Today in US military history: Benedict Arnold defects to the British

Unto the Breach ^ | 24 September 2019 | Chris Carter

[fugazi]

Today’s post is in honor of Army Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, who was killed on this day in 2011 in Afghanistan’s Wardak province by enemy small-arms fire. The 22-year-old native of Dana Point, Calif. was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and was serving his fourth tour in Afghanistan. Holtz was assigned to 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

1780: Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold learns that British spy Maj. John André has been captured, along with the evidence that would expose Arnold’s secret plot to turn West Point over to the British. He flees to the nearby sloop HMS Vulture, which carries him to New York. Gen. George Washington suggests a prisoner exchange: André for Arnold, but Gen. Henry Clinton refused. André is hanged and Arnold is commissioned as a brigadier general.

1918: U.S. Navy Ensign (future rear admiral) David S. Ingalls – on loan to the Royal Air Force and flying an RAF Sopwith Camel – shoots down enemy aircraft number five, becoming the first ace in U.S. Naval Aviation history, and the Navy’s only ace of World War I. Over the course of the war Ingalls is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from the United States, a Distinguished Flying Cross from Britain, and made a member of the French Foreign Legion. When America enters World War II, he rejoins the Navy and will command the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor.

1929: Lt. James L. “Jimmy” Doolittle boards his Consolidated NY-2 Husky at Long Island’s Mitchel Field and buttons himself in a completely blacked-out cockpit. He becomes the first pilot to take off, fly, and land “blind” – having to relying solely on the aircraft’s (newly developed) instruments.

1942: Navy and Marine Dauntless dive bombers take off from Guadalcanal’s Henderson Field and attack the

[fugazi]

Did you know that the top general in the Army, James Wilkinson, was a spy for the Spanish? Arnold is certainly more famous, but you could argue that Wilkinson may have been just as big of a traitor.

[Skywise]

Huh - the same day the Dems attempt a coup and start CW 2

[proxy_user]

Arnold was a brilliant general, and if he had been properly treated he never would have betrayed our cause. Instead, he was sandbagged by incompetents.

[jmaroneps37]

James Wilkinson was supposed to lead Aaron Burr and Andrew Jackson’s failed attempted to forcibly steal the Louisiana Purchase land and turn it into about a dozen new slave states.

BTW my 9th great grandfather was stationed at West point with the 8th Albany Militia at the time Arnold committed his treason and was there when Washington arrived.

[fugazi]

While you have a point, I imagine the same could be said for thousands of officers throughout our history — and they didn’t switch sides.

[treetopsandroofs]

I’ve been to the sign in Tarrytown that says Arnold’s guy had been captured there, leading to discovery of Arnold.

[treetopsandroofs]

Certainly wasn’t Ace McCain’s excuse.

[Magnatron]

I have been watching -- and been enamored by -- the television series "Turn", available on Netflix, which dramatizes Arnold's fall from grace. What an outstanding and under-appreciated show. The acting is suburb, particularly those playing Arnold, Peggy Shippen, John Andre, George Washington, and Robert Rogers.

The show has so inspired me that I read an amazingly well-done biography of Robert Rogers titled "War on the Run" and am now in the middle of the Benedict Arnold tale "Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution". Also downloaded and on deck is "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring".

I highly recommend this program and the books above. You can find them here:

War on the Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America's First Frontier

Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution

Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring

Netflix: Turn

[BenLurkin]

The John F’n Kerry of his day

[Magnatron]

More on the series Turn, here are the actors and parts:

Abraham Woodhull played by Jaime Bell

Benjamin Tallmadge played by Seth Numrich

Caleb Brewster played by Daniel Henshall

Anna Strong played by Heather Lind

Robert Rogers played by Angus Macfadyen

John Graves Simcoe played by Samuel Roukin

John Andre played by JJ Feild

George Washington played by Ian Kahn

Benedict Arnold played by Owain Yeoman

Peggy Shippen played by *YOW* Ksenia Solo

[C19fan]

Even the British despised Arnold. Arnold also received 10,000 pounds for turning; around the equivalent of $1 MM in today’s money.

[C19fan]

Colonial Williamsburg has an re-enactment of Arnold entering the town leading the British forces. I heckled something and a British officer responded “Bite Your Tongue”.

[C19fan]

I grew up close to Tappan, NY. There is a tavern from the Revolutionary Era called the 1776 House. It was where Andre was kept as a prisoner pending execution.

[C19fan]

Not a big fan of Georgian dress but wow!!!

[Magnatron]

She's the "Tick, Tick, Boom" girl on the meme you've seen before...

BIG Ksenia Solo fan here. Those eyes!

[nevergore]

Romney left for Canada?

Oh....the original Benedict Arnold...

Nevermind....

[Intolerant in NJ]

John Kerry was a war hero too......

[grey_whiskers]

The same day Mitt Romney assures Nancy Pelosi he’s got her back.