I Found a New Picture of the HMS Kestrel Dog in the WW I Plane

One of the pictures that accompany this blog is of the bulldog dog in the cockpit of what appears to be a WW I plane.  I attempted to find out some more information about it.

I came across a similar photo, this time in color, of the English bulldog in the cockpit of the WW I era airplane.

He is wearing an HMS Kestrel sailor hat.

At first I thought that meant the plane might have flown off the HMS Kestrel, but since it was a destroyer, it was way too small to have a plane.  Plus, I did not read anything about it having a plane.

So, not sure about why the bulldog had the hat on in that plane.

Quite the Dog.

Neat Picture, Though.  --Cooter

Casablanca: A Talented Cast-- Part 1: Henreid, Rains & Greenstreet

**  VICTOR LASLO

Played by Paul Henreid.

He didn't want to do "Casablanca" saying the script was "terrible, really rotten."  Born in Austria-Hungary and emigrated from there in 1935.

**  CAPTAIN LOUIS RENAULT

Played by Claude Rains.

He was the first choice to play the Vichy French policeman.  Fought in World War I.  Was a force on Broadway and in movies.  Didn't like Paul Henreid and called him "Paul Hemorrhoid."

*********************************

**  SIGNOR FERRARI

Played by Sydney Greenstreet.

The conniving owner of Rick's competition, the Blue Parrot.  Was a latecomer to movies, starting at age 62.  Was in "The Maltese Falcon" with Bogart.

--Cooter

A Civil War Connection with the USS Winslow

In the last post, I wrote that Ensign Worth Bagley, brother of David Bagley, USN, was the only naval officer killed in action during the Spanish-American War when his ship, the torpedo boat USS Winslow was hit by a shell from a Spanish warship.

The USS Winslow (TB-5) was named after the famed CivilWar naval officer John Ancrum Winslow who commanded the USS Kearsarge when it sank the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama.

There was also a World War I destroyer, the USS Winslow (DD--53), an O'Brien-class destroyer which was decommissioned in 1922.

The destroyer USS Winslow  (DD-359), a Porter-class destroyer commissioned in 1937 that served in World War II  It was named for John Ancrum Winslow and his second cousin, Admiral Cameron Winslow.

Cameron Winslow served in the Spanish-American War and World War I.

Looks like I'll have to be doing some RoadTrippin' Through History.

--Cooter

Adm. David W. Bagley

From Find A Grave.

ADM DAVID WORTH BAGLEY

BIRTH:  8 Jan 1883, Raleigh, North Carolina

DEATH:  24 May 1960, San Diego, California

BURIAL:  Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

His military years spanned World War I and World War II.  He served in command positions  in the Pacific Theater during WW II.

He was the brother of Ensign Worth Bagley, the only Navy officer killed in action during the Spanish-American War.

Admiral David W. Bagley, USN (Commander of the USS Jacob Jones)-- Part 1: From a Naval Family

He was the commander of the USS Jacob Jones  (DD-61) which was sunk by a German U-boat in World War I.  I have been writing about this ship in the last several blogs.  The wreck of this ship has just recently been found.

From Wikipedia.

DAVID WORTH BAGLEY

(January 8, 1883 to May 24, 1960)

Was an admiral in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  (I will be writing about him in this blog and not my World War II one because of his command of the Jacob Jones.)

He was the brother of Ensign Worth Bagley, the only  United States Navy officer killed in action during the Spanish-American War and the father of admirals  David H. Bagley and Worth H. Bagley.  So this is another one of those big-time Navy families.

His father, William Henry Bagley, was a Confederate officer from North Carolina.

Looks like I'll have to do some more RoadTrippin' Through History with this family.

--Cooter

USS Jacob Jones (DD-61)-- Part 6: A Humanitarian Gesture and Rescue

The destroyer's commander, David W. Bagley,  noted in his official account of the sinking, that about 30 minutes after the Jacob Jones sank,  the German U-boat U-53, commanded by Hans Rose, surfaced about two to three miles from the rafts and took one of the American sailors on board.  According to the Uboat.net site, the Germans took on board two badly injured American sailors.

In addition, Hans Rose radioed the American base at Queenstown with the approximate  coordinates of the sinking before departing the area.  That was a very nice thing to do.

Bagley, unaware of Hans Rose's humanitarian  gesture,left most of the food, water and medical supplies with Lieutenant Commander John W. Richards, whom he left in charge of the rafts.   Then he, the Jacob Jones' executive officer, Norman Scott and four crewmen and rowed to the nearby Isles of  Scilly for aid.  

At 13:00 on 7 December, they were spotted by a British patrol vessel just six nautical miles from their destination.  They were relieved to hear that the British sloop HMS Camellia had found and taken aboard most of the Jones' survivors earlier that morning.  In addition, a small group had also been rescued on the night of the sinking by the American steamer Catalina.

--Cooter

USS Jacob Jones (DD-61)-- Part 5: Sank in Eight Minutes

The destroyer's commander, David W. Bagley, ordered all life boats launched.  As the ship sank, her bow raisd in the air almost vertically before she sank.  At this point, the armed depth charges near the stern began to explode, killing men unable to escape the destroyer and stunning many in the water.

The Jacob Jones was the first American destroyer ever lost to enemy action. It sank in just eight minutes after being hit by the torpedo.  Two officers and 64 men of the crew died out its 99 man complement.

Several of the crew, including Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stanton F. Klak, the officer-of-the-deck, when the torpedo struck, began to get men out of the water and into life rafts.  He was working in the cold North Atlantic waters and was striving to equalize  the loads on the various rafts.  Sadly, he died  of exhaustion and exposure.

USS Jacob Jones (DD-61)-- Part 4: The Sinking

In early December, the Jacob Jones helped escort a convoy to Brest, France, with five other Queenstown-based destroyers.  The last to depart from Brest and return to Ireland was the Jones and was steaming alone along a zig-zag pattern when she was spotted by  the German submarine U-53.  At 16:20 on December 6, 1917,  lookouts on the American ship spotted a torpedo 800 yards distant headed for the ship's starboard side.

Despite having her rudder put hard left and emergency speed rung up, the Jones was unable to move out of the way and the torpedo struck her rudder.  Even though the depth charges did not explode, the ship went adrift.  The jolt had knocked out the power, so the destroyer was unable to  send a distress signal since she was steaming alone.

No other ship was present that would know of the Jacob Jones' predicament.

--Cooter

Wreck of First U.S. Destroyer Lost to Enemy Action Found: The USS Jacob Jones

From the August 19, 2022, Chicago Tribune "WW I Navy destroyer."

The wreck of the first U.S. Navy destroyer lost to enemy action has been found off the coast of southwest England, 105 years after it was sunk by a German submarine.

A team of British divers announced the find on Facebook last week saying it was thrilled to have located the World War I ship, the USS Jacob Jones, about sixty nautical miles south of Newlyn, a fishing harbor in Cornwall.

More than a century ago, in 1917, after the United States entered World War I against Germany, the Jacob Jones left Boston for Ireland, whetre it performed rescue operations, picking up survivors from British steamships that had been hit by German submarines and escorting convoys through dangerous waters.

On December 6, 1917, the Jacob Jones left Brest, France, for Queenstown, Ireland, according to U.S. Naval records.  About 20 miles off the coast of southern England, a German submarine torpedoed the Jones.  There were seven officers and 103 crew members aboard the ship.  Eight minutes later, the ship sank, and 64 men  lost their lives.

--Cooter

Some More on MG William J. Snow-- Part 2: All Sorts of Field Artillery Positions

In 1910, he played a key role in organizing the United States Field Artillery Association; he became its first Secretary and the first editor of the Field Artillery Journal.

In 1910, Snow was assigned to the Militia Bureau as senior inspector and instructor of National Guard artillery units.  Promoted to major in 1911 and from 1911-1914 commanded  2nd Battalion, 3rd Field  Artillery at Fort Myer, Virginia.

In January 1915, he was assigned to 2nd Field Artillery (Mountain) at Camp Stotsenburg, Philippines. and in June 1916, was  assigned command of the 1st Field Artillery Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  Then promoted to lieutenant colonel in June and colonel in July.

On April 1917, the same month the United States entered World War I, he was assigned to command the 4th Field Artillery, which he led during training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and at a temporary camp at Syracuse, New York.

--Cooter

Major General William J. Snow

From Wikipedia.

WILLIAM J. SNOW  

(December16, 1868 to February 27, 1947)

Career U.S. Army officer who reached the rank of major general.  Served as Chief of Field Artillery for seven years in the 1920s.

Native of Brooklyn, New York.  Graduated from USMA in 1890 and commenced a long career in the Army's field artillery branch.  Served in New York early in his career, then graduated  from the artillery school at Fort Monroe.  During the Spanish-American War  he was involved with coast artillery in Louisiana.

Served in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War before returning to the States to command a battery at Fort Riley (Kansas).  Then spent several years on duty at the Militia Bureau and commanded a battalion at Fort Myer (by Washington D.C.)

He commanded  the 1st Field Artillery Regiment in the period immediately preceding World War I.

--Cooter

William A. Snow-- Part 3: Distinguished Service Cross for Belleau Wood

He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross.

From his citation:

For extraordinary herosim  in action while serving  with2nd Engineers, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Force (World War I), in the Belleau Wood, France, June 12-15, 1918.

On order to consolidate the  position of his brigade, Major Snow personally led one company from his battalion through a heavy barrage.  After passing through the barrage, he discovered that part of his company had become separated because of the violent fire.

He returned through the barrage and in so doing, was wounded in the neck.   After having his wound  dressed at the aid station,  he refused to go to the rear, but went back and  conducted the remainder of his men through the barrage.

Despite his wound,  he remained on duty for 16 hours until ordered to the rear.

*******************************

U.S. casualties at Belleau Wood, June 1-26, 1918, amounted to 1,811 killed and 7,966 wounded.

About William A. Snow (Snow's Cut)-- Part 2: Service in World War I

William Arthur Snow was born in Fort Hamilton, New York, to Major General and Mrs. William J. Snow.  He graduated from West Point in 1916 and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant.

His first service was in Mexico from graduation to the spring of 1917.  In late September, 1917, he sailed to France with the 2nd Division.  There, he immediately started training his company in construction work and preparing for the ineviatble battle that was coming in World War I.

Snow was at the front in the Verdun Sector, Chateau Thierry, Belleau Woods and Soissons and was wounded twice and later served with the Army of Occupation in Germany.

By now he was a major and was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Silver Cross, Chevalier Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with Two Palms and the Silber Star Citation for his service during the war. 

--Cooter

A Follow Up on the Board Games Posts from Last Month: Milton-Bradley War Games

I was a bit disappointed that Pat didn't have any of my favorite board games with him.  I sure played these games a lot growing up and even have a few remaining.

These were American Heritage Milton-Bradley games.

BROADSIDE

This one was a War of 1812 Navy game.

DOGFIGHT

A World War I aviation game.

BATTLE-CRY

A Civil War game.

There was also one called HIT THE BEACH about World War II island attacks and one about the American Revolution called SKIRMISH.  I never played these two.

And, one other one was CARRIER STRIKE another WW II Pacific one.

Remember Any of These?  --Cooter

USS McCall (DD-28)-- Part 1

This month I am writing about American War of 1812 hero Edward R. McCall in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.  He received a Congressional Gold Medal and had a special medal made for him for his actions on board the brig USS Enterprise in its battle with the British brig HMS Boxer off the coast of Maine in 1813.

He had two ships named after him.  The first one which I am writing about here, took part in World War I and was one of the U.S. Navy's earliest destroyers.  The second one fought in the World War II and I am writing about that in my Tattooed on Your Soul: World War II blog.

World War I and World War II with a War of 1812 connection.

--Cooter

USS Montgomery (C-9): Spanish-American War and WW I

There was also a USS Montgomery in the Spanish-American War which also was still afloat during World War I, although it did not see action.

From Wikipedia.

The 4th USS Montgomery (C-9) was the lead ship of its class and what was termed an unprotected cruiser  It served during two wars and was named after the capital city of Alabama.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

BUILDER:  Columbian Iron Works and Dry Dock Co. of Baltimore, Md.

COST:  $1,037,923 (Hull and Machinery)

COMMISSIONED:  21 June 18 1894

DECOMMISSIONED:  16 May 1918

LENGTH:  269 feet 10 inches

BEAM:  37 feet

DRAFT:  14 feet 6 inches

SPEED:  17 knots

COMPLEMENT:  30 officers, 249 enlisted

ARMAMENT:

Two 6-inch guns

Eight 5-inch guns

Six 6-pounder  guns

Two 1-pounder guns

Two Gatling guns

Three 18-inch torpedo tubes

--Cooter

Arlington National Cemetery Marks Centennial of Tomb of the Unknowns-- Part 2

 On November 11,  -- the anniversary of the war's end, celebrated as veterans Day in the United States -- the anonymous remains were interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, in the newly built Tomb of then Unknown Soldier, dedicated to all unidentified Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

In 1931-32  a craved marble superstructure was placed atop the tomb, completing the memorial familiar to  present-day visitors.

Since then Arlington burial details have interred American unknowns from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, though in 1998 the last one was exhumed, identified and returned to his family for reburial.

Guarding the memorial around the clock are select sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard").

Arlington National Cemetery plans several events to mark the centennial of the tomb, leading up to a formal ceremony on Veterans Day.  It invited the public to visit, pay silent respect and recall the men whose names remain a mystery but whose sacrifice must never be forgotten.

 

Arlington Marks Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknowns-- Part 1

From the July 2021 Military History magazine.

Arlington National Cemetery

Four identical caskets lay abreast in the room at City Hall in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, on October 24, 1921.  Each held the remains if an unidentified American soldier.  U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger had the solemn task of selecting one of them.

Approaching the caskets with a spray of white roses in hand, the decorated, twice-wounded Younger circled them, then set the flowers down on the third coffin from the left.  He had chosen America's Unknown World War I soldier.

Thus began the long journey home for one of hundreds if American soldiers killed in Europe during World War I whose names are "known but to God."

The casket chosen by Younger was transported by caisson and train to the port of Le Havre and placed aboard the protected cruiser USS Olympia for transport across the Atlantic to the Washington Navy Yard.  (The USS Olympia was Admiral Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War where he gave the famous order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley.")

USS Gridley (DD-92)-- Part 1

Last month's featured U.S. warship was the USS Gridley (DDG-101).  There were  three other USS Gridleys in the Navy.

They were all named after Charles V. Gridley of USS Olympia/Dewey "You may fire when ready, Gridley" fame.  I have also written a lot about him in this blog and my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog.

This was the first of the four USS Gridleys.

From Wikipedia. 

The first Gridley was a Wickes-class destroyer commissioned after World War I.  Ships of this class were often called Four Stackers for the four smokestacks on each one.

It was launched  4 July 1918 and commissioned 8 March 1919.  Decommissioned  22 June 1922 and sold for scrap  19 April 1939.

315 feet long, 

 31 foot beam,  four 4-inch guns and  twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes.

--Cooter

John H. Russell, Jr., 16th USMC Commandant-- Part 2: Service All Over

Next, Russell had duty at Guam and several navy yards back in the United States.  Then Hawaii and the Panama Canal Zone.  From 1908 to 1910, he was at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Then, from 1910 to 1913, he was at the American  Legation in Peking, China.  During this time there were disturbances in China as the country moved from an empire to a republic.  Upon returning to the U.., her was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence until 1917 with the exception of eight months commanding a Marine group at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914.

From 1917 to 1918 he had several commands in Latin America.  During this time he made repeated requests to transfer to France for service in the war.  He finally got his wish, but delays in relieving him caused him to be able to do so until the Armistice was signed.

--Cooter