IRAQ WAR TODAY
Keep Your Helmet On!




Be A Part of a Tribute to Fallen Heroes - Help Build the Fallen Soldiers' Bike
Help support the families of our deployed Heroes - Visit Soldiers' Angels' Operation Outreach
Help Our Heroes Help Others - Click Here to visit SOS: KIDS
Nominate your Hero for IWT's "Hero of the Month" - click here for details!
Search Iraq War Today only

Thursday, March 16, 2006

'It's the best job I can imagine'

At 29, Army Capt. Chris Nunn commands hundreds of men, millions in equipment — and a piece of America's foreign policy objective in Afghanistan.

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Eastern Afghanistan - Capt. Chris Nunn was bitten by a rattlesnake while enrolled in one of the U.S. military's toughest training programs: the Army's elite Ranger School.

Yet instead of washing out, he sucked it up, and was back within 48 hours, limping through the perilous "mountains" phase of the training. He eventually passed the course to earn the coveted Ranger tab.

Adopted as an infant, Nunn grew up on a cattle ranch in Panhandle, Texas, located, of course, in the Texas panhandle. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in history and entered the army as an officer through the university's ROTC program. He served in Korea as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division and during the invasion of Iraq as a member of the 101st Airborne Division...


Full Story

This is a must-read. Make sure to check out the comments. The usual assortment of moonbats, but a heartening number of those who support our troops as well.

Bringing Fallen Heroes Home

Reminiscent of "Taking Chance," here is another story of those who help bring our fallen Heroes home, and of some Americans who know how to say "Thank you."

Provided below is a message from CW4(R) James V. Torney, who escorted the remains of CW2 Kyle E. Jackson home from Iraq. CW2 Jackson and CW3 Mitchell K. Carver, Jr., were killed in action near Al Sukar, Iraq, on Jan. 13, when their OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

---
I was escorting our brother Kyle home the other day. A duty I don't ever want to do again but will not refuse.

Besides all of the attention you get walking around in your A's, I was thanked for my service from civilians, prior service, and active duty personnel in the various airports, some with a passing thank you, some stopped me to shake my hand. This I want to extend and share with all of you.

Delta Airlines was very accommodating. They put me in first class and moved me to the very first seat in each plane. A woman gave me her aisle seat so that I could leave without having to climb over her when the flight was over. After conversing with this woman for a while, I found out her husband was an F4E pilot during the Vietnam era. I was invited to dinner with them when I was finished with my duty. The restaurant manager paid for my rather pricey meal much to the dismay of my new friends who planned to pay for it themselves. I was then invited to stay at their home as long as I was going to be in Florida.

Back to Delta Airlines and the real reason of this post. Prior to backing out of the terminal in Philadelphia the pilot came over the intercom. With a choked up voice he thanked the military for their service and explained that we were carrying the remains of a soldier who gave his life for his country and then asked for a moment of silence. We sat in silence for a few minutes and then backed out for Atlanta. Upon reaching Atlanta, I was met on the tarmac by a man who walked me around the front of the plane where there were more men standing in a row with every branch flag and the US flag. These men had assembled their own honor guard complete with a retired Army chaplain. There was someone from each branch holding a flag. They pulled the crate out of the plane and stopped it on the belt giving the chaplain time to say a prayer. They started the belt and came to attention rendering honors as it passed. They thanked me and sent me with a card they made on the computer and signed with their deepest regrets to the family and shuttled us to the next terminal. They had their reflective vests embroidered with Honor Guard and a US flag across the back. They also told me that they have a dark blue trolley that they use for this but it was missing (we found out it was sent to pick up Mitch at another terminal). They had explained that this was the least they could do to give back to those who had given their lives for them. This was the third toughest thing on my trip (seeing how much some really do care). The second: inspecting Kyle's uniform for the last time. And the hardest thing: seeing his family.

I wanted to share this experience with all of you because none of this was done for me. It was done for all of us. It was something nice out of something so terrible.

Thank You Kyle.

Thank You Mitch.


In what seems like persistent negativity sometimes, it is nice to see that there are indeed a large number of Americans who know how to do right by our Heroes.

Godspeed, Kyle and Mitchell. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and comrades of these fallen Heroes.

Thank you, James, for bringing Kyle home. And thanks to those of you who crossed James' path on that day - for honoring our Heroes.

H/T to Seamus and NOTR

C-17 arrival
Master Sgt. Salvador Baltazar marshals in Hickam's third C-17 Globemaster III at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Hickam will be getting eight C-17s that will enhance military capabilities to rapidly deploy assets throughout the Pacific. Sergeant Baltazar is a Hawaii Air National Guard crew chief from the 154th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
Full Story

A Message from the Patriot Guard Riders

Forwarded by Seamus:

Fellow Americans,

I am the Kentucky leader of the Patriot Guard Riders. Our group displays United States flags at the funerals of servicemen and women killed in action, as a show of honor and respect for their sacrifice. As a result of attending these services, I have spoken with many of the immediate families, close friends, and comrades in arms of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty and freedom. I felt compelled to express these thoughts on their behalf.

Our servicemen and women take an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and “obey the orders of the President of the United States”. They do not decide where they will fight or how long they will stay. They serve with honor, dignity, and heroism wherever and whenever they are called. Members of the military established the freedoms we all hold dear. The signers of the Declaration of Independence announced our freedom, but that freedom has come at a heavy cost of blood and sacrifice that continues to this day. We owe all those who serve a debt we cannot repay, but as citizens enjoying the benefits of their service and sacrifice, we have a duty to recognize their gift.

I receive many letters, emails, and phone calls from servicemen and their families. Every one a differing variation of the same message, “Thank You and the Patriot Guard Riders for showing support” and “knowing the country cares and appreciates us is what keeps us going”. As an individual, I am proud and honored to receive the attention and gratitude. As an American, I am deeply saddened. Saddened that taking a few hours of my time to pay respect to a Hero who gave his life defending my freedom is considered worthy of any recognition. Saddened that I am not lost in a sea of red, white, and blue flag waving support. Take time to express your gratitude. Attend the next homecoming, send off, or funeral in your area. Just walk up to the next man or woman you see wearing a uniform and shake their hand and say “thank you”. It’s a small gesture, but one that goes a long way.

Don Woodrick
Mayfield, KY

Phoenix, Ariz. (March 13, 2006) - Journalist 1st Class Andrew Scharnhorst sings the National Anthem to start off a baseball game at Maryvale Ball Park in Phoenix as part of the festivities for Navy Week. Twenty such weeks are planned this year in cities throughout the U.S., arranged by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO). NAVCO is a new unit tasked with enhancing the Navy's brand image in areas with limited exposure to the Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Gary Ward

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Judith Willis

Best in 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Calls Station Home

Cpl. Judith Willis, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and native of Antioch, Calif., renders a salute in front of Building One. Willis was named the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine of the year recently. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lukas J. Blom

By Lance Cpl. Lukas J. Blom
Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan, March 15, 2006 — “The few, the proud.” For Marines across the globe, this slogan embodies the soul of the Marine Corps. But even within the Marine Corps’ ranks there are some who strive to be the few among the few and the proudest of the proud.

For Cpl. Judith Willis, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 embarker and native of Antioch, Calif., the goal of becoming one of the best among an already elite group was realized when she was named the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine of the year recently.

“I was actually really surprised when I found out I took the board,” said Willis with her trademark beaming smile. “Working with (MWSS-171) has taught me a lot about the Marine Corps, my MOS (military occupational specialty) and basically just how to be a good Marine, but this caught me off guard, in a good way.”

The long road to the 1st MAW Marine of the year honor began last spring when Willis was nominated for the 1st MAW Marine of the quarter board for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2005.

Following a series of Service Record Book reviews, Willis distinguished herself among her peers to be named the 1st MAW Marine of the quarter, which automatically entered her into the annual board.

Although most would assume there’s undoubtedly one trait or characteristic which separated Willis from the pack of Devil Dogs, she has her own opinion as to what made her 1st MAW Marine of the year material.

“I don’t think that there’s really one specific thing that stands out about me. What I’ve tried to do in the Marine Corps is think about the whole package instead of just focusing on my next PFT (Physical Fitness Test) or the next MCI (Marine Corps Institute). I guess what sets me apart is that I’m a well rounded Marine,” said Willis who recently earned her green belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Although Willis doesn’t hold any one quality over the other, her command noticed a couple things about her right off the bat.

“No matter what the task, she takes ownership and accomplishes it,” said Chief Warrant Officer Melissa A. Tafoya, “No matter what the task, she takes ownership and accomplishes it,” said Chief Warrant Officer Melissa A. Tafoya, MWSS-171 embark officer. “She maintains a professional military appearance at all times, and continues to improve both mentally and physically.”

Even though Willis’s tenure aboard Station is nearly up, she plans to continue her pursuit of excellence at her new home, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center 29 Palms.

“One thing I definitely want to start focusing on is college courses and off duty education. I want to start working toward a degree in multi-media,” said Willis who is considering a lateral move into combat camera.

“She has unlimited growth potential,” said Tafoya, who has been an unwavering role model according to Willis. “Cpl. Willis will be missed, but the mission will continue to be accomplished.”

Before her departure, Willis had just one piece of advice for the junior Marines aboard the station.

“The biggest piece of advice I would give new Marines is to keep a positive attitude, "she said." A positive attitude and willingness to learn can take you a long way.”

by SPC Michael Zuk
March 15, 2006
U.S. Army MAJ Michelle Flores from 10th Mountain Div. listens to an Afgan child's breathing in Nayak, Afghanistan, as part of a Medical Civil Assistance Program in Bamyan province.

Woman Reluctantly Suspends Support Effort

By Paul X. Rutz / American Forces Press Service


America Supports You member Anne Galvin poses with her group's poster at a September 2004 care package party in Los Angeles. For three years, Galvin ran "4 The Troops," a nonprofit group sending goods overseas to deployed troops. Galvan is suspending the group's operations while she recovers from cancer. Courtesy photo




WASHINGTON, March 15, 2006 - For three years, Anne Galvan has not stopped supporting the troops. Though doctor's orders are now taking her away from her work, she's making sure other groups will pick up where she leaves off.

"4 The Troops," the nonprofit support effort Galvan started in March 2003, will send its last batch of care packages at the end of this month, suspending operations to let her concentrate on her recovery from cancer.

"It's finally gotten through my head that I need to take care of myself before I can take care of the troops," Galvan said today from Los Angeles. "My doctor told me to please take a break, to take a year off. He knows how much this project means to me, and even while I was going through chemotherapy and I was very sick, I was still organizing care package fundraising and doing the Web site."

Galvan said her site will remain on the Internet as a tribute to the nation's servicemembers, but her organization will merge its care package effort with "Operation Homefront," another Southern California nonprofit group. Visitors to "www.4TheTroops.net" will be directed to submit their care package requests to a new project by Operation Homefront, called "Operation Drop Box."

From September 2004 until this month, "4 The Troops" was a member of "America Supports You," a Defense Department initiative providing grassroots and corporate support to America's troops and their families. Galvan said she hopes people will visit the ASY site because it provides links where troops can find support, and it also highlights opportunities for people on the homefront to volunteer.

"With America Supports You listing all these wonderful organizations, that helps (troops) find help that they need," Galvan said. "Taking a break, I don't feel guilty because I know that there's going to be a lot of other organizations to step up and help."

Since its inception, she said, her group of more than 200 volunteers has sent 8,550 care packages to troops overseas, as well as thousands of specialty items, including sand scarves, goggles, phone cards, televisions, DVD players, microwave ovens, softball equipment, baseball hats, laptops and Web cameras.

After receiving requests from soldiers, the group also sent thousands of clothing articles, shoes and toys to needy children in Iraq and Afghanistan, she said.

"We're a very small organization," Galvan said. "We didn't break any records or anything like that. What we did is provide a personal touch to everything that we sent."

Several organizations have recognized Galvan's work over the past three years. She was named "Inspiring Latina" in the December 2004 issue of "Latina Magazine," "Citizen of the Week" by KNX1070 Radio in Los Angeles, and "Woman of the Week" by CBS News.

Although she has received letters of thanks and support from many deployed troops, Galvan said her continuing motivation to give back to those deployed comes from within her family. Her brother, Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Galvan, remains on active duty after 22 years.

"I'm inspired by his courage and the support that he gives me with this project," she said.

Galvan said she has been continually surprised that so many people were willing to help her small group reach its goals, and that fact makes her proud.

"When I started this, I didn't know it was going to get this far. I just wanted to accomplish simple goals," she said.

Beating her illness and eventually continuing her direct support for deployed troops has now become her main goal, she said.

"I hope to be back some time next year," she said. "Whether it's going to be my organization or whether I'm going to be helping Operation Homefront, I just want to take the time to rest so that I'll be in a healthy stage where I can truly help the troops. At this point, I don't have the strength."

Best wishes to Ann for a speedy and full recovery.

DOUBLE CHECK — U.S. soldiers with 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, double check coordinates and the mortar tube before firing on the mortar firing range at the Combat Out Post Rawah, near the town of Rawah, in the Al Anbar Province, March 9, 2006, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew D. Young

In Today's News - Thursday, March 16, 2006

Quote of the Day
"Driven from every other corner of the earth,
freedom of thought and the right of
private judgment in matters of conscience,
direct their course to this happy country
as their last asylum."
-- Samuel Adams


News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
U.S. Raid in Iraq Kills 11
Saddam: Trial a 'Comedy'
When Iraq death squads come calling: a family story
1st Declassified Iraq Documents Released
Saddam Urges Iraqis to Unite Against GIs
Iraqis controlling more territory
Blair was warned in '03 of Iraq "mess," book says
Rice: Iraq's overhaul will take a 'couple years'
Court Closed After Saddam's Rant
.S. Moves 700 More Soldiers Into Iraq

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan to drug lords: Invest profits here at home

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Moussaoui Prosecutors File for Reversal in Ruling
House refuses to drop bar to ports deal
Lawmakers Satisfied by DP World Plans
Gitmo Transcripts Paint Shadowy Portraits
Court upholds death sentence in Tokyo terror attack
FBI monitored, may have infiltrated anti-war group, documents reveal

Cartooning Muhammad
Daily Illini editor fired over Muslim cartoon flap (Because Freedom of the Press is a Right...but only for the Left)

Troops on Trial
Soldiers Made Game of Scaring Prisoners

Hamas Rising
Palestinians vent anger over prison raid
Israelis storm West Bank prison
Foreigners flee amid Palestinian anger
Violence has roots in '02 siege of Arafat


Worldwide Wackos
Panel Backs Iran Sanctions
Russia, China urge diplomatic solution to Iran crisis
Iran leader: Nuke program is 'irreversible'

Homegrown Moonbats
Clooney, Huffington Clash Over Blog Posting
Chaplain keeps job after ripping 'Zionists'

Politics
White House Defends Team- Video: Staff Shakeup?
Senate panel backs small business health bill
Jessica Simpson snubs Bush (and I'm sure he's just devastated)
Bush rejects push to extend drug-benefit deadline
Proposed rules on gifts, trips supported
GOP fears paying at the polls
In Indonesia, Rice hails moderate Islam

Media in the Media
FCC: CBS Facing $3.6M Fine for Indecency

U.N. News
German named to head UN environment agency
Assad to meet with United Nations panel

Oddities
You got change for a Grover Cleveland, pal?
Don't these guys know how to really curse?

Other News of Note
RFK Killer Denied Parole Again
Hawaii Gov. Surveys Damage From Failed Dam
Child porn ring transmitted acts live on Web: US
Three dead, two hurt in Denny's shooting
Computer Researchers Warn of Net Attacks
Voters reject measure seeking seizure of Souter's N.H. home (Damn...)

Fox News
Car Rams, Kills Teacher, Injures Seven Students
Witness: Enron Considered Firing Me for Talking
Stocks to Watch: AIG
Harris to Stay in Florida Senate Race
Ambien Linked to 'Sleep Eating,' Other Behavior- Video: Sleep Eating?
Death Penalty - Carlie Brucia's killer sentenced
Video: Sentenced to Death
Global Child Porn Bust
'Worst-Case Scenario' - High winds frustrating Texas firefighters
Video: Texas Wildfires
FULL SPORTS COVERAGE

Reuters: Top News
Mexico's Fox predicts backlash in drug war
Warming could kill Indian Ocean coral
Northern ozone pollution hurts Arctic: NASA
US fights human trafficking
Global warming reaches 'tipping point': report
Bill Gates mocks MIT's $100 laptop project
Sony's PlayStation 3 to be delayed until November
Hot pepper kills prostate cancer cells in study
Vaccine reduces pneumonia deaths: US study
Enron whistle-blower Watkins says she warned Lay
Spitzer charges H&R Block with fraud
KKR makes nonbinding $12.5-13 bln GMAC bid: source
Medicis profit up on special items
Siemens says to help build D.Telekom broadband net
U.S. regulators seek to fine TV for indecency
MAN to spin off printing business for IPO
Stocks rise on Fed survey, profit news - Video
Video game stocks up on relief PS3 delay not worse
DuPont ups outlook, cuts European jobs
Gymboree shares rise on earnings
Office property shares rise on sale rumors
Sony ripple effect
Bank Summit: HSBC to boost branches

AP World News
NASA Reviews Canceled Asteroid Mission
Cuba Advances to Baseball Classic Semis
Gretzky's Wife Faces Gambling Subpoena
Study: Most Get Mediocre Health Care

The Seattle Times
New way of scoring credit unveiled
Security-clearance rules could be hurdle for gays
Trial starts for Aryan prison-gang members
Plan will help Louisiana rentals rebuild
Water-quality study earns scholarship
Milosevic received drugs, booze in cell
Fox reports major Mexico oil find
Meningitis vaccine clears initial hurdle
Jeff King wins his fourth Iditarod sled dog race

Chicago Sun-Times
City's voters at lowest level on record
Firm sued for selling phone records
Neighbors of nuclear plant sue over leaks
City rejects all bids for new O'Hare runway
Lawyer testifies on Israeli interrogations
Mad cow testing cut just as 3rd case found
Judge: Horses can be killed for meat
Huge lightning strike probably set off mine blast, owner says
Companies have government contracts despite owing millions in back taxes
Motorcyclist clocked at 155 mph says he 'was only doing 120'
Girl, 13, saves mom day after CPR lesson
Scientist: Keep old oil rigs in Pacific as fish havens

Boston Globe: World
China envisions 'socialist countryside'
Thousands seek Thai leader's departure
Lax rules on visitors may have let Milosevic obtain drug
Tough break, say students in Cancun

Military.com
JSF Engine a Sticking Point for U.K.

CENTCOM: News Releases
AFGHAN NATIONAL SECURITY FORCES FOCUS ON POPPY ERADICATION

BASTOGNE SOLDIERS CATCH TERRORISTS RED-HANDED

CACHE DISCOVERED NEAR TIKRIT

IRAQI POLICE RAIDS LEAD TO CACHE DISCOVERIES

MNF-I ASSIGNS TROOPS TO SUPPORT "SCALES OF JUSTICE"

Department of Defense
Abizaid: Iraq Not on Verge of Civil War - Story
Review Will Help United States Meet Threats - Story
Insurgents Detained; Weapons Found - Story
Arabs Note Iraq's March to Democracy - Story

ON THE GROUND
Iraqi Solidiers on Track for Independent Ops - Story
Standby Troops Deploy from Kuwait - Story

IN IRAQ
Combat Engineers Sweep for IEDs, Weapons
Division Commander Visits Baghdad Residents
Ceremony Transfers Base Control to Iraqi Army

IN AFGHANISTAN
Spartans Take Reins in Eastern Afghanistan
'Muleskinners' Assume Joint Logistics Mission
Medical Assistance Visit Aids Bamian Residents

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Donation Keeps Marines Swinging

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
Leaders Assess Operations
Parliament to Meet
Iraqis Appear to Choose Unity
Soldiers Detain Terrorists
Iraqi Leaders Make Progress
Soldier, Marine Die in Iraq
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (pdf)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (pdf)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Accident Claims Troop's Life
IED Blast Kills 4 U.S. Troops
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Special Ops Transforms
War Requires More Than Might
Funding, Public: Challenges to War
Terrorists Use IEDs to Avoid Battle
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
QDR Provides More Options
'Jointness' Becomes Key Focus
Military Applies Katrina Lessons
U.S. Army Must Transform
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Marine Casualties - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1079 - Iran adopts solar Hijrah calendar
1190 - Jews of York England commit mass sucide rather than submit to baptism
1345 - Holy spirit glides above fire; "the miracle of Amsterdam" (legend)
1521 - Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reaches Philippines
1527 - Battle at Khanua: Mogol Emperor Babur beats Rajputen
1621 - Native American chief visits colony of Plymouth, MA
1641 - General court declares Rhode Island a democracy & adopts new constitution
1660 - English Long Parliament disbands
1690 - French king Louis XIV sends troops to Ireland
1730 - Willem Charles Henry Friso installed as viceroy of Drenthe
1731 - Treaty of Vienna: Emperor Charles VI of England & Netherlands
1792 - Murder attempt on King Gustavus III by count Ankarstrom at opera
1802 - Law signed to establish US Military Academy (West Point, NY); US Army Corps of Engineers established (2nd time)
1815 - Willem I proclaimed king of the Netherlands, including Belgium
1830 - London's re-organised police force (Scotland Yard) forms
1834 - HMS Beagle anchors at Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands
1836 - Texas approves a constitution
1850 - Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Scarlet Letter" published
1861 - Arizona Territory votes to leave the Union; Confederate government appoints commissioners to Britain
1862 - Battle at Pound Gap, KY: Confederates separate battles
1865 - Battle of Averasboro, NC (1,500 casualities)
1869 - Hiram R. Revels makes the 1st official speech by a Black in the Senate
1882 - US Senate ratifies treaty establishing the Red Cross
1900 - Sir Arthur Evans finds old city of Knossus
1912 - Mrs. William Howard Taft plants 1st cherry tree in Washington, DC
1915 - British battle cruisers Inflexible & Irresistible hit mines in Dardanelle; Federal Trade Commission organizes
1916 - US & Canada sign Migratory bird treaty
1922 - Sultan Fuad I crowned king of Egypt, England recognizes Egypt
1930 - USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) floated out to become a national shrine
1933 - Hitler names Hjalmar Shaft, president of Bank of Germany
1934 - Congress passes Migratory Bird Conservation Act
1935 - Hitler orders German rearmament, violating Versailles Treaty
1939 - Germany occupies Czechoslovakia; Hungary annexes republic of Karpato-Ukraine
1940 - German air raid on British fleet base Scapa Flow
1941 - Blizzard hits North Dakota & Minnesota, killing 60
1943 - Elin K (No) & Zaanland (Netherlands) torpedoed & sinks
1944 - Vichy Internal minister Pucheu sentenced to death
1945 - US defeats Japan at Iwo Jima
1947 - Convair Liner, 1st US twin-engine pressurized airplane, tested
1955 - President Eisenhower upholds the use of atomic weapons in case of war
1959 - Iraq & USSR sign economic/technical treaty
1962 - 1st launching of Titan 2-rocket; US Super-Constellation disappears above Pacific Ocean, kills 167
1966 - Gemini 8 launched with Armstrong & Scott, aborted after 6.5 orbits
1968 - My Lai massacre occurs (Vietnam War); Robert F. Kennedy announces Presidential campaign
1969 - Viasa DC-9 crashes at Maracaibo's Grano de Oro airport, killing 155
1972 - John Lennon & Yoko Ono are served with deportation papers
1975 - US Mariner 10 makes 3rd & final fly-by of Mercury
1976 - British premier Harold Wilson resigns
1977 - US President Carter pleads for Palestinian homeland
1978 - Amoco Cadiz tanker spills 68.7 million gallons of oil off French coast; Red Brigade kidnaps former premier Aldo Moro in Italy, 5 killed; Soyuz 26 returns to Earth; US Senate accepts Panamá Canal treaty
1984 - Gunmen kidnap William Buckley, CIA station chief in Beirut; South-Africa & Mozambique sign non attack treaty
1985 - Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson taken hostage in Beirut
1988 - Federal grand jury indicts Marine Lt. Col. Oliver L. North & Navy Vice Adm. John M. Poindexter in Iran-Contra affair; North-Ireland Protestant fires on Catholic funeral, 3 killed; US sends 3000 soldiers to Nicaragua's neighbor Honduras
1994 - Moravcik forms Slovakia government; Tonya Harding pleads guilty to felony attack on Nancy Kerrigan
1995 - Mississippi House of Representatives ratifies 13th Amendement-formally abolishes slavery

Birthdays
1739 - George Clymer, US merchant (signed Declaration of Independence, Constitution)
1750 - Caroline Lucretia Herchel, 1st modern woman astronomer
1751 - James Madison, 4th US President (1809-17)
1776 - Johan G. Verstolk van Soelen, Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs
1787 - Georg Simon Ohm, physicist (discovered Ohm's Law)
1802 - George Archibald McCall, Union Brigadier General
1812 - Henry Dwight Terry, Union Brigadier General
1822 - John Pope, Union Major General
1832 - Charles Camp Doolittle, Union Brevet Major General
1836 - Andrew S. Hallidie, inventor (cable car)
1839 - René François Armand Sully, poet, 1st Nobel winner (1901)
1849 - Reverend James E. Smith, became father at 100 with woman 64 years younger
1856 - E Louis YY Napoleon Bonaparte, French/English prince
1878 - Clemens A. Graaf von Galen, cardinal/bishop of Munster/anti-Nazi; Reza Sjah Pahlawi [Reza Chan], Shah of Iran
1903 - Mike Mansfield (Senator-MT) majority whip
1910 - Martijn Lijnema, Boer/resistance fighter (WWII)
1912 - Patricia Nixon [Thelma Catherine], First Lady (1969-74)
1916 - Lloyd McBride, union president (United Steelworkers)
1926 - Jerry Lewis [Joseph Levitch], entertainer/fund raiser (MDA)
1927 - Daniel Patrick Moynihan, US ambassador to UN/(Senator-NY, 1977-2001); Vladimir M. Komarov, cosmonaut (Voshkod I Soyuz 1)
1932 - Ronnie Walter Cunningham, Colonel USMC/astronaut (Apollo 7)
1933 - Ruth Bader Ginsberg, US Supreme Court Justice
1940 - Jan P. Pronk, Dutch politician (PvdA); Jan Schaefer, Dutch Assistant Secretary of State (PvdA)
1942 - Chuck Woolery, TV game show host (Love Connection)
1959 - Michael J. Bloomfield, Major USAF/astronaut (STS 86)
1963 - Phung Vuong, murderer (FBI Most Wanted List)

Passings
0037 - Tiberius Claudius Nero, Emperor of Rome (14-37), dies at 77
1536 - Ibrahim Pasha, Grand-Visier of Osmaanse Rich, murdered at about 45
1738 - Georg Baehr, German master builder (Frauenkirche, Dresden), dies at 72
1838 - Nathaniel Bowditch, astronomer & navigation expert, dies at 64
1841 - Félix Savart, French surgeon/physicist, dies at 49
1843 - Anton R. Falck, Dutch minister of Education/Colonies, dies at 65
1914 - Sir John Murray, piloted HMS Challenger to Christmas Island
1930 - Miguel Primo de Riveray Orbaneja Sp dictator (1923-30), dies at 60
1935 - John J.R. Macleod, Scot/Canadian physiologist (Nobel 1923), dies at 58
1937 - J. Austen Chamberlain English Minister of Foreign Affairs (Nobel), dies at 73
1946 - Marius HLW "Max" Blokzijl, Dutch Nazi propagandist, executed at 61
1959 - John Sailling, last documented Civil War vet, dies at 111
1971 - Thomas E. Dewey, US Presidential candidate (R 1944, 48), dies at 68
1978 - Aldo Moro, 5 times Prime Minister of Italy, assassinated by terrorists
1985 - B.V.A. Röling Dutch lawyer (WWII Tokyo trials), dies at 78
1991 - 7 members of Reba McIntire's band killed in a plane crash; Jan H. van Roijen Dutch diplomat/Foreign Minister, dies at 85
1992 - Renzhong Weangn, China politician (1934-45), dies
1993 - Djilalli Lyabès, Algerian minister of Higher Education, murdered; Mohammed Hussein Nagdi Iran diplomat/resistance fighter, murdered

Reported Missing in Action
1962
Nau, George, Civilian - Flying Tigers Airline (CA); disappeared on a Lockheed Super Constellation with 93 US Army personnel and 3 ARVN Rangers beween Guam and the Philippines.

1966
Underwood, Paul Gerard, USAF (NY); F105D shot down - remains returned - ID'd February, 1998

1968
Erickson, David Wayne, USMC (MN); presumed Killed (w/Krausman)

Krausman, Edward L., USMC (CA); presumed Killed (w/Erickson)

1969
The following US Army personnel reported MIA when their U21A disappeared on approach to a landing in Hue / Phu Bai:
Barnes, Charles R. (PA); co-pilot

Batt, Michael L. (OH); passenger

Bobe, Raymond E. (AL); passenger

Foster, Marvin L. (TX); passenger

Smith, David R. (OH); pilot

1971
Scrivener, Stephen Russell, USAF (FL); O2A shot down (w/Seeley)

Seeley, Douglas Milton, USAF (OH); O2A shot down (w/Scrivener)

nocashfortrash.org