October Deaths in 2022: Carter, Jordan and Lewis

**  ASH CARTER, 68

A former defense secretary whom opened combat jobs to women and ended a ban on transgender people serving in the military.

Died October 24.

**  LESLIE JORDAN, 67

Emmy-winning actor whose very Southern drawl made him a comedy and drama standout in TV series including "Will and Grace" and "American Horror Story.

Died October 24.

**  JERRY LEE LEWIS, 87

Untamable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose outrageous talent, energy and ego collided on such definitive records as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin'On" and sustained a career otherwise upended by personal scandal.

Died October 28.

19 Famous Folks in Military-- Part 3: Hammer, Ruth, Ross, Ice-T and Norris

MC HAMMER

Real name Stanley Burrell.  Three years in the Navy as an aviation storekeeper.

DR. RUTH

Was trained as a sniper in the late 1940s in what later became the Israeli Defense Force.

BOB ROSS

Artist spent 20 years  in the Air Force, part of the time as a drill instructor.

ICE-T

Real name Tracy Marrow. Four years in the Army.

CHUCK NORRIS

Served in Air Force as a police airman.  learned martial arts while stationed in Korea

--Cooter

19 Famous Folks You Didn't Know Served in the Military-- Part 1: Driver, Hendrix, Freeman and Jones

In honor of Memorial Day yesterday.

From the May 31, 2021, Gazette "19 famous people you didn't know served in the military" by Terry Terrones. 

Sure, folks know George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower served in the military.  As did Elvis.

But, here are some others:

1.  ADAM DRIVER   "Kenlo in  "Star Wars"  Two years in Marines after 9/11.  Medical discharge.

2.  JIMI HENDRIX--  Enlisted in Army in 1961.  101st Airborne.  Honorably discharged 1962 after injury.

3.  MORGAN FREEMAN--  Joined Air Force 1955.  Radar technician for four years.

4.  JAMES EARL JONES--  Army officer in Korean War

--Cooter

Blacks Serving In U.S. Military Over the Years: The American Revolution

From the Feb. 23, 2021, U.S. Army "African American service and racial integration in the U.S. military" by Dr. Paul-Thomas Ferguson.

Formal black service in the U.S. military dates from the American Revolution.  Many freemen and some slaves already served in Northern colonial militias to protect their homes against Indian attack.  Their numbers rose in 1770 after Crispus Attucks, a black man believed to be the first casualty at the Boston Massacre, was killed.

Commanding general of the Continental Army, George Washington, was initially against recruiting black soldiers, but military necessity later made him relent.

 The most prominent group of black soldiers served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.   Enough black and Indian soldiers were recruited to eventually make up half of its 225 men.  This regiment achieved its greatest fame protecting  the Continental army's withdrawal from Aquidneck island during the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778.

The Tulsa Race Massacre, 1921-- Part 4: Trump and Racism and Tulsa

 Today, opponents of President Trump say his statements and actions embolden white supremacist sentiment in the country.  That includes his opposition to renaming military bases named after Confederates and his emphasis on tough law and order responses to recent protests.

Trump denies any racism on his part and says his administration has been beneficial to black citizens.

Of course, the law and order does not apply to the demonstration, but rather to when they devolve into rioting and looting.  I completely agree with that.  Police should not just stand by and watch when it gets to that point.  They need to stop by whatever steps are necessary.

Tulsa's Republican mayor, G.T. Bynum, has formed a commission for marking the 100th anniversary of the massacre for next year.

America's Long Line of Presidential Military Heroes-- Part 4: More World War II Presidents

World War II presidents, continued.

Richard Nixon, Navy,  began the war in Iowa, despite its lack of a coast, then was transferred to the Pacific where he never saw action either.  Gerald Ford was on an aircraft carrier and won ten battle stars.  Jimmy Carter was still a cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy during WW II and served on submarines and battleships in the late 1940s and 1950s and never saw action.

Ronald Reagan , who many thing never served, enlisted in the Army in 1942 but was classified 4F due to bad eyesight and remained stateside.

Of course, there was also George H.W. Bush, who flew planes off the USS San Jacinto aircraft carrier during the war and almost lost his life when he was shot down.  The other man in his plane did die.  Bush was rescued by a submarine.

--GreGen

George H.W. Bush Among a Long Line of American Presidential Military Heroes-- Part 1: George Washington Was the First

From the December 3, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times by Neil Steinberg.

The first president of the United States was a military man.  George Washington not only led the Continental Army during the American Revolution, but also fought in the French and Indian War.  As a matter of fact, 26 of our 44 presidents served the country in uniform in some capacity.

With the death Friday of George H.W. Bush, the most recent military president, this is a good time to take a look at the link between the armed forces and the Oval Office.

Washington was followed by two decades of non-veterans.  Washington left office in 1797, and the next military man to be sworn in was James Monroe in 1817, who had dropped out of William & Mary College to fight in the American Revolution in 1775 and was wounded in the Battle of Harlem Heights.

James Madison, while not in the military, saw more combat than many who were in the military and this will be discussed later.

--Cooter

On July 4 ...-- Part 1: You Know and a Bad Day for Presidents

From the July 4, 2019, Chicago Tribune.  These are events that happened this date over the years.

1776--  The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

1802--  The United States Military Academy opened at West Point, New York.

1826--  The nation's second and third presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died.

1831--  The fifth U.S. president, James Monroe, died  in New York.

--Coot4th

Jacob H. Smith Buried at Arlington National Cemetery-- Part 1

Jacob Hurd Smith, who I have been writing about this past week for what he did on the island of Samar in the Philippines.   is buried at Arlington National Cemetery which has a lots of military positions in which he served.  It is quite expansive.

JACOB HURD SMITH  of Ohio.

Appointed from Illinois, 1st lieutenant , 2nd Kentucky Infantry, 5 June 1861
Captain 28 January 1862
Honorably mustered out 29 June 1863

Captain, Volunteer Reserve Corps, 25 June 1863
Honorably mustered out 21 October 1865
Captain, 13th U.S. Infantry  7 March 1867

Unassigned 25 May 1869
Major, Judge Advocate, 25 May 1869
Appointment of Major Judge Advocate Revoked 10 December 1869

But Wait!!  There's More!!  --DaCoot

Roanoke, Va. Looking Back to WWI: Preparing for War

From the March 20, 2017, Roanoke Times (Va) "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Every male resident of Roanoke between 18 and 35 years of age, it is urged, should avail himself of the opportunity to learn at least the rudiments of military discipline and drill."

After all, you never know when you might be called to war.

--Cooter

Roanoke Times "Looking Back, World War I": Roanoke Besieged

From the March 13, 2017, Roanoke Times (Va.) "Looking Back."

I came across this excellent look back into history put out by the Roanoke Times.  I also follow one in the weekly MidWeek for DeKalb County, Illinois.  During the course of the World War I  (or do you say First World War, I?") I will be writing what these two publications say about the war.

All dates are 1917, 100 years ago.

"  Roanoke is being besieged by recruiting offers and officers from all branches of Uncle Sam's fighting forces, and through their efforts many are answering the call to the colors."

This was just under a month before the official U.S. Declaration of War against Germany.

--Cooter

Looking Back to 1916: Those Joing the Military Will Have Their Jobs Waiting for Them When They Return

From the July 26, 2016 MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

"A communication was received today by the employees of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad yesterday from the head office stating that any man enlisting in the militia or regular army of the state or United States would be granted a leave of absence upon application to his foreman for same and that his position would be open for him when he returns."

Preparing for War.  --Cooter

The U.S. Military Bronze Star: Martin S. Kadner, Vietnam War Recipient

In my Down Da Road blog today, I wrote about the death of a good friend of mine who taught with me at Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, for around 30 years.  His name was Marty Kadner.  I did not know he received a Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War

From Wikipedia and other sources.

The Bronze Star Medal, unofficially, the Bronze Star is awarded to members of the U.S. military for heroic achievement or service or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone.

It was established by Executive Order 4 February 1944.  The idea for it was conceived by Col. Russell P. "Red" Reeder.

During the Vietnam War three types of Bronze Stars were awarded:

Bronze Star for service:  26, 213
Bronze Star for Achievement:  2,159
Bronze Star for Valor:  6,215

Unfortunately, I was unable to find any information on the circumstances for which Marty received his Bronze Star.