a defense with his remaining forces to prepare for a counterattack, personally checking each position, attending to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. When a relief of the position was effected by another unit, he remained to cover the withdrawal and to assure that no wounded were left behind. By his exceptionally daring and forceful leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, 2d Lt. O'Brien served as a constant source of inspiration to all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the recapture of a strategic position on the main line of resistance. His indomitable determination and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
20 April 2010
Top 100 Children's Books: My list
Herewith my own personal top-ten list. This is not the list I actually submitted back in January; I forgot several books that definitely would have made the list if I'd thought of them.
It was hard to narrow it down to just ten books. The last few to be trimmed included Five Children and It, by E Nesbit (#112); Trixie Belden and the Secret of the Mansion, by Julie Campbell; The Vanishing Shadow, by Margaret Sutton;, and The Duck-Footed Hound, by Jim Kjelgaard.
Update 1815 27 Apr 10: My count for the top 100:
* I've read three others (including one of the seven I'd never heard of) since they were listed in the poll, bringing my total up to 63, or possibly 65, of the 100 - just under two-thirds.
1. Swallows and Amazons, by Arthur Ransome (#94 on the Top 100 list)
2. The Invisible Island, by Dean Marshall
3. The Children of Green Knowe, by Lucy M Boston (#98)
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C S Lewis (#4)
5. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler, by E L Konigsburg (#5)
6. Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright (#63)
7. Operation Yes, by Sara Lewis Holmes
8. Time at the Top, by Edward Ormondroyd
9. The Time Garden, by Edward Eager
10. Henry Huggins, by Beverly Cleary (#66)
It was hard to narrow it down to just ten books. The last few to be trimmed included Five Children and It, by E Nesbit (#112); Trixie Belden and the Secret of the Mansion, by Julie Campbell; The Vanishing Shadow, by Margaret Sutton;, and The Duck-Footed Hound, by Jim Kjelgaard.
Update 1815 27 Apr 10: My count for the top 100:
Three (Swallows and Amazons, The Children of Green Knowe and Henry Huggins) were on my original top-ten list;
I'd read 57 (possibly 59) others;*
I've seen the film version of one I haven't read;
and I'd never heard of seven of them (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Thief, Love That Dog, My Father's Dragon, Stargirl, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and The BFG).
* I've read three others (including one of the seven I'd never heard of) since they were listed in the poll, bringing my total up to 63, or possibly 65, of the 100 - just under two-thirds.
19 April 2010
Top 100 YA books
Now that we've reached the end of Betsy's Top 100 Children's Novels list, Adele at Persnickety Snark is starting a Top 100 YA Titles poll. See here for details. Entries must be received by 30 April.
18 April 2010
Victoria Cross: W. Speakman
WILLIAM SPEAKMAN
Private, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment); attached 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Born: 21 September 1927, Altrincham, Cheshire
Died: TBD
Citation: From 0400 hours, 4th November, 1951, the defensive positions held by 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, were continuously subjected to heavy and accurate enemy shell and mortar fire. At 1545 hours, this fire became intense and continued thus for the next two hours, considerably damaging the defences and wounding a number of men.
At 1645 hours, the enemy in their hundreds advanced in wave upon wave against the King's Own Scottish Borderers' positions, and by 1745 hours, fierce hand to hand fighting was taking place on every position.
Private Speakman, a member of B Company, Headquarters, learning that the section holding the left shoulder of the Company's position had been seriously depleted by casualties, had had its N.C.O.s wounded and was being overrun, decided on his own initiative to drive the enemy off the position and keep them off it. To effect this he collected quickly a large pile of grenades and a party of six men. Then displaying complete disregard for his own personal safety he led his party in a series of grenade charges against the enemy; and continued doing so as each successive wave of enemy reached the crest of the hill. The force and determination of his charges broke up each successive enemy onslaught and resulted in an ever mounting pile of enemy dead.
Having led some ten charges, through withering enemy machine gun and mortar fire, Private Speakman was eventually severely wounded in the leg. Undaunted by his wounds, he continued to lead charge after charge against the enemy and it was only after a direct order from his superior officer that he agreed to pause for a first field dressing to be applied to his wounds. Having had his wounds bandaged, Private Speakman immediately rejoined his comrades and led them again and again forward in a series of grenade charges, up to the time of the withdrawal of his Company at 2100 hours.
At the critical moment of the withdrawal, amidst an inferno of enemy machine gun and mortar fire, as well as grenades, Private Speakman led a final charge to clear the crest of the hill and hold it, whilst the remainder of his Company withdrew. Encouraging his gallant, but by now sadly depleted party, he assailed the enemy with showers of grenades and kept them at bay sufficiently long for his Company to effect its withdrawal.
Under the stress and strain of this battle, Private Speakman's outstanding powers of leadership were revealed and he so dominated the situation, that he inspired his comrades to stand firm and fight the enemy to a standstill.
His great gallantry and utter contempt for his own personal safety were an inspiration to all his comrades. He was, by his heroic actions, personally responsible for causing enormous losses to the enemy, assisting his Company to maintain their position for some four hours and saving the lives of many of his comrades when they were forced to withdraw from their position.
Private Speakman's heroism under intense fire throughout the operation and when painfully wounded was beyond praise and is deserving of supreme recognition.
[London Gazette issue 39418 dated 28 Dec 1951, published 25 Dec 1951.]
Note: Though the award was authorised by King George VI, this was the first VC actually presented by Queen Elizabeth II.
ZUI this article from AFP about Speakman's recent visit to Korea.
Private, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment); attached 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Born: 21 September 1927, Altrincham, Cheshire
Died: TBD
Citation: From 0400 hours, 4th November, 1951, the defensive positions held by 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, were continuously subjected to heavy and accurate enemy shell and mortar fire. At 1545 hours, this fire became intense and continued thus for the next two hours, considerably damaging the defences and wounding a number of men.At 1645 hours, the enemy in their hundreds advanced in wave upon wave against the King's Own Scottish Borderers' positions, and by 1745 hours, fierce hand to hand fighting was taking place on every position.
Private Speakman, a member of B Company, Headquarters, learning that the section holding the left shoulder of the Company's position had been seriously depleted by casualties, had had its N.C.O.s wounded and was being overrun, decided on his own initiative to drive the enemy off the position and keep them off it. To effect this he collected quickly a large pile of grenades and a party of six men. Then displaying complete disregard for his own personal safety he led his party in a series of grenade charges against the enemy; and continued doing so as each successive wave of enemy reached the crest of the hill. The force and determination of his charges broke up each successive enemy onslaught and resulted in an ever mounting pile of enemy dead.
Having led some ten charges, through withering enemy machine gun and mortar fire, Private Speakman was eventually severely wounded in the leg. Undaunted by his wounds, he continued to lead charge after charge against the enemy and it was only after a direct order from his superior officer that he agreed to pause for a first field dressing to be applied to his wounds. Having had his wounds bandaged, Private Speakman immediately rejoined his comrades and led them again and again forward in a series of grenade charges, up to the time of the withdrawal of his Company at 2100 hours.
At the critical moment of the withdrawal, amidst an inferno of enemy machine gun and mortar fire, as well as grenades, Private Speakman led a final charge to clear the crest of the hill and hold it, whilst the remainder of his Company withdrew. Encouraging his gallant, but by now sadly depleted party, he assailed the enemy with showers of grenades and kept them at bay sufficiently long for his Company to effect its withdrawal.
Under the stress and strain of this battle, Private Speakman's outstanding powers of leadership were revealed and he so dominated the situation, that he inspired his comrades to stand firm and fight the enemy to a standstill.
His great gallantry and utter contempt for his own personal safety were an inspiration to all his comrades. He was, by his heroic actions, personally responsible for causing enormous losses to the enemy, assisting his Company to maintain their position for some four hours and saving the lives of many of his comrades when they were forced to withdraw from their position.
Private Speakman's heroism under intense fire throughout the operation and when painfully wounded was beyond praise and is deserving of supreme recognition.
[London Gazette issue 39418 dated 28 Dec 1951, published 25 Dec 1951.]
Note: Though the award was authorised by King George VI, this was the first VC actually presented by Queen Elizabeth II.
ZUI this article from AFP about Speakman's recent visit to Korea.
Medal of Honor: L. R. Kaufman
LOREN R KAUFMAN
Sergeant First Class, US Army; Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Born: 27 July 1923, The Dalles, Oregon
Died: 10 February 1951, near Yongsan, Korea
Citation: Sfc. Kaufman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. On the night of 4 September [1950] the company was in a defensive position on 2 adjoining hills [near Yongsan, Korea]. His platoon was occupying a strong point 2 miles away protecting the battalion flank. Early on 5 September the company was attacked by an enemy battalion and his platoon was ordered to reinforce the company. As his unit moved along a ridge it encountered a hostile encircling force. Sfc. Kaufman, running forward, bayoneted the lead scout and engaged the column in a rifle and grenade assault. His quick Vicious attack so surprised the enemy that they retreated in confusion. When his platoon joined the company he discovered that the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw. Without hesitation Sfc. Kaufman charged the enemy lines firing his rifle and throwing grenades. During the action, he bayoneted 2 enemy and seizing an unmanned machine gun, delivered deadly fire on the defenders. Following this encounter the company regrouped and resumed the attack. Leading the assault he reached the ridge, destroyed a hostile machine gun position, and routed the remaining enemy. Pursuing the hostile troops he bayoneted 2 more and then rushed a mortar position shooting the gunners. Remnants of the enemy fled to a village and Sfc. Kaufman led a patrol into the town, dispersed them, and burned the buildings. The dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sfc. Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Sergeant First Class, US Army; Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Born: 27 July 1923, The Dalles, Oregon
Died: 10 February 1951, near Yongsan, Korea
Citation: Sfc. Kaufman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. On the night of 4 September [1950] the company was in a defensive position on 2 adjoining hills [near Yongsan, Korea]. His platoon was occupying a strong point 2 miles away protecting the battalion flank. Early on 5 September the company was attacked by an enemy battalion and his platoon was ordered to reinforce the company. As his unit moved along a ridge it encountered a hostile encircling force. Sfc. Kaufman, running forward, bayoneted the lead scout and engaged the column in a rifle and grenade assault. His quick Vicious attack so surprised the enemy that they retreated in confusion. When his platoon joined the company he discovered that the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw. Without hesitation Sfc. Kaufman charged the enemy lines firing his rifle and throwing grenades. During the action, he bayoneted 2 enemy and seizing an unmanned machine gun, delivered deadly fire on the defenders. Following this encounter the company regrouped and resumed the attack. Leading the assault he reached the ridge, destroyed a hostile machine gun position, and routed the remaining enemy. Pursuing the hostile troops he bayoneted 2 more and then rushed a mortar position shooting the gunners. Remnants of the enemy fled to a village and Sfc. Kaufman led a patrol into the town, dispersed them, and burned the buildings. The dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sfc. Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.
17 April 2010
Top 100 Children's Novels: The rest of the story
15 April 2010
National Library Week
Just thought I'd mention that this is National Library Week. Go thank a library worker!
Top 100 Children's Novels: The roundup
First off, here is the complete list of the books, with links to the posts in which Betsy described them.
Once Betsy got down to the Top 20, she asked for predictions of which books would be in the Top Ten. Here is a list of books that were listed in people's predictions, but weren't actually Top Ten books.
The book in the #100 slot (The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder) had nine votes, for a total of 39 points. These are the books in the #101-120 positions. Only three of the books that were on my original submission made the Top 100, the highest at #66; one more is here: Five Children and It, by E Nesbit (#112, with 34 points).
Eric has posted his final analysis of the Top 100: Country of original publication, percentage of books which were part of a series, distribution of books by decade in which originally published, &c. He also has lists of what the Top 25 would have been if Betsy had used different scoring methods. Charlotte's Web is obviously a well-loved book - it retains the #1 slot in all of these alternate lists.
Casa Camisas offers a list of "The Best 100 Children’s Books of . . . THE FUTURE (dun dun dun!)" - a statistical refactoring of books 9-100 (together with a promise that it would be updated after books 1-8 were announced).
Many, many thanks to Betsy, for going to all the trouble of doing this, and also to all the others who participated and made it possible for her to do so.
Once Betsy got down to the Top 20, she asked for predictions of which books would be in the Top Ten. Here is a list of books that were listed in people's predictions, but weren't actually Top Ten books.
The book in the #100 slot (The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder) had nine votes, for a total of 39 points. These are the books in the #101-120 positions. Only three of the books that were on my original submission made the Top 100, the highest at #66; one more is here: Five Children and It, by E Nesbit (#112, with 34 points).
Eric has posted his final analysis of the Top 100: Country of original publication, percentage of books which were part of a series, distribution of books by decade in which originally published, &c. He also has lists of what the Top 25 would have been if Betsy had used different scoring methods. Charlotte's Web is obviously a well-loved book - it retains the #1 slot in all of these alternate lists.
Casa Camisas offers a list of "The Best 100 Children’s Books of . . . THE FUTURE (dun dun dun!)" - a statistical refactoring of books 9-100 (together with a promise that it would be updated after books 1-8 were announced).
Many, many thanks to Betsy, for going to all the trouble of doing this, and also to all the others who participated and made it possible for her to do so.
12 April 2010
Top 100 Children's Novels: 2-1
This, as I recall, was one of the books I bought back around 4th grade from those Scholastic flyers that came to our school each year. (A great deal; my younger daughter's middle school just had a Scholastic book fair a couple weeks ago.) As I recall, I enjoyed it at the time, but when I tried rereading it again four or five years ago I couldn't force myself to finish it. Last year, though, I did reread it as part of my Newbery programme (it was the 1963 winner), and then went on to read the first few sequels.
I know I read this back around first grade, but my brain is fried from getting up much too early this morning (to take my wife to hospital), so I can't really think of anything to say right now.
But I haven't seen the film version of either of these two books.
11 April 2010
Victoria Cross; Q. G. M. Smythe
QUENTIN GEORGE MURRAY SMYTHE
Sergeant, 1st Royal Natal Carabineers
Born: 6 August 1916
Died: October 1997, Durban, South Africa
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action in the Alem Hamza area on the 5th June, 1942.
During the attack on an enemy strong point in which his officer was severely wounded, Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon although suffering from a shrapnel wound in the forehead. The strong point having been overrun, our troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine-gun nest. Realising the threat to his position, Sergeant Smythe himself stalked and destroyed the nest with hand grenades, capturing the crew. Though weak from loss of blood, he continued to lead the advance, and on encountering an anti-tank gun position again attacked it single-handed and captured the crew. He was directly responsible for killing several of the enemy, shooting some and bayonetting another as they withdrew.
After consolidation he received orders for a withdrawal, which he successfully executed, defeating skilfully an enemy attempt at encirclement.
Throughout the engagement Sergeant Smythe displayed remarkable disregard for danger, and his leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men.
[London Gazette issue 35698 dtd 11 Sep 1942, published 8 Sep 1942.]
Sergeant, 1st Royal Natal Carabineers
Born: 6 August 1916
Died: October 1997, Durban, South Africa
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action in the Alem Hamza area on the 5th June, 1942.During the attack on an enemy strong point in which his officer was severely wounded, Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon although suffering from a shrapnel wound in the forehead. The strong point having been overrun, our troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine-gun nest. Realising the threat to his position, Sergeant Smythe himself stalked and destroyed the nest with hand grenades, capturing the crew. Though weak from loss of blood, he continued to lead the advance, and on encountering an anti-tank gun position again attacked it single-handed and captured the crew. He was directly responsible for killing several of the enemy, shooting some and bayonetting another as they withdrew.
After consolidation he received orders for a withdrawal, which he successfully executed, defeating skilfully an enemy attempt at encirclement.
Throughout the engagement Sergeant Smythe displayed remarkable disregard for danger, and his leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men.
[London Gazette issue 35698 dtd 11 Sep 1942, published 8 Sep 1942.]
Medal of Honor: D. E. Ballard
DONALD E BALLARD
Hospital Corpsman Second Class, US Navy; Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division
Born: 5 December 1945, Kansas City, Missouri
Died: TBD
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces [on 16 May 1968]. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Hospital Corpsman Second Class, US Navy; Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division
Born: 5 December 1945, Kansas City, Missouri
Died: TBD
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces [on 16 May 1968]. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
08 April 2010
RIP: Neva Morris
Neva Morris (neé Freed)
3 Aug 1895 - 6 Apr 2010
3 Aug 1895 - 6 Apr 2010
The oldest person in the United States has died. ZUI this article from Radio Iowa:
An Iowan, who became the oldest American earlier this year, died Tuesday morning. Neva Morris of Ames was 114 years old.
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Morris lived at Northcrest Community in Ames since 1999. [Her son-in-law Tom] Wickersham, who is 90, also lives at Northcrest. He said Morris had hearing and eyesight problems, but was aware of the fact she was the oldest living American.
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The Iowa Department of Aging reports the oldest Iowan now is 113-year-old Dina Manfredini of Johnston.
In addition to being the oldest person in the United States, Morris was the second-oldest person in the world at the time of her death. (The oldest person in the world is Japanese, and the now second-oldest is French.) She is the fourth supercentenarian listed by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) to die since the death of Daisey Bailey on 7 March; the other three were Jane Gilsenan of New York (8 May 1898-8 Mar 2010), Florence Poe of Missouri (24 Aug 1897-21 Mar 2010) and Antonietta Rocca-Cerizza of Italy (7 Oct 1899-29 Mar 2010).
The GRG's list of validated living supercentenarians (people who have reached their 110th birthday) currently includes 74 people (3 men and 71 women), ranging from Kama Chinen of Japan (born 10 May 1895) to Domenica Di Tomasso-Ciccheli of Italy (born 11 Feb 1900). The oldest person in the United States is now Eunice Sanborn of Texas (born 20 Jul 1896), the world's fourth-oldest person; a total of 19 supercentenarians live in the US, two of them in Iowa.
Top 100 Children's Novels: 4-3
Along about eighth grade I was walking through the Waukegan Public Library when I spotted a book display the librarians had set up; one of the books was The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C S Lewis. It looked interesting, so I read it - then went looking for the rest of the series, of which this is the first. (The first published, that is; it's the second by internal chronology.) Since then I've reread the entire series several times, and really enjoyed the latest film version (though I haven't seen the sequel yet).
Lewis was a religious man, and a lot of people complain about the Christian symbology in these books. I personally didn't notice a thing until I got to the last book in the series, The Last Battle.
For some reason I didn't think of either this book or the next one when I submitted my top-ten list to Betsy back in January. I had this at #2 on my Top Ten prediction.
Yes, some clown decided to retitle this as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when it was released in the US. I was introduced to the series when my mother-in-law, having read several articles about the Harry Potter craze, borrowed the first two books (this and Chamber of Secrets) from the library in order to see what all the fuss was about. I've read all seven of them, of course (my 14-year-old daughter has read them all several times each), and have seen all but the latest movie.
I had this correctly at #3 on my Top Ten prediction. Most of the people who are commenting on Betsy's blog seem to agree with me that A Wrinkle in Time and Charlotte's Web will be in the top two slots. I had those at #4 and #1, respectively....
This is the Finnish cover; no idea who the artist was, but I'd like to see more of his/her/its work. The Ukrainian cover, as usual, is also very good, and I like the Swedish one, too.
06 April 2010
Top 100 Children's Novels: 5
This was the first Newbery winner I read because it was a Newbery winner - my sister showed me a review in the paper shortly after the award was announced, and it sounded interesting. Haven't seen either the 1973 movie (The Hideaways, with Ingrid Bergman as Mrs F) or the 1995 tv movie (with Lauren Bacall).
It's an excellent book, and I can't believe I didn't think of it when submitting my top-ten list. I did, however, have it at #4 on my Top Ten prediction.
05 April 2010
Top 100 Children's Novels: 7-6
If you look at the comments on Betsy's post, you'll see that the main factor in how much people liked this book seems to have been whether or not it was the first dystopian story they'd read. If it was, then they mostly loved it; if not, then maybe (probably) not so much.
In my case, I'm sure that if this book had been available when I was 13 I would have loved it. As it was, though, I was almost 40 when it came out, and then I didn't get to it until I started reading the Newbery Medal winners three years ago. (It was the 1994 winner.) If I recall correctly, the first dystopia I read was 1984, back when I was in high school, and I've been a big S M Stirling fan for years. So while I did like it - especially the basic concept - it came nowhere near getting a place in my Top Ten prediction.
Another book I hadn't read until I started reading the Newberys (it won in 1999), though I had seen part of the movie when my girls were watching it on telly. And I find it very hard to believe it's in the Top Ten.... (Obviously, therefore, it wasn't in my Top Ten prediction either.)
Just for the record, the #7 and #6 spots in my Top Ten prediction were The Phantom Tollbooth (actually #10) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid (probably won't place).
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