Would that "Someone" hit Fast Forward, please?*

I'm pretty sure if anyone who's ever been in the military, in any branch, in any country were tasked with coming up with a 4 word sentence to describe military life, those words would be "Hurry up and wait".

Prove me wrong.

Evidently, those words still apply in military retirement life.

Friday March 11, 2020

Construction has commenced.

 Sunday August 30, 3030 2020, Wow time flies when you're having fun!

Construction is complete.  Note the final touch, the Gate.  

So, juvat...Have you started moving in yet?

That mi, mayor que Matusalén, sargento de la Fuerza Aérea is the reason for the title of this post.

Evidently, if we were to begin moving in and something were to happen, the construction insurance would not cover anything.  And, since we don't own the house yet, our insurance won't cover it either.

So...Closing is September 14th.  The movers arrive at 0800 15 September.  Appliance delivery is also scheduled that day.  Hence, the title.  Twiddling my thumbs is getting old.  But, at least we've got packing to keep us busy.  Yay! Fortunately, Mrs J is handling most of the packing.  My role seems to be carrying crap to the dumpster, carrying old but working stuff to the donation station, moving full, sealed (Google translate returns "Heavy" when  those terms are entered) boxes from Mrs J's current location into the mover pickup point, AKA the living room. 

So...Hurry up and wait! It's only 2 weeks. (AKA an eternity!)  

None of the above is of much use for a blog post, so I've decided to fall back on an old reliable subject.

USAF (and antecedent organizations) Medal of Honor Memorial on the Lackland AFB Parade Field

A little background is probably needed here as we'll be talking about the Korean War and the four Korean War Medal of Honor recipients are somewhat unique.  The Air Force started out in 1907 as the Aeronautical Division of the US Army Signal Corps.  Its name and missions changed with time and aeronautical progress over the next 40 years until 18 September 1947 when it became a separate service (and promptly forgot everything it had learned about aerial warfare up to that time. "The Bombers will always get through". Yeah...Right.  I know, I know, Sarge, Back on Target).  Anyhow, the first 4 USAF recipients of the Medal of Honor actually were actually awarded the Army Medal of Honor.  All posthumously.  The USAF was not authorized its own Medal until 1965.  None of the above is particularly relevant to the story I'm about to relate, other than this story will be about one of those four, I just think that it's one of those "interesting" pieces of history.  

 

Source

So, today, we're going to learn about Captain John Springer Walmsley Jr.  Capt Walmsley was born in 1920, joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 but spent WWII in training and then as an Instructor Pilot, not seeing combat.  However, in June 1951 with the Korean War underway, Capt Walmsley was assigned to Kunsan AB, Korea (a place near and dear to a couple of this blog's authors, you figure out which) flying the B-26.  The B-26 was a WWII era medium bomber which flew with the USAF until the last was retired in 1972.  In Korea, it was primarily flown at night.

Source

 

In August of 1951, the peace talks had started to stall, so the UN Forces came up with a plan called "Operation Strangle" to interdict North Korean and Chinese (primarily the latter) supply lines.  Initially the operation was fairly successful as the communists were bringing supplies by train during the day.  Interdicting (aka hitting a target with ordnance) is infinitely easier when you can see the target.  However,  one of the immutable laws of war is "The enemy gets a vote".  The communists started running their trains at night.

The UN forces adapted by putting a searchlight on a wing pylon of the B-26. A big, honking searchlight, an 80 million candlepower searchlight. This allowed the pilot to see the target and make his attack run.  

 

Source

But, remember the immutable law?  The communists put AAA (hiss!) on the train and along the tracks, and in the nearby hills.

Now, one of the things about delivering ordnance from most aircraft is you have to point the aircraft at the target. (Gunships, like the AC-47 and AC-130 are different and hadn't been developed yet).  Pointing at the target means there is no apparent target motion for a gunner to compensate for, he doesn't have to lead the target just aim at the dot coming at you and shoot.  

Yes, Beans, that's why I always hiss when I mention AAA (hiss).

So, on September 14, 1951, Capt Walmsley is flying one night searching for a target and developing tactics to effectively use the searchlight.  He spots a train and attacks it, disabling, but not destroying it.  Having expended all his ordnance, he calls for another bomber to join him and, upon its arrival, offers to illuminate the target for him with the big honking searchlight.

Remember the AAA (hiss) gunner's shooting solution?  Here it is, and it even has a bright light showing him where to fire.  Capt Walmsley's attack works and the train is destroyed, however, his aircraft is badly damage by AAA (hiss) and on fire.  As he struggles to return home, it crashes into a mountainside.  

Three of the crew, including Capt Walmsley, are killed and the gunner, MSgt Morar, was badly burned but survived only to become a POW.  He survives the war and is repatriated thereafter. 

Source

Capt Walmsley's Medal of Honor Citation:

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.

Rest in Peace, Warrior!

*A subtle, perhaps too subtle, reference to Sarge's post title from yesterday.