October 2009 - Argghhh!

...just because it's been a while. Some more pictures of the Brown Manufacturing conversion of an Enfield 3-band musket to a bolt-action breech-loader.The concept was simple enough. Chop off the old breech, add a new one with a simple (but robust) bolt. The soldier would have to *** the hammer by hand, and that modification, extending back into the wrist of the stock as it does, is a great source of weakness... as the broken stock on this rifle shows. Anyway - the shooter cocks the hammer, rotates...

Civil War - the fight at Wauhatchie, where Hooker was executing the "Cracker Line Operation" to open supply lines for Union forces after the drubbing of Chickamauga. Most famous for the panicked Union mules which, in the confusion of a night fight, caused the Confederates to briefly believe they were being attacked by cavalry. Not Hooker's finest moment as a commander. Also notable as confederate general Henry Benning, the namesake of Fort Benning, was involved.VEALE, MOSES Rank and...

We're in the news - at Reuters no less, for the newly launched PV-IT fundraiser. It runs between now and Veteran's Day. Need a reason to donate? See Carren. While I want you to donate via the Army Team (see the sidebar over there under the BAE ad) we'll take your money regardless of how bad your judgement is regarding which team you support.

I know I don't have a lot of Airpower stuff to pontificate on much these days, what with very little going on in the air combat arena around the world right now, but for what it's worth, allow me to clue you in to what often goes on in the front of an airliner during relatively long (3+ hours, say) trips.While no longer a Hog pilot, I do still fly for a livink and am sitting in the hotel waiting for my next trip to start day after tomorrow.I just got in from Taipei early this afternoon and...

When the Medal was orginally authorized by Congress, the Navy was specifically granted permission to award it for peacetime actions in recognition of the special perils inherent in the Naval Service in it's day-to-day operations. Today, those kinds of actions would be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, but back in the day, they were Medals of Honor. We start the six Medals awarded for actions on this day in history with two of those Naval Medals.Interim Awards 1871-1898 FLANNAGAN, JOHNRank...

I was having trouble with my computer. So I called John, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over..

Five Medals were earned for actions on this day - bookmarked by the Civil War and WWII. Some famous names in WWII, and for the Civil War, a Young man who was destined to be Cavalry.Civil War, near where the Castle lies - at least in terms of battles of the Civil War!DUNLAVY, JAMES Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 3d Iowa Cavalry. Place and date: At Osage, Kans., 25 October 1864. Entered service at: Davis County, Iowa. Birth: Decatur County, Ind. Date of issue: 4 April 1865. Citation: Gallantry...