Today in US Military History: British burn Washington, Bob Feller's return, & the Cactus Air Force

Unto the Breach ^ | Aug 24, 2017 | Chris Carter

[fugazi]

1814: The British Army routs the Americans in the Battle of Bladensburg, then marches into Washington, D.C. in what is considered "the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms." Gen. Robert Ross' exhausted troops - several died during the battle from exhaustion after long marches - avenge the American destruction of Port Dover (in present-day Ontario) in May by setting fire to the Presidential Mansion (now called the White House), Capitol Building, and numerous other government and military facilities.

However, the British only hold Washington for one day before a massive storm blows through, severely damaging the British ships and causes the occupiers to abandon the area.

1912: The Navy's first electrically powered ship, USS Jupiter (AC-3) is launched. Ten years later, a flight deck is added to the 542-ft. vessel, and the renamed USS Langley becomes America's first aircraft carrier.

1942: Vice Adm. Frank J. Fletcher's Task Force 61 and a Japanese carrier division converge in the Solomon Islands as Japanese troops attempt to reinforce Guadalcanal. The Battle of the Eastern Solomons is fought entirely by aircraft; the Japanese inflict serious damage on USS Enterprise (CV-6), while the Americans sink several vessels, including the light carrier Ryujo.

Over Guadalcanal, Japanese warplanes clash with Army and Marine aircraft of the "Cactus Air Force," with Capt. Marion E. Carl in his F4F "Wildcat" scores four of the day's ten Allied victories , becoming the Marine Corps' first ace.

1945: Just two days after being discharged from the service, Chief Petty Officer Bob Feller returns to Cleveland and is honored by a parade before pitching in his first major league game since

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Feller must have been incredibly gifted: he skipped the minors completely and played in the majors at 17, and picked right back up where he left off after spending four seasons in the Navy. Surely he played some ball during the war, but battleships don't make good ballparks - especially during war. I don't know how someone could go straight from the military into the major leagues and pitch nine innings and be just as good as he was in 1941. Amazing.

[buckalfa]

"I don't know how someone could go straight from the military into the major leagues and pitch nine innings and be just as good as he was in 1941.

Feller was indeed a rare talent but remember the quality of MLB in 1945 was not great due to the war.

[katana]

I was once checking onto a flight at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, standing in the business class line behind a tall elderly gentleman at the counter, when the lady behind it said something, something, "Mr. Feller". As he turned to go I said "I'm really sorry to bother you, but are you Bob Feller?" He replied yes, so I asked if I might shake his hand and told him what an honor it was to meet him. Classic gentleman and sportsman of the old school.

A friend of mine at that time held an executive position with the Dodgers. He was a dedicated Dodger and would occasionally say some jokingly disparaging things about the Indians and the American League in general. I shut him up once by agreeing that the Indians in no way could match the legendary status of the Dodgers. But we did on one or two occasions have a couple good pitchers. I asked "Have you ever heard of Bob Feller?" He said "Sure. He was an Indians player?" "Yeah. And we had one other. Let me see ... I think his name was Cy Something. Oh yeah, Cy Young. Ever heard of him?".

End of conversation.

[minnesota_bound]

British burn Washington
The corrupt media would be cheering and supporting the British.

[fugazi]

No doubt, just as I am sure they would undermine the Trump administration if we were attacked by North Korea. Reminds me of a meme I saw where the airline passenger tweets “I hate the captain of this plane. I hope he crashes.”