Thinking at XMAS of those that have, & are serving our USA.

[Robbie Stuart]

THE SUBJECT LINE WOULD NOT ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE FOR ME SAY, THIS IS ACTUALLY DEDICATED TO ALL WHO HAVE, WHO ARE, & THOSE WHO WILL, SERVE IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM WORLDWIDE, NEVER FORGET THE POW/MIA!
Robbie

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TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The first operational F/A-22 Raptor flies over the base on its delivery flight.

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An air-to-air overhead front view of an SR-71A strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71, unofficially known as the "Blackbird," is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 Oxcart and YF-12A aircraft. The United States Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990, but returned them in 1995 until January 1997. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft.

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GULF OF MEXICO (March 30, 2007) - An MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204, Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., flies over the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas in Florida. The Marines are on a two-week training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Fla., to allow pilots and other aircrew members to train and navigate in an unfamiliar environment.

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 6, 2008) A Marine CH-46E helicopter assigned to the "Evil Eyes" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 (REIN) lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans is on a certification exercise as part of the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

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CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (Jan. 19, 2008) Air Force HC-130 loadmasters Senior Airman Daniel Sullivan and Senior Airman Renea Zachary, assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Search and Rescue Squadron based at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., communicate with CH-53 Sea Stallions assigned to Marine Heavy Helo Squadron 464, based at Marine Corps Air Station, Jacksonville, N.C., during in-air refueling operations with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

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North American XB-70A with Convair B-58A chase aircraft before landing. The white colour is pardly burned down through the high temperatures during a high-speed test.

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Low angle right side view of an A-7 Corsair II aircraft of the 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, airdropping Mark 82 hi-drag bombs over the Tyndall Air Force Base range.

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A three-quarter portside aerial view of an RA-5C Vigilante aircraft (b/n 156608), Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (RVAH-7) known as the "Peacemakers of the Fleet" and was assigned to the USS RANGER (CV 61) from February 21 to September 22, 1979. This photograph may show the Vigilante's last flight, since all Vigilante aircraft were officially retired in September 1979 and the RVAH-7 was officially decommissioned in October 1979.

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Two U.S. Air National Guard McDonnell F-101B-115-MC Voodoo aircraft (s/n 59-0421, 59-0429) landing at Niagara Falls Air Base during exercise Sentry Castle '81 on 1 July 1981. The aircraft were assigned to the 107th Fighter Interceptor Group, 136th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, New York Air National Guard. Note that the drag chute of the F-101B 59-0429 is just deploying. This aircraft is today on display at the Texas Air Museum, Caprock Chapter, Slaton, Texas (USA).

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A U.S. Navy Douglas A-1H Skyraider (BuNo 139768) from attack squadron VA-25 Fist Of the Fleet, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), on the port catapult of the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41). This plane was flown by Lt. Clint Johnson on 20 June 1965, when four A-1s from VA-25 were attacked by North Vietnamese Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17s. Johnson and his wingman Lt. Charlie Hartman shot down a MiG-17 which attempted a head-on pass.

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A U.S. Navy Grumman A-6A Intruder aircraft (BuNo 154148, 154155) from attack squadron VA-196 Main Battery dropping Mk 82 227 kg (500 lbs) bombs over Vietnam. VA-196 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) for a deployment to Vietnam from 29 May 1968 to 31 January 1969.

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A U.S. Navy Grumman S-2E Tracker of antisubmarine squadron VS-33 Screwbirds, Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-59), passes by a Landing Signal Officer (LSO) on its way to trapping on board the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CVS-12), in 1970.

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Fairchild NC-123K ("permanent test"; also called AC-123K) Provider used over Ho Chi Minh Trail. It was outfitted with infrared scanner, low-light level television, a laser range finder, and cluster bomb dispensers

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A U.S. Navy North American RA-5C Vigilante piloted by Cdr D. E. Deardolph, executive officer of heavy reconnaissance squadron RVAH-5 Savage Sons, assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6), is being hooked on the port bow catapult prior to being launced on a photographic mission from the aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66), in 1966/67.


Pfc. Mike Clausen who earned the Medal of Honor during a Jan. 31, 1970 mission to rescue members of 3rd platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division who were pinned down in a mine field.

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A Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat night fighter of Marine night fighter squadron VMF(N)-513 Flying Nightmares at Wonsan, Korea, in 1952.

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U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3R Avenger (BuNo 85905) of transport squadron VR-23 in flight over Korea, 25 June 1953.

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A Piasecki HUP-1 Retriever (BuNo 124926) of U.S. Navy utility squadron HU-2 Fleet Angels aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVB-41) in the early 1950s.

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The second of two photographs showing the bombing of a bridge during the Korean War. A Grumman F9F-2 Panther of fighter squadron VF-71, piloted by Lt. R. P. Yeatman, has fired the HVAR rockets under the wings (hence the smoke) and already dropped the left 113 kg (250 lb) bomb. The bomb under the right wing is just coming off. VF-71 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), which was deployed to Korea from 20 May 1952 to 8 January 1953. VF-71 had the tail code "L-1XX" during that deployment.

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U.S. Air Force North American T-6s are parked in a revetment area at an advanced airstrip in Korea, on 9 March 1953. The Texans were used in Korea by forward air controllers.

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View of the flight deck of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) on 19 May 1951. Two Vought F4U-4 Corsair fighters from fighter squadron VF-884 Bitter Birds (A-2XX) and VF-791 Fighting Falcons (A-4XX) are taking off. Also visible are Douglas AD-2/4Q Skyraiders of attack squadron VA-702 Rustlers and Grumman F9F-2 Panthers of VF-721 Iron Angels. A Sikorsky HO3S-1 of helicopter utility squadron HU-1 Det. F Pacific Fleet Angels hovers over the crash site of a VF-791 F4U-4 in the background. The Boxer was deployed to Korea with Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) from 2 March to 24 October 1951.

Fifteen B-29s and one B-29A were adapted for air rescue duty after World War II. Nicknamed "Super Dumbo" and designated SB-29. These aircraft were modified to carry an air-droppable A-3 Edo lifeboat. The primary mission of the SB-29 was rescue support for units flying long distances over water. The "Super Dumbo" retained all the defensive armament of the production bomber with the exception of the forward lower gun turret which was removed to make room for the AN/APQ-13 radome just behind the nose landing gear.

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When a downed aircrew was spotted in the water, the lifeboat was released from the aircraft. The lifeboat, which descended by parachute, was equipped with watertight compartments, self-righting floatation bladders, an inboard engine, food and water.

To Be Continued ================================================
Robbie

[Bill Greenwood]

Merry Christmas to you, and it is a nice sentiment to all those who are serving away from home, and their families. I have had the same thoughts, as I am sure many have.

I must say that I don't think photos of planes dropping bombs are the best ones to have on a day which has a religious background and which has the theme of "Goodwill to Man". There are 364 other days to emphasize destruction. Wouldn't it be great if the enemy could even take one day off from killing,as was done back in the Vietnam War one Christmas.

I am watching MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (some bad guys, but no bombs), and waiting for my Son Charles to get ready go skiing on a beautiful day.

[Bill Greenwood]

I don't know the story of Mike Clausen as a M O H winner, but it is great that in one day he went from a PFC. to a PFC. who would outrank almost eveyone but the few others who have also one the top medal. Nowadays it is hard to win that while still alive.

[Robbie Stuart]

Hello to everyone, & I hope I did not come across with the wrong message with my lead-in thread, it's not about Merry Christmas, let's drop bombs, but to illustrate the sacrifice by those whom have done, doing, & will take the job to defend the right of Freedom. The hard fought task's of time for Liberty are not easily won, & by all means not always a pretty sight. I only do this a reminder of that point. There is another thread on this site, of "Merry Christmas' aircraft. God Bless you all, here is the rest of my post:

I will start with a few of Hero's I have personally known, Godspeed to them all, they are not here with us anymore

My Dad Lt Charles F Stuart 381st Fighter Squadron 363rd Fighter Group 9th AAF WW2, 111 missions!


Archie Donahue.
AIRSHO 83.


Joe Forteich (SP) WW2 USN Pilot, my buddy, Photo from CAF Cajun Wing Annual Inspection, SNJ N224X Early 1980's


Herb Puckett, & some GOOBER, Air Show 80 or 81??????????????? Annual Inspection on the Buchon.


Joe Thorez & Honk Honk 381st Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group 9th AAF WW2. (Staplehurst England)

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And Now Back to the "Rest Of The Story"===================

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A Douglas AD-4 Skyraider of attack squadron VA-115 Arabs, Carrier Air Group 11 (CVG-11), bursts into flame as the engine breaks off upon landing aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) on 12 December 1950. The Skyraider had been hit by enemy flak over Korea.

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U.S. Navy Douglas AD-4 Skyraider of attack squadron VA-195 Dambusters with a special ordnance aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVA-37) in August 1952. VA-195 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 19 (CVG-19) for a deployment to the Korean War from 21 March to 3 November 1952. The "special weapon" was a 454 kg (1000 lb) bomb with a kitchen sink attached. The idea came up, when the squadron's executive officer LCdr. M.K. Dennis remarked during a meeting with the press: "We dropped everything on them (the North Koreans) but a kitchen sink." Royal J. Deland, ADC, and J. Burnett, ADC, then produced a bomb with a kitchen sink attached. Obviously the commanding Admiral was not pleased by this and would not allow to drop the bomb for a week. However, press coverage in the United States obviously led to the dropping of this bomb in August 1952 on Pyongyang by Lt.(jg) Carl B. Austin.[1]



Crash of a U.S. Navy F4U-4 Corsair from fighter squadron VF-124, Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) on 6 March 1953. On that day VF-124 and VA-125 (flying Douglas Skyraiders) bombed depots, trenches and bunkers south of Wonsan and near Hamsong, Korea. In the middle of these strikes the F4U-4 piloted by Lt. Edwin L. Kummer, VF-124, developed engine trouble shortly after take off. Aborting the mission, Kummer tried but was unable to jettison all his ordnance, as one 113 kg (250 lb) bomb "hung-up" on the bomb rack. Unfortunately, as the Corsair hit the deck, the bomb broke loose, bounced up the flight deck and exploded over the No. 3 elevator, killing two sailors and wounding fourteen others. One of the men killed was Photographer Airman Thomas L. McGraw, killed while filming landing operations, while the other was Aviation Electrician Airman Thomas M. Yeager. The explosion riddled the hangar deck below with shrapnel, piercing many of the parked aircraft and flooding the hangar bay with gasoline. Firefighting teams quickly extinguished the fire and isolated the hangar deck, preventing the fire from spreading into the ship. At the same time, Airman Richard D. Donovan ran through the flames, cut the unconscious pilot from his harness and pulled him to safety (see photo). Damage repair crews put the aircraft carrier back in business within hours and Oriskany began launching airstrikes again on 8 March 1953.

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A U.S. Air Force North American F-51D-25-NT Mustang fighter (s/n 44-84602) of the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, nicknamed "Little Beast IV" (?), about to take off from Chinhae, Korea, sometime between 9 December 1950 and 2 June 1952.

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USAF Captain Criffis DeNeen of the 3rd Bomb Wing (Light) in the cockpit of his Douglas B-26 Invader, November 1951.
Original caption: "Looking grim and determined, veteran bomber pilot Capt. Criffis DeNeen, 18405 Patton Ave., Detroit, Mich., veteran of 39 combat missions over North Korea prepares for another, ca. 11/1951"

GARY WOULD NOT LIKE THIS!
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Numerous former U.S. Air Force Republic F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bombers being scrapped at the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) at Tucson, Arizona (USA). These F-84s were retired in the 1950s.

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Lieutanant Everett A. Thies (right) and his crew chied T/Sgt Daniel Nobel stand beside Thies' reconnaissance plane [Dot-dash F-5C-1-LO (P-38J), 42-67128] in which he brings pictures of German targets to U.S. bases in the USSR for AAF strategic bombers to hit on "shuttle" runs to the other side of Europe.

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Corsairs of VMF-311 are silhouetted against the sky by a lacework of Marine Corps antiaircraft fire during a 16 April 1945 Japanese air raid on Yontan Airfield on Okinawa.

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First Lieutenant James Muri's aircrew and its USAAF B-26A which made torpedo-attack on Nagumo's carriers in early morning June 4 during the Battle of Midway, June 1942. 1st. Lt. Muri is second from left, in the front row.

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F-6C Mustang, 15th TRS, St. Dizier France, Autumn 1944

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A modified B-24D of the Army Air Force Antisubmarine Command. The retracted antenna for the SCR-517 radar is visible just aft of the open bomb bay doors in the place where the ventral gun turret would normally be installed.

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The crew of the B-17 "Memphis Belle" back from its 25th operational mission. All of the crew hold the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. It all started with this Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In all of its missions, there was only one casualty, a leg wound to the tail gunner, June 1943.


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17th Pursuit Group P-36As

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Boeing P-12s of the 17th Pursuit Group



Aircraft of the 7th Bombardment Group on the flightline, March Field, California, 1930s



U.S. Army Air Corps Curtiss B-2 Condor bombers flying over Atlantic City, New Jersey (USA), in 1929.
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Robbie

[Robbie Stuart]

I don't know the story of Mike Clausen as a M O H winner, but it is great that in one day he went from a PFC. to a PFC. who would outrank almost eveyone but the few others who have also one the top medal. Nowadays it is hard to win that while still alive.

PFC RAYMOND M. CLAUSEN, JR.
Medal of Honor, 1970
HMM-263, Vietnam
-----------------------------------------------------------
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RAYMOND M. CLAUSEN, JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, First Marine Aircraft Wing, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 January 1970. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Private First Class Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by one of several mine explosions. With eleven Marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Private First Class Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous, mine-laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard. Despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. On one occasion while he was carrying one of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding three other men. Only when he was certain that all Marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter. By his courageous, determined and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Private First Class Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Born October 14, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mike graduated from Hammond (Louisiana) High School in 1965, and then attended college for six months. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at New Orleans, March 30, 1966, and was discharged to enlist in the regular Marine Corps, May 27, 1966. Private Clausen underwent recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, and individual combat training with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California. He then completed Aviation Mechanical Fundamentals School and the Basic Helicopter Course, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Upon completion of his training in April 1967, he was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26), Marine Corps Air Facility, New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, and served as jet engineer mechanic with HMM-365 and, later, as guard with MABS-26. In December 1967, Private Clausen was ordered overseas where he was to serve as jet helicopter mechanic throughout his remaining active duty service obligation. Joining the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, he was with H&MS-36, MAG-36 until September 1968, then with HMM-364, MAG-16 until the following August. Private Clausen returned to the United States, where he joined MAG-26 at New River for duty with HMM-261. In November 1969, he began his second tour of duty with HMM-263, MAG-16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. On August 19, 1970, upon his return to the United States, he was released from active duty. In addition to the Medal of Honor, his decorations include: the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 98 strike flight awards, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal with one silver star and one bronze star, the Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal with device, Air Crewman Insignia with three gold stars, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

After a long battle with various health problems, Raymond Michael Clausen, Jr., a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away during the evening hours of Sunday, May 30, 2004. Mike's wife, Lois, was at his side.

Mike was in one of the finest hospitals in the country, Baylor University Medical Center located in Dallas, TX. He was being attended to by the best doctors and nurses available, but unfortunately, there was simply nothing more that could be done to save him.
The reason that Mike was in Dallas, instead of a VA hospital in Louisiana was due to the fact that when Ross Perot got word of Mike's difficulties, he sent his own personal jet to bring Mike back to Dallas. He then ensured that Mike received the best medical care available. He did this all at his own expense without hesitation. But it goes much further than the tremendous financial costs covered by Ross Perot. It was yet another true act of patriotism and loyalty from one former military man to another who was in need.



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Robbie