April 2010 - Argghhh!

I'm still working the Reichsrevolver, Kirk. Very busy coupla weeks around here. But, speaking of the Reichsrevolver, there was an observation made that there weren't many pistols made other than semi-autos which had safeties. But there were some. So, whatziss?...

Perhaps I have an unfair advantage over this Congressman, in that I do actually have a degree in the subject.That said - notice how the Admiral doesn't just get up and walk away, nor does he let what I suspect is his true reaction get anywhere close to the surface. I would *love* to hear the Admiral's internal dialogue..An admirable (heh) display of restraint. And simply another reason I would not have done well as a general officer. In that regard, the selection boards were absolutely correct...

There are nine Medals awarded for actions on this day, and this grouping has some interesting fillips scattered among them. They span the Civil War, Indian Campaigns, Philippine Insurrection, Korea and Vietnam. Three awards are posthumous.Civil War. Cox'n Cooper earns his second award, the first being earned at Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.COOPER, JOHN (SECOND AWARD) Citation: Served as quartermaster on Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher's staff. During the terrific fire at Mobile, on 26 April 1865...

There are three Medals awarded for actions on this day. One was posthumous.Interim Awards, 1871-1898. A naval lifesaving award. When you're drowning, it's good to have a man who can swim like trout... (sorry, I couldn't resist)TROUT, JAMES M.Rank and organization: Second Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1850, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Frolic, Trout displayed gallant conduct in endeavoring to save the life of one of the crew of...

There are twenty-five Medals awarded for actions on this day, from the Civil War to World War II. Two are posthumous.Civil War. Twenty-three Medals, earned during the battles of Appomattox Courthouse (or for the whole campaign) and Fort Blakely, Alabama.CALLAHAN, JOHN H. Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 122d Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Fort Blakely, Ala., 9 April 1865. Entered service at: Macoupin County, Ill. Birth: Shelby County, Ky. Date of issue: 8 June 1865. Citation: Capture...

News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

He went in early, on his own (and subscriber's, in a sense) dime, and took with him a greater understanding of what he was seeing and who he was walking with that informed his reporting on the war in ways that the MSM reporters didn't/wouldn't/couldn't.To me he's at his best when he's covering the troops, doing it the Ernie Pyle way. But that's my bias - if I had it in me to do what Mike does, I'd be doing the units, the grunts, the infantillery, the tankers-who-are...