Anniversary
 

Okay, I have just discovered that we missed an anniversary of a great American, who unfortunately for us, was not SF.

What happened on 26 October, and who was that great American?

TR

Gunfight at the OK Corral? Wyatt Earp?

Event: The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

The Great American: Wyatt Earp




Bandy

A distant second as far as the importance, but the man is just as great:

It's also the date that Ben Franklin set sail from Philadelphia to France to attempt to secure an alliance and treaty with them against the British.

If only we knew then about the French what we know now...:D


Bandy

Look at the name of the forum...

Nice try, but no.

A little more recent.

TR

Well, it's Hillary Clinton's birthday, but I don't think that's what you're going for...

Sorry for the lack of SA, NDD.

40 years ago today, Sen. John McCain was shot down over North Viet Nam. His story (and Admiral Stockdale's story as well) is a testament to the strength of the human will.

http://www.charter.net/news/read.php...&cps=0&lang=en



Bandy

Getting shot down is above and beyond?

Negative. 26 Oct. Try again.

TR

Platoon Sgt Mitchell Paige (USMC), Solomon Islands, October 26, 1942, MOH recipient.

"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on October 26, 1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, Platoon Sergeant Paige, commanding a machine gun|machine-gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he manned his gun, and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire against the advancing hordes until reinforcements finally arrived. Then, forming a new line, he dauntlessly and aggressively led a bayonet charge, driving the enemy back and preventing a break through in our lines. His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Good link for the story: http://www.tysknews.com/Depts/Our_Cu...e_one_ship.htm

Audie Murphy got shot in the hip for his second Heart.

Well, I learned something today. Must dig deeper on future research endeavors.

I will read up on Platoon SGT Paige and learn even more.


Bandy

Well, no. But it was the start of a courageous journey for him.



Bandy

A bit further back...
 

Not recent, but a great American.
John Hancock organized the Minutemen on October 26th, 1774. :)

Correct.

What a story on Guadalcanal, on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

Army and Marine units mixed together and thrown into the desperate fight. The USS Washington, the sole remaining combat effective battleship in the Pacific, duking it out against 14 enemy combatants and becoming the only US battleship to sink an enemy capital ship since the Spanish-American War.

See Sergeant John Basilone who won the Medal the night before PSgt Paige.

Reread "Guadalcanal Diary" for a taste of the way we used to fight. We can learn a lot from our own history.

TR