Wednesday Hero

  Maj. William Edward Adams 31 years old from Kansas City, MO A/227 Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division June 16, 1939 - May 25, 1971  The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major William Edward Adams, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with A/227 Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 May 1971.      On that date, Major Adams volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate three seriously wounded soldiers from a small fire base which was under attack by a large enemy force. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous anti-aircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would afford the enemy gunners unobstructed view of all routes into the base.      As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire with heavy machineguns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Undaunted by the fusillade, he continued his approach determined to accomplish the mission. Displaying tremendous courage under fire, he calmly directed the attacks of supporting gunships while maintaining absolute control of the helicopter he was flying. He landed the aircraft at the fire base despite the ever-increasing enemy fire and calmly waited until the wounded soldiers were placed on board.     As his aircraft departed from the fire base, it was struck and seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and began descending. Flying with exceptional skill, he immediately regained control of the crippled aircraft and attempted a controlled landing. Despite his valiant efforts, the helicopter exploded, overturned, and plummeted to earth amid the hail of enemy fire. Major Adams' conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity, and humanitarian regard for his fellow man were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflected utmost credit on him and the United States Army.     These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

 

Alberta Soldiers have to take second jobs to survive

From CBC:

Cold Lake soldiers working second jobs to make ends meet

Cost of living sky-high in oil-and-gas region in northeast Alberta 

The Canadian Press

Posted: Jul 10, 2013 

 

Junior members of the military at the air base in Cold Lake, Alta., have to take second jobs to make ends meet, says a new report from the military ombudsman.

 

The cost of living at Cold Lake has soared in recent years, driven by growth in the local oil-and-gas industry. (CBC)


Pierre Daigle investigated the sky-high cost of living in the resource-rich region of Alberta after complaints from people posted to 4 Wing, a major jet-fighter base.


"I was surprised," Daigle said in an interview Tuesday.


Some families are struggling to pay bills by selling off possessions, and go to great lengths to keep their children in extracurricular activities.


The mostly non-commissioned members aren't trying to get ahead — they need the extra income to survive, said Daigle.


"They are just trying to keep what they have, and what they have built up over their lifetimes," he said....

SO much wrong with this, but no, so not surprised.  Read the rest of this here..

Happy Valley: Forgotten Battle of 'The Forgotten War'

BritishForcesNews


Jul 24, 2013

The Battle of Happy Valley is known as the forgotten battle of the forgotten war.


It saw the Royal Ulster Rifles defending the city of Seoul on the night of the 3rd January 1951 from Chinese attack. It allowed thousands of residents to flee the city before it fell to the Chinese the next day.


One hundred and fifty seven members of the Ulsters were killed that night. In the second of our special reports in the build up to the 60th anniversary on Saturday, we report on a group of veterans who went back to Korea to revisit the battlefield.

Obama, DoJ -v- George Zimmerman: The FACTS

 
I have been following the injustices heaped upon George Zimmerman since the night he encountered the 'child' Trayvon Martin.  As anybody knows who has been paying even a smidgen of attention, a jury recently acquitted George Zimmerman:  found him INNOCENT of the charges leveled against him by a politically motivated prosecution. Much 'ink' has been spent - and airwaves filled - as the MIC and his minions continue to lead the chorus to find Zimmerman guilty of SOMEthing, anything.  The reactions, aided and abetted by the usual race-baiters Sharpton, Jackson et al, based on proven lies, understate the very UNcivil, paid, demonstrations and calls for "Kill Zimmerman" dutifully reported by the msm; all wrapped in the cries of 'what about Trayvon's civil rights?' all the while conveniently ignoring the FACTS, of course.

Bill Whittle put together a video based on the FACTS, which  more than a few people sent to me. Whittle is far more articulate than I could hope to be.   Of course, for all those screaming for 'Justice for  Trayvon' - led by Barack "Trayvon could have been me" Obama, facts are irrelevant if they don't further their own agenda.  However, the facts IS the facts.

Watch:

NYPD to keep 'stop and frisk'

From Homeland Security News Wire:

Bloomberg vetoes bills aiming to curb NYPD’s stop-and-frisk

 24 July 2013

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed two bills aiming to limit the NYPD’s stop and frisk policy. The policy has been criticized by civil rights advocates, and has also been highlighted by those opposing Police Commissioner Ray Kelly’s candidacy to replace Janet Napolitano as DHS secretary.


New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed two bills aiming to limit the NYPD’s stop and frisk policy. The policy has been criticized by civil rights advocates, and has also been highlighted by those opposing Police Commissioner Ray Kelly’s candidacy to replace Janet Napolitano as DHS secretary....

There is more here, but as usual, all is not as it appears. Educate yourselves before you do the usual knee-jerk reaction to the biased msm headlines...

Wednesday Hero

SSgt. Erich R. Phillips Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment,      173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Erich R. Phillips, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Mortar Platoon Sergeant with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action at Ranch House in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on 22 August 2007.      Staff Sergeant Phillips' gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: On 22 August 2007, at 0455L, the Ranch House Outpost at Aranas, Afghanistan, was attacked from all sides by a company-sized insurgent force, simultaneously engaging every post in the perimeter by multiple RPGs and small arms fire. Staff Sergeant Phillips was serving as the Mortar Platoon Sergeant with Company C, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team.      On that morning he woke up to the sound of intense small arms fire and RPG explosions. When he moved outside of his quarters he came under effective small arms fire and saw Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Security Guard (ASG) forces fleeing from their post, which had swiftly been overrun by the insurgents. Staff Sergeant Phillips expertly positioned five soldiers, Private First Class White, Specialist Baldwin, Specialist Chavez, Sergeant Dirkinitis, and Special Schilling to defend the TOC, Aid Station, Mortar Pit and ASP, and led the way by returning fire on a quickly advancing enemy force from the vicinity of the ANA and ASG post while under intense RPG and small arms fire.     He moved quickly to the TOC and reported directly to his Platoon Leader, First Lieutenant Ferrara, who told him that there was no communication with Post 3 and Post 4. Staff Sergeant Phillips returned to the mortar firing point to employ the 60-mm. mortars while staying in contact with Post 1, whose element continued to engage the overwhelming enemy assault with hand grenades and direct fire. With the insurgents within 15 meters of his position Staff Sergeant Phillips directed fires and hand grenades to suppress the enemy and protect the Platoon Leader, First Lieutenant Ferrara, who was talking to the company from his Platoon Command Post after the TOC had suffered several direct hits with RPGs rendering the antennas inoperable.      Staff Sergeant Phillips' actions were essential in securing First Lieutenant Ferrara's position allowing the platoon leader to control indirect fire and CAS to thwart the enemy attack. When he learned that there were casualties at Post 2, Staff Sergeant Phillips took Sergeant Dirkinitis, the Platoon Medic, and assaulted upwards, 30 meters towards Post 2. Recognizing that Post 2 risked being isolated from the rest of the U.S. element he directed his team to give covering fire as he moved up the hill. As they moved Staff Sergeant Phillips and Sergeant Dirkinitis were pinned down by insurgents firing from the high ground near Post 3 and from behind the Class 1 shed 15 meters away. Soldiers at Post 2 told Staff Sergeant Phillips that there were multiple enemy personnel behind the Class 1 shed which was about 10 meters behind him.      While under intense enemy fire he ran to a position from which he could throw multiple hand grenades to deter an enemy advance and continued to fire upon enemy positions. His decision to move toward Post 2 spread out the friendly line and was instrumental in preventing the enemy from overrunning the mortar pit and the Platoon Command Post as well as Post 2. As Staff Sergeant Phillips and Sergeant Dirkinitis continued to fight, Sergeant Dirkinitis was struck in the shoulder by a bullet. Staff Sergeant Phillips pulled him to cover while firing on the enemy. He recognized that he had to move to another position to save the wounded medic. He told Post 2 to provide covering fire while he dragged Sergeant Dirkinitis 15 meters back down the hill to a defilade position so he could be treated. Staff Sergeant Phillips then moved back to the mortar pit and directed Specialist Chavez to treat the casualty. At this point, First Lieutenant Ferrara had called in A-10s to strafe the enemy occupied ASG and ANA posts. As the insurgents' fire became sporadic, Staff Sergeant Phillips assembled a team to clear the Ranch House perimeter and recover Private First Class Deloria who had been isolated at Post 3. He lead the team up the hill and pulled Private First Class Deloria from beneath the rubble of the shattered Post 3. Staff Sergeant Phillips continued to organize the MEDEVAC of the casualties from Post 3 (Private First Class Deloria) and Post 2 (Sergeant Gonzalez, Sergeant Relph, Specialist Bell, and Private First Class Langevin) and moved them down the hill to the LZ to be evacuated.      Through his quick thinking and total disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Phillips prevented the Ranch House Outpost from being overrun by an enemy force three times larger and with superior fire power. His quick reaction in employing all available soldiers protected the Platoon CP from being overrun allowing external assets to be employed to defeat the enemy. He quickly assaulted toward Post 2 spreading out the friendly lines and directed lethal blows against the enemy halting their advance 10 meters short of the U.S. line. Absent this assault the enemy would have been able to maneuver in between the U.S. forces, isolating Post 2 from the mortar pit and breaking up the U.S. line of fire.      Finally, he assembled an ad hoc force to clear the perimeter and recover the severely wounded Private First Class Deloria, who had been cut off for over 2 hours. His actions at Ranch House yielded invaluable intelligence with the death of MVT Hazrat Omar including enemy video tapes of attack plans, pictures of insurgents, and payroll documents utilized by ACM commanders. During the fierce three-hour battle at the Ranch House eleven U.S. soldiers, half of the U.S. garrison, were wounded. One ANA and one ASG Soldier were killed and one ASG Soldier was wounded. Eight insurgents were killed and a dozen more were wounded. A year later, SSGT. Phillips was awarded the Silver Star. Staff Sergeant Erich R. Phillips, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, on 13 July 2008, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team.      Staff Sergeant Phillips' valor and competence under intense fire were instrumental in repelling an overwhelming attack by an enemy force at least four times greater than his own. He saved his fellow paratroopers from an unstable missile and then led a relief force to save a beleaguered outpost. Staff Sergeant Phillips repeatedly risked his own life to save the lives of others.     These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

 

British Forces worldwide celebrate Prince of Cambridge birth

From the MoD:

Armed Forces celebrate royal birth with gunfire and cheers

 

The Armed Forces are celebrating the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child in fine style across the world today.

HMS Lancaster celebrates the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby boy

 

 

As is customary with the birth of a British prince, royal salutes will be fired across the capital. In Green Park, members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41-gun salute from their 13-pounder quick-fire guns, which were all used in action in the First World War. The guns will be pulled into action by teams of 6 horses.


And, over at the Tower of London, the Honourable Artillery Company, an Army Reserves unit, and the oldest in the British Army, will fire 62 rounds over the River Thames to mark the happy occasion.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41-gun royal salute in Green Park (library image) [Picture: Sergeant Adrian Harlen, Crown copyright]

 

 

Major Mark Edward, Commanding Officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, said:

The opportunity to mark the birth of the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by firing a 41-gun royal salute comes as a huge honour for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Celebrations are not confined to London however, as all of Her Majesty’s Ships – in home or international waters – are flying the Royal Navy Ensign from their main mast to mark the birth of the prince.


Ensigns were proudly flown by HMS Kent, on operations in the Middle East, and by HMS Lancaster, currently deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task (North) in the Caribbean. The 2 ships’ companies added their own special congratulatory message to the Duke and Duchess by forming up to spell the word ‘BOY’ on the ships’ decks.

Members of HMS Kent's ship's company celebrate the royal birth on deck in the Middle East [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Joel Rouse, Crown copyright]

 

More here.