Posted on 08/07/2014 9:03:18 AM PDT by Borges
actually it was a B-24 bomber, not a transport plane. McArthur recognized that LBJ was in theater as a spy for FDR. Being very politically savvy, McArthur put LBJ in for a Silver Star based on a supposed combat mission he was an observer on. The bomber in question actually aborted the mission due to generator problems and returned to base before they encountered any Japanese fighter aircraft.
The medal was awarded for heroism in an event that never happened. Just McArthur greasing the political skids.
I read that somewhere.
I once read an account by a crew member that they told the two natives where to go to get a rescue party and the natives understood and were ready to go. Then JFK said wait and grabbed a coconut and started hacking on it while everyone waited patiently. He finally gave them the unnecessary message on the coconut and off they went. The crew member was surprised to see the coconut displayed on the Oval Office desk years later. That’s forward thinking.
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