December 2009 - Argghhh!

On this, one of the most famous days of our military history, there are 17 awards of the Medal of Honor. 16 for one battle. And while that sort of number in one fight is usually a phenomenon of the Civil War - I suspect 90% of us who read this place know that is not the case on *this* day. Eleven of the Medals for that day were posthumous presentations.Civil War, and a sharp little fight at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, early in the war.BLACK, JOHN C. Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, 37th Illinois...

Three Medals on this day in history, and all recipients survived to receive their Medals!Civil War, and two steely men manning an iron ship. DITZENBACK, JOHN Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1828, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: Indiana. G.O. No.: 59, 22 June 1865. Citation: Served on board the U.S. Monitor Neosho during the engagement with enemy batteries at Bells Mills, Cumberland River, near Nashville, Tenn., 6 December 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously during the...

Well, long one. Yesterday I picked up the trusty steed with his new front shoes and bumper, and hole in my wallet and this morning hitched up the trailer and rode the Deer-Kill Highway again. This time time there were only three suicide bunnies out trying to die, all of them incompetently failing to do so -or perhaps their hearts just weren't in it.I did the iron-butt thing, hauling the ex-Finn Puteaux 25mm a/t gun down to Austin, Texas, where it will be further transhipped to Australia. That's...

This note is about Soldiers' Angels in particular, but the point is universal to anyone for whom "Support the Troops" is a definite verb... Hello my name is MSG [redacted] and am with 7th Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, NC. I recently recieved some boxes* for my team and they all loved each one. The item that was really needed was the blankets that were put in each one. We enjoyed how each one was different. You are wonderful Americans and we appreciate all of your support from...

There are eight Medals awarded for this day in our military history, running the gamut of our wars, with the notable exception of both rounds of the Great War of Civilization. There is only one posthumous award, and it is the only award earned during the lifetimes of 95% of our readers.Civil War. In truth, while I understand Lieutenant Cockley's motivation, the first thing that came to mind was... "I bet he was a spring-butt, too." Those who know, know.COCKLEY, DAVID L. Rank and organization...

Yesterday 11B40 commented on a picture on The Chirp Of Crickets...

Who would have thunk it? Germany is still paying-up for all the "plates" she broke waaay back in World War I. 90-years and counting, Germany has one more year to go until the bean counters in Berlin close this books on this historical anachronism. Story HERE Boq

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. ************************** I got 10 for 10. How 'bout you? Test your revolutionary knowledge . Murray? The Kiwi authority on the American Civil War - perhaps he'll take the test, too... No Googling! [Or any other search-engine shenanigans for you literalists.] -the Armorer **************...