Image courtesy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
D-Day, Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944
“… these men came here – British and our Allies, and Americans – to storm these beaches for one purpose only, not to gain anything for ourselves, not to fulfill any ambitions that America had for conquest, but just to preserve freedom. . . . Many thousands of men have died for such ideals as these. . . but these young boys. . . were cut off in their prime. . . I devoutly hope that we will never again have to see such scenes as these. I think and hope, and pray, that humanity will have learned. . . we must find some way . . . to gain an eternal peace for this world.” - via Carlo D’Este's superbly crafted biography of Ike: 'Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life', Author: Carlo D’Este, ISBN: 0805056874, Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1st Edition
The Allies That Landed On The Beaches That Day, The 6th Of June 1944 In Defense of Freedom: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, South Africa, Free France, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, United States of America.
A Life That Is Well Worth Honoring
via Katie Lang, writing for the DOD News, comes a short, but immensely powerful and important piece detailing the outstanding life of a U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recepient - Captain Raymond Gerald Murphy.
"...we're highlighting Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Murphy, a recipient who honorably served his fellow Marines during war, then spent the rest of his life serving them, as well. " - via Katie Lang, writing at the DOD News
2dLt RAYMOND G. MURPHY
Medal of Honor
1953
1/5/1
Korea
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to SECOND LIEUTENANT RAYMOND G. MURPHY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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 a Platoon Commander of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 3 February 1953. Although painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy mortar shell while leading his evacuation platoon in support of assault units attacking a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched hostile force occupying commanding ground, Second Lieutenant Murphy steadfastly refused medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill through a withering barrage of hostile mortar and small-arms fire, skillfully maneuvering his force from one position to the next and shouting words of encouragement. Undeterred by the increasing intense enemy fire, he immediately located casualties as they fell and made several trips up and down the fire-swept hill to direct evacuation teams to the wounded, personally carrying many of the stricken Marines to safety. When reinforcements were needed by the assaulting elements, Second Lieutenant Murphy employed part of his Unit as support and, during the ensuing battle, personally killed two of the enemy with his pistol. When all the wounded evacuated and the assaulting units beginning to disengage, he remained behind with a carbine to cover the movement of friendly forces off the hill and, though suffering intense pain from his previous wounds, seized an automatic rifle to provide more firepower when the enemy reappeared in the trenches. After reaching the base of the hill, he organized a search party and again ascended the slope for a final check on missing Marines, locating and carrying the bodies of a machine-gun crew back down the hill. Wounded a second time while conducting the entire force to the line of departure through a continuing barrage of enemy small-arms, artillery and mortar fire, he again refused medical assistance until assured that every one of his men, including all casualties, had preceded him to the main lines. His resolute and inspiring leadership, exceptional fortitude and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Murphy and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
D-Day, June 6, 1944, 75 Years On
“… these men came here – British and our Allies, and Americans – to storm these beaches for one purpose only, not to gain anything for ourselves, not to fulfill any ambitions that America had for conquest, but just to preserve freedom. . . . Many thousands of men have died for such ideals as these. . . but these young boys. . . were cut off in their prime. . . I devoutly hope that we will never again have to see such scenes as these. I think and hope, and pray, that humanity will have learned. . . we must find some way . . . to gain an eternal peace for this world.”
United States K9 Veteran's Day March 13th 2019
Infosecurity.US Salutes Our United States K9 Armed Forces Veteran Dogs Today, March 13th 2019 on the Occasion of the USA National K9 Veteran's Day.
D-Day, Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944 →
“… these men came here – British and our Allies, and Americans – to storm these beaches for one purpose only, not to gain anything for ourselves, not to fulfill any ambitions that America had for conquest, but just to preserve freedom. . . . Many thousands of men have died for such ideals as these. . . but these young boys. . . were cut off in their prime. . . I devoutly hope that we will never again have to see such scenes as these. I think and hope, and pray, that humanity will have learned. . . we must find some way . . . to gain an eternal peace for this world.” – via Carlo D’Este - Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life (ISBN-10: 0805056874)
The Allies That Landed On The Normandy Beaches That Day In Defense of Freedom: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Free France, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Poland.
Decoration Day - The Origin of Memorial Day
A Note of Some Import: Memorial Day exists to Honor our fallen comrades-in-arms (most were US Citizens, and some not) who gave their lives in Service to these United States of America. The total number of dead in Service is now tallied at 1.1 million. It is important to cogitate on this number of 1.1 million souls, making the effort to connect that number to the lives given in Service to Our Nation. This thinking might be the most important task you may have - tomorrow - Memorial Day 2018.
A Very Brief History of Decoration Day.
John A. Logan, GENERAL, Grand Army of the Republic (An American Civil War (Union) to World War One era United States Veteran's Organization) was the driving force behind the creation of Decoration Day. Logan held the rank of Major General in the Army of the United States during the Rebellion.
The good General (he is depicted in a photograph at the beginning of this post) was also a founder of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), and duly elected as the GAR’s second national Commander-in-Chief.
General Locan issued General Order No. 11, which called for a national day of grave-site decoration and memorial activities for Civil War dead. General Order No. 11 became the foundational document for what later became Memorial Day.
An observance of size was recorded on May 30,1868, as Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetery within the Commonwealth of Virginia; of which, whose sacred ground is situated directly across the Potomac River from our Nation's Capitol - Washington, District of Columbia.
Below, the full text of General Order No. 11 in all it's pithy exactitude, makes it's requisite appearance:
General Order No. 11 Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
Gen. John A. Logan
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, -- the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III . Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.Silent Shout Out: One Hundred and Eighteen Years of Silent Service
On the occasion of 118 years of Heroic Service to the United States of America we welcome the opportunity to extend our heartiest congratulations to the Men and Women of the United States Navy's Submarine Forces in their work to protect, defend and when necessary, take their warfighters to the battle or the battle to the enemy. Happy Anniversary!
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Go Rescue Them, Marines! →
From the United States Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps: Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) embark the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is onloading personnel, equipment and supplies in preparation to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. military assets are supporting FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deven B. King (Released) 170830-N-XQ375-063
Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944 →
“… these men came here – British and our Allies, and Americans – to storm these beaches for one purpose only, not to gain anything for ourselves, not to fulfill any ambitions that America had for conquest, but just to preserve freedom. . . . Many thousands of men have died for such ideals as these. . . but these young boys. . . were cut off in their prime. . . I devoutly hope that we will never again have to see such scenes as these. I think and hope, and pray, that humanity will have learned. . . we must find some way . . . to gain an eternal peace for this world.”