Today in US military history: 'IVY MIKE' literally wipes an island off the face of the earth

Unto the Breach ^ | Nov. 1, 2018 | Chris Carter

[fugazi]

Today's post is in honor of Navy Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor (22, of Gillette, N.J.), who was killed in action during a firefight in Zabul, Afghanistan on this day in 2012. Kantor was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V, and his citation can be found at the bottom of this page.

1904: The brand-new U.S. Army War College opens its doors to three majors and six captains, among them Capt. (future General of the Armies) John J. “Black Jack” Pershing.

1942: On Guadalcanal, a machine gun section led by Marine Cpl. Anthony Casamento is hit so badly during the fourth (and final) battle at the Matanikau River that all but Casamento were grievously wounded or killed. Despite his own wounds (he was hit 14 times during the engagement), Casamento single-handedly held his position and repelled numerous enemy attacks. Casamento will be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1980 after surviving eyewitnesses to his actions are found.

1943: The 3rd Marine Division, led by Gen. Allen H. Turnage, hits the beaches on Japanese-held Bougainville. U.S. Marines and soldiers kill some 8,000 of the island's garrison, and around 16,000 die from starvation and disease.

1944: Japan launches the first of some 9,000 hydrogen-filled balloon bombs towards the U.S. and Canada. By war's end, only six Americans would be killed and a small amount of damage is inflicted by the bombs.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Rose, a B-29 Superfortress modified for photo reconnaissance, makes the first U.S. flight over

[fugazi]

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as a SEAL Operator, for Special Operations Task Force-SOUTHEAST, in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from September to November 2012. During this period, Petty Officer Kantor conducted 25 combat operations inside Taliban safe havens. On 1 November, Petty Officer Kantor was providing rear security as the heavy weapons gunner for a 31-man combat reconnaissance patrol. He was the first line defense protecting the most vulnerable position of his platoon against potentially devastating enemy attacks. While returning from the patrol, his element received effective enemy machinegun fire from 500 meters away. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, and being mortally wounded, Petty Officer Kantor advanced forward and returned suppressive fire. His selfless actions allowed enough time for his teammates to find cover and maneuver on the enemy's position. Petty Officer Kantor absolutely prevented additional loss of life and undoubtedly ensured the safe return of his teammates. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Kantor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

[fugazi]

ping list

[C19fan]

Ivy Mike was a proof of concept for a thermonuclear weapon. It was more a scientific experiment than a weapon’s test. The story is Teller the father of the Hydrogen Bomb was in Livermore, CA and knew the test was a success based on keeping an eye on a seismograph.

[vladimir998]

“1944: Japan launches the first of some 9,000 hydrogen-filled balloon bombs towards the U.S. and Canada. By war’s end, only six Americans would be killed and a small amount of damage is inflicted by the bombs.”

I didn’t even know six people died. I thought it was only one person. Well, learn something new every day.

[Delta 21]

It was a tiny little island.

[ealgeone]

IIRC that was one big setup to make that thing work.

[RayChuang88]

Correct. The Ivy Mike test was essentially detonating one gigantic science experiment, since the fusion material was liquefied deuterium gas. The later Castle Bravo test used solid lithium deuteride as the fusion material.

[schurmann]

“...I didn’t even know six people died...” [vladimir998, post 4]

Happened in early May 1945. The US casualties were neither military personnel, nor civilian defense workers.

All were noncombatants: a Sunday school class on a picnic outing near Bly, Oregon. The minister’s wife died, and five students.

The first inkling to US authorities that something was going on occurred days after that first balloon-bomb launch. The federal government requested that the civilian press keep silent, to prevent the Imperial Japanese from collecting feedback on how successful their efforts had been.

A few weeks after the incident in Oregon, the feds altered security policy, releasing some information about the bombs, and promulgated warnings to the public.

In addition to the US West Coast and most Western states, balloon bombs have been found in Alaska, Canada, Mexico and as far east as Michigan. Wilderness-goers should note that the warnings are still valid: in October 2014, a bomb was discovered in British Columbia, still live.

The Japanese balloon-bomb campaign is recognized as the first known use of an intercontinental weapon.

[abb]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6341261/Historians-claim-discovered-wreck-Bonhomme-Richard-sunk-Yorkshire-coast.html

Wreck of the first US ship to defeat the Royal Navy in home waters before she sank in 1779 is found off coast of Yorkshire using satellite imaging

Tim Akers, 60, found the wreck alongside British satellite firm Merlin Burrows
The ship sank following a ferocious battle with the HMS Serapis in the year 1779
Both ships were engaged in a four-hour battle at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
The USS Bonhomme Richard sustained significant damage and sunk nearby
Divers have already recovered wooden timbers and mast sections from the sea

By James Wood For Mailonline

Published: 06:41 EDT, 1 November 2018 | Updated: 08:58 EDT, 1 November 2018

[Charles Martel]

It was a tiny little island.

Now it's a deep lagoon (bottom right, circled).

[mass55th]

Thank you!!

[mlo]

I know the designer of the Ivy Mike device.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Garwin

[Antoninus II]

My Dad was there. Saw Ivy King too. Task Group 132.4

[SunkenCiv]

And, its success caused the DoD to order a rocket engine rated over one million pounds thrust. Von Braun knew that would be the big engine needed to go to the Moon. When the smaller H-bomb design worked, and the DoD lost interest in the engine, development continued under NACA (which became NASA), and by the time the last problem was solved (cavitation), Eisenhower was still President.