Gerald Young Medal of Honor

 

 FYI there appears to be a glitch in publishing comments on Google Blogs.  They say they're working on it, But...

 Ok, in order to stay out of trouble, I will start this post with a very important statement.

Happy Anniversary, Honey.  These have been the happiest years of my life.  I look forward to many more. 

Now, while I'm using the time between comments to figure out where to make a reservation for dinner tonight....Reservation taken care of.

So...On with the show. 

 

Captain Gerald Young

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 OK, I was lucky as a fighter pilot, first the period of time I was flying in was remarkably peaceful.  I've never employed a weapon in anger and I'm grateful to the Lord for that.  I was ready if needed and wondered what it would be like, but realized the bad guys had a big vote in my life.  So...One of the groups of other pilots that I have a considerable amount of respect for, and a deep wish not to ever see them hovering over me unless I needed them was helicopter drivers.  Today's MOH Recipient was one of those guys deserving a lot of respect.  This is a pretty interesting tale with a lot of danger.  So hang on to your hats, here we go.

 

 

Sikorsky HH-3  

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As I was researching this hero, I found this data on Wikipedia.  Short, distinct and to the point,  I couldn't have written it better.  So..

On the night of November 8–9, 1967, Young's aircraft was one of two HH-3E Jolly "Green Giant helicopters sent to extract five survivors of a U.S. Army Special Forces reconnaissance team in Laos. The extraction site was known to be hot, surrounded by a North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam battalion. Two helicopters had already been shot down and destroyed in the area .Illuminated by a C-130 Hercules dropping LUU-2 parachute flares, Jolly 29 made a pickup of three survivors before being driven off by intense enemy fire. Young, piloting Jolly 26, then attempted to pick up the remaining two survivors, both now wounded. Fighting was intense both in the air and on the ground. A Para-Rescueman aboard Young's aircraft, Larry W. Maysey, jumped from the helicopter and ran down a steep slope, rescuing the two remaining men. Jolly 26 was now being hit with small arms fire. Just after Maysey had helped both survivors safely on board, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) struck the number one engine, fatally crippling the craft. The engine exploded, inverting the helicopter, which rolled and skidded down a deep ravine and burst into flames; Young and one other man survived the crash and escaped the burning wreckage. Despite severe wounds, Young evaded capture for 17 hours until being rescued later that day. As a result of Young's efforts, the other survivor of the crash was ultimately rescued and the bodies of those service members who perished were also recovered. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The para-rescueman, Maysey, was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross." Source

 He survived the war and continued his Air Force Career retiring as a Lt Colonel.  He passed away in 1990 from a Brain Tumor.  Rest in Peace, Hero!

Source

 

Citation for the Medal of Honor to Gerald Young 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Young distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander. Capt. Young was flying escort for another helicopter attempting the night rescue of an Army ground reconnaissance team in imminent danger of death or capture. Previous attempts had resulted in the loss of 2 helicopters to hostile ground fire. The endangered team was positioned on the side of a steep slope which required unusual airmanship on the part of Capt. Young to effect pickup. Heavy automatic weapons fire from the surrounding enemy severely damaged 1 rescue helicopter, but it was able to extract 3 of the team. The commander of this aircraft recommended to Capt. Young that further rescue attempts be abandoned because it was not possible to suppress the concentrated fire from enemy automatic weapons. With full knowledge of the danger involved, and the fact that supporting helicopter gunships were low on fuel and ordnance, Capt. Young hovered under intense fire until the remaining survivors were aboard. As he maneuvered the aircraft for takeoff, the enemy appeared at point-blank range and raked the aircraft with automatic weapons fire. The aircraft crashed, inverted, and burst into flames. Capt. Young escaped through a window of the burning aircraft. Disregarding serious burns, Capt. Young aided one of the wounded men and attempted to lead the hostile forces away from his position. Later, despite intense pain from his burns, he declined to accept rescue because he had observed hostile forces setting up automatic weapons positions to entrap any rescue aircraft. For more than 17 hours he evaded the enemy until rescue aircraft could be brought into the area. Through his extraordinary heroism, aggressiveness, and concern for his fellow man, Capt. Young reflected the highest credit upon himself, the U.S. Air Force, and the Armed Forces of his country. 

 

 

 

 

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_O._Young

As the Summer Fades ...

OAFS Photo

The Missus Herself landed safely in Korea after a flight of some fourteen hours and change. I remember that flight well, having done it a number of times. The Pacific is a very big ocean, from altitude it's miles and miles of nothing but sea and cloud.

I awakened in the very wee hours of Wednesday and decided to check FlightAware for the progress of milady's flight. Let me backtrack first ...

Her trip started on Saturday last when she flew out to Las Vegas where she would meet up with two of her sisters, the ones who would be traveling with her to Korea. One sister lives in Las Vegas, the other is but a "short" drive away in Arizona, five hours give or take, short compared to the way to Maryland and over some rather inhospitable terrain as well.

Her flight to Korea left late on Tuesday, Vegas time, early on Wednesday, Little Rhody time. So, where was I?

Ah yes, I awakened in the wee hours and thought to check her progress. Somewhere off the southern coast of Alaska as it were. I had gone to bed very late, last minute chat with The Missus Herself before boarding, dontcha know. Hit the rack around 0230. Around 0500 I needed to have a pee. Now there's a danger in awakening the brain in the middle of the night ...

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The brain was now fully awake and refused to reenter REM sleep.

So at or about 0700 I dragged my tired ass out of bed, had breakfast and said to myself, "I can always take a nap later."

Thing is though, I don't nap, once I go down, I go down hard. Unless it's the middle of the night and I've got loved ones traveling over large bodies of water.

Yeah, four hours is really plenty of sleep.

Compared to no hours.

Been there, done that.

It's tiresome.

I'd write more but I need to sleep ...

Ciao!

John Walmsley Medal of Honor

 

 

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OK, when I saw this picture for the first time, I had to chuckle.  He looks like he had a sense of humor.  Gotta like that in an Air Force Pilot!  But, this is his official picture., so he's definitely a guy who's not afraid to take a risk.

Anyhow....On with the tale.   

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 Captain Walmsley joined the Army Air Forces in 1944, a little late to join in the fighting but served as a Flight Instructor (known nowadays as an Instructor Pilot or IP). In 1946 he was transferred to Japan and flew the B-26.  Once the Korean war started he was flying interdiction missions dropping 260lb fragmentation bombs and strafing with 50 caliber machine guns.

 

Source

 Not a particularly effective mission, but, hey, you got to fight with what you've got.

After a bit, the B-26 mission and Lt Walmsley along with it were switched over to night interdiction.   A bit (small bit) safer mission as we shall see.

 "The mission involved having a very large searchlight installed on the aircraft which would allow them to search out enemy trucks and vector in attacking aircraft.  One big problem with it is that searchlight is highly visible from the ground. September 12 raid was extremely successful; in it, Walmsley's B-26 attacked a convoy with 500 pounds (230 kg) bombs, destroying or damaging 16 trucks, and forcing many of the vehicle drivers off the road.Emboldened by this successful mission, Walmsley opted on September 14 to bring his bomber named "Skillful 13" (tail number 44-34314), to a mission alone in North Korea." Source

 A very successful mission which might have had an impact on what happened next

On Sept 14, Lt Walmsley and crew went out again at night taking off from Kunsan AB (a base I know quite well). They found a train on the tracks in North Korea and attacked it.  They damaged it but did not stop it, so called in another B-26.  When it arrived, he told them he would make a pass illuminating it with his arc light.  The second bomber would then attack. He made three passes taking AAA hits all three times. He and the other bomber were able to destroy the train, however the AAA hits caused fuel to leak from the tanks and caught fire.  Lt Walmsley started to retreat, but only got a few miles before the fire damaged the flight controls and the bomber crashed.  Killing all but one of the crew who, though injured, managed to survive the crash only to be caught by the Chinese ground troops and kept as a POW.

Four weeks after this mission, the arc lights and Operation Strangle were abandoned, as leaders felt the risks and casualties of the operation outweighed the benefits.  

No Kidding?  A slow(ish) aircraft flying with a searchlight turned on could expect to not be seen and shot at?  YGBSM!

In any case, Lt Walmsley and his crew performed their mission as ordered.  He received the Medal of Honor, his crew received Distinguished Flying Crosses as did the one survivor after he was freed from the Chinese POW camp after the war. 

 

 

Source

 Discovered an interesting piece of trivia.  There were 4 members of the Air Force that received the  Medal of Honor  in the Korean War.  There was no USAF Medal of Honor medal at the time.  These four heroes, all killed in action, received the US Army Medal of Honor instead.

Rest in Peace, Warriors! 

Citation for the Medal of Honor to  Lt John Springer Walmsley Jr.

Capt. Walmsley, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While flying a B-26 aircraft on a night combat mission with the objective of developing new tactics, Capt. Walmsley sighted an enemy supply train which had been assigned top priority as a target of opportunity. He immediately attacked, producing a strike which disabled the train, and, when his ammunition was expended, radioed for friendly aircraft in the area to complete destruction of the target. Employing the searchlight mounted on his aircraft, he guided another B-26 aircraft to the target area, meanwhile constantly exposing himself to enemy fire. Directing an incoming B-26 pilot, he twice boldly aligned himself with the target, his searchlight illuminating the area, in a determined effort to give the attacking aircraft full visibility. As the friendly aircraft prepared for the attack, Capt. Walmsley descended into the valley in a low level run over the target with searchlight blazing, selflessly exposing himself to vicious enemy antiaircraft fire. In his determination to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, he refused to employ evasive tactics and valiantly pressed forward straight through an intense barrage, thus insuring complete destruction of the enemy's vitally needed war cargo. While he courageously pressed his attack Capt. Walmsley's plane was hit and crashed into the surrounding mountains, exploding upon impact. His heroic initiative and daring aggressiveness in completing this important mission in the face of overwhelming opposition and at the risk of his life, reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._Walmsley_Jr. 

 

 

And So It Begins ...

A view of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace, dressed in the autumn colors of the changing foliage.
(한국어: 단풍으로 물든 가을옷을 입은 경복궁 향원정의 풍경)

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Once again it is that time of year, when The Missus Herself returns to her homeland for a visit with her family. She and two of her sisters (both of whom live in the US) went last year, and then again this year. (I don't know if they'll go next year, everyone is getting on in years, we shall see.)

So once again Your Humble Scribe is left to fend for himself. I don't mind, not really, I've always been something of a solitary beast. Very catlike in that regard. I don't mind company, but I don't really crave it. If that makes any sense.

So Sarge, you might be asking, why didn't you go as well?

I have been there, once for nearly four years, once for a month, it's lovely, the people are nice but, well, it ain't home, is it? It is for my better half, sure, but not me.

I once understood a lot of the language, and even spoke a bit of it, but that was forty four years ago. I'm a bit out of practice. We speak English at Chez Sarge. When we were first married I mentioned that given my knack for language, perhaps The Missus Herself should teach me Korean.

She pointed out that as the plan was for us to live in the United States, her becoming fluent in English should be the priority. I bowed to her logic. Still and all, I wish I'd picked up more of her native tongue.

That being said, I'm on my own, my knee is getting better, I've a full larder and a hard drive full of computer games I can spend all day and night playing. No one to say, "Aren't you going to bed?"

Nope, I'm footloose and fancy free. My oldest daughter, The Nuke, worries that I'll turn feral, lose all that training her mama put me through. She'd rather I come down to Maryland where she can "take care of me." Yeah, you know, keep an eye on me.

My biggest concern at the moment is finding someone to cut my grass, and not temporarily, as Danny Glover said, in the Lethal Weapon series, I'm getting too old for that shit. I mean, I can do it, I just don't want to. We also travel a lot, if I'm not there to cut it, well, it doesn't get cut. So having a crew to do that for me would be just the thing.

Not easy to do, so far. Everyone wants to just sit on their riding mower, swirl around for a bit, then walk off with my money in their pocket. Our backyard has lots of flower beds, had one fellow say he'd do it, then he backed out when I told him he couldn't use the riding mower in the backyard. Not that I wouldn't let him, it was just not feasible.

Sigh ...

It ain't like the old days where every teenage boy in a ten mile radius was looking for a lawn mowing job to make a bit o' cash in the summer. Now they all want to be interns in an office and poke at a computer all day.

Sigh ...

We'll find someone, eventually.

First World problems, neh?

Hot? Nah, it ain't Hot!

 

 

 

Our highly accurate car thermometer is  saying 109 outside.  Based on my highly accurate skin sensors, I'd say it's a bit higher.

Just sayin'

As seen in last week's post, the builder had got the foundation ready for the concrete.

Progress!

We've now got a foundation, Should be only a few more months before we can move in.

Yes, Beans, my normal Fighter Pilot Patience meter is nearly stuck on zero.  The builder is still saying December. Which is getting closer and is also when our lease is up on our current domicile.

So... 

 

Very clever technique for keeping picture poachers away.  Include your hand in the picture. 

 

 One of the highlights of our weekly "chores" is to let our granddaughter entertain us.

 

We get to have her company Monday and Friday mornings.  I'm not sure of why that's the schedule, but I enjoy her presence.  Puts a smile on my face, yes it does.

Since I'm still prohibited from driving, smile generators are important.  Had the opportunity to go to court and plead my case.  The judge was retired Air Force, so I thought I had a chance.  Nice guy, funny.  However the person sitting on the table to the left was a grumpy old...Don't go there juvat!  Well, this is a family blog, so I'll just use the term "Female Dog".

Despite not having had any additional atrial fibrillation events since Oct 31 last year, she was very concerned I  might have a repeat blackout incident and therefore couldn't recommend my being allowed to drive.  My doctor is very happy with my electrocardiogram results, but what does he know.  She's the expert, she's a LAWYER!

No, just a Female Dog! 

So, I get chauffeured where I need/want to go.  Thank you dear. I know you enjoy the visits to Lowes to look at tools and guy stuff.

 

 

Charles Loring Jr Medal of Honor

 

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 As may be assumed, this was the fellow that Loring AFB was named after.  The base is as far North East as is possible in the USA, it literally within a few miles of the border of Maine and Canada.  Interesting but not part of the story. Ok, this  gentleman was a very interesting and brave Medal of Honor recipient.  He was shot down in two wars. Born and raised in Portland Maine, he joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to Europe to fly P-47s.  

 

His actual aircraft is the one in the bottom left corner of this picture

Source 

After 55 missions he was shot down and spent the rest of WWII in a POW camp.  

 Upon the end of the war, he was released returned to the US were he was working administrative details. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, he was transferred to a squadron near and dear to my heart.  At the time it was the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron.  Also known as "The Juvats". 

Yes, Beans when I am discussing the actual Squadron, I use a capital "J".  This was the actual Squadron name.

So, Major Charles Loring was a fighter pilot in two wars and a Juvat in the second one. 

 

  

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This was the weapons delivery vehicle of the Juvats at the time. On November 22 1952, Major Loring was leading a flight of F-80s to attack an artillery site that was shelling US troops.  He rolled in to drop his bombs but was hit by AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery if you don't know).  His aircraft was barely flyable.  Realizing he would be unable to RTB (return to Base),  he continued the attack, flying his aircraft directly into the artillery site destroying the site, his aircraft and himself. 

"Audentes fortuna Juvat!" * 

Source

 

Citation for the posthumous Award of the Medal of Honor to Major Charles Loring Jr:

Maj. Loring distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of 4 F-80 type aircraft on a close support mission, Maj. Loring was briefed by a controller to dive-bomb enemy gun positions which were harassing friendly ground troops. After verifying the location of the target, Maj. Loring rolled into his dive bomb run. Throughout the run, extremely accurate ground fire was directed on his aircraft. Disregarding the accuracy and intensity of the ground fire, Maj. Loring aggressively continued to press the attack until his aircraft was hit. At approximately 4,000 feet, he deliberately altered his course and aimed his diving aircraft at active gun emplacements concentrated on a ridge northwest of the briefed target, turned his aircraft 45 degrees to the left, pulled up in a deliberate, controlled maneuver, and elected to sacrifice his life by diving his aircraft directly into the midst of the enemy emplacements. His selfless and heroic action completely destroyed the enemy gun emplacement and eliminated a dangerous threat to United Nations ground forces. Maj. Loring's noble spirit, superlative courage, and conspicuous self-sacrifice in inflicting maximum damage on the enemy exemplified valor of the highest degree and his actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Air Force.

*  The 80TFS "Juvat's" official motto is "Audentes fortuna juvat" translated "Fortune favors the Bold!"

Pretty sure I've flown that particular F-4

 

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_J._Loring_Jr. 

 

Improving, Slowly, But Perceptibly ...

OAFS Photo

Being on one crutch to no crutches is a huge difference.

-- Lindsey Vonn Source

She has a point you know. When I first had the knee go out, my right leg was pretty much useless. I had to hang on to something in order to get from Point A to Point B. The Missus Herself dug out the old crutches from a couple of years back and the movement problem was eased, not great but workable.

After a couple of days of Prednisone and staying off of the bad leg I was moving around a lot better.

Prednisone is all gone now, I just take ibuprofen as needed for both the remaining pain, which there is some, and for the inflammation in the knee. (I'm assuming that's there as after 600 mg of ibuprofen the knee feels much better.)

Down to one crutch now, and if I move very slowly and deliberately I can move around with no crutches at all. While it does cause some stress to the right leg, it's gotten better over the last cuppla days. The feeling of not absolutely needing the crutches though is, as Lindsey noted, a very big difference. One might go so far as to say "liberating."

I hate being laid up for any reason, as things improve my morale gets better and better. Now I just need someone to cut my lawn until I'm 100%.

I contacted a local service and we'll see how that goes. The price was right, i.e. cheap, but I'll have to see what kind of job they do. As long as the lawn looks okay I'm happy with that.

No doubt it won't be to The Missus Herself's standard but until the knee is back up and fully mission capable, we'll just have to make do.

We'll see ...