The FReeper Foxhole - Military Related News in Review - July 21st, 2003

various

[snippy_about_it]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

.

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

.

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

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NEWS from IRAQ

July 20

ONE KILLED, TWO INJURED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One soldier was killed and two were injured in a military vehicle rollover accident July 20 near Baghdad International Airport.

One soldier died at the scene.

The two injured soldiers were taken to the 47th Forward Support Battalion for treatment.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

TWO U. S. SOLDIERS KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN RPG ATTACK

MOSUL, Iraq — Two soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division were killed and one wounded when their unit was ambushed with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Tal Afar July 20.

The soldiers were transported to the 21st Combat Support Hospital for treatment. Two soldiers later died of their wounds.

There were no reported enemy casualties.

The victims’ names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

July 19

OPERATION SODA MOUNTAIN HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS HELP IRAQIS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces performed a number of successful humanitarian projects, to enhance the long-term stability throughout Iraq, in support of Operation Soda Mountain, which ended on July 17.

The 4th Infantry Division engineers opened the Buffalo Soldier Bridge, which spans the Tigris River, on July 17. The completion of the bridge project marks the first completed joint project between the 4th ID’s 14th Engineer Battalion and local Iraqis. The bridge, which had been damaged by erosion, is now safe for civilian as well as military traffic.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) delivered 50,000 liters of water to the village of Musaid, located approximately 17 kilometers west of Mosul, free of charge. Musaid does not have a water pipeline or well to provide adequate water. Truck delivered water is expensive due the distance of Musaid from a reliable water source. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st AD has started a drinkable water delivery program to help small villages and towns in the area surrounding Mosul.

The 122nd Engineer Battalion of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment met with school principals, community representatives and parents throughout Al Anbar to democratically discuss plans to improve the schools. The meeting, sponsored by the U. S. Agency for International Development, gives schools up to $20,000 to purchase supplies such as chalk, desks, fans, paper, pencils and other scholastically related materials.

The 1st Armored Division continued the renovation of six medical clinics. Additionally, The 1st AD continued with their major ongoing projects, which includes fuel, food and medical supply distribution as well as coordinating supplies for the upcoming student exams.

The 3rd Infantry Division coordinated the delivery of an X-ray, dental chair and office furniture to the Taji and Mandy Al Batchechy medical clinics.

Coalition forces were also successful in the security portion of Operation Soda Mountain conducting 141 raids resulting in 678 individuals detained, including 64 former regime leaders. Additionally, Coalition forces captured 4,297 mortar rounds, 1,346 rocket-propelled grenades and 635 weapons, 509 hand grenades as well as various other weapons.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 19 raids, 1,100-day patrols and 897-night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 132-day patrols and 123-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted 11-day patrols and 21 night patrols. The total raids and patrols resulted in 147 arrests for various criminal activities including five for murder, one for kidnapping, 18 for car jacking, 15 for aggravated assault, six for burglary and eight for looting.

For further information contact the CJTF-7 Coalition Press Information Center at 914 360-5082/5089 or cpic.pressdesk.iraq@us.army.mil.

COALITION FORCES AMBUSHED, THREE WOUNDED

Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan – Two coalition soldiers and one Afghan Military Forces soldier were wounded when their patrol was ambushed north of Orgun-E about 11 a.m. today.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to Forward Operating Base Salerno near Khowst. They are in stable condition and are being moved to the U.S. Army hospital at Bagram.

Enemy forces that engaged the patrol were armed with AK-47 rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades

The names of the wounded service members are being withheld for privacy.

SOLDIER DIES FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 1st Armored Division soldier died from injuries received from a small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack that occurred in the Abu Ghuraib neighborhood July 19 at approximately 1:30 a.m.

The soldier was providing fixed site security at a bank when the unit came under attack. The soldier was evacuated to a nearby aid station and subsequently died.

The soldier's name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

For further information contact the CJTF-7 Coalition Press Information Center at 914 360-5082/5089 or cpic.pressdesk.iraq@us.army.mil.

July 18

SOLDIER KILLED IN EXPLOSION

FALLUJAH, Iraq – A 3rd Infantry Division soldier was killed today as his vehicle passed an Improvised Explosive Device west of Fallujah.

The vehicle was traveling east near a traffic circle when a command-detonated IED exploded, causing a one-and-a-half foot crater in the road. The vehicle took the brunt of the impact. The vehicle crossed two lanes and went off the edge of the road.

No other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

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News from Afghanistan





July 20, 2003

U.S. Special Forces Engage Enemy Forces in Afghanistan

Kandahar Province, Afghanistan - Special Operations Forces killed approximately 22-24 enemy soldiers when an unknown element attacked a coalition convoy in the vicinity of the fire base at Spin Boldak Saturday , according to officials at Combined Joint Task Force 180.

The coalition forces drove through the kill zone, requested close air support and engaged the enemy forces, killing approximately five enemy and pursuing the remaining forces into the surrounding hills, officials said. AH-64 Apaches provided the air support, making several passes on the hill, killing approximately 17-19 more enemy. There were no coalition casualties.

Two rockets impacted in the vicinity of the fire base at Spin Boldak Saturday night, officials said. The suspected launch site is the nearby village of Muljawan. Local police are searching the village. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

In an incident in Kunar Province, task force officials said three coalition soldiers were wounded and one vehicle was damaged when an improvised explosive device detonated in the middle of their convoy approximately eight kilometers south of Asadabad yesterday afternoon. The three soldiers were medically evacuated to Bagram Air Base yesterday and are in stable condition. The names of the soldiers and their injuries are being withheld for privacy. The damage to the vehicle is unknown at this time.

July 19, 2003

Coalition Forces Ambushed, Three Wounded

Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan - Two coalition soldiers and one Afghan Military Forces soldier were wounded when their patrol was ambushed north of Orgun-E about 11 a.m. today.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to Forward Operating Base Salerno near Khowst. They are in stable condition and are being moved to the U.S. Army hospital at Bagram.

Enemy forces that engaged the patrol were armed with AK-47 rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades

The names of the wounded service members are being withheld for privacy.

July 18, 2003

By U.S. Army Col. Rodney Davis , CJTF-180

Gulbahar Bridge Opening

Parwan Province, Afghanistan - The opening ceremony for the Gulbahar Bridge was held yesterday northeast of Bagram. The bridge crosses the Panjir River and will serve as a conduit between the Parwan and Kapisa provinces, improving commerce and communication. The governors of the Parwan and Kapisa provinces and local media were there to celebrate the achievement.

SOF CACHE

Helmand Province, Afghanistan - Special Operations Forces confiscated a cache in a compound in the vicinity of the firebase at Gereshk yesterday. The cache contained: three AK-47s, 12 hand grenades, 10 hand grenade fuses, two AK-47 vests, 10 full AK-47 magazines, two bayonets, eight 200 gram blocks of plastic explosive (unserviceable and extremely old) and one radio. They also had an individual walk-in to the firebase and turn in two anti-tank mines. All of the munitions are being held pending future destruction.

Rocket Attack Khowst

Khowst Province - Three to four rockets were fired at border checkpoint number four in the vicinity of the firebase at Khowst last night. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

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Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD

IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2003

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Lance Cpl. Jason Andrew Tetrault, 20, Moreno Valley, Calif., was killed in Kuwait on July 9 in a vehicle accident.

Tetrault was assigned to 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Roger D. Rowe, 54, Bon Aqua, Tenn., was killed on July 9 in Iraq. Rowe died as a result of an enemy sniper attack.

Rowe was assigned to the 1174th Troop Command, in Columbia, Tenn.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpt. Paul J. Cassidy, 36, of Laingsburg, Mich., died July 13 in Camp Babylon, Iraq. Cassidy died as a result of non-combat injuries. This incident is under investigation. Cassidy was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Wis.

Sgt. Michael T. Crockett, 27, of Soperton, Ga., was killed on July 14 in Baghdad, Iraq. Crockett was on patrol when he came under RPG attack. Crockett was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Joshua M. Neusche, 20, of Montreal, Mo., died July 12 in Homburg Hospital, Germany. Neusche died from a non-combat cause. Neusche was assigned to the 203rd Engineer Battalion, in Joplin, Mo.

Spc. Christian C. Schulz, 20, of Colleyville, Texas, died July 11 in Baqubah, Iraq. Schulz died as a result of non-combat injuries. This incident is under investigation. Schulz was assigned to the 3rd Troop, 67th Armor Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Jaror C. Puello-Coronado, 36, Pocono Summit, Pa., died on July 13 at Camp Edson, Iraq. Puello-Coronado was manning a traffic point when the operator of a dump truck lost control of the vehicle. Puello-Coronado was struck by the truck and died of his injuries.

Puello-Coronado was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 310th Military Police Battalion, in Uniondale, N.Y.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2003

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Lance Cpl. Cory Ryan Geurin, 18, of Santee, Calif., was killed in Babylon, Iraq, on July 15. He was standing post on a palace roof in Babylon when he fell approximately 60 feet.

Geurin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2003

DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno, 26, Gering, Neb., was killed July 17 in Al Hamishiyah, Iraq, from a non-hostile gunshot wound.

Moreno was assigned to the Naval Medical Center San Diego, Fourth Marine Division Detachment. The incident is under investigation.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie, 20, Independence, Mo. died on July 18 at Fallujah, Iraq. Bertoldie was thrown from the military vehicle he was driving when an explosive device was detonated underneath.

Bertoldie was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4-64 Armor Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraq Freedom.

Sgt. Mason Douglas Whetstone, 30, a Utah native, died on July 17 in Baghdad, Iraq. Whetstone died as a result of non-combat injuries. The incident is under investigation. Whetstone was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 58th Aviation (Forward), Hanau, Germany.

Second Lt. Jonathan D. Rozier, 25, of Katy, Texas died on July 19 at Baghdad, Iraq. Lieutenant Rozier’s unit was fired upon by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire while providing security at a municipal building. Rozier was assigned to B Company, 2-70th Armor Battalion, Fort Riley, KS (1st Armored Division).

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Jason D. Jordan, 24 of Elba, Ala. died on July 20 in Tallifar, Iraq. Sgt. Jordan was patrolling a village when the vehicle was ambushed by RPGs (rocket propelled grenades).

Jordan was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1-187 Infantry Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.

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Status of Iraq's 55 Most Wanted

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[snippy_about_it]

Pictures of the Week


030716-N-4953E-031 Aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Jul.16, 2003 -- A T-2C Buckeye assigned to Fixed Wing Training Squadron Nine (VT-9) performs a touch and go on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). This is the last time the T-2C Buckeye will be used to train student pilots aboard aircraft carriers. Truman is conducting Carrier Qualifications (CQ) and an ammo off load, on the Eastern seaboard of the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Danny Ewing Jr. (RELEASED)

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Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group comes home!

Short news clip on Tarawa ARG homecoming

USS Tarawa

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Snippy's Oregon Vacation Pictures

*There will be a "How I spent my summer vacation" thread in the near future. In the meantime I'll post a few pictures occassionally*
Snippy and SAM's trip to The Evergreen Museum

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Profile

Harriers Vital to Marine Corps Aviation During Iraqi Freedom







Story Link

MCAS Yuma, Ariz.(July 17, 2003) -- One of the biggest challenges for Marine Corps fixed-wing aviation during Operation Iraqi Freedom was the scarcity of airfields within the theater of operations.

Commanders were aware of this fact before operations began overseas. More than 400 aircraft deployed with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, most of which require traditional airfields to operate from, said Col. Mark Savarese, commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 13.

In order for the Marine Corps to bring the combat power necessary to support ground troops, the only option was to base attack jets on ships, he said. However, with traditional aircraft carriers already loaded with Naval aircraft and only a limited space available at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, the only place to base those jets were the LHD class ships, a type of miniature aircraft carrier designed for amphibious assault[Sgt. Nap1].

Enter the AV-8B Harrier, a single engine attack fighter capable of Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing and the only fixed wing aircraft able to operate from a LHD.

"The beauty of Harriers is their flexibility," Savarese said. "It is a unique airplane that can go anywhere and operate from anywhere, which is what allowed them to operate from what I like to call an attack carrier."

The Marine Corps deployed 76 Harriers to the theater of operations during OIF, 60 of which were spread between USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Bataan, USS Tarawa and USS Nassau, he said. The remaining jets were stationed in Kuwait. Harriers made up more than 50 percent of the Marine Corps' fixed-wing offensive air support aircraft -- the 60 Harriers on ship comprised 45 percent of the total airborne firepower.

"During the twenty-six days of combat operations, we flew more than 2,000 sorties and logged more than 3,000 flight hours," Savarese said. "Harriers expended more than 750,000 pounds of ordnance in support of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, dropping 1,000-pound and 500-pound bombs.

"The Harrier community on both the East Coast and West Coast has worked diligently over the past two years to revise what we do professionally," he said.

From a standpoint of logistics support, maintenance and operational flying, OIF was the Harrier's "finest days."

"I'm so absolutely delighted with the total professional effort of both the Sailors and the Marines that were out there working so hard to get these airplanes flying so pilots could go fly combat missions," Savarese said.

Even after all the missions the Harriers conducted, not a single plane returned with bullet-holes in it, a fact he credits to the professional flying of the aviators and superior intelligence on enemy forces and capabilities. The mission capable readiness rates for the Harrier were an unprecedented average of 80 percent.

"For this conflict, we required the basing flexibility that STOVL aircraft provide," Savarese said. "The STOVL concept has come with a price, as sometimes innovation does, but OIF demonstrated that through persistence, a vision can become reality."

Operation Iraqi Freedom showed not only the flexibility of the Harrier, but it's dependability as well.

"I think Harriers were well-trusted by the ground folks in the theater of operations," said Lt. Col. Paul K. Rupp, commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 211. "Not only are they extremely effective in missions, but extremely efficient. Our airplanes had tremendous tactical aircraft readiness availability in the theater for the 3rd MAW -- our planes were always ready to go."

The AV-8B was one of the few TACAIR platforms that did not lose an aircraft in combat during OIF, he said.

"The Harrier wasn't used to it's full potential out there when it comes to (Forward Arming and Refueling Points) and (Forward Operating Bases)," Rupp said. "But it takes a lot of support and logistics to support FARPs and FOBs -- about 45 tons of ordnance a day are needed at a FARP alone, so we chose to use other platforms."

Basing the Harriers on ship, in Kuwait and using the FARP at An Numaniyah, 60 miles southeast of Baghdad, also helped with refueling issues, he said. The Harrier did not need to refuel in mid-air, which allowed aircraft without STOVL capabilities the opportunity to make full use of aerial-refueling aircraft.

Precision-guided munitions helped the AV-8Bs post a 65 percent mission effectiveness rate, verified by the new Northrop Grumman Litening II targeting pod, Savarese said. Effectiveness was determined by a narrow definition of target bomb hit assessment -- a hit is when a bomb lands within 13 feet of a target, and not a single bomb dropped fell outside of 200 feet of its target.

In one wave alone, 12 Harriers flying off USS Bonhomme Richard completely destroyed the Republican Guard Baghdad Division's one and only armored tank battalion, he added. The tank battalion was found by MAG-13's intelligence team to be hiding in Al Kut, captured on video by the Litening II targeting pod on a Harrier returning from a sortie. That one mission allowed the MEF's push on Al Kut to continue without a pitched battle.

"There was one other incident that I think was pretty noteworthy," Savarese said. "One of our pilots saved Oliver North's bacon, as well as a few others. He was embedded as a Fox News broadcaster, and he went down in a UH-1 with some engine trouble. It didn't crash, but I think they had to land near An Numaniyah when immediately they started receiving fire from enemy artillery, mortars or such, with enemy infantry moving in from the east.

"We had a section of Harriers airborne at the time, and our pilots engaged, taking out the enemy position closest to the helicopter and provided delaying action against the enemy infantry moving west, allowing Marine rescue helicopters into the landing zone to get those guys out of there. It wasn't until afterward we found out that Oliver North was one of the guys in that helicopter. We were pretty proud of that."

Elements of VMA-214 also took out a Baath Party headquarters building near the hospital where Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch was held, he said. The target was taken out to allow the rescue attempt to proceed.

"I think we were highly effective because we had an incredible team of great individuals working together," Savarese said. "Everybody gave 110 percent, we had the equipment, we had the readiness, and I believe we had the squadron commanders that were top notch and ready to move these guys in the right direction."

General Randolph Pate, Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, once said "vertical takeoff and land characteristics are an ultimate requirement for all Marine aircraft in support of amphibious operations in the future ... obtaining a STOL/VTOL capability is vital to Marine aviation."

"The AV-8B Harrier has fulfilled those characteristics," Savarese said. "The contributions the aircraft made during OIF have validated the STOVL basing flexibility as a fundamental feature for responsive offensive air support.

[snippy_about_it]

Former POW Receives Much Attention at NAACP Convention Story

Rumsfeld, Myers Thank Employers of Guard and Reserve Members Story

Shades of Green at Disney World Now to Reopen in March 2004 Story

VA Calls for Improvements in POW Benefits Story

[snippy_about_it]

Come on out of there!
Have a cup a joe -

Read some Recent News -

Stretch your legs a while and welcome to Monday at The FReeper Foxhole!

Please post any news you'd like to share and send us any ideas you would like to see us cover.

Have a Good Monday and enjoy your day.

[snippy_about_it]

[snippy_about_it]

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

.......Good Monday Morning Everyone!


If you would like added or removed from our ping list let me know.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy. How's it going?

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning EGC.

Tired and running late. lol.

This time zone difference between here and Oregon is not easy to deal with in only one week!

Off to work, have a good day.

[larryjohnson]

Good mornin, foxes and FRiends from FRoggy Maine.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning Snippy, SAM, Darksheare.

Rainy day today! Starting off with a big thunder boomer this morning.

[snippy_about_it]

Morning feather. We are under a severe thunderstorm watch until noon today. boo-hoo, hot and muggy just where I left off when I flew out of here last week!

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning larry. Nice to 'see' you.

[Fiddlstix]

Good Morning Everybody.

You Know The Drill
Click the Pics J

Coffee & Donuts J

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you Fiddlstix.

[Darksheare]

Morning.
Threatening rain this morning, but not raining yet.

The dreaded red 'x' is showing where images should be at the moment.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Good morning!

Most of your pictures didn't load, though .. but I'll take your word for it about the success of your vacation. :)

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on July 21:
1804 Victor Schoelcher Guadeloupe, abolished french slavery
1816 Paul Julius Baron von Reuter founded Reuters news service
1856 Louise Blanchard Bethune 1st US woman architect
1863 C Aubrey Smith London England, actor (Prisoner of Zenda)
1864 Frances Folsom Cleveland 1st lady
1885 Frances Parkinson Keyes novelist (Dinner at Antoine)
1896 Jean Rivier Villemomble France, composer (V‚nitienne)
1899 Ernest Hemmingway Oak Park, for whom the bell tolled... (Nobel 1954)
1899 Hart Crane US, poet (The Bridge)
1901 Allyn Joslyn Milford Pa, actor (They Won't Forget, Cafe Society)
1911 Marshall McLuhan Canada, writer (The Medium is the Massage)
1920 Isaac Stern Kremenetz, Russia, violinist (debut SF Symph)
1921 Billy Taylor Greenville NC, orch leader (David Frost Show)
1922 Kay Starr Dougherty Okla, singer (Rock & Roll Waltz, Club Oasis)
1924 Don Knotts Morgantown WV, actor (Amdy Griffth Show, 3's Company)
1926 Norman Jewison director (Moonstruck, ...And Justice For All)
1926 Paul Burke New Orleans, actor (Thomas Crown Affair)
1931 Gene Littler golfer (1961 US Open)
1931 Gene Fullmer (International Boxing Hall of Famer: World Middleweight Champion [1957], NBA Middleweight Champion [1959-62])
1933 John Gardner scholar/writer (Grendel, Sunlight Dialogues)
1935 Kaye Stevens US, singer (Jerry Lewis Show)
1938 Les Aspin, (Rep-D-Wisc, 1971-93)/Minister of Defense (1993-94)
1942 Fred Hetzel NBA star (SF, Cincinatti, Milwaukee Bucks)
1942 Patricia Elliot Gunnison Co, actress (Renee-Empire, One Life to Live)
1943 David Downing NYC, actor (Backstairs at the White House)
1943 Edward Herrmann Wash DC, actor (Day of the Dolphin, Reds)
1945 Alton Maddox NY black activist/attorney (Tawana Brawley case)
1945 Leigh Lawson Atherston England, actress (Fire & Sword, Charlie Boy)
1946 Zbigniew Kaczmarek Poland, lightweight (Olympic-gold-1976)
1947 Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam, rocker (Peace Train, Father & Son)
1947 Wendell Burton San Antonio Tx, actor (Lucas-New Dick Van Dyke Show)
1948 Art Hindle Halifax Nova Scotia, actor (Jeff-Dallas, Berrengers)
1949 Ludmila Smirnova USSR, pairs figure skater (Olympic-silver-1972)
1951 Doug Collins US, basketball player (Olympic-silver-1972)
1951 Slick Watts NBA (Seattle SuperSonic)
1952 Robin Williams Chicago Ill, comedian (Mork & Mindy, Awakenings)
1955 Henry Preistman rocker (The Christians-Harvest the World)
1955 Tacho Ocheriski singer (Putting on the Ritz)
1957 Jon Lovitz Tarzana Calif, comedian (SNL)
1960 Lance Guest Saratoga Calif, actor (Lance-Lou Grant)
1962 Ike Eisenmann Houston Tx, actor (Scott-Fantastic Journey)
1964 Susan Swift Houston Tx, actress (Chisholms)

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Deaths which occurred on July 21:
1796 Robert Burns Scottish poet, dies
1948 Arshile Gorky abstract expressionist, dies at 43
1957 Bernard Spooner US inventor of bulletproof jacket, dies
1967 Basil Rathbone Johannesburg S Africa, actor, dies at 75
1967 Jimmy Foxx baseball hall of famer
1972 Jigme Dori Wangchuck king of Bhutan, dies
1976 Christopher Ewart-Biggs Brit ambassador to Ireland is assassinated
1982 Dave Garroway TV host (Today Show), dies at 69
1985 Mickey Shaughnessy actor (Chicago Teddy Bears), dies at 65
1985 Vicki Vola actress (Miss Miller-Mr District Attorney)
1986 Virginia Hewitt actress (Carol-Space Patrol), dies at 60

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1966 TIFFIN RAINFORD SANTA CRUZ CA.
1967 FLORA CARROLL E. BRUNSWICK MO.
[03/05/73 RELEASED BY PRG INJURED]
1968 FLANAGAN SHERMAN E. JR. WESTMINSTER MD.
1968 WILLING EDWARD A. WILMINGTON DE.
1970 SCHULTZ RONALD J. HILLSBORO KS.

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

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On this day...
230 St Pontianus begins his reign as Catholic Pope
0365 Alexandria hit by Earthquake; 50,000 die
1588 English fleet defeats Spanish armada
1730 States of Holland put death penalty on "sodomy"
1773 Pope Clemens XIV bans Jesuits -- disbanded, defrocked, stripped of their sustenance, ignored by other orders, denounced as schemers and plotters, the Jesuits finally regained respectability in 1814. The order had flourished underground
1831 Belgium gains independence from Netherland, Leopold I made king
1836 1st Canadian RR opens, between Laprairie & St John, Qu‚bec
1846 Mormons found 1st English settlement in Calif (San Joaquin Valley)
1861 1st major battle of Civil War ends (Bull Run/Manassas), Va-South wins
1865 Wild Bill Hickok kills gunman Dave Tutt in Springfield, Illinois, in the first formal quick-draw duel.
1867 City Gardens on Folsom opens
1873 Jesse James, 1st train robbery (Adair, Iowa)
1880 Compressed air accident kills 20 workers on Hudson River tunnel, NY
1896 National Federation of Afro-American Women & Colored Women's League merge to form National Association of Colored Woman
1898 Spain cedes Guam to US
1900 Pope Leo XIII encyclical to the Greek-Melkite rite
1904 Camille Jenatzy sets world auto speed record at 65.79 MPH
1919 Dirigible crashes through bank skylight killing 13 (Chicago, Ill)
1921 Indians (9) & Yankees (7) hit a record 16 doubles
1923 Phillies score 12 in 6th & beat Cubs 17-4
1928 H E Wood discovers asteroid #1096 Reunerta
1930 US Veterans Administration established
1931 Reno race track, becomes 1st in US to use daily double wagering
1934 113ø F (45ø C), near Gallipolis, Ohio (state record)
1935 C Jackson discovers asteroid #1358 Gaika
1940 Soviet Union annexes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
1942 8 die as coal waste heap slides in river valley near Oakwood, Va
1944 US forces free Guam of Japanese invaders
1945 Detroit Tigers & Phila A's play 24 inning 1-1 tie
1946 J‚sus T Pi¤erol becomes 1st native born Puerto Rican governor
1949 Senate ratifies North Atlantic Treaty by a vote of 82-13
1954 At Geneva, France agrees to independence of North & South Vietnam
1955 1st sub powered by liquid metal cooled reactor launched-Seawolf
1956 Cin Red pitcher Brooks Lawrence loses after 13 straight wins
1957 1st black to win a major US tennis tournament (Althea Gibson)
1959 1st atomic powered merchant ship, Savannah, christened, Camden NJ
1960 The country of Katanga forms in Africa
1961 Launch of Mercury 4 (Liberty Bell) with Grissom
1962 160 civil right activists jailed after demonstration in Albany Ga
1965 Pakistan, Iran & Turkey sign Regional Co-Operation pact
1966 Gemini X returns to Earth
1969 Neil Armstrong steps on the Moon at 2:56:15 AM (GMT)
1969 Russia's Luna 15 impacts moon after 52 lunar orbits
1972 2 passenger trains collide head-on killing 76 (Seville, Spain)
1972 In New York, 57 murders occur in 24 hours
1973 Hank Aaron becomes 2nd major leaguer to hit 700 HRs
1973 USSR launches Mars 4 for fly-by (2600 km) of the red planet
1975 Billy Martin fired as Texas Rangers manager
1975 NY Met Felix Milan hits 4 singles; erased by Joe Torres 4 double plays
1976 1st outbreak of "Legionnaire's Disease" kills 29 in Phila
1978 US Postal Service & unions agree on a contract averting mail strike
1978 World's strongest dog, 80-kg St Bernard, pulls 2909-kg load 27 m
1979 N Chernykh discovers asteroids #2585 Irpedina & #3298
1979 National Women's Hall of Fame (Seneca Falls, NY) dedicated
1980 Jean-Claude Droyer climbs the Eiffel Tower in 2 hrs 18 mins
1983 Polish govt ends 19 months of martial law
1983 Storm cuts short Diana Ross' free concert in NY's Central Park
1983 US announces Lebanon freed American hostage David Dodge
1984 1st documented case of a robot killing a human in US
1984 Marita Koch of E Germany sets world women's mark for 200m, 21.71s
1986 Pleasure Island plans unveiled
1988 ESA's Ariane-3 launches 2 communications satellites (1 Indian)
1989 Eastern Airlines submits a reorganization plan to creditors
1989 Greg LeMond (US) wins Tour de France in fastest time
1989 Mike Tyson TKOs Carl "the Truth" Williams in 1:33 of 1st round
1990 Goodwill Games opens in Seattle Wash
1990 Pink Floyds' "The Wall" is performed where the Berlin Wall once stood
1997 200-year-old USS Constitution sails under its own power

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

Belgium : Independence Day (1831)
Bhutan : 3rd King of Bhutan's Death
Bolivia : Martyr's Day
Guam : Liberation Day (1944)
Mayan New Year.
Minority Tourism Month

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Religious Observances
Christian : Commemoration of St Victor
RC : Memorial of St Lawrence of Brindisi, confessor/doctor (opt)

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Religious History
1773 Clement XIV issued the brief, 'Dominus ac redemptor noster,' officially dissolvingthe Society of Jesus (Jesuits). This politically-based suppression afterward leftconspicuous gaps in Catholic education and foreign missions.
1829 Birth of public school teacher Priscilla Jane Owens. A Methodist who remained inBaltimore all her life, she left behind two enduring hymns: 'We Have an Anchor' and 'JesusSaves.'
1886 The cardinal's hat was conferred upon Elzear Alexandre Taschereau, 66, archbishopof Quebec. He was the first Canadian to be made a cardinal in the Catholic Church.
1925 Following a sensational 12-day trial, high school biology teacher John T. Scopeswas found guilty of teaching evolution in his Dayton, TN classroom and was fined $100.
1958 English apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'What the devil loves is thatvague cloud of unspecified guilt or unspecified virtue, by which he lures us into despairor presumption.'

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

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Thought for the day :
" Character is what you know you are, Not what others think you are. "

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Today's 'You Might Be A Redneck If' Joke...
"You refuse to wash your truck on account that you have a strong suspicion that mud and rust is all that's holding it together."

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Murphy's Law of the Day...( Murphy's Technology Laws)
"To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer."

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Cliff Clavin says Before the 20th century, July was pronounced to rhyme with "truly."

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Snippy. Good story on the Harriers

[SAMWolf]

It really hurts to see the casualty list getting longer each week and then read stories of how we don't pursue the attacjers aggressively because we don't want to upset the "locals".

[SCDogPapa]

Mornin' y'all! Boy,,what a short weekend. Come on Friday!!!! LOL!!

[SAMWolf]

Morning LarryJohnson, we have clear blue skies again today. I'm enjoying them while they last.