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A M E R I C A N  H E R O' S

Lt. Michael P. Murphy

WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008) Photo illustration commemorating the presidential citation that accompanies the Medal of Honor awarded to Lt. Michael P. Murphy (Sea, Air, Land). U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu (Released)

WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008) A photo illustration of the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). The ship will be named after Lt. Michael P. Murphy (Sea, Air, Land) who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat in Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu (Released)

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Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis

Medals of Valor Awarded for Sadr City Operation

Staff Sgt. Danny Key (center) and Sgt. Ruddie Williams (left) wait to be presented a Bronze Star with Valor at Forward Operating Base Callahan in northern Baghdad April 17. Key, a tank commander, and Williams, a tank gunner, both serve with Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. Photo by Sgt. Zach Mott

Apr 21, 2008 - BY Sgt. Zach Mott - BAGHDAD, Iraq (April 21, 2008) - Multiple improvised-explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and a hail of gunfire greeted Silver Lions' Soldiers as they conducted route clearance in the southern portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad April 11. Abrams Tanks from Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, accompanying the route-clearance vehicles rushed into action to suppress the swelling attack that disabled a Coalition Forces' vehicle and injured a Soldier.

The RPG and small-arms fire quickly turned to the two tanks and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle as they maneuvered to protect and then treat the injured Soldier. Sgt. 1st Class John Weatherly, the platoon sergeant leading the armored escorts, directed his troops to engage the criminals - who were firing from behind the cover of buildings and other nearby structures - once they were positively identified. "We moved up beside the Husky on the right side to put ourselves between the Husky and Sadr City ... and engaged," said Weatherly.

Weatherly's gunner, Sgt. Ruddie Williams, is on his second tour in Iraq with the Silver Lions and said he welcomed the opportunity to use the skills he's practiced so much. "It's nice having a vehicle that has the capability to actually do that - with the tank - and using it for what it's for and not just rolling down the streets," he said. The fighting continued for more than 30 minutes as Williams scanned rooftops, alleys, windows and everything in between for criminals attempting to engage the patrol as others worked to treat the injured Soldier. "I was worried about guys on the ground that were helping with recovery and excited at the same time as I got to do what I was trained to do," he said.

Clashes between special groups and members of the Iraqi Security Forces, as well as American troops, in the northeastern portion of Baghdad have increased in recent weeks. Weatherly, Williams and other members of the 1-68 AR have been at the tip of that fighting beside the ISF to help secure Baghdad. Despite this lofty task, Weatherly, who is on his second Operation Iraqi Freedom tour, remains humble about his actions. "We're doing our job. That's all it is - helping (support) Iraqi (Security) Forces when we're doing our job," he said. His previous experience in Iraq was with the 1st Armored Division during OIF I.

In helping protect their fellow Soldiers, the Silver Lions were able to kill 12 criminals and destroy a cache in a secondary explosion that night. They also continued to provide security so the night's mission could be accomplished. "We just held the intersection so they could finish placing the guard tower at (Joint Security Station) Tharwa," he said. Missions are a daily occurrence for these men, and the events of one day sometimes blur into those of the others. As Weatherly was recounting the actions that day, his voice took on an almost dulled tone because the pace hasn't slowed since that day. "It might have only been six days ago, but a lot has happened since then," he said. For their actions, Weatherly and Williams were awarded the Bronze Star with Valor during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Callahan April 17. (Sgt. Zach Mott serves with 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Inf. Div., Multi National Division-Baghdad)

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Pitsenbarger Rehonored at Moody After 42 Years

Chief Master Sgt. Brian Douglas unveils the monument with retired Chief Master Sgt. Dave Milster and retired Lt. Col. Harry Obeirne, dedicated to the men and women in the Air Force who were recipients of the Medal of Honor at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 18. Colonel Obeirne participated in the recovery of the body of Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, after his death. Chief Milster, a pararesuceman, participated in Airman Pitsenbarger's final mission in Vietnam April 11, 1966. Chief Douglas is the 38th Rescue Squadron superintendent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Angelita Lawrence)

Staff Sgt. Kyle Minshew salutes while in the 'missing man' formation during a Medal of Honor rededication ceremony at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 18. Sergeant Minshew was portraying the role of Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger, a Medal of Honor recipient. The ceremony was held in honor of Airman Pitsenbarger for his selfless and heroic acts during the Vietnam war that lead to his death on April 11, 1966. Sergeant Minshew is a 38th Rescue Squadron pararescueman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittany Barker)

by Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
23rd Wing Public Affairs

4/22/2008 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- A fallen pararescueman was recognized for his heroic actions more than 42 years earlier during a Medal of Honor rededication ceremony April 18 at the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Monument Park at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, known as "Pits" to his friends, was the 59th member of the U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force to receive the nation's highest decoration for remaining behind enemy lines to treat wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War.

The 21-year-old Airman, who was assigned to Detachment 6 of the 38th Aero Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, was killed during an operation to extract Army casualties pinned down in a battle near Cam My, a few miles east of Saigon April 11, 1966. Airman Pitsenbarger was originally awarded the Air Force Cross for his valor, however, the medal was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor in a ceremony Dec. 8, 2000. Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Negron, 38th Rescue Squadron operations superintendent, along with other Airmen from the 38th RQS, became motivated to plan the ceremony after a PJ noticed the park's Medal of Honor plaque didn't include Airman Pitsenbarger's name.

"The rescue squadron wanted a chance to bring Pitsenbarger's sacrifice to everyone's attention again," Sergeant Negron said. "It was a great opportunity to recognize the highest decoration of valor people can get in the military, especially in the Air Force because only a few Airmen have earned it." Of the 3,466 Medals of Honor awarded in this nation's history, only 59 Airmen have received the recognition. Airman Pitsenbarger's actions in the Vietnam jungles have become legendary in the pararescue community, the sergeant said.

During a rescue mission in which Airman Pitsenbarger had already helped evacuate nine injured soldiers, when one of the recovery helicopters was hit while trying to lower a litter basket. The helicopter began to lose power and needed to escape from hostile area. Instead of climbing back into the basket and being hoisted to safety, Airman Pitsenbarger elected to stay and continue his medical duties. Airman Pitsenbarger continued to help his comrades hold off the advancing Viet Cong forces, returning fire while also providing his medical expertise to the wounded. He was killed by enemy fire and the next day, his body was discovered holding a rifle in one hand and clutching a medical kit in the other.

As part of the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Kyle Minshew, 38th RQS PJ, rappelled from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to illustrate the experiences of Airman Pitsenbarger. Chosen to portray the legendary Airman due to his similar build, Sergeant Minshew added a realistic touch to the performance by wearing the same style of the Vietnam-era uniform and carrying the same type of medic bag and knife that Airman Pitsenbarger carried that day. "While I was rappelling from the helicopter, it made me think about how it might have been for Pitsenbarger," Sergeant Minshew said. "I was a little nervous because for a moment, it felt realistic.

After Sergeant Minshew rappelled from the helicopter and reached the ground, he ran to join to his position in the PJ formation that was placed beside the memorial. Among the honorary guests watching the ceremony were retired Lt. Col. Harry O'Beirne and retired Chief Master Sgt. Dave Milsten, who served with Airman Pitsenbarger's during many of the rescue missions in Vietnam. "Back then, I was a staff sergeant and his noncommissioned officer in charge," said Chief Milsten. "Pits was 'gung-ho' and always ready for action." Colonel O'Beirne, an airman first class at the time, was one of Airman Pitsenbarger's closest friends.

"I was devastated to discover that Pits was dead," Colonel O'Beirne said. "We both planned to attend medical school together after our enlistment was over." Chief Milsten and Colonel O'Beirne honored their colleague by helping unveil the new plaque with Airman Pitsenbarger's name. A wreath was also presented by representatives from the American Legion and Veterans of the Foreign Wars as "Taps" was played in remembrance of the fallen PJ. Overall, the day's activities brought back the emotion of an Airman's valiant actions made in a foreign jungle almost half a century ago, Sergeant Minshew said. "It was such an honor to portray a hero," he said. "He's one of the reasons why people respect the pararescue career field. His sacrifices made him an icon."

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'Aztec Eagles' A Dying Breed; Only 10 of 300 Still Living

By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 21, 2003 – The more than 300 Mexicans who volunteered to help the United States kick the Japanese out of the Pacific islands during World War II are slowing passing on. Only 10 of them are still around.

Only three of them -- two combat pilots and one ground crew member -- were well enough to travel here from Mexico to be honored for their contributions by the Defense Department on Oct. 16 and 17. They were former "Aztec Eagles" pilots, retired Mexican air force Col. Carlos Garduno and Capt. Miguel Moreno Arreola, and ground crewman former Capt. Manuel Cervantes Ramos.

"Only 10 of us are still alive," Garduno said sadly during an interview at the Hyatt Regency Orange County Hotel here during DoD's Hispanic American Heritage Month observance.

The Mexican war hero said the Mexican Fighter Squadron 201, "El Escuadron 201," was composed of more than 300 volunteers – 36 experienced pilots and the rest ground crewmen. The ground crewmen were electricians, mechanics, radiomen, and armament – "all the specialties that are required for a typical fighter squadron," the colonel said.

The Aztec Eagles were attached to the U.S. Army Air Forces 5th Air Force's 58th Fighter Group during the liberation of the main Philippine island of Luzon in the summer of 1945. The pilots flew P-47D "Thunderbolt" single-seat fighter aircraft carrying out tactical air support missions.

"We flew close air support missions for American and Filipino infantry troops on the ground, and had to hit where we saw a smoke bomb go off," Garduno said. "Otherwise, we could have hit friendly troops, because the difference in distance was about 300 yards between the enemy and the friendly troops.

"We were 31 pilots (who) went to war," said Garduno, who flew 26 combat missions and served more than 37 years in the Mexican air force. "Originally, we were 38 pilots, but two were killed in training and the others were eliminated from training. All the time we were in the war, we never got a replacement pilot. It took a long time for training, and by the time they were going to be shipped out it was too late."

The squadron left Mexico for the United States on July 24, 1944, arrived at Laredo, Texas, on July 25, and moved on to Randolph Field in San Antonio, where they received medical examinations and weapons and flight proficiency tests. They received five months of training at Majors Field in Greenville, Texas; Pocatello (Idaho) Army Air Base; Foster Field in Victoria, Texas; and Randolph. The pilots received extensive training in armament, communications or engineering as well as combat tactics, formation flying and gunnery.

This marked the first time Mexican troops were trained for overseas combat. The "Aztec Eagles" flew 59 combat missions, totaling more than 1,290 hours of flight time. They participated in the Allied effort to bomb Luzon and Formosa (now Taiwan) to push the Japanese out of those islands.

"We're very proud to have served with the Americans veterans in World War II," said Miguel Moreno Arreola, who fought with the Mexican Fighter Squadron 201, the "Aztec Eagles," during the war. Photo by Rudi Williams

"We were trying to get three more squadrons to have a whole group of Mexican air force in the war," Garduno said. "I joined the squadron of Aztec Eagles because as a professional military man, I was dedicated to serving my country, which had declared war against the Axis. Professional men have to accept the call to duty.

"They sent me to learn dive-bombing at North Island in San Diego with the Navy for eight months," continued Garduno, who noted his English, which he started learning at age 7, helped him during his military career. "But I flew only 26 missions because I had an accident and spent three weeks in the hospital."

Garduno said he remembers Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho saying in his welcome home speech that "your pilot comrades that are not with you because they've passed on to the hills of Mexico, you live to remember them forever."

"It was like an order that each one of us never forgot," Garduno said. "So we formed an association of veterans, called "Asociacion Mexicana de Veteranos II Guerra Mundial" (Mexican Association of World War II Veterans), which is very small now – only 10 members. We remember them every time one dies. Every year we have a very important celebration on Nov. 18, which is the day we came back from the war."

Garduno, the association's president and international issues representative, has printed on the back of his business card, "This card identifies those who believe in the principles of freedom, for which veterans of many countries gave their lives. Voluntary affiliation will help to preserve their memory."

He said even today, the Mexican president, secretary of defense, air force and others support the surviving Aztec Eagles when they remember their dead on Nov. 18. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as British and French veterans organizations in Mexico, always participate in the observance.

"We all get together for International Remembrance Day on Nov. 10," Garduno noted. "It's just a very important day for us." Arreola, who finished pilot training on June 3, 1944, remembers arriving at San Antonio's Randolph Field, which, he said, at that time, was the best school for pilot training.

"Sometimes something nice happens," Arreola said with a big smile. "When I was waiting for my training, a beautiful lady arrived and said, 'Are you Arreola?' I said, 'Yes I am.' And she said, 'I'm your instructor.' "I was totally surprised because I never thought that a woman would be giving me training."

Arreola was one of 34 out of 36 pilots to pass the examinations. "We left from San Francisco on March 27, 1945, and arrived in Manila on April 30 and (were) attached to the 58th Group," said Arreola, who started out as a wingman and later became a commander. "Then they sent us about 70 miles north to one of the big islands. We arrived May 1, 1945, and raised our battle flag the second day there.

"We flew some very dangerous missions from Clark Field in the Philippines to Formosa, now called Taiwan," continued Arreola, who flew 36 missions, including two over Formosa, during his six months in the Pacific. "We saw more frequent airplanes from Japan on that 650-mile trip than ever before. But they didn't want to have combat with us, because they knew our P-47s were better than their Mitsubishis. We could fly higher and faster."

Arreola said the Aztec Eagles didn't find out until Aug. 8, 1945, that the United States had dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6. "We didn't know what it destroyed, or if it destroyed anything," he said. "Then on Aug. 9 they dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki." After the war ended, the Mexican pilots were sent to Okinawa and placed on standby. Arreola said the Aztec Eagles dedicated a monument in Manila on Sept. 25, 1945, honoring the five pilots who were killed.

They left the Pacific and returned home triumphantly on Oct. 21, 1945. They were greeted as national heroes in Mexico City on Nov. 18 by huge crowds, including President Camacho. "I said to the president, the mission is over," said Arreola, who got out of the air force and flew civilian airliners in Mexico for 36 years. "That's one of the best memories I have."

But today, the enormous crowds are gone and in most cases, the Aztec Eagles are all but forgotten. "Now, we receive more attention in the United States than in our own country," Arreola noted. "We have a very small pension, not like the pension veterans in American have. We have very few dollars per month.

"But we're very proud to have served with the American veterans in World War II," he said. Garduno said the cooperation between Mexico and the United States in World War II "to go fight and help the Allied countries was very important."

"In those days," he noted, "Mexico still had a tremendous resentment toward the United States for the Mexican War of 1846 and 1847 and for the American occupation of Veracruz in 1914 during the Mexican Civil War. So about 90 percent of the population of Mexico was against cooperation with the United States during World War II."

He said Mexican President Camacho had a tremendous opposition to cooperation with the United States. "It took the sinking of two Mexican oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico by U-boats for the Mexican congress to accept a declaration of war on the Axis," Garduno noted.

"As small as Mexico's contribution was compared to the big nations, it was very significant," he said. "We're trying to convince the people that regardless of past conflicts we had with the United States, the important thing is to be together (as we were) in the Second World War. Unity, cooperation and integrity for our beliefs in freedom are the important thing. We won the war, but we still want to be winning the peace that we've had since then. "So our sentiments were with the United States to save the freedom that we're still enjoying today," Garduno said.

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Urgent Fury veteran recounts Cobra crash 20 years later

Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Re-published from U.S.M.C.
Story by Cpl. Luis R. Agostini

MARINE FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(Oct. 10, 2003) -- Twenty years ago, United States forces evacuated U.S. citizens held hostage by Cuba's People's Revolutionary Army in St. George's, Grenada, in what was to be known as Operation Urgent Fury.

The multi-national, multi-service coalition, consisting of the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit, Air Force AC-130 gunships, seven Navy ships, Navy Seals, Army Rangers and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne division, as well as Caribbean peacekeeping forces, swiftly defeated the People's Revolutionary Army and rescued the hostages. American forces suffered 18 casualties.

Three of those casualties were fellow Cobra pilots and friends of Col. Timothy Howard, Marine Forces Pacific G-2 assistant chief of staff. On Oct. 25, 1983, two AH-1T attack helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-261, 22nd MAU, were sent to Grenada to relieve pressure on a team of Navy Seals participating in Operation Urgent Fury.

The Seals were protecting the home of Sir Paul Scoone, who, in the eyes of the United States government, was vital to the restructuring of the Grenada government. A young Capt. Howard, along with Capt. Jeb Seagle, piloted one Cobra. Major John "Pat" Guigerre and 1st Lt. Jeff Sharver piloted the other.

Howard was on his second tour with what was then the 22nd MAU, which was ready to relieve the 24th MAU in Beirut, Lebanon. The 22nd MAU was diverted to Grenada on Oct. 22, 1983, one day before the Beirut bombing that took the lives of 241 U.S. service members.

"We got the call about the bombing after we had already turned for Grenada, and it was too late to turn around to help them," said Howard. "We still had to complete our mission." That morning, Rangers were dropped over Point Salines to secure the area. Other Rangers were given orders to secure True Blue campus. However, they were ambushed and requested assistance.

Along with these Rangers, another Ranger detachment was securing the area at Fort Frederick overlooking St. George's. These soldiers received heavy fire, and gunships were called in to assist them. The Cobras reloaded before taking off to relieve the Seals. After two passes over triple-canopy jungles, open fields and mountainous terrain, Howard's bird was hit by anti-aircraft fire originating from a nearby mental hospital.

Howard's Cobra had been hit several times, including three shots that injured him. The first shot hit him in the right arm tearing it off from the just below the elbow and down. The second shot hit him in the right leg, seriously wounding his knee. After the final shot hit the aircraft, a golf-ball sized piece of the aircraft became imbedded in his neck.

Howard said they were forced to land in a field near St. George's beach. During the forced landing, Howard called for his co-pilot to lower the bird, but realized Seagle had been knocked unconscious from rounds impacting the helicopter.

"He must have hit his head when we got hit, because I tried yelling his name, but he wouldn't come to. I knew I had to do something, so I tried everything I could to land safely," said Howard. Despite his injuries, Howard managed to wrap his left arm around the "stick" and control the helicopter enough to land it. During the landing however, the aircraft was seriously damaged. It caused the tail rotor to furrow and separate from the tail boom.

Upon landing, all the warning lights on the circuit board lighted up, and although the helicopter managed to stay upright, it caught on fire. Seagle regained consciousness after landing and attempted to assist Howard. "He kept yelling at me to get out, but I don't think he knew how bad I had been hurt," said Howard. Although Howard managed to unbuckle himself, he fell to the ground. Howard recalled that Seagle grabbed him by the back of his shirt and dragged him toward safety.

"I used my good leg to push with, while he was pulling me. He left me in a tall grassy field, next to a soccer stadium," said Howard. Howard said he was worried more for his co-pilots safety more than his own, and kept yelling, "You've got to get out of here. I am going to die, but you've got a chance." Seagle went for help, but Howard still anticipated his own death, and said he knew he was never going to see Seagle again.

Seagle managed to send a call for help before leaving on foot to find ground support. The other Cobra received the call and provided fire support while a CH-46 crew tried to rescue Howard. During the rescue attempt, the Cobra received fire from anti-aircraft from somewhere on the island and was shot down. Both Guigerre and Sharver were killed when their helicopter crashed into the ocean. Meanwhile, Gunnery Sgt. Kelly Neideigh, a CH-46 door gunner, and Vietnam veteran, risked his life by running into live fire to drag Howard to the CH-46 to safety.

By the time Neideigh reached Howard, more than an hour had passed since Howard's Cobra went down. Unfortunately, Howard's co-pilot, Seagle, never made it to safety; he was found dead on the beach. He had been captured and murdered while trying to find help for Howard. Howard spent many long months in the hospital, learning to deal with the loss of his arm, and the grim diagnosis made by his doctors that he would never walk again.

"It was five months before I could walk with special crutches," recalled Howard. "I walked with a cane until just about a year after being shot. I began walking fast/jogging at the two year mark." Many service members would have been content with a medical discharge following an incapacitating wound. Howard wanted to stay "Marine." "I felt I still had something to contribute to my beloved Corps. I still feel that way."

That was 17 years ago. He recently scored a first class physical fitness test. Howard was not alone during his struggle to overcome his injuries. Howard gives a lot of the praise and credit to his family. "Beth, my wife of 25 years, has been especially supportive," said Howard. "Also, my daughter, Christy, has been a true friend throughout my life."

Howard joined the Marine Corps in 1977 to fly helicopters, and still plans on giving the Corps another three to four years, at the very least. Howard's co-pilots may be lost, but never forgotten. A hangar will be dedicated to the late Capt. Jeff Sharver by HMLA-775, coinciding with HMM-261's reunion, celebrating its 20th anniversary of their participation in Operation Urgent Fury, Nov. 1, in Fredericksburg, Va.

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Park Dedicated to Hispanic Medal of Honor Recipient.

Submitted by: MCLB Barstow
Re-published from U.S.M.C. News
Story by Lance Cpl. Andy J. Hurt

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2003) -- There is a little known area at the MCLB Barstow Yermo Annex, where all base personnel can congregate and enjoy the high desert atmosphere, seldom discussed.

A park just inside the main gate at Yermo that is dedicated to the memory of a great American hero, Pfc. Eugene A. Obregon, just one of the countless Hispanic Marines who gave his life for his country, and one of 38 Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients. Obregon, an East Los Angeles native, joined the Marines at the tender age of 17, along with four friends. He was stationed aboard MCLB Barstow from 1948-1950. He was a member of the Base Fire Department.

After the breakout of the Korean War, Obregon received orders to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, then being formed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, for further assignment to Korea. It was on the streets of Seoul, on a cold September morning, when Obregon committed an uncommon act of bravery that cost him his life and earned him the Medal of Honor. His citation reads in part:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Seoul, Korea, on September 26, 1950.

"While serving as an ammunition carrier in a machine gun squad of a Marine rifle company which was temporarily pinned down by hostile fire, Pfc. Obregon observed a fellow Marine fall wounded in the line of fire. Armed only with a pistol, he unhesitatingly dashed from his covered position to the side of the casualty.

"Firing his pistol with one hand, and despite the great peril to himself, dragged the wounded man to the side of the road. Still under enemy fire, he was bandaging the man's wounds when hostile troops of approximately platoon strength began advancing toward his position.

"Quickly seizing the wounded Marine's carbine, he placed his own body as a shield on front of him and lay there, firing accurately and effectively into the hostile group until he himself was fatally wounded by enemy machine gun fire."

Obregon's mother, Henrietta, in later years, told a reporter the man whose life her son had saved confessed that before the incident he was prejudiced against Hispanic Americans.

Obregon Park here was dedicated 15 years after Obregon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, on Nov. 12, 1965.

• For More Like This Access Citations

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Marine major shines in Aussie Forces
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification Number: 20036302131
Story by Sgt. Valerie Martinez



DARWIN, Austrailia -- When the conflict in Iraq finally exploded into a full-scale war, Wayalan Cain was proud to be serving as a major in the United States Marine Corps.

But the war stories he will tell his four children will be much different than those told by a majority of his brothers in arms, because Cain didn't enter the fight with his fellow Marines - he flew as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot with the Australian's 75 Squadron.

Cain, who previously served with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Marine Attack Squadron 225, began his journey with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2001 after applying for a spot in the Marine Corps Exchange Pilot Program.

After qualifying, he packed up his family and home, said goodbye to his unit and flew down under to RAAF Base Tindal. "Australia was my first choice," said Cain, who currently serves as the unit?s B Flight Commander. "I wanted to be somewhere that I could spend time with my family."

That quality time Cain was looking for in the beauty of the outback didn't last though, because not long after arriving here his unit was called in to support the coalition against Saddam Hussein.

And when Cain deployed to Iraq in early February 2003, he and some 250 men and women from the 75 Squadron made history by being part of the first Australian fighter deployment and operation in a war zone since the Korean War.

"It was a really interesting experience to be a United States Marine fighting the war in Iraq on the Australian team," said Cain. "They could have taken one of their own officers with them and left me in the rear, but they took me with them to combat, and I feel very grateful."

The 75 Squadron entered the conflict ready to fight, flying counter air missions until the airborne threat from the enemy was nonexistent, and then began air interdictions including strikes and close air support. Before returning home May 15, Cain and his Aussie counterparts had clocked in more than 670 sorties and 2,300 hours of flying time and dropped 122 precision-guided weapons.

Although Cain admits it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to serve with the Australians, seeing his Marines on the television screen fighting the war "reminded me how much I missed them. At times I wished I was fighting with them - you know, with 'the boys.'"

And back with "the boys" Cain will go in December, where he is scheduled to report to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

"It has been really great living in Australia, and the relationships I have made have been wonderful," he added. "But I am definitely excited to get back to the Marine Corps."

VNHD Editor's Note: Above Story -- Re-published from U.S.M.C. Web Site News...

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Nephew to Honor WWII Ace Uncle

By Staff Sgt. Robert Zoellner 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/6/2003 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- By simply doing his job, an F-15 Eagle pilot here finally has the opportunity to honor his hero and uncle, World War II ace Maj. Richard "Dick" Bong.

Maj. James Bong, of the 33rd Operations Group, will lead a four-ship flyover at the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center museum in Superior, Wis., on June 6 during the center's Heritage Festival.

"I'm very honored to be doing this flyby," James said. "All my family will be in attendance, and it means a lot to them as well."

His uncle was a 40-kill fighter pilot who flew a Lockheed P-38 Lightning that he named "Marge," after his future wife. For his record of 40 kills, Dick earned the moniker "Ace of Aces" and was awarded the Medal of Honor by Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Bong remains the highest-scoring American ace of any conflict.

Dick's legacy had always been a topic of conversation among aunts, uncles and cousins when James was younger.

"I think it may have helped a little on my selection to attend Officer Training School," the younger Bong said. "But, most people don't even know I'm related."

Although James and his family live here, his family in Wisconsin has been very involved in the museum project for which he will be doing the flyover. The event's organizers are very aware of his participation in the event.

"They asked the Air Force for me, in particular, to do the flyby," James said. "And they are the reason I'm going to be doing it."

The "Ace" had a short military career with the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1944, and made major in just two years -- an accomplishment that can take 10 years today.

On Aug. 6, 1945, the day the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, Dick was killed when the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star he was testing stalled and crashed on takeoff. He had flown more than 500 combat flying hours in 200 sorties. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)

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Navy Senior Archivist Helps Solve 57 Year Old “USS Eagle 56” Mystery

Naval Historical Center, Washington, DC (Apr. 15, 2003) – This is the USS Eagle 2 (PE-2) on builder’s trials in 1918. An identical sister ship, USS Eagle 56 (PE-56), was lost due to a mysterious explosion April 23, 1945. Although Eagle 56 survivors stated they had spotted a submarine during the sinking, the official Navy Investigation declared it lost due to a boiler explosion. Through the work of a dedicated researcher and the Naval Historical Center’s senior archivist the Navy changed this to a combat loss in 2002. Both ships were members of 60 Eagle Boats built by automaker Henry Ford for World War I. None of them were completed in time to see service in that war due to the Armistice, November 11, 1918. They were not very popular due to poor sea-keeping characteristics. The Navy discarded all but eight, before World War II. The term Eagle Boat came from a 1917 editorial in the Washington Post that called for an eagle to scour the seas and pounce upon and destroy every German submarine. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

Vietnam Vet Finally Gets Award for Valor

by Spc. Bill Putam

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 25, 2003) -- A veteran's trip to the Pentagon to receive the nation's second-highest award for valor brought back memories from a battle that happened in Vietnam 36 years ago.

Retired Lt. Col. Albert "Clark" Welch received the Distinguished Service Cross from Lt. Gen. John Le Moyne, the Army's deputy chief of staff G-1 (Personnel) April 25 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.

"This is not about me, this is about the men who fought with me. This is about those of us in the profession of arms," Welch said about being awarded the medal. Welch's wife, Lacey, and two sons attended the ceremony.

Welch arrived in Vietnam in 1967 and was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment. A few months after arriving, he was in command of the battalion's Company D. While in command of that company, 1,400 Viet Cong soldiers ambushed his battalion at Ong Thanh Oct. 17. Three battalions of Viet Cong soldiers opened fire on his and one other company.

Snipers in 100-foot-tall trees and enemy troops in bunkers and brush with grenade launchers and machine guns began the attack following their commander's signal of clicking sticks together three times.

Interviewed after the attack, Pvt. Faustin Sena said, "He screamed at me to get the radio. It was 40 yards away so I slithered over there like a lizard. I couldn't see a damn thing. The sound was deafening. I couldn't hear my own gun firing, but I could hear Welch, screaming above the noise, putting his men in positions, calling in orders. First he was here, then he was there. He was everywhere, making sure we held our ground, that we didn't panic."

During the attack, automatic fire took Welch's bicep off his left arm. The muscle fell on the ground in front of him. He was shot in the chest while dragging two wounded men to safety. Another bullet hit his right leg and machine gun fire hit his left arm so hard that it knocked him to the ground.

Most of the men in Welch's company and Alpha Company whom they were following died that day. The enemy left the scene thinking that all of the American soldiers were killed. Later a platoon sergeant from within the battalion was sent to re-establish contact with the unit. He found Welch and another soldier against a tree surrounded by 60 dead enemy soldiers.

Why it took so long to award the medal is a testament to who Clark is, said retired Brig. Gen. Jack Shelton. Welch and Shelton served together in the 2nd of the 28th Infantry until shortly before the battle when Shelton became the division's assistant operations officer. "He was the best we had in the battalion," Shelton said of Welch. "But the Army sort of lost Welch after the battle."

When Welch arrived in Vietnam, he was originally assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group. But he was diverted to the 2nd of the 28th Infantry to replace a platoon leader that died. His records probably ended up at the Special Forces and not at the battalion, Shelton said.

With the battalion commander and the command elements of the battalion's Company A killed in the opening stages of the battle, Welch was left to organize the battalion's defense, said Shelton. After Welch recuperated from his numerous wounds, he wrote awards for everyone else in the company -- including a posthumous Medal of Honor citation for the fire support officer, 2nd Lt. Harold "Pinkie" Durham.

But he couldn't write anything for himself and there weren't many witnesses to attest for Welch's actions that day, Shelton said. Out of 140 men in the company before the battle, 60 died and the rest were wounded, he added. The only witness at first was 1st Sgt. Clarence Barrows, the company's first sergeant, Shelton said.

At least four witnesses need to testify for a Medal of Honor and eventually three more were found, Shelton said. With the four witnesses, Shelton put Welch in for the Medal of Honor. That award was downgraded to a DSC, but another review for a Medal of Honor is pending, Shelton said.

"The things he did are worthy of a Medal of Honor," Shelton added. After the ceremony, Welch reminisced with a few of his soldiers, some of whom he hadn't seen since that dark day. He said that it was wonderful to receive the award. "What it shows is that Army can get it right," Welch said. "But this award isn't about me, it's about them." Welch's other decorations for valor include three Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars.

(Editor's note: Lt. Col. Stan Heath, G1 public affairs officer, contributed to this article.)