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.

2015

The first day of a new year often brings people hope for new beginnings, new ideas, and new chances to improve on the last year. I'm not one to make new year resolutions. I have a lot of things I would like to accomplish with this project, but one constant remains. I want to make every day of the year a day to recognize, remember and bring honor to our nation's veterans.

They have spent almost 240 years serving this nation in peace and during conflict. Some have given the better part of their lives in service. Some have taken their last breath in service. Some left everything they had on the battlefields where their bodies lay. Some have left a huge part of themselves on the battlefield, even after returning home.

From the frozen ground at Lexington to the burning sands of the middle east, our nation's veterans have always put their boots on the ground and stood in harm's way in order to defend freedom. Most can't understand what drives them to do this. It is safe to say that unless you are one of them, you will never truly understand. This should not prevent us from appreciating it however.

If you enjoy your freedoms, you owe it to those who fought for it. You owe it to those who served in any capacity, whether at war or peace. You owe it to anyone who has ever donned the uniform of the American Military to let them know that you appreciate what they've done.

Help me make 2015 a year of gratitude for all who have worn the uniforms of our nation's defenders. Not just a look back at the end of the year, but 365 days of ongoing thankfulness. Don't miss the opportunities that will surely be placed in tour path. Say something. Do something. If you are able, help someone. Write a letter, send a gift, share a meal...  Their are an abundance of ways you can say thanks. If you are unable to find one, let me know. I will be glad to help you. Start today, January 1st. and don't stop looking for opportunities all year long. You may just change someone's life.

I hope 2015 is a great year.

Thanksgiving

As you sit down at your tables today, I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends. George Washington was very clear what Thanksgiving was to be about when he made the proclamation in 1789. It was, it IS a time to give thanks to God for all He has done for us. I hope you are able to do that today.

Over the years, Thanksgiving has come to be a celebration that involves a feast of food for most of us. There is nothing wrong with the traditions that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Some of my best family memories were made on Thanksgiving. In your time today, giving thanks, I ask that you remember what Thanksgiving looked like for many who have served.

God Bless our troops and our veterans. Let us strive to make everyday be a day of thanksgiving for what they have done for us.

Alban...

As I ordered our dinner, just me and my two sons, ages 6 and 9, I was thinking, maybe this is too much food. We normally have a fourth mouth to feed, but my wife is out of town. I figured we could probably eat most of anyway. I soon saw two little guys get full very early into our feast. Great. "I think Daddy ordered too much food", I said, as they picked at their chicken. "I think I ordered too much food".

In the meantime, I noticed a guy eating, wearing a US Navy Seal hat. After I asked for a couple of boxes to hold our leftovers, about 15 boneless wings and almost a complete basket of fries, I walked over to him and introduced myself. Thanking him for his service, I pulled out one of my cards and handed it to him. He asked if I was from the VA. I told him no, I just do what I do because he did what he did. It is my way of trying to give something, however small, back to our vets and at least let them know that there is someone who notices and cares. I left with my boys, feeling good, as I always do after meeting one of our nation's veterans.

After we got outside, I noticed, about the same time as my oldest son did, another veteran. Only this one wasn't sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant enjoying an over-priced meal with his wife. He was sitting on the ground. He had a sign next to him indicating that he was not doing so well and would appreciate any help he could get. I looked at him as we walked to our car with a bunch of food that would most likely end up in the trash. My son asked me something to the effect of "why is he sitting there?" I responded with, "I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out".

As I approached him, his head was kind of down. I noticed about 3 dollars in change at the base of his sign. He had his dog tags hanging around his neck. He didn't look like he was in bad shape, but he definitely looked like he had seen better days.

"Hey buddy, how you doing?"
"I'm doing OK I guess"

I nodded, and asked again, "Are you OK?"
"I'm making it"

I knelt down next to him so I could talk eye to eye. I found out that he and his wife had lost everything they had in a fire. She was close to completing some kind of a course that he hoped would allow them to start to pull themselves up. He told me that he didn't like the "homeless scene", as he called it. He was referring to the mass of people that congregate in tent city. He tries to avoid hanging out there as much as possible, but they are forced to live underneath a bridge at the moment. Alban served in the Army for 4 years, I think from 2004-2008 if I remember correctly.

I talked to him for a few minutes and found him to be very genuine. He said he had lost it all before, and fought his way back and was sure he would be able to do so again. I offered him our leftovers, He said he never turns down food. I didn't order too much food after all. The fourth hungry mouth was just in a place I wasn't expecting it to be. I handed Alban one of my cards also. He, too, immediately asked if I was with the VA. When he learned that I just act on my own, he told me how awesome I was. I told him, no, he was awesome, and because he is awesome, I do what I do.

We often rely on the charity of others and help from family just to make ends meet each month. I hate having to do that, but the fact is, that we don't really have much of a choice as things are currently. I have friends that are in a much better position thatn I am in. I don't begrudge that. We all have challenges, some of us just have bigger challenges, or different challenges. Alban has a different set of circumstances than I could imagine myself having. Alban also has it a lot better than some others who are in a similar situation to him. I don't often find myself in a position to actively help someone like this, but when I do, I help.

Alban told me that he would email me when he has he chance to keep me updated on how he is doing. I told him I meet various people that work with vets and although I can't promise anything, maybe, just maybe, something would come of it. I wish I were in a position to just snap my fingers and make problems like his go away. I have very little doubt that when given the opportunity, Alban will grab it and not let go.

It is an absolute shame that so many of our veterans find themselves in this situation. It is an black on on our nation and one that we should do everything possible to alleviate. I think a lot of people are like me, they would genuinely love to be able to do more to help. Often, when faced with a problem of such enormity, we find ourselves unable to grasp how to solve the entire problem at once. Maybe we should step back and look at this particular problem for what it really is. Yes, it is tens of thousands that need help, but it is also one guy, sitting on the sidewalk holding a sign. I can;t so;ve the problem our nation's veterans face, but I can help one guy, even if just in a small way.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are able to help, in any way, don't let it slide by. First and foremost, our veterans are human beings. They deserve to be able to live with dignity. We owe them so much more than a bag full of chicken wings. But for now, if that is what you can offer, do it.

I sincerely hope Alban can keep his head up and fight his way back.

Canopy

Canopy

Staring up through the canopy of leaves
The light filters through like the flicker in a theater
The movie of my life screened  only for me to see
Flashes before my eyes as I lay here dying
Watching my mom and dad dance a drunken jig
As I sit naked, invisible to the pair
Falling from my bike over and over again
No one to show me how to stay upright
The cuts and bruises reminders of just how alone I am
Finally I ride, wind and freedom in my face
Exploring all there is within my limited reach
Now I sit in the back of the room 
Trying to distance myself from the attention of everyone else
Wanting to belong but feeling forever on the fringe of good enough
I quietly let opportunity slide by the wayside
Moving on, not looking back
Connected to the road with more power than a young man needs
No self control and new addictions to feed
I watch as all that could have been slips away, taunting me as it fades
Chained to the pain I brought upon myself
I wont find the key until its too late
Nowhere to go but the yearn to leave
I stand in line waiting to learn of my fate
Decided by tests and how many pushups I can do
Infantry yells the man in the pristine uniform with perfect creases
And sweat on his brow
And just like that I learn of a place called Vietnam 
Those I once despised are now the closest brothers I have ever known
We all know if the time comes, we’d die for each other
And the time will come. The time will come.
We move and breathe as one
Pieces of us die each day. 
One by one we go away, leaving the others to somehow deal with the pain
Both of grief and of knowing the time will come…
Twenty-two months out of twenty-four have passed slower than you could ever imagine possible
I have lost count he number of times my time was passed over 
This night is going to be bad they say
Outnumbered, outgunned and here we sit, waiting
From my hole I can hear the screams over the firefight
The bullets fly overhead in an endless stream of glowing death
I rise to return the favor on those who wish me dead
Gladly I give it back to them with everything I have
This night is going to be bad
The flash surely accompanied by a deafening roar seems silent to me
I’m no longer safe, as if I ever was, in my hole, I’m laying underneath the stars
Everything is quiet and people run in slow motion all around me
The night seems to take forever as I lay here bleeding
Occasionally the sound returns to my head but the pounding in my heart soon drowns it out again
Peace
Daylight finally comes and I see shadows above me, underneath the canopy of leaves
The sound of a far away chopper is actually right beside me
My brothers, who have been here all along, lift my broken body into the bird
As it leaves the ground behind, I can’t tell if I’m alive or dead
Does it even matter anymore?

C. Yarbrough
2014