Carl K. Lindley

Carl Lindley was assigned to Company D of the 341st Engineers Regiment. The regiment was organized in 1922, but not activated until March of 1942, 3 months after Pearl Harbor. They were sent to Dawson Creek, BC, Canada to build an all weather route from Ft. St. John to Ft. Nelson BC. Eventually, it would become part of a supply route that stretched from the mainland US to Alaska. There was a very real threat of Japanese invasion at that point. They completed the Alcan Highway in September of 1942, and remained in the area to keep it open through winter and to affect various repairs along the route.

After this, they were shipped to Europe where they were used extensively. They were used at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Some men were transferred in and out of infantry, but mostly they were used to construct and repair roads and bridges as the allies advanced. They were then assigned to the Pacific campaign, but war ended before they arrived.

It was during the construction of the Alcan Highway, in Dawson Creek, BC, that Lindley did something that would go on to become of of the biggest tourist attractions in the Northwest. He was assigned to repair and install sign markers along the route. At one point, he tacked a directional sign of his own to a post. The sign read "Danville, Illinois 2835 Miles". It was his hometown. Others followed his lead and posted their own signs. The tradition grew to include visitors in the area and went on to become a kind of rite of passage for travelers visiting.

Carl's original sign didn't survive the years, nor did any of the other original directional signs added by those early followers. In 1992, Lindley re-visited the area for the first time in 50 years. He hung a replica of his original sign. That replica now hangs in the visitor center. There are now over 100,000 signs adorning the "forest".

Carl Lindley passed away in 2002, but not without having left his mark on history. Not only with the sign forest, but his footprints were once seen all over Europe, from the landing at Normandy through the Battle of the Bulge and beyond. Lindley and his fellow soldiers played an incredibly significant role in the allies march through Europe to victory. Without the engineers, advances didn't happen. With them, victory did!

Thank you Carl Lindley for your years of service and the fun legacy you left for so many to enjoy.

 Carl and his wife in 1992

Carl in 1942

You can read more about the 341st, written by Carl, here, 341st Eng Rg

You can also see tons of images of the forest, here. Google Images

In Memory of Wallenburg and Shannon

Thirteen years ago today, we lost two pilots from the 1st BN 6th Cavalry Brigade, the Fighting Sixth.

1LT Dustin Shannon, 23, and Chief Warrant Officer James Wallenburg, 40, were taking part in a night time training flight near Camp Page, Chuncheon, South Korea when poor weather conditions contributed to the accident.

We lose people in all manner of circumstances. These two pilots were on a routine mission. But no mission is really routine. They were training and serving in an area that was and has become even more volatile. Eternal vigilance can have a price. These two pilots paid the ultimate price that night.

We will never forget them, we can't. These soldiers gave their lives for freedom. The cause for which they died can never be let go, nor can the memories of those who fought.

Dustin Shannon

James Wallenburg

The President's Own

On this day, 215 years ago, the Marine Corps Band, called, "The President's Own", gave its first public concert in Washington. Having been formed by by an act of Congress signed by President John Adams 2 years earlier, they had mainly been used on ships and sent to various posts to play. About six months later, when they were playing for the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, he gave them the name, The President's Own. They have played for every inauguration since.

There is no telling how many people they have played in front of. They have played for every U.S. President except George Washington. They typically play around 200 White House events each year.

The United States Marine Band website has some great information, history, photos and music. I can only imagine that it is quite an honor to be chosen s a member of this wonderful group of Marines.

We are thankful for all of the joy that they have ushered into the lives of so many people.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust

Major Stephen W. Pless, USMC

48 years ago today, 4 American soldiers were stranded on a beach near Quang Nai, Vietnam. They were surrounded by, and being beaten by a group of near 50 Viet Cong. An emergency call had gone out and been received by a helicopter, part of the Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6), piloted by Major Stephen Pless.

Pless had been a Marine since 1956, enlisting in the reserves while still attending Georgia Military Academy. He received his commission in September of 1959. He had been promoted to First Lieutenant and designated naval aviator after once he graduated flight training school in April 1960.

He was flying an escort mission when he got the call for help that day. He responded and because of his actions taking part in the eventual rescue, was recognized with the Medal of Honor. Also that day, his crew of Rupert Fairfield, Leroy Poulson and John Phelps were each awarded the Navy Cross (making them the most highly decorated single helicopter crew during the Vietnam War.

Major Pless's citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces. During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline. His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Major Pless was also awarded, among others, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart and 38Air Medals. He flew 780 combat missions in Vietnam and was the only naval aviator to receive the MoH.

On the day Apollo 11 landed on the moon, July 20, 1969, Pless was riding his motorcyle through Pensacola, Florida. He did not notice that the drawbridge he was on had opened (horizontal instead of vertical opening) and tragically, died when he fell from the span. For his many years of service and his heroic actions, we thank him from the bottom of our hearts. He had the kind of career that other Marines point to when they think of words like, selfless and honorable. Because of Pless, many others had a chance to come hom as well.

You will not be forgotten.

The Ghost Blimp

On this day, August 16, 1942, one of the oddest stories from WW2 occurred. Lt. Ernest Cody and Ens. Charles Adams took off from Treasure Island near San Francisco in the US Navy blimp, L-8. Their mission was aerial recon of the west coast, mainly sub hunting. What followed remains a mystery even today.

There is a great website dedicated to telling this story much better than I could. CheckSix.com

All I can add is how thankful I am for Cody and Adams. These two men were in a very dangerous position due to the fact that they were practically defenseless in their ship. Cody left a wife behind and both men were respected Navy men who were missed by their fellow crew and friends and family.

Lt. Ernest Cody

Ensign Charles Adams

NUTS!

$0 years ago, today, General Anthony C. McAuliffe passed away at age 77. Thank you for your steadfast service and refusal to surrender!

General Anthony C McAualiffe

USS Jarvis (DD-393)

The USS Jarvis was one of eight Bagley-class destroyers(all of which had a rich history) built for the US Navy. It was the second ship named for James C Jarvis, a 13 year old mid-shipman who was killed during the Quasi War with France(his story is hard to believe in itself). It was launched in May of 1937. It was armed with few guns, four 5 inch guns and four .50 cal guns, but it was also armed with two depth charge racks and twelve 21 inch torpedo tubes.

The Jarvis was present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was there undergoing minor repairs when the attack started. As much as we know about the disaster that took place that day, the entry in the ship's deck log by Ensign W. F. Greene seems almost comically oblivious to what was happening. It simply said, "0758, hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor. Went to general quarters". The Jarvis actually engaged and shot down four planes that fateful day and received only minor damage before being sent out with others on Anti Submarine Warfare patrols.

She was attached to Task Force 14 and sent to help the Marines defending Wake Island until that operation was cancelled. She was then part of the force including the carrier Lexington, when the oiler USS Neches, dispatched to refuel the group, came under torpedo attack. That attack resulted in the sinking of Neches and the death of 57 of her crew. The Jarvis rescued 182 survivors from that tragedy. She spent the next 4 months escorting around Australia until recalled to the group heading to Guadalcanal.

Jarvis supported troop landings and patrolled the area south of Savo Island until news of an impending attack came in. She then moved out into Ironbottom Sound between Guadalcanal and Florida Island. As the torpedo bombers appeared, the Jarvis fired with all guns. The defense of US ships allowed only 9 of 26 bombers to make it through. As she had maneuvered to protect the, soon doomed, Vincennes, she shot down one of the bombers, but not before it had released a torpedo, which found its mark. The explosion stopped her dead in the water and killed 14 of her crew. She was safely towed to Tulagi and sent 7 injured crewmen to safety.

Heavily damaged, sporting a 50 foot gash in her side, but considered seaworthy, she was ordered to proceed to New Hebrides for repair. Apparantly, because of damaged radios, they never got the order. the skipper decided to head towards Australia for repair and was unnoticed by any other ships as he departed. As she limped near Savo Island, the incoming Japanese attack noticed her and engaged but did no damage. That Japanese group would moments later do major damage to America's fleet in the Battle of Savo Island.

She was spotted just after 3 am by the USS Blue, but waived of help(still no radio communications). A US plane also spotted her just after dawn. That would be the last Americans that saw the USS Jarvis. The Japanese spotter here, and mistaking her for an escaping cruiser from Savo, dispatched 31 planes to intercept. The hit the Jarvis with a barrage of bombs, bullets and torpedoes. According to Japanese records, the Jarvis broke apart and sank at 1 pm on August 9, 1942. None of the 233 men who remained on board survived.

We will never forget those who served and died aboard the USS Jarvis. That last action, while deadly for all aboard, likely saved many others, on damaged ships at Savo, who were the intended target of those 31 planes. As it happened, they were all able to make it to port. The crew of the USS Jarvis laid down their lives in defense of freedom and those others who were fighting for that same cause.

USS Jarvis (DD-393)

In Honor of the 4 MP's

I try not to get political here, as that is not what this site is about. In regards to this event, it took every bit of restraint I could muster. I will only say this, whenever the UN is involved and a spirit of timidity and political correctness are added, disaster like this increases in probability exponentially.

In 1991, civil war in Somalia produces horrific conditions aided by some really bad people. Famine followed and conditions for the population there were deplorable. Ceasefire followed early the next year, and as part of that agreement, UN humanitarian monitoring was allowed into the country. The security counsel allowed for 50 unarmed monitors in April of 1992. With torturous speed, releif efforts began in August of that year. Relief convoys were looted, hijacked and workers were assaulted. Almost no food made it to the starving population.

The UN asked for help from the US. With only weeks left in office, President Bush  responded with Operation Restore Hope. 25,000 troops started to arrive in December. The plan was for the troops to restore stability and let the UN take over before Clinton took office in January. Further UN resolutions and plans were hatched, yet by June, there were still 1200 US combat troops with 3000 further US support troops still there. Through June and July, 24 Pakistani soldiers are massacred in an ambush and 4 journalists are beaten to death by a mob of Somalis. Escalations ensued and the peacekeepers were basically at war. Special Forces were requested in June, but did not arrive until August 26th.

Almost 3 weeks earlier, during a routine patrol, two vehicles carrying 8 US soldiers came under attack. The first vehicle was hit with a remotely detonated device. The soldiers in the second vehicle came under fire, as did Egyptian and Pakistani soldiers who shortly thereafter arrived. More US troops soon followed and were also met with fire. The organized ambush killed all four US Military Police in the lead vehicle, 3 instantly and the fourth a short time later.

Those 4 soldiers were:

Sgt. Christopher Hilgert, 27, of Bloomington, Indiana
Spc. Mark Gutting, 25, of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Spc. Keith Pearson, 25, of Tavaras, Florida

They were members of the 997th Military Police Company

Sgt. Ronald Richerson, 24, of Portage, Indiana

He was with the 300th Military Police Company

These four guys died doing the most honorable thing they could be doing, trying to help people who desperately needed it. They were thousands of miles from their homes and families, in a land where most people looked at them with disdain. Even so, they were doing what they were called to do.

8 others had died in Somalia since December, but I am unable to find any information on them. This event would lead to the Battle of Mogadishu in early October. That would see 16 killed, scores wounded and Micheal Durant captured. This event would come to be known as Blackhawk Down.

All of these men need and deserved to be remembered and honored. We will see to it that they are never forgotten for all that they gave.

Hilgert, Gutting, Pearson and Richerson all had families who loved them dearly. All of them had friends who still think of them often. All of them were respected and loved by those who served with them. Many, many lives have forever been altered by their loss. For everyone involved, we can't let their memories fade. They mean too much. What they gave is immeasurable. Thank you gentlemen for all you did in the name of love and liberty.

USS Quincy (CA-39)

The third ship of our Savo Island group is the USS Quincy. Like her sister ships, the Astoria and the Vincennes, she was a New Orleans Class heavy cruiser. She was slightly smaller than her sister ships, carrying only 807 men, and slightly fewer smaller guns. Launched June 19, 1935, she spent much of her early years in the Atlantic. Protecting American interests during the Spanish Civil War, she helped to evacuate many refugees. She took part in goodwill tours up and down the South American coasts. She also took part in several Fleet Problems, large-scale naval exercises conducted between 1923 and 1940. 

When World War 2 erupted, the Quincy was used from the northern Atlantic to the tip of Africa escorting convoys until the U.S. was drawn in. Upon that, she was retro-fitted and sent to the Pacific as part of the battle group headed for Guadalcanal. Once there, prior to the Marine landing, she destroyed multiple Japanese installations, including an oil field. During the landing, she provided fire support for the 11,000 Marines going ashore.

When the Japanese fleet surprised the American forces patrolling the area on the night of August 9, 1942, the Quincy was just coming to general quarters. Spotlights lit her up and before her gun crews were ready to fire, she was hit. The Quincy was caught in a crossfire from three Japanese ships. As Captain Samuel Moore started turning the ship, she was hit by two torpedoes. The Quincy only managed to fire a couple of salvos before being hit heavily again, killing almost everyone on the bridge, including Moore. One more torpedo strike silenced her guns and left he dead in the water. At 2:38am, less than an hour after the first shots were fired, the Quincy slipped under the water into Ironbottom sound, the first ship sank that night.

370 men died from the USS Quincy and another 167 were wounded. Let us never forget the way these men served and paid such an incredibly heavy price. They were called to fight and they answered the call. This was the first action by almost all of them. The Quincy took part in only this one, tragically, short-lived battle. Thank you to the men who served aboard this ship. As a nation, we should be forever indebted to them and all of the others who fought for our freedoms.

USS Quincy (CA-39)

USS Astoria (CA-34)

The USS Astoria was a sister ship to the USS Vincennes that we featured yesterday. The Astoria was also a New Orleans Class heavy cruiser. She was launched on December 16, 1933. Her crew consisted of 899 men, officers and enlisted. Like the others of her class, she had nine 8 inch and eight 5 inch guns along with several smaller cannons and machine guns.

After commissioning, the Astoria took part in normal peacetime patrols as part of cruiser divisions 7 and 6. In March of 1939, she delivered the remains of Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Saito back to Japan in an effort to express gratitude to Japan for having done the same for our deceased ambassador, Edgar Bancroft, 13 years earlier. She was then assigned to Pearl Harbor and began patrols between there and Midway. When Pearl Harbor was attack, the Astoria was about 700 miles away. Soon after, she was part of a task force sent to rescue the Marines at Wake Island. That operation was unfortunately recalled and the island fell into the hands of the Japanese and started four years of hell for those Marines and civilians stationed there. There was also a plan, soon after to bombard the island, but the oiler accompanying the force was torpedoed. Without the fuel, they had to abort that mission also.

The next series of events, culminating with Japanese landings on New Guinea, saw the Astoria being shuffle from aborted mission to aborted mission. Things changed daily in the early days of the Pacific war. There mission became threefold around New Guinea, they were to protect the flank of the carriers, to shield Port Moresby from further enemy thrusts, and to cover the arrival of the Army at Noumea. That operation sunk 4 Japanese ships and heavily damaged 6 more. It was devastating for Japan for that and for slowing the timetable for their attacks. Japan dispatched two more carriers while the US was bolstering its forces as well. This led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. During this battle, the Astoria took part in multiple battles that saw significant loss to both sides, culminating with the loss of the carrier USS Lexington. It did prevent the Japanese from achieving the objective of Port Moresby, however. After this, the Astoria departed for Pearl Harbor again. After 3 days, she left again, with the hasily repaired USS Lexington carrier group. The headed toward Midway island.

During the Battle of Midway, the men of the Astoria fought valiantly to defend the group, specifically, the carrier USS Yorktown. Volley after volley of Japanese attacks finally caused the Yorktown to succumb and abandon ship. She was left floating until after the Japanese retreat, one sub snuck in and delivered the final blow, sinking the carrier on June 7, 1942. The Astoria had scored multiple victories over enemy aircraft during the battle.

After going through repairs and re-fits at Pearl Harbor, the Astoria headed for Guadalcanal. There, she defended from multiple counter attacks as the Marines landed. The Japanese force managed to sneak up on the Astoria, which was situated as the northern watch along with the Vincennes and the Quincy off of Savo Island.

The first four salvos missed their mark, but the fifth scored a direct hit on the Astoria's superstructure. It was also quickly hit in the number one turret and the airplane hangar, which started a very bright fire that illuminated the ship. For the next 35 minutes, she was pounded severely until she lost all power and lay dead in the water. At that moment, the Japanese inexplicably turned and fled. The crew battled for over 10 hours to fight the fires and save the ship, but were unable to do so as she slipped underneath the water and into Ironbottom sound just after noon on August 9, 1942.

Officially, the lives lost from the USS Astoria stands at 219. However, further research from Brent Jones, which can be found on his wonderful Astoria tribute site, has the number lost at 234. Those heros names can be found on Brent's site, USS Astoria. You can visit the entire site here. He has done a wonderful job in helping us to remember these men and those that survived the Battle of Savo Island. And that, we should do, never forget the service of these men and the price they paid for it.

USS Astoria (CA-34)

USS Vincennes (CA-44)

The Battle of Savo Island took place as part of the battle for Guadalcanal during August 8-9, 1942. During the Savo battle, three heavy cruisers were sunk and one was heavily damaged, two destroyers were also heavily damaged and 1077 men were lost.

The USS Vincennes was a New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser launched May, 21, 1936. It was outfitted with nine 8 inch guns and eight 5 inch guns along with several other smaller guns and machine guns. It also had 4 float planes on board. The Vincennes carried a crew of 952, officers and enlisted.

The Vincennes was part of Task Force 18, built around the USS Hornet. As such, it was an escort during the famed Doolittle Raid over Tokyo on April 18, 1942. That mission didn't inflict significant materiel damage on the Japanese homeland, but it sent a very strong message, "you are not untouchable".

A few months later, during early June, the Vincennes had joined up with a large force that was approaching Midway Island. During that battle, she took part by shooting down at least two Japanese planes and taking part in what turned out to be a failed screening of the USS Yorktown. A Japanese sub eventually slipped through and torpedoed the listing Yorktown and the destroyed Hammann. Those ships lost 141 men and 80 men respectively. The Japanese lost far more ships and men in the decisive US victory.

In August, the Vincennes was part of a large group sitting offshore of Guadalcanal. She took part in the pre-landing bombardment and the defense of subsequent Japanese aerial counter-attacks. During those defenses, she shot down at least nine, including seven Japanese "Betty" GM4 bombers. Later that afternoon, US reconnaissance spotted a group of Japanese ships heading south towards the group.

The Vincennes was placed alongside her sister ships, the USS Astoria and the USS Quincy as part of a blocking force designed to protect the remaining landing craft which were going ashore. They were part of a force of 8 cruisers and 15 destroyers positioned around Savo Island. They were expecting a dawn air attacks launched from the approaching ships. Instead, the Japanese attacked during the middle of the night with the guns and torpedoes aboard their ships.

Of the ships gathered in the area, on 5 cruisers and 7 destroyers were close enough to be involved. Most of those were part of the southern point of attack, the three sister ships sat by themselves to the north. At 1:45am, the crews saw flashes and heard the guns firing to the south. They were unaware of the force headed north to engage them.

At 1:55, Japanese searchlights lit up the Vincennes. They responded with shells from her heavy guns towards the lights. Less than a minute later, the Japanese shells began falling on the Vincennes. Several key areas were hit, including the radio antenna trunks, which then prevented several orders from reaching vital operations, such as engine rooms. Without the ability to oncrease speed, the Japanese were able to stay homed in and delivered another rounds of direct hits. In an effort to evade the heavy fire, she turned starboard only to be hit with two "Long Lance" torpedoes, each carrying almost an 1100 pound warhead. Direct hits to the engine rooms. The Vincennes now sat dead in the water and began to list. She had been hit 85 times with 8 and 5 inch shells. 

At 2:10, only 15 minutes after the assault began, the Japanese turned and left. only 20 minutes later, the order to abandon ship was given by Captain Frederick Reifkohl. He would later write, "The magnificent Vincennes, which we were all so proud of, and which I had the honor to command since 23 April 1941, rolled over and then sank at about 0250, 9 August 1942, about 2½ miles east of Savo Island ... Solomons Group, in some 500 fathoms [910 m] of water."

The Vincennes lost, amazingly, only 332 men in the dark waters of Iron Bottom Sound that night. With as many shells as hit her, the survivors could truly be thankful that they were not counted as lost as well. In just a few short months, they had been part of 3 highly defining moments of the Pacific war. The Vincennes sank that night and would recieve two battle stars for her short, but dedicated service. The men of the Vincennes played a big role in the early going of World War II. We can be thankful that they what they were asked to do and did so valiantly.

I have searched for a list of the crew but have not been able to find one. Even so, we can still remember what they gave in service to their country. Many paid the ultimate price, and for that were should be forever grateful. They have taken their place in history among many others who were called to service during a time of unimaginable horrors. They answered that call. Thank you, men of the USS Vincennes. Your service will never be forgotten.

USS Vincennes (CA-44

7 Survivors, Photo by M.S. Hennessy

Cpl. Benjamin Kopp

I recently read the book, The Reaper, by Nicholas Irving. He was a sniper with a Ranger battalion. During one section of the book, he describes a firefight where he and about 40 others were severely pinned down by taliban fighters and another sniper in a rural area of Helmand Province in Afghanistan on July 10, 2009. One of the rangers was severely injured when he was shot in the leg. That man was Cpl Benjamin Kopp.

Ben was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Benning, Georgia just a few months after he graduated high school. He did two tours in Iraq, before being deployed to Afghanistan. About 3/4ths of the way through that deployment, they were on a mission to take out a high value target. They became pinned down by taliban fighters, including the sniper mentioned earlier. He was targeted by the sniper and hit in the leg. His unit was able to eventually pull back and got him on a helicopter and evacuated. He was sent back to Walter Reed after surgery, but he succumbed to his injury 8 days later. 

The immediate affect of his death to those in the unit was one of deep loss, anger and pain.The lasting affects have been something else entirely. His mother, Jill Stephenson, has a page on Gold Star Moms that tells quite a bit of Ben's story. From his early days idolizing his Great Grandfather, Leroy, who served during WW2, through the days after 9-11 when he decided to join the Army, to his final days and beyond.

Ben made it known that he wanted to be an organ donor. His decision is said to have helped around 60 people, some of them in major ways. One of those people received Ben's heart. Ben's mother has since met her and they have become quite colse, as you can imagine. She also met the ones that received his liver and kidneys. Ben fought for the lives of his comrades and others while serving, and in his death, he gave life to several people. His heart beats on.

I was touched by his story and everything he did. He gave his life so that others may live. In more ways than one, that is true. Cpl Benjamin Kopp is most definitely the definition of a hero. He is fondly remembered as such by many. I hope this allows a few more to get to know him and understand what some of our service members go through. 

Thank you Corporal Benjamin Kopp. You made a huge difference in your life and we will not forget that.