The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Leo Siegenthaler - The Hungnam Evacuation (Dec.1950) - Oct. 15th, 2003

http://www.kmike.com/hungnam.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

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The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

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Where the Freeper Foxhole introduces a different veteran each Wednesday. The "ordinary" Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who participated in the events in our Country's history. We hope to present events as seen through their eyes. To give you a glimpse into the life of those who sacrificed for all of us - Our Veterans.

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USS Diachenko, APD 123
Hungnam, 12/25/50
Crewman Describes Hungnam Evacuation

Dear Folks,

Today in this part of the world is Christmas. You'd never know it without looking at the calendar however. Right now we are underway with other units of the fleet for Pusan.

The last week or two I have witnessed something I'll never forget, or be able to forget. You've probably heard on the radio about the retreat of our forces to Hungnam under the pressure of the Chinese Reds. Well I saw everything that went on and our ship was so close to the ground forces at times that small arms fire could be easily heard. With the naked eye our tanks could be seen in action and with field glasses you could pick out the man loading a 75 mm artillery piece and the one firing it and so forth. Again we were fortunate for the enemy had no planes, ships or artillery of any size.

About a week ago it was comparatively quite at Hungnam with bomb and shell explosions in the distance from our planes and big guns from the Missouri, several cruisers and other ships. The merchant marine was well represented and the ships were continually moving into the docks, loading and moving out.



This went on for several days and nights.

Two Korean ships loaded with civilians tied alongside the Askari for temporary repairs and we escorted them one night down south. They had 8400 Koreans on one of them and you can imagine how crowded it was. The cooks on the Askari boiled GI cans of rice for them and they nearly killed one another to get it. When the weather is cold enough for spray from the sea to freeze on your clothes, it's pretty chilly. Some of the little children had only enough clothes to cover the upper portions of their bodies. The dead people were stacked on the bow and why they were not thrown overboard is beyond me, unless the people believe in sacred burials. When we were underway on the high seas with them, we'd look over at the people huddled on the open decks in the icy wind and realize how lucky we are. Those jammed below decks were fortunate to be out of the weather, but if I would have had to be on a crowded dirty ship among dead, wounded, dirty and sick, I would have taken an airy spot. I imagine they all consider themselves fortunate to be taken out of Hungnam however.



We immediately returned to Hungnam and in the two days we were gone the enemy had advanced considerably, for now our shells and bombs were dropping as close as the other side of Rattlesnake would be to you. During the day the Navy planes continually bombed and rocketed the enemy advancing up the hillsides all around the city and we were able to watch it from one end to the other. At night the planes would all return to their carriers and the fleet would take up with the bombardment. It takes time to make an evacuation and the Reds were pressing harder and harder upon the city. The St. Paul was anchored near to us and when she would fire over our heads the concussion would rock the ship. Every night was a Fourth of July that as a civilian I would never have seen. One night the Reds were taking advantage of the darkness and making a big siege on the city. The rocket boats that used to sit so useless with us in San Diego went into action and sprayed the beaches with rockets, which repelled the Reds. The enemy forces were lit up by flares fired from other ships.



On the 24th and also the 23rd we were lucky for our ship was made control ship of the inner harbor. We had special trained personnel aboard for directing evacuation boats etc. In other words, we were a traffic cop for the ship and boat units in behind the breakwaters. From here we could see our men on top of the hill looking down upon the enemy numbering about 120,000.



On the 23rd it was realized that we needed at least another day to complete the "strategic withdrawal" so the gunfire was stepped up. Without sea and air support the Reds would have run over our ground forces like nothing. All the evacuating boats from our area had to stop by the ship for directions and even though the soldiers looked weary and beaten, you could tell they were happy to get off the beach and go aboard a clean, warm ship where they could shower and eat a Christmas meal. Some of the army's amphibious tractors came along for fueling and the soldiers said the Reds weren't taking any prisoners and were stealing their clothes and weapons. They said some of the Reds were armed with things like shot guns.



On the 24th the last troops were being taken off and the artillery was blazing away at the Reds who were now coming down on our side of the hills. All the ships were out of the docking area by now and only the amphibious boats and tractors were left on the beach to take the last troops.



A mile and half from us explosions began rocking the city for fires had been set to destroy everything of value, and ammunition and other explosives began going off. In another area, a huge ammunition dump went off unexpectedly or prematurely and the troops were showered with debris and things were still dropping in the water a half a minute later in and around our evacuating boats. Our two hospital boats were hastened to the scene to aid in medical attention.



Thousands of civilians were now jamming the docks and beaches begging for transportation that never came. Others rowed out into the bay in sampans to escape the fire and explosions. We watched the figures clad in mostly black and white rags running around in the city and on the beach; not going anywhere in particular but trying to escape somewhere. Another explosion went off that nearly knocked the sightseers on our ship down. The different colors of flame and smoke were quite awesome and burning material dropped all over the fleeing Koreans and started fires in a wide area.



While the Reds were held back by Naval gunfire and bombs, our last troops could be seen coming out of the hills and proceeding to the last boats which were loading others. Soon the transports were commencing to leave the area and the cruisers and destroyers began shelling the area. A terrific explosion all along the waterfront went off and when the smoke cleared, the harbor area was in a shambles and burning. These charges were set by demolition crews and consequently the enemy will have a job on his hands before the docks can be used again. The rocket boats moved in apparently to flatten the whole city, but they decided not to evidently. A destroyer came in by us and began shelling oil storage areas. She kept hitting the same place and soon we wondered why she was using ammunition on what appeared to be nothing of value to us. Soon we knew, because an oil explosion threw barrels of fuel all over hell. It was like lighting a string of firecrackers and throwing them in the air. The shelling of the destroyer caused two more like explosions and where I once looked at the first United Nations flag flying, there was nothing but fire.



We finally got underway and after a quick check of a certain area for any remaining soldiers we joined the column of ships going out to sea.

Everyone is feeling low about not being home for Christmas, but everyone is a lot better off than other people I'll never forget. At least we are all dry, warm and have our bellies full.

I have found that movies, pictures or even letters can never point out how devastating war can be. If it ever comes to The States, people will learn something back there.

Well I only hope that next Christmas won't be like this one even though I'll remember this one more than any I have ever seen. Next year at this time I hope I can be home with a big bottle of champagne. I hope everyone else will too.



No mail yet.

Love, Leo

Leo Siegenthaler joined the Navy in Seattle Washington in June, 1948 for a three year hitch. He received Basic Training in San Diego, then was assigned to 3 months in the Bakery. Navy life at this time was flipping do-nuts and going on liberty. He finally got his assignment for schooling to become a Disbursing Clerk, after which he was assigned to the USS Askari (ARL-30). Leo spent about 18 months aboard Askari, acting as Disbursing Clerk. The Askari operated out of San Diego at this time, with one cruise to Hawaii.

The North Koreans invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. On 27 June, Leo Siegenthaler was transferred to the USS Diachenko, APD-123, and on 30 June 1950 the Diachenko headed west toward Korea. Leo missed the Inchon Invasion (in the Hospital at Sasebo, diagnosed as polio, which turned out to be mononucleosis), but was returned to Diachenko in time for Wonsan, Hungnam, etc.



The Diachenko went back to The States in May 1951 for overhaul. Leo's three years were just about up, but his enlistment had been extended by the US Government. In March 1952, the Diachenko was back in action off the Korean coast, and Leo was still aboard.

In early July 1952, the Diachenko's squadron mate USS Bass (APD-124) was scheduled for a return to The States. As Leo's extended enlistment was close to expiration, he was transferred to Bass to be sent home. The Bass arrived on the West Coast in late July, and three weeks later, Leo Siegenthaler was a civilian again.

[SAMWolf]

CHRISTMAS CARGO
A Civilian Account of the Hungnam Evacuation
Dr. Bong-Hak Hyun

My account of these events is a personal remi-niscence rather than a historical analysis, but I hope that students of the Korean War will find my story of some value. My family had fled from Hamhung,North Korea in December 1945 as the Communists took over local governments in the North. Later, I was given the chance to help rebuild Hamhung when Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond arranged for my transfer to the X Corps as his civil affairs advisor. Schools, hospitals and local governments had to be reorganized, and the general needed someone familiar with the area to advise him on dealing with civilians.

In late November 1950, the X Corps received disturbing reports that Chinese Communist forces had crossed the border and were moving south. I soon realized the U.N. Forces were retreating, and it didn’t seem fair to me that Korean civilians who had risked Communist retaliation by cooperating with the Americans might be abandoned; my only hope was to speak directly to Gen.Almond. Fortunately, his deputy chief of staff, Col. Edward R. Forney of the U.S. Marines, was sympathetic to my cause: by then he had developed friendships among Koreans he had worked with, including me. On Nov. 30, the colonel and I were able to see Almond. “You have people here who really believe in democracy, sir,” I said to the general. “They’ve fought against the Communists for the past five years. You must help them, sir.” “Sir, they have risked their lives by cooperating with us,” added Forney. “Agreed, but at this point, I’m not even sure our own troops can be evacuated,” Almond explained. Enemy forces were approaching Hamhung and Wonsan, and there were seven divisions of U.N. Forces, with over 100,000 troops to move out.



I visited Almond several times, pestering him about the civilian evacuation. Forney and Major James Short, chief of the historical section, argued for it as well. On December 9, the U.S. Army announced it would be unable to evacuate its Korean civilian employees.



On December 14, I got word from ROK Marine headquarters that two LST’s(Landing Ship Tank) would be at the beach the following day to move out Marine equipment; the ships would also be able to carry 4,000 refugees. The next morning there were no LST’s on the beach. I tried unsuccessfully to find out where the ships were and when they would reach Hungnam. It was already December 15, and the deadline for the evacuation of Hamhung had been set for 6:00am the next morning. The Chinese troops were now just outside the city, and the Americans were in a rush to pack their belongings.



That afternoon, Almond called me into his office. Forney and several other XCorps officers were already there, as well as the commanding general, Baik IlKim, and two other high-ranking officers from the I Corps of the ROK Army. “We’ll evacuate 4,000 to 5,000 civilians from Hamhung to Hungnam by train,” Almond finally said, much to my relief. No planes were available for civilians, which meant the only possible route was by ship from Hungnam harbor. Although there were no ships ready for civilians just then, it was decided the evacuation to Hungnam should be started, and we would worry about the ships later.



My job was to tell the civilians to meet in front of the Hamhung railroad station; a train would take them to Hungnam at midnight. They stared at me in disbelief when I told them about the evacuation. I didn’t have time to convince that we weren’t joking or spreading false rumors, since we had other stops to make. “Just get to the railroad station by midnight!” I shouted as we ran out the door. The next stops were the Central Presbyterian Church, the YMCA headquarters, then Nambu Presbyterian Church.



The Hamhung railroad station was packed with more than 50,000 people who wanted to escape; many were left behind. The train, which finally pulled out at 2:00am, arrived in Hungnam at 5:00am. Many of those who had been unable to board the train tried to walk through frozen rice fields and mountain roads to Hungnam. Many civilians did reach Hungnam including refugees from all over the northeast. The military was now faced with the urgent problem of feeding and housing the 100,000 people who had poured into Hungnam. The temperature dropped to –10°C. The sound of gunfire was getting closer, and no boats were insight for the civilians. As tensions grew, people started to complain about the cold, and I even heard some grumble that they should have stayed home because they were sure the Americans were leaving them behind after all.



Finally, on December 17 or 18, three LST’s sent by the ROK Navy arrived at Hungnam, followed by six or seven transports from Japan. The civilian evacuation began on December 19, with thousands of Koreans hurrying on to the ships, many of them pushing to get in front. The LST’s, which might normally carry 1,000 passengers, held at least 5,000 refugees (not counting children strapped to their mother’s backs) squeezed in between tanks and equipment; one was said to have left with more than 10,000 people on board. I was ordered to board the Sergeant Andrew Miller on December 21. I stayed on deck watching the evacuation from a distance. It was becoming more frantic as people panicked at the thought of being left behind. The enemy seemed to be getting closer, for U.N. guns could be heard along the mountain ridges. At night,the sky was filled with streams of bright yellow light from naval gunfire. If I hadn’t known the source, I would have thought it a beautiful sight, like shooting stars falling on the horizon.



On the morning of December 22, the Sergeant Andrew Miller left for Pusan. I realized that it was almost Christmas, practically my first thought unrelated to the evacuation since November. “What a way to spend Christmas,” was my initial reaction. Then I realized that our prayers had been answered, and thousands of Koreans had a chance for a free life, which was the best Christmas gift of all. The evacuation was completed on December 24: 105,000 troops, 17,500 vehicles, 350,000 tons of bulk cargo, and 100,000 Korean civilian refugees were evacuated by sea from Hungnam as Communist troops approached. The Hungnam evacuation has been described in many accounts of the Korean War as a successful military operation, but for the Korean civilians who were transported to safety in the South, it was a miracle



After retiring from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1996, Dr. Hyun has been working at the Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea, as professor of Clinical Pathology. Hyun has been actively involved with the U.S.-China Korean Friendship Association. He hopes to broaden the Association’s work related to North Korea, particularly the medical relief and education aid programs. Dr. Hyun has made three separate trips to the DPRK.

[SAMWolf]

Generally described as an "amphibious operation in reverse", the evacuation of Hungnam encompassed the safe withdrawal of the bulk of UN forces in eastern North Korea. It was the largest sealift since the 1945 Okinawa operation. In barely two weeks, over a hundred-thousand military personnel, 17,500 vehicles and 350,000 measurement tons of cargo were pulled out. In comparison with the retreat in central and western Korea, little was left behind. Even broken-down vehicles were loaded and lifted out. Also departing North Korea through Hungnam were some 91,000 refugees, a large number, but not nearly as many as had gathered to leave.



The first major unit to go was the First Marine Division, which arrived in Hungnam on 10-11 December after its successful fighting withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir area. The Marines were followed by Republic of Korea troops, the U.S. Army Seventh Division and Third Division. The ROK First Corps was landed at Mukho, on the Korean east coast below the Thirty-eighth Parallel. U.S. forces were mainly taken to Pusan, where the influx initially overwhelmed that port's capacity.



Though the Chinese did not seriously interfere with the withdrawal, the potential threat they represented necessitated a vigorous bombardment by aircraft, artillery ashore and ships' guns. Air cover was available from nearby Yonpo airfield until that was abandoned on 14 December. Thereafter, for the final ten days of the operation, Navy and Marine carrier-borne planes handled the job. Naval gunfire was provided by two heavy cruisers and a battleship plus several destroyers and rocket ships.

Additional Sources:

www.history.navy.mil
www.koreasociety.org
www.history.navy.mil

[SAMWolf]

Naval gunfire support of the Hungnam redeployment began on 15 December, when USS Saint Paul commenced shooting with her eight-inch and five-inch guns. USS Rochester joined on 17 December and rocket ships (LSMR) began firing on the 21st. On the operation's last day, 23-24 December, the battleship Missouri provided intensified gunfire with her sixteen-inch rifles. Ammunition expenditure was lavish. Among the shells fired were nearly three thousand eight-inch and over eighteen thousand five-inch.

[SAMWolf]

[SAMWolf]

Veterans Day 2003 - Attention Northern California
PDN News Desk ^ comwatch

Veterans Day is right around the corner. 

It's an opportunity for us to support our troops, our country and show appreciations for our local veterans. It's another way to counter the Anti-Iraq campaign propaganda.  Would you like to help?  Are there any VetsCoR folks on the Left Coast?  We have a school project that everyone can help with too, no matter where you live.  See the end of this post for details.

Three Northern California events have been scheduled and we need help with each:

 

Friday evening - November 7th Veterans in School (An Evening of Living History, A Veterans Day Ice Cream Social)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003c.htm

 

Saturday - 11 a.m. November 8th: Veterans Day Parade (PDN & Friends parade entry)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003b.htm

 

Sunday November 9, 2003 Noon to 3:00 PM Support our Troops & Veterans Rally prior to Youth Symphony Concert

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003d.htm

 

Each of the WebPages above have a link to e-mail a confirmation of your interest and desire to volunteer.  These are family events and everyone is welcome to pitch in.  We'd really appreciate hearing from you directly via each these specific links.  This way, we can keep you posted on only those projects you want to participate in.

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Veterans in School - How you can help if you're not close enough to participate directly. If you are a veteran, share a story of your own with the children.  If you have family serving in the military, tell them why it's important that we all support them. Everyone can thank them for having this special event.  Keep in mind that there are elementary school kids. 

Help us by passing this message around to other Veteran's groups.  I have introduced VetsCoR and FreeperFoxhole to a number of school teachers.  These living history lessons go a long way to inspire patriotism in our youth.  Lets see if we can rally America and give these youngsters enough to read for may weeks and months ahead.  If we can, we'll help spread it to other schools as well.

  Click this link to send an email to the students.

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[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Maine (BB-10)

Maine class battleship
displacement. 12,846 t.
length. 393'11"
beam. 72'3"
draft. 24'4"
speed. 18 k.
complement. 561
armament. 4 12", 16 6", 6 3", 8 8-pdrs., 6 1-pdrs., 2 18" tt.

The second USS Maine (Battleship No. 10) was laid down by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa., 15 February 1899, a year to the day after the destruction of the first Maine; launched 27 July 1901; sponsored by Miss Mary Preble Anderson; and commissioned at Philadelphia 29 December 1902, Capt. Eugene H. C. Leutze in command.

From 1903 to 1907 Maine cruised along the Atlantic coast south to the West Indies, and she completed one cruise to the Mediterranean. On 16 December 1907 she left Hampton Roads with the rest of the Atlantic Fleet en route to the Pacific where she joined ships of that fleet for a cruise around the world. In company with the Alabama, she went to Guam and the Philippines, through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, and returned to the Atlantic coast in October 1908, considerably in advance of the rest of the "Great White Fleet."

She decommissioned at Portsmouth, N.H., 31 August 1909. Maine was modernized, receiving new "cage" masts and other alterations that greatly changed her appearance. Recommissioned 15 June 1911, Maine operated along the east coast. During World War I, she trained engineers, armed guard crews, and midshipmen. Following the defeat of the Central Powers, she took part in the review of the fleet at New York 26 December 1918.

Maine operated with ships of the Atlantic Fleet until 15 May 1920 when she decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Classified as BB-10 on 17 July 1920, she was sold to J. G. Hitner & W. F. Cutler of Philadelphia, Pa., 23 January 1922; rendered incapable of further warlike service 17 December 1923; and subsequently broken up and scrapped In accordance with terms of the Washington treaty limiting naval armaments.

[snippy_about_it]

.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

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[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the FReeper Foxhole.

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[Darksheare]

"The shelling of the destroyer caused two more like explosions and where I once looked at the first United Nations flag flying, there was nothing but fire."

I'd pay good money to see that.
I'm in.

[manna]

Present!

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on October 15:
70 -BC- Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) Mantua Italy (Aeneid), poet
1542 Akbar Indian Mughal emperor (1556-1605)
1674 Robert Herrick Mass, British poet (Together)
1785 Jos‚ Miguel Carrera president of Chile (1811-14)
1829 Asaph Hall discovered satellites of Mars, Phobos & Deimos
1831 Helen Maria Hunt Jackson author (Ramona)
1844 Friedrich Nietzsche Germany, philosopher/anti-semite (Ubermensch)
1858 John L Sullivan Mass, heavyweight boxing champ (1882-92)
1881 P.G. Wodehouse British-American writer (Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves)
1896 Melville Cooper Birmingham England, TV panelist (I Got a Secret)
1900 Fritz Feld actor (Jack Benny Show, At the Circus)
1900 Mervyn Le Roy movie producer (Devil at 4 O'Clock)
1902 William Edmundson Spokane Wash, vocalist (Southernaires)
1905 C P Snow England, novelist/scientist (Death Under Sail)
1907 John Cardinal Dearden US cardinal (1969-88)
1908 John Kenneth Galbraith writer (Affluent Society-1958 Hillman Award)
1909 Robert Trout Wake County NC, newscaster (ABC)
1917 Arthur Schlesinger Jr historian/author (1946 Pulitzer-Age of Jackson)
1917 Jan Miner Boston Mass, actress (Crime Photographer)
1921 Mario Puzo author (Godfather)
1924 Colin Romoff NYC, orch leader (Andy Williams Show)
1924 Lee A Iacocca CEO (Chrysler Corp)
1926 Evan Hunter [Ed McBain], American writer (Blackboard Jungle)
1926 Jean Peters actress (Viva Zapata!, Apache, Deep Waters)
1930 Phillipe Leroy Paris France, actor (Night Porter, Leonardo da Vinci)
1932 Abby Dalton Las Vegas, actress (Ellie-Joey Bishop Show, Falcon Crest)
1934 Peter Haskell Boston Mass, actor (Bracken's World, Rituals)
1935 Bobby-Joe Morrow US, 100m/200m dash (Olympic-gold-1956)
1937 Barry McGuire Oklahoma City, singer (Eve of Destruction)
1937 Linda Lavin Portland Maine, actress (Alice, Barney Miller)
1939 Carmelo Bossi Italy, light middleweight boxer (Olympic-silver-1960)
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins
1942 Penny Marshall Bronx NY, actress (Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley)
1945 Jim Palmer NYC, Oriole pitcher/sportscaster/jockey underwear salesman
1946 Richard Carpenter New Haven Ct, vocalist (Carpenters-Close to You)
1951 Roscoe Tanner tennis player (Wimbledon Finals 1979)
1953 Tito Jackson singer (Jackson 5-ABC, Never Can Say Goodbye)
1955 Tanya Roberts [Leigh], Bronx NY, actress (Charlie's Angels, Sheena)
1958 Jayne Modean Hartford Ct, actress (Nurse Hooter-Trauma Center)
1959 Sarah Ferguson [Fergie], Duchess of York
1966 Jeffrey Jacquet Bay City Texas, actor (Mork & Mindy, Whiz Kids)
1991 Owen Joseph Kline son of Phoebe Cates & Kevin Kline

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Deaths which occurred on October 15:
1564 Andreas Vesalius anatomist, dies at 49
1813 Tecumseh dies in battle
1817 Tadeusz AB Kosciusko, Polish lt-general/freedom fighter, dies
1910 Stanley "Midnight Assassin" Ketchel HW boxing champ, shot & killed
1917 Mata Hari Dutch dancer/German spy executed by firing squad in Paris
1944 Philip Mechanicus, journalist, executed in Auschwitz-Birkenau
1945 Pierre Laval former premier of Vichy France, executed
1946 Hermann Goering Nazi Reichmarshal, poisons himself in prison
1958 John Hamilton actor (Perry White-Superman), dies at 61
1964 Cole Porter composer, dies (Still of the Night, I've Got You Under My Skin...)
1965 Carl Hoff orch leader (Music Hall), dies at 60
1968 Bea Benaderet NYC, actress (Kate-Petticoat Junction), dies at 62
1976 Carlo Gambino, US gangster, dies at 74
1981 Frank DeKova actor (Chief Wild Eagle-F Troop)
1983 Pat O'Brien actor, dies of heart attack at 83
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 SCHULER ROBERT H. JR.---WELLSBURG NY.
1965 SIMA THOMAS W.---HANNASTOWN PA.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

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On this day...
1501 English crown prince Arthur marries Catharina of Aragon
1520 King Henry VIII of England orders bowling lanes at Whitehall
1529 Ottoman armies under Suleiman end their siege of Vienna and head back to Belgrade
1582 Many Catholic countries switch to Gregorian calendar, skip 10 days
1641 Paul de Chomedy de Maisonneuve claims Montreal
1655 Jews of Lublin are massacred
1783 Jean Pilƒtre de Rozier makes captive-balloon ascent
1789 1st presidental tour-George Washington in New England
1842 Karl Marx becomes editor-in-chief of Rheinische Zeitung
1846 Dr William Thomas Green Morton 1st public use of ether
1860 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Lincoln, tells him to grow a beard
1863 Cliff House opens in SF (1st of many on the site)
1864 Confederate troops occupy Glasgow, Missouri
1866 Great fire in Quebec destroys 2,500 houses
1877 45th Congress (1877-79) convenes
1878 Edison Electric Light Company incorporated
1880 Cologne cathedral completed, 633 years after it begun
1881 1st American fishing magazine, American Angler published
1883 Supreme Court declares Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional
1885 Hoss Radbourne pitches his 60th win of the season
1890 Alabama Penny Savings Bank organizes in Birmingham
1892 An attempt to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kan., ends in disaster for the Dalton gang as four of the five outlaws are killed and Emmet Dalton is seriously wounded.
1894 Capt Alfred Dreyfus arrested accused of espionage
1914 ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) founded
1914 Clayton Antitrust Act passed
1917 Chicago White Sox beat NY Giants, 4 games to 2 in 14th World Series
1919 14 horses begin 300-mile race from Vt to Mass for $1000 prize money
1923 NY Yankees 1st World Series win beating NY Giants, 4 games to 2 (World Series #20)
1925 Pitts Pirates beat Wash Senators, 4 games to 3 in 22nd World Series
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins
1928 German dirigible "Graf Zeppelin" lands in Lakehurst, NJ
1933 Philadelphia Eagles play 1st NFL game, lose to NY Giants 56-0
1935 NHL's St Louis Eagles fold
1937 Ernest Hemingway novel "To Have & Have Not" published
1939 LaGuardia Airport opens in NYC
1941 Jews caught outside the Polish Ghetto walls could be put to death
1946 Enos Slaughter scores from 1st on a single in the 43rd World Series
1946 St Louis Cards beat Boston Red Sox, 4 games to 3 in 43rd World Series
1949 Administration of territory of Manipur taken over by Indian govt
1949 Billy Graham begins his ministry
1949 Tripura accedes to the Indian union
1951 "I Love Lucy" debuts on CBS TV
1956 William J Brennan Jr appointed to the Supreme Court
1959 "Untouchables" premieres
1962 Byron R White appointed to the Supreme Court
1964 Craig Breedlove sets auto speed record of 846.97 kph
1964 Kosygin & Brezhnev replace Soviet premier Nikita Krushchev
1964 St Louis Cardinals beat NY Yankees, 4 games to 3 in 61st World Series (NY Yankees appears in 14 & win 9 of last 16 World Series)
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins
1965 Dodgers & Sandy Koufax win 7th game of 62nd World Series vs Twins
1966 LBJ signs a bill creating Dept of Transportation
1969 Bank of America World Headquarters (555 California) dedicated
1969 Madison Square Garden TV Network begins (Rangers vs North Stars)
1969 Oriole Earl Weaver becomes 1st manager ejected in a world series (World Series #66)
1969 Vietnam Moratorium Day; millions nationwide protest the war
1970 Baltimore Orioles beat Cin Reds, 4 games to 1 in 67th World Series
1974 National Guard mobilizes to restore order in Boston school busing
1974 Washington Capitals 1st NHL tie, playing LA Kings to 1-1 tie
1976 1st debate of major-ticket VP nominees Mondale (D) vs Dole (R)
1976 Ringo releases "A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll"
1977 Arkansas' Steve Little kicks a record tying 67 yard field goal
1977 Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life," goes #1 & stays #1 for 10 weeks
1979 1st Monday night game from NYC, Jets beat Vikings 14-7 (Shea Stad)
1979 NY Knicks retire 2nd number, # 10, Walt Frazier
1981 Yanks defeat A's 4-0 & win 33rd pennant
1983 Black Hawks & Maple Leafs combine for fastest 5 goals (84 seconds)
1983 Columbia beats Yale 21-18 in football, will lose next 44 games
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins
1983 US Marine sharpshooters kill 5 snipers at Beirut Intl Airport
1985 Shuttle Columbia carries Spacelab into orbit
1985 Shelley Taylor of Australia makes fastest swim ever around Manhattan Island, doing it in 6 hours 12 minutes 29 seconds
1986 Longest post season game, Mets beat Astros 7-6 in 16 & win NL pennant
1987 NFL Players Assn orders an end to the 24 day strike
1988 Amnesty International's Global Concert Tour ends in Buenos Aires
1988 NCAA record rushing yardage (768 yards-Oklahoma)
1988 With 2 outs in bottom of 9th, an injured Kirk Gibson hits dramatic 2 run HR to gives Dodgers a 5-4 win in 1st game of 85th World Series
1989 Billy Graham is given the 1,900th star on Hollywood Blvd
1989 S Afr pres FW de Klerk frees Sisulu & 4 other political prisoners
1989 Wayne Gretsky passes Gordie Howes as NHL's all time top scorer
1991 Clarence Thomas is confirmed as Supreme Court Justice (52-48)
1993 - The Pentagon censured three U.S. Navy admirals who'd organized the Tailhook Association convention in 1991, during which scores of women had been subjected to abuse and indignities by junior officers.

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

French Guiana : Cayenne Holiday
Tunisia : Evacuation Day
Alaska : Alaska Day (1867) (Monday)
National Pet Peeve Week (Day 4)
National Grouch Day.
Gourmet Coffee Week Begins
American Magazine Month
Gourmet Adventures Month
National Sarcastics' Awareness Month

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Religious Observances
US : National Day of Prayer
RC : Memorial of St Teresa of Avila, 1st woman doctor of the church
Ang : Feast of Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, bishop of Shanghai
Feast of St. Gerard Majekla, patron saint of mothers, "the saint of happy childbirth".

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Religious History
1784 Birth of Thomas Hastings, American sacred composer. Hastings was an albino afflicted with extreme nearsightedness, yet from his pen came such enduring hymn tunes as TOPLADY ("Rock of Ages") and ORTONVILLE ("Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned").
1790 Ann Teresa Mathews (aka Mother Bernardina) and Frances Dickinson founded a convent of Discalced Carmelites (a contemplative working order) in Port Tobacco, Maryland. It was the first Catholic convent founded in the United States.
1840 In Melville, Missouri, the Evangelical Synod of North America was founded. It later became one of the branches of today's United Church of Christ.
1900 Pentecostal evangelist Charles Fox Parham opened Bethel Bible Institute in Topeka, Kansas. It was here on January 1, 1901 that the first Christian in modern times was reported to have spoken in tongues: student Agnes Ozman.
1948 American missionary martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: '"They shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isa. 40:31). These wings are not so typical of purity as they are of power -- strength to live above snares and everything ese...Thanks for wings, Lord.'

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"He walks as if balancing the family tree on his nose."

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Question of the day....
What happens when you throw a green rock into the Red Sea?

It gets wet.

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Murphys Law of the day...(Dunn's Discovery)
The shortest measurable interval of time is the time between the moment one puts a little extra aside for a sudden emergency and the arrival of that emergency.

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Astounding fact #30,876...
The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe.

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Did I mention that Gourmet Coffee Week Begins...
Well it does

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning snippy! Had the Starbucks yet??

[snippy_about_it]

Morning EGC. Thanks for the reminder.

[snippy_about_it]

I'd pay good money to see that.

You and me both!!

Good morning Darksheare.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning manna.

[snippy_about_it]

Did I mention that Gourmet Coffee Week Begins...

Hmmm. I think I saw it on that list somewhere...

Good morning Valin.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning feather. Yep, I've had my Starbucks and ready for some 'regular' coffee.

[Darksheare]

Morning.
I was awoken from my unholy repose early for some reason..

[Valin]

1892 An attempt to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kan., ends in disaster for the Dalton gang as four of the five outlaws are killed and Emmet Dalton is seriously wounded.

Errata. This raid in fact took place on 5 Oct 1892

Early in the morning on Oct. 5 1892 five members of the gang, Bob, Grat, Emmett, Bill Power, and Dick Broadwell rode into Coffeyville. They tied their horses in the alley across from the banks, then strolled across the street and divided into two groups and enter the Condon National Bank and First National Bank.
However they were recognized by citizens and the alarm was given. Townsmen quick armed themselves with weapons from the local hardware stores and took up positions to defend the town. As the bandits tried to make good their escape a fierce gun battle took place in which four citizens and four bandits loss their life.
Emmett, the sole surviving member of the gang, was seriously wounded. He would recover from his wounds and stood trial for the crime. He was sentenced to life in prison, but was later pardon by the governor, and spent the rest of his days in California.

http://www.gunslinger.com/dalton.html