August 2009 - Argghhh!

Proof that Chuck really did report to Fort Leavenworth and isn't AWOL on a beach somewhere...Chuck, Carren and the kids came to Castle Argghhh! yesterday. SWWBO got up at 4AM to start the brisket smoking and to make a Castle Cake for Carren's 21+N birthday.Which was celebrated in a typical (well, it *should* be typical) Gun/Milblogger fashion...The Castle Technical gave it's first rides to Chuck's "Dismounts" and Carren and the Dismounts got reblued on Basic Cavalry - click...

The Medal opens with a small fight at Jonesboro, Georgia, in 1864 (though no fight is small if you died in it).GREBE, M. R. WILLIAM Rank and organization: Captain, Company F, 4th Missouri Cavalry. Place and date: At Jonesboro, Ga., 31 August 1864. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Born: 4 August 1838, Germany. Date of issue: 24 February 1899. Citation: While acting as aide and carrying orders across a most dangerous part of the battlefield, being hindered by a Confederate advance, seized a rifle...

Today we open with 2nd Manassas, and not a flag capture, but a few flag rescues. Sergeant Haight and Private Rhodes are cited for conspicuous gallantry on several occasions. Not to mention the Adjutant leading the charge across the burning bridge.CONNER, RICHARD Rank and organization. Private, Company F, 6th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Bull Run, Va., 30 August 1862. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: 17 September 1897. Citation: The flag of his regiment...

We open with two Medals today. From the first and last August of the Civil War.SWEARER, BENJAMIN Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1825, Baltimore, Md. Accredited to: Maryland. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Embarked in a surfboat from the U.S.S. Pawnee during action against Fort Clark, off Baltimore Inlet, 29 August 1861. Taking part in a mission to land troops and to remain inshore and provide protection, Swearer rendered gallant service throughout the action and had the honor...

Today we open with the Civil War, and a horse soldier at Smithfield, Viriginia in 1864. There is another Medal for the Civil War which cites actions on this day, but the Medal covers multiple days, and so we'll get to it on the day of the last cited action - which is only two days from now, so you can contain your excitement!HARRIS, MOSES Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Smithfield, Va., 28 August 1864. Entered service at: New Hampshire. Birth: Andover...

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. ********************** These three articles are just a lovely way to start the day. Not. Save them for lunchtime reading: Release the Terrorist, Investigate the CIA : "I suppose that's what happens when control of the Justice Department shifts from the lawyers who spent the last eight years...

A question that has been chapping some people, both in comments here and in email.Simple. He is eligible under the existing rules.Senators who spend 2 years in the Army and 40 years in the Senate qualify for Arlington. It isn't PFC Kennedy that is being buried there, in a sense.Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall, who never served in uniform, is buried in Arlington. Arlington is considered a national treasure and is managed a bit differently from the other cemeteries in the...