Free Republic

Emory Jenison Pike No. 4066. Class of 1901 Died of wounds near Vandieres, France, September 16, 1918, aged 41 years. Emory Jenison Pike was born in Iowa, December 17, 1876, and appointed from that state to the Military Academy in 1897, graduating with his class in February, 1901. His first service was in the 2d Cavalry, which he joined at Matanzas, Cuba, returning with it to the United States in December, 1901. After two years at Fort Myer, he sailed with his regiment via Suez for a tour of Philippine service. His next station was Fort Assinniboine, Montana. Promotion to...

Clay Bonnyman Evans knew all there was to know about his grandfather though the two had never met until that moment under several feet of crushed coral rock on a remote island in the Pacific. Evans was polite when requesting the anthropology brush he would use to sweep some of the dust from his grandfather’s remains when they were found in May on the Tawara Atoll. “My whole life I grew up with that medal on the wall and the citation,” Evans said, holding back tears. “He’s always been my hero.”

(CNN)—The Army this week selected the company to build its much-anticipated new vehicle to replace the Humvee -- a multibillion dollar contract. Oshkosh Corporation, located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, won the $6.7 billion contract to produce the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which will also be used by the Marine Corps. The initial order will be for 17,000 vehicles, with production set to begin next year. The Army expects to have its first JLTV unit ready to go in fiscal year 2018, according to a release from the Army. Oshkosh beat out two competitors for the final contract: defense giant Lockheed...

Does anybody know why this website has been suspended?: www.first-team.us/legacies/cmdunits/1cd_arty The First team website was the largest source of detailed information about the 1st Cav Division. Larger by far than the division association site. The question is why was it suspended? Too politicaly incorrect?

NORVELL TWP, MI -- Rick Briggs has always been involved in charity work to help veterans, but when his son came back from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder, he knew more needed to be done for veterans. "A lot of guys put a gun in their mouth because they don't have hope, they don't have a purpose," Briggs said. "They need both hope and purpose to move forward." So, Briggs partnered with other volunteers to bring a shared dream to life. The 137-acre campsite of Camp Liberty, once finished, will feature a welcome center able to house a large family...

Scott Davis, a program specialist at the VA enrollment center in Atlanta, says 34,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan lost their eligibility for healthcare after the VA sat on their applications until they expired.

I am having an argument with a Lib, his stance is that the Repubs have filibustered all veterans bills in the senate, when I look at the congressional record, it seems the bill never got out of committee. However, there are a mountain of websites claiming the repubs are filibustering vets, for example: Some of the bills that they filibustered - bills that would have helped American people in this difficult economy: H.R. 12 - Paycheck Fairness Act H.R. 448 -- Elder Abuse Victims Act H.R. 466 - Wounded Veteran Job Security Act H.R. 515 - Radioactive Import Deterrence Act...

One of my buds a retired USAR officer turned 60 in April 2015, he had completed all the paperwork to start his pay last year. However on 1 May he got a notice from DFAS there was a 30-60 backlog. He finally got his first check (deposit) today. Anyone know about this? I could not find an article on it.

Barring the obvious disbelief about a three star general being sent to jail for a bad command decision during an operation.

This video is a moving tribute to honor an outstanding young Marine Officer by his father, Dr. Bill Kristoff. At the age of 61, Dr. Bill Kristoff of Truckee, CA joined the U.S. Navy Medical Corps in order to honor the memory of his oldest son by serving as a surgeon in Afghanistan to treat wounded Marines. While doing some further research on this amazing family, I found this: The outdoor activities were a joy shared by Nathan, his father, and his younger brother, Austin, 24, who joined the Marines shortly before Nathan died.The family kept word of Nathan's death...

They simply don't make 'em like this any more. Take five minutes to watch this video interview -- and listen carefully to what he says and how he says it. I promise you, you won't regret a second of it. Ask yourself, how many of the few surviving WWII veterans kept themselves and their uniform in such good condition for over 70 years and can still proudly wear it? Notice his superb delivery, no teleprompter, no script -- just a 91-year-old fighter pilot representing the greatest generation at home and abroad who won WWII. He has some surprises and a...

Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, Sir ‹ Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, Sir Birthdate: April 23, 1864 Birthplace: London, United Kingdom Death: Died June 21, 1948 in West Berkshire, England, United Kingdom Immediate Family: Husband of Gertrude Towse Brother of Beatrice J B Towse Gertrude Towse wife Beatrice J B Towse sister About Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, Sir http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/printable/36544 Towse, Sir (Ernest) Beachcroft Beckwith (1864–1948), army officer and campaigner for the welfare of blind people, was born at Regent's Park, London, on 23 April 1864, the elder of the two sons of Robert Beckwith Towse, solicitor, and his Irish wife, Julia Ann...

A Brief Sketch of the Life and Death of Lt. Simeon W. Cummings By Peter Holman The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable Copyright © 2008, All Rights Reserved The Confederate raider CSS Alabama put in at Saldanha Bay in the Cape Colony (Western Cape in present day South Africa), 160 sea miles northwest of Cape Town on July 29th 1863. Captain Rafael Semmes’ vessel was desperately in need of repairs and he seized the opportunity to recaulk and paint the Alabama. Small parties of men and officers also made good use of the time to go ashore to hunt birds and...

My Dad was awarded the DFC in World War 2. He was an Army Air Corps pilot, flying C-47s in CBI, North Africa and Italy. I need assistance in getting a copy of the award citation. I am having his medals framed to present to my nephew and I'd like to be able to tell him what his Pop-pop did to earn the award. Can someone tell me whom to contact, presumably in the DoD? Many thanks.

May 1st is Silver Star Service Banner Day: A day to remember our wounded, ill and injured Armed Force members from all wars. The United States House has made the day permanent while the Senate passes a continuing resolution every year. Take a moment on May 1st to remember the sacrifices made for our Nation.

For those in the DC area, there is the annual ceremony for the rescue attempt fallen this Saturday at noon time in Arlington National Cemetery head to the tomb of the unknown soldier, it is right in front of the rotunda

FORT HUACHUCA — When it comes to Army noncommissioned officers, they like their ceremonies short and simple with the right touch of traditions. So it was on Tuesday, when two command sergeants majors — John Reinburg and Christopher Schultingkemper — stood on Brown Parade Field, with soldiers of the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion before them, watching as the unit’s senior NCO position changed. Reinburg has deployed 10 times during his career, which will now continue with his reassignment to the Army Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

OPERATION HOMECOMING12 February – 4 April 1973 Newly freed prisoners of war celebrate as their C-141A aircraft lifts off from Hanoi, North Vietnam, on Feb. 12, 1973, during Operation Homecoming. The mission included 54 C-141 flights between 12 February and 4 April 1973, returning 591 POWs to American soil.

With every stroke of sculptor John Phelps’ steady hand, the clay began to take shape. First, there was a skeleton that soon began to look more and more like one Marine in uniform; then there were three. Before long, their faces twisted and contorted to depict the horrors of combat. The nonprofit veteran service organization Hope for the Warriors commissioned Phelps to immortalize the now-iconic “Hell House” photo taken by Lucian Read during the battle for Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. The photo depicted two Marine lance corporals carrying a bloodied 1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal out of a house following a...

My Father in law passed away and left me his M-1. I'm ex-army (M-16 days) and other than the time I spent in the military I haven't had too many weapons in my hands. The weapon is in great shape except for a small amount of rust in front of the rear site. My question is how to remove the rust without damaging the weapon. Thanks.