Memorial Day

As we are Bar-B-Qing our hot dogs, let's take a minute to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free.

Douglas Albert Munro (October 11, 1919 – September 27, 1942) is the only member of the United States Coast Guard to have received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration. Munro received the award posthumously for his actions as officer-in charge of a group of landing craft on September 27, 1942 during the September Matanikau action in the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II.

He volunteered and successfully led five Higgins boats from the seaplane tender BALLARD to evacuate a detachment of Marines from a point where enemy opposition developed beyond anticipated dimensions. Munro's last words were 'Did they get off?'

The citation for the Medal of Honor, was presented in May 1943 by President Roosevelt at the White House. Accepting the award were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Munro of Cle Elum, Washington.

"DOUGLAS ALBERT MUNRO, SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS, U.S. COAST GUARD
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signalled the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy's fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country."

Douglas Munro's Medal of Honor is on display at the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey.

In addition to the Medal of Honor Munro also received the Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Two ships, the Coast Guard's USCGC Munro (WHEC-724) and the Navy's USS Douglas A. Munro (DE-422), as well as a barracks building located at USCG Training Center Cape May (Munro Hall), were named in his honor.

Let us reflect for a moment on the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who have given their tomorrows for our todays, especially the the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, who are ALWAYS READY (Semper Paratus) to save a life!

Washington DC:World War Two Memorial

What a wonderful trip I had with my son, Derek in Washington, DC. The last time that I was here was well over thirty years ago when I was in the fifth grade. The mall has changed a lot since then, as well as the security at some of the sites.

The White House is completely unapproachable. I remember taking a tour bus right in front of it then, but now you can't get within a quarter mile of it. A shame.

The Capitol can be viewed from the outside, but you have to send a letter to your congress person for tickets to go inside. In fact, I happened to sit next to my congressman, Thaddeus McCotter (R- Livonia, MI) on the return flight. He was very friendly and told me to stop by his office before my next trip and that he'd make sure I got some passes to come in.

I'm going to be making a lot of posts on this trip as I saved over 300 photos (and took nearly 1000) during the five days that we spent there. I hope that you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed this trip! Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

This is the base of one of the flag posts that surround the memorial. It has the emblem of every branch of service at its base.

Located directly between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, the World War Two memorial pays homage to both the founder and preserver of our great union. This is the view looking to the west...

...and to the east...

This quote is from the famous "Day that will live in infamy" speech. I must say that I am amazed that the final four words from FDR's speech "SO HELP US GOD" were omitted (in some misguided attempt at political correctness, I suppose).

This arch to the south represents the Pacific Theatre. Its identical northern counterpart represents the Atlantic theatre.

These eagles laying a wreath are inside the arches.

There are 4,000 gold stars. One for every 100 lives lost in the war.

There is a column for every state and territory of America during the war. This one is from my home state.

A photo of my son, Derek, my the fountain.

Wilmington, NC

Back down I go to Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. Driving my white Mustang along the Intercoastal highway to fix a piece of medical equipment. Here are a few pics I took in Wilmington:

This is the bow of the WWII battleship "North Carolina" which cost 78 million 1937 dollars to build...

Panning down the side of this juggernaut, one is blown away by the sheer mass and size, well over 600 ft long and I'm guessing 7 stories abouve the waterline...

This is a detail shot of the forward 16" gun battery. Yes, I said, SIXTEEN INCHES.

This is the USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616). This is an ocean going, medium endurance cutter that has been in service since 1964. I once had a friend who served on her sister ship the Steadfast. This class of cutter is 210 ft. long and have a beam of 35 feet. She is based in Wilmington and is moored along the bank of the Cape Fear river across the way from the battleship. "Semper Paratus!"

Travels through Chicago

Last week I was asked to help our Chicago rep with a service call in LaCrosse, WI. I got a ridiculously low fare ($103) for a round trip ticket to Chicago so I flew in there and we drove to LaCrosse. Here are a few pics:

Interesting rock formation. About the only thing of interest on the five hour drive (yawn...)

Concourse A at Midway Airport (named after the famous WWII naval battle in which the city of Chicago played a pivotal role). The SBD Dauntless is an actual plane recovered from Lake Michigan where it sank during carrier landing training exercises. The Great Lakes US Navy base is located here.

Through the window of the plane. The Sears Tower is in the foreground, with the John Handcock Tower a ways behind. Both buildings are very similar, black with two white antennas on top.

The city of the big shoulders, the second city...

More Chicago

These photos, from top to bottom: Enigma code encrypter and code book captured from U-505. Nazi war flag captured from U-505. Piston replica from U-505, as tall as I am! USCG Huey, the type used when I was in the Guard in the early 1980's. STUKA dive bomber, the only one that I have ever seen on display

STUKA PILOT

Hans Ulrich Rudel’s book, “Stuka Pilot” is probably my all time favorite book about WWII. If half of what he writes is true, he was the most exceptional soldier of the war. Although he fought for the Third Reich, he was not a member of the Nazi party, and has never been accused of war crimes. That being said, let’s do a brief overview of his military career:
Flew 2530 combat missions (more than any airman in any air force ever).
Destroyed 518 Russian Tanks, 700 trucks, over 150 flak and artillery guns, 9 enemy aircraft, countless bridges, rail lines, and bunkers, and most impressive of all, the battleship October Revolution, and the cruiser Marat, in addition to scores of other smaller naval vessels.

Rudel did not emerge unscathed from these engagements. He was shot down 32 times (one of which, he had to swim a river in freezing temperatures and then sneak through occupied territory for several miles, getting winged in the shoulder outrunning some Russian soldiers), and lost part of his right leg, but still flew until the end of the war.

Rudel was also the most decorated German soldier, being awarded the Knight’s Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds (an award created especially for him, as he had won every other decoration available). The funniest thing is that he nearly washed out of flight school because he was taking too long to master the aircraft.

Postwar, Rudel carved out a new life in Argentina working for the Focke-Wulf aircraft company, and made a name for himself as a mountain climber, scaling the highest peak in the Americas, Aconcagua.

The book is a great read. Even though I am an American, I can admire the accomplishments of this man and be against him at the same time. If he had been on our side, just think of how much quicker we would have won the war. He can never be a hero to me, as he never renounced the Nazi's after the war. In fact, in 1982 when he died, a West German Luftwaffe general was sacked for authorizing a flight of aircraft in the “missing man” formation over his funeral. I do respect him for what he accomplished. How can one find heroes in the ranks of our soldiers if they can’t face a truly exceptional adversary . Rudel was such an adversary. His motto was "Verloren ist nur, wer sich selbst aufgibt" ("Lost are only those, who give up themselves"). Actually, I thought Arnold Schwarzenegger would have been perfect to play him in a film back in the '80's but in this politically correct age this is one film that will never be made. Ironically, Graz, Austria figured prominently in the lives of both men.

“We fly in low from the south; it is dark and murky; I cannot distinguish anything more than 2000 to 2500 feet ahead. Now I see straight in the line of my flight a black moving mass: the road, tanks, vehicles, Russians. I at once yell: “Attack!” Already at almost point blank range the defense looses off a concentrated fire from in front of me, twin and qaudruple flak, machine guns, revealing everything with a livid brightness in this foggy light. I am flying at 90 feet and have bumped right into the middle of this hornet’s nest. Shall I get out of it? I twist and turn in the crazyest defensive maneuvers to avoid being hit: I shoot without taking aim… my head is as hot as the metal screaming past me. A few seconds later a tell-tale hammering. “Engine on fire!” Flames lick the cockpit. Our Kite will be our crematorium. Can we bail out in time?”

This drawing was done with ink and a number 4 brush. Click on it to see it full size, like all other drawings on this blog.I hope you like it- Tim