Tueday

Good morning,

Quote of the day:

“Delightfully tacky yet unrefined.”

Recently seen on the back of a biker's tee shirt...the front read “Hooters-Daytona”

Back in 1941 the United States sent all of its military might against the Germans starting in North Africa. Why did we do this? The Germans had not invaded the United States but they did torpedo American ships after warning them to stay the hell out of posted waters. We did it because the Germans were nothing but rabid dogs devouring all they could. What is the difference between the Germans of 1941 and ISIS of 2015? By the way, I don't give a shit about their religion.

Back in 1945 the Battle of Iwo Jima was still under way today. There were many Medals of Honor awarded during this struggle. Here is one of the most famous. This Texan is a legend in Marine Corp history.

The President of the United States in behalf of Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

FIRST LIEUTENANT JACK LUMMUS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

For service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of a Rifle Platoon, attached to Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945.

Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for two days and nights, First Lieutenant Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front line in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade, but courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic one-man assault and charged the second pillbox annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending enemy. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally, attacking foxholes and spider-traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Lummus had inspired his stouthearted Marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his company's mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

An observer wrote: “After seeing Lieutenant Lummus absorb all this punishment alone and keep fighting, all of the men of his rifle company were crying and when the land mine finally killed him, they rose up together and screaming at the top of their lungs, charged the entrenched Japanese and executed them all.'

This Date in History March 10

1865 On this date Confederate General William Henry Chase Whiting died in a Union prison camp as a result of wounds received earlier. Whiting is one of the most exceptional officers the Confederacy ever had. He was born in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1825 and attended college at Boston College and Georgetown University graduating at the age of 16 at the top of his class. He then entered West Point in 1845 and did not disappoint this time either graduating again at the top of his class. After graduating he joined the Corp of Engineers in helping design coastal defenses. He was assigned to help design the coastal defenses at the mouth of the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, North Carolina. It was there in Wilmington that he married and settled down. When the Civil War broke out he offered his services to the Confederacy. He was at Fort Sumter when the Union forces there surrendered. After this he returned to Wilmington and continued to design coastal defenses but was eventually called to Virginia during the formation of the Confederate army and was named as Chief Engineer. It was he who moved the Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley to Manassas, Virginia in time for the Battle of 1^st Manassas. He was instrumental in the rout of the Union forces in that battle. Whiting was given command of a division and was given praise by all of his superiors during the Battle of the Seven Days. In 1862 he was given command of the District of Wilmington which allowed him to return home. It was due to his efforts with the defenses in the mouth of the Cape Fear River that made Wilmington one of the most important blockade running port of the Confederacy. He remained in Wilmington for the reminder of the war except for a short period when he went to Petersburg, Virginia and helped design defenses there. Finally the Union Army decided that Wilmington had to be captured and sent US General Benjamin Butler to attack the defenses there especially Fort Fisher located in the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Butler was repulsed with heavy losses. The Union then sent General Alfred Terry and an overwhelming force and did indeed overcome Fort Fisher. It was during this second attack that Whiting was wounded and that proved to be a fatal one.

Born today:

1946 North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano. He said “I asked the referee if I could get a technical foul for what I was thinking. He said no. So I said “I think you stink” and he gave me a technical. You can’t trust them.”

Died today:

1919 US writer Amelia Barr. She said “Regardless of the scientists if you take the supernatural out of life, all you have left is the unnatural.”

1948 Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. She said “No one has ever measured, not even the poets, how much the heart can hold.” Zelda was the last of the true romantics.

      Thanks for listening I can hardly wait until tomorrow