August 2009 - Argghhh!

You could knock me down with a feather. From the VA info email list I'm on:VA Continues Gulf War Research, Cancels Contract with UTSW Medical CenterWASHINGTON (Aug. 26, 2009) – Citing persistent noncompliance and numerous performance deficiencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not exercise the third year of a five-year, $75 million contract with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSWMC) to perform research into Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (GWVI)...

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...

Heh. Don't believe the ads. Satellite internet access is a viable choice only if your only other option is dial-up. The weather is killing me here this week. And it isn't good when the sky is clear, for that matter. Unless other's pick up the slack - this is all there'll be today!We open today's Medals with the Civil War, with an iconic flag capture, moving to a Canadian-born Sergeant assuming command after the officers are disable (I can hear the snickers now - "Oh, you...

The Medal makes it's first appearance on this day in history during the China Relief Expediiton, in 1900. There are a slew of Medals, to twelve Marines and two sailors, covering the period from 28 June to 17 August, with most of them of the type that would be covered by different awards today - but back then, the Medal of Honor was the only award of its type. As is my convention, for Medals which cover more than one day, I list them on the last day of the covered period. This is also a rare day...

A Marine of the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, loads a 50 cal. machine gun prior to moving into the firing slot, a key position in the defense of Boulder City after the Communists had taken outposts Berlin and East Berlin. This was the final battle before the Korean truce talks. ID #127-GK-235-A174618090806-A-2575T-003: LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Moultrie, Ga., native, Spc. Waylon Selph, a gunner with Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain...

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. ************************************ In today's From the Front : (Click on link to read stories highlighted below) P.J. Tobia : Bravery And Afghan Voters Helmand Blog - Afghanistan : PICTURES: Polling day in Helmand At War : The Day After. Then the Wait Iraq the Model : Who Was Behind Wednesday's...

The Medal waited for over a century after its establishment in July 1863 to make an appearance, doing so in a sharp firefight in Quang Tri province - and the all-to-common covering a grenade, though it must be noted that Lance Corporal Anderson was fighting like a lion and already severely wounded.*ANDERSON, RICHARD A. Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 August...

Today opens with a bridge-burning under fire at Waterloo Bridge, Va, in 1862, followed up by artilleryman, infantryman and cavalryman who earned their pay at Reams Station, Virginia in 1864.TRIBE, JOHN Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 5th New York Cavalry. Place and date: At Waterloo Bridge, Va., 25 August 1862. Entered service at: Oswego, N.Y. Birth: Tioga County, N.Y. Date of issue: 11 June 1895. Citation: Voluntarily assisted in the burning and destruction of the bridge under heavy fire...