The Military History Digest is a long-running series which is, in essence, a roughly-biweekly digest of the best of the military history web, as chosen (egotistically) by me and organized by chronological topic. I read quite a few military history blogs on a regular basis and I share the entries that I find particularly interesting. Each entry has the post's title, author, and a snippet of the post itself. Nominations for new blogs to read are always welcome. Previous digests indexed here.

Contents

Contents

19th Century

1. Coming Attractions by Brooks D. Simpson

"As we approach the 202nd anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, I will return to continue and then to conclude the series on Lincoln’s comments on racial equality during the Lincoln-Douglas debates in an effort to set them in … Continue reading →..."

2. An Interesting Conundrum by The General

"This is one of those cases that ties up both my interest in Civil War history as well as my day job. Hat tip to Charlie Knight for bringing this to my attention. This article appeared in the February 11, 2011 edition of The Virginian-Pilot newspaper: Williamsburg collector will fight for Civil War sword Posted to: Military News Williamsburg – James City By Tim McGlone The Virginian-Pilot © February 11, 2011 NORFOLK Civil War artifacts collector Donald Tharpe paid $35,000 for a one-of-a-kind, Tiffany-made sword, and he’s not about to give it up easily..."

3. 42-Pdr Seacoast Models 1840 and 1845 by Craig Swain

"Thus far the story of the 42-pdr seacoast guns remains linear without many side threads. In summary after a departure from the caliber in the early days of the American republic, the Army returned to the 42-pdrs for seacoast defense … Continue reading →..."

4. Chauncey B. Van Deusen by Steve Soper

"Chauncey B. Van Deusen was born on April 17, 1838, in Horseheads, Chemung County, New York, the son of Walter (b. 1799) and Julia (Kent, b. 1800).New York native Walter married Julia in October of 1829, probably in New York. Chauncey’s family left New York and came to Kent County, Michigan with his parents in 1848, and by 1850 Chauncey was living with his family in Vergennes, Kent County where his father, who was blind, was working as a musician. By 1860 Chauncey was a farm laborer living with his family in Vergennes where his father owned a substantial..."

5. Appeasing Slaveholders: House Resolution of February 11, 1861 by Donald Shaffer

"On February 12, 1861, the Daily National Intelligencer reported on the activity of the U.S. House of Representatives the previous day. Like the Washington Convention meeting at Willard Hotel, the members of the House desperately wanted to preserve the Union. On that day, they debated measures that might accomplish that goal. Orris S. Ferry of Connecticut suggested a resolution to investigate the feasibility of a constitutional amendment mandating that a state could not secede without the approval of two-thirds of Congress, the President, and all the other states. “Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire..."

6. Waterloo Cross Stolen by n/a

"You may have already seen this news but the Hougoumont Cross which managed to survive the battle of Waterloo has been stolen, probably by someone who has let their enthusiasm for the Napoleonic period get out of hand...."

7. Who’s Afraid of Kevin Levin … and Why? | Crossroads by n/a

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8. Destruction of USS Maine and the Rush Toward War by NHHC

"The Spanish-American War (21 April–13 August 1898) was a turning point in United States history, signaling the country’s emergence as a world power. The sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor on 15 February 1898 was a critical event on the road to that war. Many Cubans desired independence from Spain, and political [...]..."

9. Hmdb Civil War Updates – Week of February 14 by Craig Swain

"Post Valentine’s Day Civil War marker update. Twenty additions to the Civil War category at the Historical Marker Database this week as we continue through the winter slows. Entries from Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin: - From Fitzgerald, Georgia a state marker notes the home of William Jordon Bush. Bush was the [...]..."

10. Who’s Afraid of Kevin Levin … and Why? by Brooks D. Simpson

"Over the past several years Kevin Levin’s blog, Civil War Memory, has become one of the most-consulted blogs in Civil War era history: it also enjoys a broader audience among historians and teachers of all stripes and a public interested … Continue reading →..."

11. Robert Clasby: Gettysburg by Pritzker Military Library

"Author Robert Clasby visits the Library to discuss his book: Gettysburg: You are There. Originally aired 10/23/03. ..."

12. Disunion: What Lincoln Meant to the Slaves by Donald Shaffer

"Yesterday’s Disunion blog in the New York Times has a piece by Steve Hahn, “What Lincoln Meant to the Slaves,” which provides a fine perspective on what the slaves were thinking and doing in the period leading up the Civil War. Hahn states, “Slaves’ response to the election of 1860 and their ideas about Lincoln’s intentions suggest that they, too, were important actors in the country’s drama of secession and war, and that they may have had an unappreciated influence on its outcome.“ Steve Hahn is one the best scholars of slavery and emancipation in the United States and his..."

13. What Lincoln Said at Charleston … in Context (Part Four) by Brooks D. Simpson

"Both Lincoln and Douglas reiterated their positions on slavery and race for the remaining two debates. In the sixth debate, held at Quincy on October 13, Lincoln set forth his position once more: It was in our first meeting, at … Continue reading →..."

14. Abraham Lincoln: Saint or Sinner? by Kevin Levin

"Sometimes I wonder if people are aware that there is a historical profession that has been engaged over the past few decades in the critical analysis of every aspect of Abraham Lincoln’s life. Consider the following description of an upcoming BBC documentary on Lincoln: To most Americans Abraham Lincoln is the nation’s greatest president – [...]..."

15. Black History Month Highlight: Robert Blake by matthew.t.eng@navy.mil (Matthew T. Eng)

"Contraband Robert Blake (Photo#: NH 103762)Robert Blake was born into slavery in Virginia. After escaping, he enlisted in the US Navy from Port Royal, Virginia and served on USS Marblehead during the Civil War. While off Legareville, Stono River, South Carolina, on 25 December 1863, Blake bravely served the rifle gun as Marblehead engaged Confederates on John's Island. The enemy eventually abandoned its position leaving munitions behind. For his bravery in this action, Blake was awarded the Medal of Honor.USS Marblehead engages a Confederate Battery on John's Island, Stono River, South Carolina, 25 December 1863 (Photo#: NH 79920)LCDR..."

16. Black History Month Spotlight: Civil War Moh Recipient Robert Blake by Civil War Navy

"Contraband Robert Blake (Photo#: NH 103762) Robert Blake was born into slavery in Virginia. After escaping, he enlisted in the US Navy from Port Royal, Virginia and served on USS Marblehead during the Civil War. While off Legareville, Stono River, South Carolina, on 25 December 1863, Blake bravely served the rifle gun as Marblehead [...]..."

World War I

1. For Valentine’s Day – the Airman Who Married the General’s Daughter by Nicholas Schmidt

"Recently, I have been working on the papers of Field Marshal the Lord Birdwood, the First World War British General who commanded the Australian Corps for much of the First World War (including at Gallipoli). Amongst the papers, donated by the Birdwood family in the 1960s, I have found a story I think is suitable [...] ..."

2. Book Review: Spies in Arabia by n/a

"Spies in Arabia: The Great War and the Cultural Foundations of Britain's Covert Empire in the Middle East by Priya Satia. Published by Oxford University Press, London. 472 pages, 2008. Reviewed by Commander Youssef Aboul-Enein, MSC, USN Stanford University Associate Professor Priya Satia has published an award winning book that pieces together the evolution of British intelligence in the Middle East. Those with an interest in intelligence networks and Middle East affairs will find this book worth reading. Special Duty Agents traveled under cover of the Palestine Exploration Fund before World War I, and British Royal Engineers traveled Egypt..."

World War II

1. Bomber Harris, Bomber Sceptic by Brett Holman

"One sub-species of military intellectual is the retired field marshal (or admiral, or air marshal) who, at the end of a long career, sets down their thoughts on the future of warfare for the interested reader. Even though they may be quite famous, their essays into futurism is nowadays read less often than that of their junior counterparts, full-time military intellectuals like J. F. C. Fuller or L. E. O. Charlton, who had substantial careers in the military but left while still relatively young (and may well have borne chips on their shoulders due to their usually enforced..."

2. German Light Cruiser Königsberg by Charles McCain

"I have written about the German light cruisers previously including the Königsberg. The Königsberg was the first of the three 'K' class light cruisers built and so they are also referred to as Königsberg class according to German naval tradition. The K class light cruisers suffered from many design problems since they were designed and built in the late 1920's and had to adhere to the strict limit's imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. As the design problems became increasingly apparent, the duties of the ships were limited to compensate and they increasingly failed to serve in..."

3. A World War Two Warship Sunk by a Nuclear Attack Submarine by Charles McCain

"During the Falklands War of 1982, the Argentinians invaded and took possession of the Falkland Islands. Although a territory of the British Crown since the 1830s, their sovereignty has been a matter of dispute for several centuries. In 1982, Argentina was in the midst of an economic crisis. At that time the country was ruled by a rather stupid military junta. Since they had no bread, the junta gave the Argentinian people a circus, which was the seizure of the Falklands. These islands have less than 3,000 people, the weather is foul on good days, and the only activity going..."

4. Preparing to Move: Reprimands, Promotions and Confessions by Carlie Walker

"Friday 14th February 1941 Pro pace [For peace]. Only Horan and Carroll at Mass. Lecture on Arabic – too hard for me. Tim and Owen here for lunch. Visited McCormack and Ronald. Hours too long at evening meets. Arthur Amies the only one working. Horan filling his torch. Saturday 15th February 1941 Finished the [...] ..."

5. Book Review: Churchill's Secret War by n/a

"Churchill's Secret War: The British Empire and the Ravaging of India during World War II by Madhusree Mukerjee. Published by Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Book Groups, New York. 319 pages, 2010. Reviewed by Commander Youssef Aboul-Enein, MSC, USN I have the great privilege to teach officers selected for the vital Afghanistan-Pakistan Fellows Program at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington D.C. These men and women spend a year totally immersed in the politics, culture, religions, and policies of Southwest Asia. One of my main challenges is to cultivate empathy and get students..."

6. Incompetence, Stupidity, and Cowardice: the Royal House of Savoy and the Governance of Italy, 1861-1946 by Charles McCain

"In order to truly get a grasp on why many respectable people supported Mussolini, and later Adolf Hitler, one has to understand the incredibly deep fear people who had any wealth at all had of Communism or what in that era they referred to as “Bolshevism.” If you take our fear of al-Qaeda, and magnify it fifty times, you will get a sense of what many people felt and not without..."

Cold War

1. Setting the Record Straight on Malayan Counterinsurgency Strategy by n/a

"Setting the Record Straight on Malayan Counterinsurgency Strategy: Interview with Karl Hack by Octavian Manea Download the Full Article: Setting the Record Straight on Malayan Counterinsurgency Strategy You are a long time researcher and observer of the Malayan Emergency. What were the core key ingredients that broke the back of the communist insurgents in the Malayan Emergency? The primary cause for putting the campaign on a firmly winning path? The game changer that helped at the end of the day to regain the initiative? That is a bit like asking, ‘In making a cup of tea, which action is the..."

2. From the Editor: the Navy Exchange, Hair Spray, Hsas, and Corruption by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"In the previous diary entry on 7 July, Clark wrote,"Believe it or not, hair oil is not available at the PX, and this has been a sore point with me. The PX has lots of female hair spray and lots of other ladies items even though there are only about 200 nurses in all of Vietnam. But they don’t have things like men’s hair oil."Clark was one of many contemporary observers who noticed that the Navy Exchange stocked quantities of women's items, like hair spray and cosmetics, that exceeded the 700 authorized females in South Vietnam. Clark does..."

3. Diary Entry 22: Saigon, Friday Night, 9 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Friday Night, 9 July 1965 Home late again as usual and dining tonight on cheese and crackers. Decided it would be a pleasant change from peanut butter.Started to write an entry last Wednesday night from an office out at Tan Son Nhut while I was waiting for a conference to start. After the first page was written, the conference got started and I haven’t stopped until now. After the conference on Wednesday night, we were up until early Thursday morning threshing out the plans. In the p.m. flew down to Vung Tau on business and got back here late..."

4. Diary Entry 23: Saigon, Saturday Night, 10 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Saturday Night, 10 July 1965 Another day gone by and I’m back in the BOQ for a rest, provided the phone does not ring tonight. Seems like it rings much too frequently at night these days. Seeing what is going on, it is going to be only a short time before the headquarters is going to commence around-the-clock operations. The way things are shaping up, that is the inevitable conclusion. So to avoid any embarrassment in the future, I intend to put my branch on a 24-hour footing beginning Monday. Probably won’t be very popular as..."

5. Naval Aviation Centennial: Neptune’s Atomic Trident (1950) by SteelJaw

"7 Feb 1950: In a demonstration of carrier long-range attack capabilities, a P2V-3C Neptune, with Commander Thomas Robinson in command, took off from Franklin D. Roosevelt off Jacksonville, Fla., and flew over Charleston, S.C., the Bahamas, the Panama Canal, up the coast of Central America and over Mexico to land next day at the Municipal Airport, San Francisco, Calif. The flight, which covered 5,060 miles in 25 hours, 59 minutes, was the longest ever made from a carrier deck. (Naval Aviation Chronology 1950-1953, Naval History Center) To set the scene – the immediate post-war environment called for..."

Misc/Thematic

1. The Four Chaplains: Famous for the Way They Died, Loved for the Way They Lived by The Bunny

"Four military chaplains mutually bound by the oath of office and a strong faith, Army Lts. George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling and John Washington had all met at the Army chaplain school, which was housed at Harvard University during World War II. Fox was a Methodist minister, Goode was a rabbi, Poling was a Catholic priest, and Washington was a Reformed Church of America minister. They were friends and were nicknamed “The God Squad.” By all accounts, they were well liked. All four of them were also on board the troop transport ship USAT Dorchester en route to various..."

2. Independent Duty Corpsmen by thomaslsnyder

"I had my introduction to Independent Duty Corpsmen when I served as Squadron Medical Officer in Destroyer Squadron Fifteen. Each ship in the squadron was served by one IDC and an assistant. I was the only physician for the six ships–usually steaming hundreds of miles from my position on the squadron flagship, so these men were the sole source of medical expertise for their crews. On one occasion, while the flagship was involved in an underway replenishment (during which, the ship, sailing a parallel course with a supply vessel while supplies–food, shells for the big guns, even fuel..."

3. Black History Month Highlight: William Tillman by matthew.t.eng@navy.mil (Matthew T. Eng)

"The Attack on the Second Mate." NHHC PhotographThe National and Department of Defense theme for this year's observance is"African Americans and the Civil War." In honor of this year's theme and every African American past and present in the United States Navy, we will be highlighting several African Americans who served during the American Civil War. Today, we will be highlighting civilian ship's cook William Tillman (also spelled William Tilghman).This brief biography of William Tillman's courageous actions during the Civil War are reprinted here, courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command.William Tilghman was serving as cook on..."

4. Hms Caroline by noreply@blogger.com (Robert Farley)

"This is troubling:HMS Caroline is a light cruiser, a greyhound of the seas. Built in 1914, she served throughout the First and Second World Wars. She is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland, and the last major ship to survive from the Grand Fleet. To stand on her bridge, with her tripod mast towering above you, is an unforgettable experience; and it is equally extraordinary to explore her galley, fitted out in 1914, or to sit in the doctor’s surgery, or to walk into her steering flat. She has the only in situ First World War turbines in..."

5. A Four Star Blog Post X 2: Lessons Learned From Our Carrier Tours by Adm Harvey and Adm Stavridis by admin

"Introduction When I graduated from the Naval Academy in 1991 and prepared to embark on my career as a Surface Warfare Officer, I asked my father, a retired SWO, if he had any advice. Drawing from his 30 years of experience, he provided me only these simple words, “Don’t hit the Bird Farm.” It sounded simple enough. In the past 20 years, there have been many occasions in which those words have come to mind. I have not served aboard an aircraft carrier and there have only been a handful of occasions in which I have been aboard one of..."

Contents

19th Century

1. A Fugitive Slave Wins His Freedom by Donald Shaffer

"February 18, 1861 is generally remembered as the day Jefferson Davis took his oath as Provisional President of the Confederacy (read Adam Goodheart’s fascinating analysis of Davis’ inaugural speech in Disunion). But also on that day a brief story appeared in the New York Times, with the headline “Decision in the case of the Fugitive Slave Anderson.; THE PRISONER SET AT LIBERTY.“ The story read: HAMILTON, C.W., Saturday, Feb. 16. The final decision in the case of ANDERSON, the fugitive slave, was given to-day. The Court sustained the decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench on the question of..."

2. Sons of Confederate Veterans Forced to the Back of the Bus by Kevin Levin

"Even in the “Heart of Dixie” the Sons of Confederate Veterans can muster little more than a few hundred people from its ranks to commemorate the inauguration of Jefferson Davis. Based on the YouTube clip below yesterday’s event sounded more like a political rally than a reenactment. The speaker’s comparison of the SCV’s challenges with [...]..."

3. Edward Van Wert by Steve Soper

"Edward Van Wert was born on November 19, 1839, in Groveland, Livingston County, New York, the son of Isaac (d. 1812) and Jemima Ann (Groesbeck, 1815-1844/48).Isaac and Jemima were both born in Renssalear County, New York and were married at the bride’s home in New York in September of 1832. By 1844 the family had settled in Washtenaw County, Michigan where Jemima died in November of that year. According one report soon after the death of his wife Isaac left his children with relatives in Tyrone, Kent County, probably until the following year when he remarried a..."

4. William Van Dyke by Steve Soper

"William Van Dyke was born on April 14, 1843, in Monroe County, Michigan, the son of Henry (1802-1855) and Eliza (b. 1805). By 1860 Irish-born Eliza had moved her son to the western side of the state and William was a student living with his mother, working as a domestic (but with some $2000 dollars in personal property) possibly with the Barringer family in Crockery, Ottawa County.William was 18 years old and probably living in Crockery or Kent County when he enlisted with his mother’s’ consent in Company C on May 13, 1861.On April 6, 1863..."

5. SCV and Earl Ijames Do Better by Kevin Levin

"Tony Way of the SCV and Earl Ijames are working to commemorate ten black North Carolinians, nine of which have been identified as slaves, who were present in the Army of Northern Virginia as slaves. This is truly a step in the right direction given the way this story was reported back in May 2010. [...]..."

6. Should Nathan Bedford Forrest Be on a License Plate? by Brooks D. Simpson

"Word comes from various sources, including Eric Wittenberg’s Rantings of a Civil War Historian and local press coverage, of efforts by the Mississippi chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to propose several new special vanity plate designs, including one … Continue reading →..."

7. Dr. Thomas P. Lowry Responds | Crossroads by n/a

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8. A Northern Religious Perspective on Slavery by Donald Shaffer

"February 24, 1861 was a Sunday. No doubt, many Americans, South and North, attended religious services that day. One such group of the faithful gathered that February 24 at the Congregational Church in Norfolk, Connecticut, to hear the sermon of the Reverend Joseph Eldridge. Eldridge’s talk that day was titled ”Does the Bible Sanction Slavery?” It so impressed his parishioners that they petitioned him to publish it which he did. Civil War Emancipation already has covered two pro-slavery sermons, one from Louisiana and the other from Georgia. So, both for some sectional balance and because the sermon was delivered..."

9. Dr. Thomas P. Lowry Responds by Brooks D. Simpson

"It’s been exactly a month since the National Archives announced that Thomas P. Lowry had confessed to altering the date on a Lincoln document so as to make it appear that the president signed the document on April 14, 1865, … Continue reading →..."

10. Cw 150 Legacy Project: Virginia Memory Scanning Project by matthew.t.eng@navy.mil (Matthew T. Eng)

"It seems that victories, albeit tiny in comparison to the grand spectacle of the war itself, continue to surface during the sesquicentennial years. Documents, once privately-held, are continuously There was a recent post on the Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's Facebook page about an ongoing project conducted by the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. The article, appearing on progress-index, talks about two members of the Legacy Project scanning documents in Dinwiddie found by a woman who decided to save them from a soon to be demolished house in Sussex County. As with all..."

11. The Fine Craftsmanship of the Revere Copper Napoleon Guns by Craig Swain

"Federal production 12-pdr Model 1857 “Light” Field Guns are one of, if not THE, largest group of surviving field pieces from the Civil War. These came from five vendors – Cyrus Alger, Ames Manufacturing, Miles Greenwood (Eagle Iron Works), Henry … Continue reading →..."

World War I

1. World War One Navy Recruiting Posters by Charles McCain

"A constant theme throughout the history of the United States is the need for manpower for the armed services. To this end, there have always been recruiting efforts and the most simple and straight forward of these has been the poster. No matter which era they are from, they repeat a common message - do your duty and serve your country because only through your help can we win. Over the next few weeks, I will be providing some examples of these recruiting posters as they pertain to the Navy. The following posters are all from World War One and carry..."

2. German Light Cruiser Königsberg by Charles McCain

"I have written about the German light cruisers previously including the Königsberg. The Königsberg was the first of the three 'K' class light cruisers built and so they are also referred to as Königsberg class according to German naval tradition. The K class light cruisers suffered from many design problems since they were designed and built in the late 1920's and had to adhere to the strict limit's imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. As the design problems became increasingly apparent, the duties of the ships were limited to compensate and they increasingly failed to serve in..."

3. World War One Treasure Trove Found by Peter Burness

"Vignacourt is an old rural village in France, larger than most, 12 kilometres north of the city of Amiens. During the First World War it stood behind the front-line of the Somme fighting, although the action was never far away and soldiers were always present. For much of the time it was a forward rest [...] ..."

4. German Light Cruiser Königsberg by Charles McCain

"I have written about the German light cruisers previously including the Königsberg. The Königsberg was the first of the three 'K' class light cruisers built and so they are also referred to as Königsberg class according to German naval tradition. The K class light cruisers suffered from many design problems since they were designed and built in the late 1920's and had to adhere to the strict limit's imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. As the design problems became increasingly apparent, the duties of the ships were limited to compensate and they increasingly failed to serve in..."

5. The Last Veteran? by light.sue@gmail.com (Sue Light)

"There has been a fair bit of publicity this week for Florence Green, who on reaching her 110th birthday has been named as both a 'super-centenarian' and also the last surviving female 'veteran' of the Great War. As time goes by, the definition of 'last veteran' seems to have changed. Once it was used solely for those men who had met the Germans or other adversaries on the battlefield, but as they disappeared, it was broadened to include anyone who was in military service at any time during the Great War. Florence Green joined the Women's Royal Air Force..."

World War II

1. A Pro-Nazi U.S. Army Unit in WWII by Thomas E. Ricks

"Yep. Gather round, little grasshoppers, and I will tell the strange tale. I know it sounds like the reverse of a Quentin Taratino movie, but it is true: During World War II, the Army intentionally formed a unit chockablock with fascisti and their suspected sympathizers. What a sensible idea -- much better than kicking them out into society and losing track of them. This is all discussed in the new issue of Army Lawyer , where Fred Three Sticks Borch has a fascinating article about PFC Dale Maple, a brilliant young man who was born in San Diego in 1920 and who..."

2. Incompetence, Stupidity, and Cowardice: the Royal House of Savoy and the Governance of Italy, 1861-1946 by Charles McCain

"Mussolini was not the buffoonish clown he seems today. He was quite deadly and quite serious and was very much a dictator. In fact, the first dictator in the 20th Century in the West, a pioneer as it were. At first he was popular but after a few years the economy got worse and he grew deeply unpopular and would have been voted out of office. Benito Mussolini gives a speech to the..."

3. Lockheed Hudson – More Holes by Jamie Croker

"A second large hole has been cut into the fuselage this week, this being for the lower tunnel gun position. A large amount of modification to the airframe had been carried out to support flooring, and various large camera mounts thorughout it’s time as a geo survey platform. All these modifications were removed to clear the [...] ..."

Cold War

1. Diary Entry 29: Saigon, Saturday Night, 17 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Saturday Night, 17 July 1965 The Big Red One (1st Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade) has landed. That was the purpose of part of my trip last month to Vung Tau, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon, and elsewhere. We had to figure out where best to stage them through which ports and airfields. Finally settled on Cam Ranh Bay for 1/3, stage the balance off ships to shore at Vung Tau then by air to Bien Hoa air base. Moved 3,500 or so without so much as a small injury to any. Came off well. When the actual move..."

2. Diary Entry 27: Saigon, Thursday Night, 15 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Thursday Night, 15 July 1965 Went to Vung Tau Monday to watch landings by the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, at that station. Can say what unit it is now that they have come ashore. They could not get ashore from the boats due to high seas so we let them stay on board over night. There wasn’t that much business that day and came back to Saigon. At any rate, went back the next day---now remember it was Tuesday and we had another bad day. Finally got them in on Wednesday (9:00 a.m. at least) and..."

3. Diary Entry 25: Saigon, Sunday Night, 11 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Sunday Night, 11 July 1965Feel pretty pleased with myself tonight. Worked real hard all day and got caught up with that infernal paperwork. Feel like I can breathe again with all of it out of the way for a day or two. Grady moved today so it is kinda quiet here tonight. He came by to tell me his room at the Vinh Loi is not as nice as this apartment, but he expects to move up to better things as others move out. No more guns around here to scare me. Woke up this morning at 4:30..."

4. Diary Entry 31: Saigon, Tuesday, 20 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Tuesday, 20 July 1965Today is the Vietnamese Independence Day and all US forces have been restricted to work areas or BOQs. The South Vietnamese had a big rally this morning against the Communists and there was a possibility that the rally could have turned into a riot. Tonight they expect some counter-action from the VC in the form of incidents against Americans, so we are all buttoned up. Don’t think you could find an American out on the street tonight if you tried.Had an unusual experience today. This morning I sat at a desk which had the nameplate..."

5. Diary Entry 30: Saigon, Monday Night, 19 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Monday Night, 19 July 1965Today I feel kinda blown up and want to brag. This afternoon briefed one of Mr. McNamara’s “whiz kids”---one of the assistant secretaries of Defense---and came out a winner. [Clark probably briefed Paul R. Ignatius, who served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Installations and Logistics in July 1965.] He had given all previous briefers a hard time because they did not have answers but I didn’t miss a one. Later in the day, he came down to our office and said to me, “Well, I see that transportation at least is..."

Post-Cold-War

1. Harriers From Nassau by NHHC

"On 20 February 1991 the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA4) launched four AV-8B Harriers of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 331, flight call sign ‘Magic’ just before dawn. This flight was the first combat strike by fixed-wing aircraft from the flight deck of an amphibious assault ship, and was directed at Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries and [...]..."

Misc/Thematic

1. War Is Cute by Brett Holman

"I've previously posted some of Gorden Cullen's artwork for the Tecton Group's 1939 book Planned A.R.P.. Here are some more of his cute drawings dealing with an awful subject. In this case, he is illustrating the 'general agreement among experts' on the threat posed by the bomber. (a) The range, speed, and carrying capacity of bombers have increased enormously since the last war.1 This was a commonplace observation and was demonstrably true, as anyone who knew anything at all about aviation would know. (b) In order to avoid anti-aircraft fire, balloon barrages, etc., the attacking bombers will probably..."

2. Navy TV – the Story of the Pea Island Lifesavers by NavyTV

"Watch the story of the legendary Pea Island Life Savers, an all-black lifesaving crew that accomplished one of the most daring rescues in the annals of the Life Saving Service in 1896, saving the entire crew of the three-masted schooner E.S. Newman, for which they were posthumously awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal by the Coast [...]..."

3. History in Fiction by George Simmers

"There are two articles in today’s Guardian about the use of history in fiction. Helen Dunmore’s piece begins like this: A novelist who uses historical material in fiction has to go beyond the black and white, beyond the received images which are so familiar that our eyes are dulled to them, beyond the speeches and public cheering faces, and into the colour, intimacy and resonance of being alive at that time, not knowing what is to come, unaware of one’s place in history, of analyses that will be made or outcomes that will be debated. This made me chortle more..."

4. Rifled 42-Pounders – the Federal Side by Craig Swain

"As mentioned in earlier posts about the 42-pdr seacoast guns, the history of the type begins to thread out a bit after production of the Model 1845. Concurrent with the start of the Civil War, technical advances rendered the 42-pdr … Continue reading →..."

Contents

Early Modern

1. Extra! US Marines in Tripoli by Charles McCain
"Wow. US Marines in Tripoli. Who would have thought? But I don’t mean the Marines are in Tripoli or Libya now. They were there in 1804. Why? An American frigate, USS Philadelphia, had been captured by the Barbary Pirates and brought into Tripoli harbor, which the pirates controlled. In February of 1804, a band of American sailors and US Marines, led by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, USN, made a daring night raid and set the USS Philadelphia afire which destroyed the ship. Thus the line in the Marine Hymn “…to the shores of Tripoli."

19th Century

1. Black History Month Highlight: Aaron Anderson by matthew.t.eng@navy.mil (Matthew T. Eng)
"Aaron Anderson served on USS Wyandank during the Civil War. While part of a boat crew clearing Mattox Creek, Virginia on 17 March 1865, Anderson performed his duties in the face of devasting enemy fire. For his courage during this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.According to the 18 March 1865 account included in the Official Records, Anderson recieved special notice of his courage during the boat expedition. According to T.H. Eastman, commanding USS Don,"the crew of th eboat were all black but two," further adding that a white boatswain's mate and Aaron Anderson were specifically"reported..."

2. How Should We as a Nation Mark the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War? by kientzla@msu.edu (Lauren Kientz Anderson)

No summary available

3. Lincoln and Colonization Revisited by Brooks D. Simpson
"There has been some buzz lately about a new book that takes yet another look at Abraham Lincoln’s continuing interest in “colonization,” meaning the relocation of African Americans outside the United States. Contrary to what is sometimes asserted, historians have"

4. Debating Dilorenzo: Lincoln, Secession, and Sumter by Brooks D. Simpson
"Here’s what Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo told Brian Lamb in 2008 about Lincoln, secession, and the Sumter crisis: LAMB: … I want to ask you something you said. Was he a great man? DILORENZO: He was – when you consider that …"

5. Debating Dilorenzo: a Lincoln Above Criticism? by Brooks D. Simpson

"To date I’ve discussed several statements made by Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo in a 2008 interview with Brian Lamb on C-SPAN. To me, one of the most interesting characteristics of the interview is that both Lamb and DiLorenzo strayed often from … Continue reading →..."

6. Learning From History … or Not? by Brooks D. Simpson

"Why didn’t South Carolina think of this in 1861? Oh, that’s right … it had agreed to the federal government’s taking the land upon which it built Fort Sumter. Never mind...."

7. Debating Dilorenzo: on Cultism as a Career by Brooks D. Simpson

"In the exchange that follows, Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo explains to Brian Lamb what he believes motivates members of what he defines as a Lincoln “cult”: LAMB: What do you think is driving most of the, and there depending on what … Continue reading →..."

8. Debating Dilorenzo: Three Lincoln Cultists by Brooks D. Simpson

"Returning once more to Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo’s 2008 interview with Brian Lamb on C-SPAN …here’s Dr. DiLorenzo on what he calls the Lincoln “cult”: LAMB: If you could get everybody that you call the Lincoln cultists or people who are … Continue reading →..."

9. Debating Dilorenzo: Court Historians by Brooks D. Simpson

"In 2008 Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo explained to Brian Lamb what he meant by the term “court historian”: LAMB: I want to break down the first sentence a little bit more, what’s a ”museum quality specimen court historian” you write about … Continue reading →..."

10. Debating Dilorenzo: Distortion and Dismissal by Brooks D. Simpson

"In what must rank as one of the more interesting parts of Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo’s interview with Brian Lamb in 2008, we learn of a supposed conspiracy of Lincoln scholars to embarrass him through the History Channel: LAMB: Have you … Continue reading →..."

11. Bands on the Guns: Southern Rifled-Banded 42pdrs by Craig Swain

"Normally I start out discussing the background, manufacture, and history of a particular cannon type, and offer one of my charts to back up the particulars. In this case, let me start out with some photos to establish the presence … Continue reading →..."

12. Slavery in Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address by Donald Shaffer

"On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln at last took the oath as the 16th President of the United States. His first inaugural address has received much analysis over the years. Disunion in the New York Times added to the list yesterday by commissioning essays on the topic by four more scholars. Civil War Emancipation will append a bit more by analyzing Lincoln’s first inaugural as it pertains to slavery. Slavery is the major subject in Lincoln’s inaugural speech because at the heart of his address was the sectional crisis and slavery was at the heart of the sectional crisis. Lincoln..."

13. Ervin Jordan’s Black Confederates by Kevin Levin

"Spend enough time in the confusion that is the black Confederate debate and you will come across a short list of talking points. One of the most popular references is to Ervin L. Jordan’s Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia (A Nation Divided : New Studies in Civil War History), which was published [...]..."

14. African Americans in the Union Navy: Honor, Courage, Commitment by matthew.t.eng@navy.mil (Matthew T. Eng)

"Crewmembers cooking on deck, in the James River, Virginia, 9 July 1862. Photographed by James F. Gibson. The contraband sailor in the foreground of the image is Siah Carter. A Call to Arms USS Miami, 1864-1865The enlistment of African Americans changed the makeup of the Union Navy, even if it often split public opinion. Any attempt to block African Americans from entering the service were halted during the war, allowing them to swell the ranks. One estimate placed roughly 16% of the total enlisted force as black. Rather than restrict black enlisted men to special units, historian James Harrod..."

15. Untying the Gordian Knot by The General

"I am in the midst of doing an overhaul of my 2002 book Protecting the Flank: The Battles for Brinkerhoff’s Ridge and East Cavalry Field, Battle of Gettysburg, July 2-3, 1863. This is one of my favorite titles of my work, even though it’s a short book. It was the first in Ironclad’s The Discovering Civil War America Series–an idea I came up with–and it also made the most extensive use of The Batchelder Papers of any study of East Cavalry Field yet published. It has also sold steadily over the years, and I am grateful to..."

16. Stephen Mallory - Secretary, Confederate States of America by yelpmark@comcast.net (Seaman Rob)

"On March 4, 1861, Stephen R. Mallory was appointed Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States of America. To me, he is one of the more interesting persons of the Civil War navies, Union or Confederate. Born circa 1813 in Trinidad, he was raised mostly in Key West, Florida. He began his professional career in the early 1800’s practicing maritime law in the Florida Keys (at the time a hot bed of “wrecking” – the recovery of cargo from ships wrecked on the reefs of the Keys). Eventually he went into politics, representing Florida in the U.S. Senate. There..."

World War I

1. Researching Armies of the Adowa Campaign, Part 1: Ethiopia by n/a

"Guest Author; Sean McLachlan talks about reseraching his new Men-at-Arms in the first of a two part series on Italy's greatest colonial disaster...."

2. World War One Navy Recruiting Posters by Charles McCain

"A constant theme throughout the history of the United States is the need for manpower for the armed services. To this end, there have always been recruiting efforts and the most simple and straight forward of these has been the poster. No matter which era they are from, they repeat a common message - do your duty and serve your country because only through your help can we win. Over the next few weeks, I will be providing some examples of these recruiting posters as they pertain to the Navy. The following posters are all from World War One and carry..."

3. Rudyard Kipling: 'the Changelings' by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Kendall)

"Rudyard Kipling, let it be said again, is the finest short story writer in English. At least, I haven't read a better. Much as I adore the plotted viciousness of The Jungle Books, my favourite collection is Debits and Credits (1926), which comes late enough in Kipling's career to be classified as---in Edmund Wilson's pointed phrase---'the Kipling that nobody read'. Although the book contains several masterpieces which regularly appear in selections from Kipling's work (most notably, 'The Wish House', 'The Bull that Thought', 'The Eye of Allah'), it has fallen out of print for long periods. The neglect..."

World War II

1. Iwo Jima by Steven Terjeson

"On of the bloodiest battles to occur during the entirety of World War II happened on a small desolate island in the vast Pacific (16 Feb 1945 – 26 Mar 1945). American Flag on Iwo Jima overlooking the landing beaches.“Iwo Jima, which means sulfur island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo..."

2. Gen. Ridgway on Combat, Man, and the Extraordinary Flaws of Gen. Macarthur by Thomas E. Ricks

"I find Gen. Matthew Ridgway, who commanded the 82nd Airborne in World War II and turned around the Korean War in early 1951 after MacArthur screwed it up, endlessly interesting. When I was up at the Army Military History Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, doing book research last month, I spent a day reading his oral history interviews, some of them corrected in his own hand, and signed by him at the end in the same ink. Here are some of my favorite passages: On the strains of combat: The best of troops will fail if the strain is big enough..."

3. Casual Fridays by Jason Sigger

"Apologies as to the lateness of today's Casual Fridays post. It's been one of those weeks. I had finished this book last week, and really wanted to say a few words about it. Fast Tanks and Heavy Bombers is about a particularly interesting and pivotal periods of the US Army's growth, 1917-1945 (as it says on the cover). General John Black Jack Pershing is famous for saying that the three big innovations of World War I was the tank, the airplane, and poison gas. It's unfortunate that the authors had left off the growth of the US Army Chemical..."

4. The National Government and the Air by Brett Holman

"A while back, The National Archives made all Cabinet papers from 1915 to 1980 freely available for download. Now TNA Labs have created a visualisation tool for said papers, allowing you to see clouds of the 25 most frequent words and contributors for any year (month in wartime) or, using the 'flexible querying' mode, any period you specify (up to ten years). Mouse-overing each result gives the actual count and links to the relevant DocumentsOnline entries. It's something of a toy at the moment (though they encourage you to download the XML dataset it is based upon and play..."

5. Researching Armies of the Adowa Campaign, Part 1: Ethiopia by n/a

"Guest Author; Sean McLachlan talks about reseraching his new Men-at-Arms in the first of a two part series on Italy's greatest colonial disaster...."

6. The Most Experienced U-Boat Builders in the World: Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft and the German Type 212A U-Boat (1 of 4) by Charles McCain

"The Type 212A U-Boat is the latest submarine built by Germany and is the most advanced non-nuclear type in the world. It was designed and built by a long time supplier of U-Boats to the German Navy, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel. On their company website, HDW proclaims:"Virtually no shipyard the world over has more experience in the design and construction of non-nuclear submarines." I guess not. During World War Two, the Deutsche Werft shipyard in Kiel built 69 U-Boats for the Kriegsmarine while Howaldtswerke yard in Kiel built 31 U-Boats. (Both shipbuilders..."

7. German Light Cruiser Königsberg by Charles McCain

"I have written about the German light cruisers previously including the Königsberg. The Königsberg was the first of the three 'K' class light cruisers built and so they are also referred to as Königsberg class according to naval tradition. The K class light cruisers suffered from many design problems since they were designed and built in the late 1920's and had to adhere to the strict limit's imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. As the design problems became increasingly apparent, the duties of the ships were limited to compensate and they increasingly failed to serve in the..."

8. Incompetence, Stupidity, and Cowardice: the Royal House of Savoy and the Governance of Italy, 1861-1946 by Charles McCain

"When last we left the evil twins, Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III, World War Two had broken out. The Germans attacked Poland and the Italians, well, they hesitated, saying their alliance with Germany was"defensive." Hitler was furious. At least this showed some thinking going on at the top of the Italian Government. Or maybe just inertia since the King himself didn't seem to do much thinking."

9. A Profile in Courage—Petty Officer George E. Whalen by NHHC

"On the island of Iwo Jima on 26 February 1945, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class George E. Whalen, USNR, attached to a rifle company in the Second Battalion, 26th Marines, retrieves a wounded Marine from in front of his company’s lines and carries him to safety. He is wounded in the left eye before he accomplishes [...]..."

10. Hospital Ship “Op Ten Noort” by thomaslsnyder

"by Thomas L Snyder This past weekend (27 Feb-1Mar) marked the 69th anniversary of the Battle of the Java Sea, in which a combined American-British-Dutch-Australian fleet was completely destroyed by an equal-sized Japanese fleet which enjoyed the advantages of superior gunnery, air superiority and a new, long-range torpedo. Only one hospital ship was present in the area, Op ten Noort.(1) Launched in Amsterdam in 1927, she was originally commissioned to passenger service in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. With the onset of World War II, the Dutch Royal Navy took her up..."

Cold War

1. Algeria, the Assassination of Charles De Gaulle, and the Day of the Jackal (Part 1 of 2) by Charles McCain

"Algiers. Algeria. Bombing. Mayhem. Riot. Protest. If you have wondered, like me, what exactly the phrase, “the past is prologue” means, then look no further than Algeria now, for violence and mayhem have a long history in that country. Though long forgotten, France had a large colonial empire which included modern day Algeria. French settlement began in the 1830s after France seized Algeria from the Ottoman Empire. Over the decades, tens of thousands of French settlers along with impoverished Italians, Spaniards, Maltese, as well as French criminals sentenced to transportation (that is deportation to the colonies), made up the European..."

2. Algeria, the Assassination of Charles De Gaulle, and the Day of the Jackal (Part 2 of 2) by Charles McCain

"+ A young Harki in uniform in the summer of 1961. While this is going on, Algeria started to come apart. Many of the French, especially those in Algeria itself, thought the colony would be content to remain part of France. This turned out to be incorrect. In 1954, Algerian rebels began an armed insurrection against the French which went on until 1962. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed with some estimates as high as 1,500,000, the majority of whom were Algerians. Part of this number includes an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 native Algerians who were murdered by their..."

3. Diary Entry 32: Saigon, Thursday Night, 22 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Thursday Night, 22 July 1965Did not write last night as we had a conference with a JCS study team here from Washington until 10:30 p.m. By the time I got back to the BOQ about 11, I was pooped out and went right to bed. Today has been a long one, too, but not quite as bad as yesterday. Got home at 8 p.m. and am going to fix some supper just as soon as I finish this. The way things are happening so fast around here, it is hard to keep important events sorted out in my..."

4. Photo: Clark and Brigadier General John D. Crowley, Macv J-4, at Macv I Headquarters, 22 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"I had just said: 'Now that I've got promoted [to lieutenant colonel], I'll now give you all the bad news about how bad off we really are. . .then you can court-martial me!' Then General Crowley said: 'Bad news is all I ever get around here!' And we were all laughing, Clark, right, wrote on the back of this photograph of himself and Brigadier General John D. Crowley, the MACV Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics (J-4), left, at MACV I Headquarters, 22 July 1965. (Photo courtesy U.S. Army)..."

5. Diary Entry 33: Saigon, Friday Night, 23 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Friday Night, 23 July 1965 This has been a busy but very productive day. Feel like I accomplished a good bit. Did my part in the paperwork and ceremony battle! Regarding the landings of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division: Was at Vung Tau where the main force arrived. We put them ashore by LSTs and then flew them to Bien Hoa Air Base, north of Saigon. This was an expensive way to do it, but it was the safest way. I feel pretty good about planning this move and not getting a single person hurt during my part..."

6. Diary Entry 34: Saigon, Saturday Night, 24 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Saturday Night, 24 July 1965 This has been the nicest Saturday that I’ve known since arriving in Vietnam! I finished up all my work by 6 p.m., had something to eat at the Hong Kong BOQ mess, and am now at my BOQ. We didn’t have a single flap today and it was just plain pleasant at the office for a change. Sure hope it stays that way. Things are going so good that I am planning to take the day off tomorrow and do some shopping. Major [Raymond] Kostner, the chief of my Sealift Coordination Center, has offered..."

7. Frequently Mentioned Persons: Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd L. Burke, U.S. Army by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"On 24 July 1965, Clark wrote:"Scooter Burke was wounded today [Burke was wounded on 22 July]. He’s a Medal of Honor winner from Korea, in 1951. I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s just crazy enough to get himself killed. It’s a real good thing he got wounded and is being evacuated, because he takes such needless risks that sooner or later he would have been killed. He had no business being where he was and doing what he was doing when he got wounded. That's lieutenant's work. Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd L. Burke, U.S. Army [pictured as..."

8. Diary Entry 35: Saigon, Sunday Night, 25 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Sunday Night, 25 July 1965Lots of difference between Korea in 1950 and Vietnam 1965. In 1950 I could march 25 miles a day with a full pack and stay up most of the night listening for trouble. In 1965 as a lieutenant colonel, get to feeling washed out by 10 p.m. and haven’t even done any fighting! I believe that I feel better and look better in the field because I’m out in the field walking and looking and being a soldier. There are few pressures on you out in the boondocks other than staying alert. Clark as a..."

9. Diary Entry 36: Saigon, Wednesday Night, 28 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Wednesday Night, 28 July 1965This has been a pretty pleasant day for Vietnam. And on reflection tonight, it is kinda hard to say whether the pleasant aspects are due to: 1) General Crowley’s being away in Hawaii; 2) The VC being quiet; or, 3) my very outstanding managerial talent. On careful consideration of all aspects, I’m inclined to believe that it is due to me. Maybe I have a few things under control now.This has been a light work day. This morning was spent on paperwork such as preparing a staff study, writing some messages to the JCS and..."

10. From the Editor: the President's News Conference, East Room, the White House, 28 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"On 28 July 1965, Clark wrote, The President is going to speak here at midnight tonight, so will stay up to hear him. Bet he’ll say that the situation in South Vietnam causes him 'concern,' that more US troops will be committed, and that some Reserves and National Guard will be called up. So will take a shower and turn the radio on. This is what Clark heard when President Lyndon B. Johnson held his forty-seventh news conference in the East Room of the White House at 12:34 p.m. (12:34 a.m. on 29 July, Saigon time):My..."

11. Diary Entry 37: Saigon, Thursday Night, 29 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Thursday Night, 29 July 1965Today has been what I call “plans and problems day.” What time wasn’t spent on planning was spent with problems. And plans took the biggest part. Morning was spent planning on 3 operations. [The first operation was the arrival and throughput of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, which arrived at Cam Ranh Bay today---29 July. The second operation was Operation HIGHLAND, in which the 1st Brigade was to secure a base at An Khe for the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), which was en route from Fort Benning, Georgia. Three areas required the paratroopers..."

12. Diary Entry 38: Saigon, Friday Night, 30 July 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Friday Night, 30 July 1965 Working late tonight at the office, but got tired of the work and decided to take a few minutes off to write. At 10 p.m. I am to go over to MACV I headquarters to brief General DePuy (J-3) and Lieutenant General [John] Throckmorton (Deputy Commander MACV) on some items we have going on. [Clark briefed the generals on the progress of the debark and throughput of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, logistic support for Operation HIGHLAND, and plans for the arrival of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).] Probably be a long..."

13. Diary Entry 39: en Route to Da Nang, Sunday Afternoon, 1 August 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"En Route to Da Nang Sunday Afternoon, 1 August 1965This trip came up rather suddenly yesterday afternoon, so here I am in a very nice plane just a few minutes off the ground at Tan Son Nhut. Destination is Da Nang where will have some discussions tomorrow with Major General [Lewis] Walt and Brigadier General [Frederick] Karch, US Marine Corps. Expect to arrive Da Nang about 5 p.m. Will return to Saigon Monday night. Colonel [Arthur] Hurow is going up with me. Brought my camera along, but so far no opportunity to take any pictures. We were in kind of..."

14. Diary Entry 40: Saigon, Tuesday Night, 3 August 1965 by noreply@blogger.com (J.R. Clark)

"Saigon Tuesday Night, 3 August 1965Back from Da Nang all in one piece! Got back to Saigon last night about 10 p.m. but was just too worn out to write when I got in. Went to sleep right in my dirty old fatigues. We programmed the flight back at night on purpose because it is a long way and mostly over VC jungle territory. They can’t see too well way up in the sky at night. Seemed the best time to travel.  Brigadier General Frederick Karch, U.S. Marine Corps (Photo courtesy U.S. Marine Corps). The purpose of the trip was..."

Post-Cold-War

1. Gates on Coin: What Was Really Said? by David Ucko

"There has been ample coverage of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ final speech to the West Point cadets last Friday, with much of the attention focusing on an apparently growing disenchantment with counterinsurgency, a theme previously touched upon on this blog. For obvious reasons, the quotation that got the most play in the press was Gates’ quip that any future sec-def who advises the sending of ‘a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should “have his head examined”’. This sentence has been picked up upon as a candid admission by a straight..."

Misc/Thematic

1. Are Lpd-17s Modern-Day Mitschers? by Craig Hooper

"It is always easy to point at the latest shipbuilding “disaster” and claim that it is the “greatest” fiasco ever. It’s true that smaller-scale shipbuilding SNAFUS are a fact of life. But these days, to some observers, mistakes are a distinguishing characteristic of naval shipbuilding. The big “disaster” of my era is the LPD-17. But the LPD-17 saga, according to Navy Institute Uber-Scribe and author of the Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, Eric Wertheim, is not unique. Wertheim was quoted in the LPD-17 article I was quoted in and discussed earlier..."

2. Cdr Paul Milius and Observation Squadron 67 by NHHC

"During the Vietnam War, how to interdict the men and material North Vietnam sent south through neutral Laos and Cambodia proved to be one of the most vexing challenges faced by the United States military. In the Fall of 1966, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara requested that Army Lieutenant General Alfred Starbird, Director, Defense Communications [...]..."