Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distingu... The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not of a sufficient nature to justify a higher award. MoreHide
Description November 15, 1961-March 1, 1965 .
On November 15, 1961, the 2d Advanced Echelon (2d ADVON) was activated in Saigon, capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The 2d ADVON, administratively pNovember 15, 1961-March 1, 1965 .
On November 15, 1961, the 2d Advanced Echelon (2d ADVON) was activated in Saigon, capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The 2d ADVON, administratively part of the Thirteenth Air Force, controlled USAF units operating in Vietnam and reported to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam. The 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron's FARM GATE detachment arrived on November 16. The FARM GATE, organization, although trained for counter insurgency combat, for about 2 months limited its mission to training Vietnamese aircrews and supporting with reconnaissance flights the operations of the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). Activation of the 2d ADVON and arrival of the FARM GATE detachment heralded the buildup of the United States Air Force presence in Vietnam.
Responding to the Republic of Vietnam's appeal in December 1961 for increased military aid to counter Communist (Viet Cong) insurgents, the United States gradually increased its forces. From January 2 to 5, 1962, for example, the USAF moved a tactical air control system to South Vietnam and landed equipment and personnel at Tan Son Nhut Air Base (AB) in Saigon; Bien Hoa AB, I5 miles north of Saigon; Da Nang AB, 375 miles northeast of Saigon; Pleiku AB, in the Central Highlands 230 miles northeast of Saigon; and Nha Trang AB, on the coast, a little less than 200 miles northeast of Saigon. Shortly afterwards, on January 7, a flight of C-l23s equipped for aerial spray missions arrived at Tan Son Nhut. Code-named RANCH HAND, this USAF detachment 3 days later began defoliation operations that continued for 9 years.
To manage U.S. forces in Vietnam, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Command, at the direction of President John F. Kennedy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, created Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) on February 8, 1962. Army Gen. Paul D. Harkins was named the first Commander of MACV. The 2d ADVON became the air component of the new command. A few months later, on October 8, the USAF activated the 2d Air Division, which replaced the 2d ADVON. In spite of increased U.S. aid, the Viet Cong insurgency grew, and the government of South Vietnam faced growing civil disorder. A year later, on November 1, 1963, a group of South Vietnamese military officers deposed President Ngo Dinh Diem in a coup détat, and not until June 1965 would the South Vietnamese establish a reasonably stable government. Meanwhile, on June 20, 1964, Anny Gen. William C. Westmoreland became Commander of MACV.
Communist insurgents also operated actively in Laos, and in May 1964 United States involvement in Southeast Asia expanded to include military aid to that country. On June 9, F-100s flying from Takhli Air Base, Thailand, about 110 miles north of Bangkok, made the first USAF strike in Laos. Air Force pilots bombed an antiaircraft installation at Xiangkhoang, on the Plain of Jars, about 100 miles northeast of Vientiane, the Laotian capital. In December 1964 the USAF launched an air interdiction campaign against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of roads, trails, and waterways in the southern Laotian panhandle.
The nature of the conflict in Southeast Asia changed dramatically in late 1964. On August 2 and 4 torpedo boats from North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) attacked U.S. naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin- On the 5th, U.S. naval aircraft launched retaliatory air strikes against coastal targets in North Vietnam. That same day the USAF deployed B-57s to Bien Hoa AB and F-100s to Da Nang AB. Then in December 1964 the Viet Cong used conventional field rather than hit-and-run tactics to drive South Vietnamese forces temporarily from Binh Gia, near the coast, only 40 miles southeast of Saigon. For both North and South Vietnam governmental authorities this battle marked an escalation of the conflict. As the war rapidly intensified, on February 7, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered American dependents evacuated from South Vietnam. The same day the Viet Cong shelled Pleiku Air Base. In retaliation, the USAF conducted its first raid against North Vietnam on the 8th,
hitting a target just north of the 17th parallel.... More
Best Moment
While at March AFB, Hq 15AF, SAC, our two daughters were born to wife and me and I was promoted to master sergeant, my retirement grade.
Worst Moment
An NCO in public/affairs information services,had to assist in news media coordination at site of on-base bomber crash killing all crew aboard.
Chain of Command
Hq 15th Air Force, Strategic Air Command
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Best Friends
A/1c Charlie Leo O'Brien A/1c Bob Smith T/Sgt. "Screwball" Sandoval They were guys I worked with when I was NCOIC of the Davis-Monthan AFB public information office and editor of the base newspaper, "DESERT AIRMAN" 1950-1953.
Best Moment
I was stationed at Davis-Monthan at Tucson, Arizona, my first base assignment, for two months in 1942 shortly after starting my first enlistment (Oct. 24, 1942). I was then a buck private and only 17. I was assigned to the least military job on post, a bicycle/messenger for Western Union/Signal Corps. Pretty quick I had a run-in with a 2d Lt. George L. Rosenberg for wearing my cap indoors while delivering a telegram at base hq. while unarmed...a protocol no-no. He asked me how old I was and when I told him he sighed and said "get the Hell out of here sonny, come back when you're a soldier". As time and World War II went by I was, by golly, re-assigned to, of all places, Davis-Monthan in 1950 and reported to the base public information office for duty - as a S/Sgt. and found myself this time saluting, with hat off, to that same 2dLt. - Only now he was a major and MY NEW OIC, MY NEW BOSS. I didn't recognize him, but he looked me over, pointed to my cap-in-hand and said, "well, SOLDIER, I'm glad you shaped up..." He turned out to be a great guy who made me NCOIC and base paper editor/columnist. Eventually he got me my tech stripes. In retired civilian life he was managing editor of the Tucson Daily Citizen while I was night city editor of the San Bernardino Sun Telegram and we kept in touch until he died a few years ago. Life has its twists and turns. Like it isn't always good but it sure is darned interesting!
Worst Moment
In 1953, after being at D-M so long, and now married and awaiting birth of first child (a boy, thank you), we were transferred to Stead AFB, Reno, Nev...It was a great experience there, casinos and all...but Davis-Monthan in those days was a base you didn't want to leave.
Chain of Command
Hq 15th Air Force, Strategic Air Command
Criteria
The Air Force Good Conduct Medal has been awarded for qualifying service from May 31, 1963 to the present.
Comments
Simply put, personal and military behavior always within limits set by the USAF for its personnel of all ranks and grades; was awarded three times between 1950 and 1965 retirement.
Criteria The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the ... The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan. MoreHide
Comments Army of Occupation Feb. 1, 1949 - Feb. 20, 1950. It was Berlin Airlift era. Served first as a Signal Corps cryptographic technician then unit news editor, BERLIN OBSERVER post newspaper. Assigned t... Army of Occupation Feb. 1, 1949 - Feb. 20, 1950. It was Berlin Airlift era. Served first as a Signal Corps cryptographic technician then unit news editor, BERLIN OBSERVER post newspaper. Assigned to Hq Command, Berlin Military Forces, Hq. Clayallee (formerly Kronprinzenallee). Billeted at McNair Brks, Unter den Eichenstrasse. "golden" aircraft device on the medal signified duty there during the Berlin Airlift. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Comments For service in European Theater of Operations(ETO) from Aug. 1943 to July 1945 with the 1074th Signal Service Co., 8TH Air Support Command and with the 877th Signal Service Co., 16th Depot Avn. 16th T... For service in European Theater of Operations(ETO) from Aug. 1943 to July 1945 with the 1074th Signal Service Co., 8TH Air Support Command and with the 877th Signal Service Co., 16th Depot Avn. 16th TAD, 9th Army Air Force MoreHide
World War II killed more people, involved more nations, and cost more money than any other war in history. Altogether, 70 million people served in the armed forces during thOverview of World War II
World War II killed more people, involved more nations, and cost more money than any other war in history. Altogether, 70 million people served in the armed forces during the war, and 17 million combatants died. Civilian deaths were ever greater. At least 19 million Soviet civilians, 10 million Chinese, and 6 million European Jews lost their lives during the war.
World War II was truly a global war. Some 70 nations took part in the conflict, and fighting took place on the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as on the high seas. Entire societies participated as soldiers or as war workers, while others were persecuted as victims of occupation and mass murder.
World War II cost the United States a million causalities and nearly 400,000 deaths. In both domestic and foreign affairs, its consequences were far-reaching. It ended the Depression, brought millions of married women into the workforce, initiated sweeping changes in the lives of the nation's minority groups, and dramatically expanded government's presence in American life.
The War at Home & Abroad
On September 1, 1939, World War II started when Germany invaded Poland. By November 1942, the Axis powers controlled territory from Norway to North Africa and from France to the Soviet Union. After defeating the Axis in North Africa in May 1941, the United States and its Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943 and forced Italy to surrender in September. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allies landed in Northern France. In December, a German counteroffensive (the Battle of the Bulge) failed. Germany surrendered in May 1945.
The United States entered the war following a surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Pacific fleet in Hawaii. The United States and its Allies halted Japanese expansion at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 and in other campaigns in the South Pacific. From 1943 to August 1945, the Allies hopped from island to island across the Central Pacific and also battled the Japanese in China, Burma, and India. Japan agreed to surrender on August 14, 1945 after the United States dropped the first atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Consequences:
1. The war ended Depression unemployment and dramatically expanded government's presence in American life. It led the federal government to create a War Production Board to oversee conversion to a wartime economy and the Office of Price Administration to set prices on many items and to supervise a rationing system.
2. During the war, African Americans, women, and Mexican Americans founded new opportunities in industry. But Japanese Americans living on the Pacific coast were relocated from their homes and placed in internment camps.
The Dawn of the Atomic Age
In 1939, Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt, warning him that the Nazis might be able to build an atomic bomb. On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi, an Italian refugee, produced the first self-sustained, controlled nuclear chain reaction in Chicago.
To ensure that the United States developed a bomb before Nazi Germany did, the federal government started the secret $2 billion Manhattan Project. On July 16, 1945, in the New Mexico desert near Alamogordo, the Manhattan Project's scientists exploded the first atomic bomb.
It was during the Potsdam negotiations that President Harry Truman learned that American scientists had tested the first atomic bomb. On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay, a B-29 Superfortress, released an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan. Between 80,000 and 140,000 people were killed or fatally wounded. Three days later, a second bomb fell on Nagasaki. About 35,000 people were killed. The following day Japan sued for peace.
President Truman's defenders argued that the bombs ended the war quickly, avoiding the necessity of a costly invasion and the probable loss of tens of thousands of American lives and hundreds of thousands of Japanese lives. His critics argued that the war might have ended even without the atomic bombings. They maintained that the Japanese economy would have been strangled by a continued naval blockade, and that Japan could have been forced to surrender by conventional firebombing or by a demonstration of the atomic bomb's power.
The unleashing of nuclear power during World War II generated hope of a cheap and abundant source of energy, but it also produced anxiety among large numbers of people in the United States and around the world.... More
Memories With the D-Day anniversary this June 6 I just wanna recall that day with my unit, the 877th Sig With the D-Day anniversary this June 6 I just wanna recall that day with my unit, the 877th Signal Service Co., 16th ADG, 16th TAC, 9th AAF...we were stationed at Swindon, England when the guys hit the beaches of Normandy. I had jeeped to a town called Tidworth (as I recall) to pick up some special D-Day back up crypto codes (I was then NCOIC of the unit msg. center and code room. On the way back to Swindon my driver Cpl. Fredericks and I stopped at a pub for refreshments and heard on the radio D-Day was underway. We jumped back in the Jeep and headed for home base like crazy...and when we got there and delivered our "documents" we joined the outfit at outdoor chapel to pray for all our buddies in every damn unit hitting that beach...the rest of the day was spent wondering "when do WE GO...?" But we didn't get there until July 14 when it was safe and sound...thanks to our combat guys. I now live a short distance from March Air Force Base at Riverside, Ca. Recently I went to the BX there and when I walked into the store I spotted an old guy (like me) sitting however, in a wheel chair. He wore a field cap with an emblem reading "Battle of Normandy". I went up to him and said I wanted to thank him for my still being alive "because you and your guys did such a damn good job clearing Omaha and Utah beaches when my guys and I came ashore in July we felt like tourists. He just looked at me for a moment and reached out with a "gimme a hub brother" look...and told me, "in ALL these years since then you're the first guy to say "thanks personally to ME...it means a lot!" At that point his granddaugter came up to fetch him to the car and home, and right there in the BX we saluted each other...and he was gone. How we do span the years. I'd give my soul to see one of my own buds right now...and one day I will. "DOC"... More
Best Friends
Actually,never had basic training. At 16 in 1941 when war broke out I was living in St. Louis, Mo., and sneaked into the newly activated State Guard where I got the basic-est of basic which simply included fall in/fall out and routine marching training. When I enlisted in the USAAF in October 1942 I was allowed basic training credit for that and assigned to a regular unit, my first, believe it or not, Hq. Sq. Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Ariz, where I was assigned as a Western Union Messenger. I don't think the enemy forces were overwhelmed at my first step in their direction. But I was quickly transferred to the 1074th Signal Svc. Co, commanded by 2d Lt. Robert S. Gruhn. That was at Harding AAF, Baton Rouge,La. but in 1959, I was reassigned to Davis-Monthan as editor of the base paper "Desert Airman" and NOIC of the Public Information Office.
Best Moment
At Harding AAF a Sgt. Gores was assigned by 1st Sgt. Roy L. Warn to give me 1074th Signal Service Co. basic training which seemed to be Latrine Duty and Kaypee. Actually, Roy Warn was my best buddy and my BEST MOMENT 'cause while I hated his (CENSORED), HE WAS ONLY TRYING TO MAKE A SOLDIER OUT OF A DUMB KID HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT.
Worst Moment
MY WORST MOMENT UNDER SGT. GORE'S BASIC TRAINING SELF-CREATED AGENDA was the kaypee. He musta given the mess hall "chef" Sgt. Trala a warning and they introduced me to such newly introduced labor aids as greasetrap scrubbers, table scrubbing toothbrushes and handiwipes to clean the inside of those barrels they cooked in. They were bassards then but great memories now. And who remembers Latrine Duty?
Instructors
As a basic recruit in a real army air force outfit all the guys were my instructors...in my teens when I was at their mercy and command I gradually became a better soldier and advanced in the NCO ranks quickly for a squirt.
Other Memories
At Harding Field (and on to Will Rogers AAF, Oklahoma City, Okla., Hattiesburg AAF and Laurel AAF in Mississippi), Sgt. Warn rode my tail constantly in his makeover efforts and constantly threatened he'd bust me if I didn't shape up. But I didn't have a stripe he could rip from my sleeve and it did irritate the poor guy. So he engineered my promotion to Pfc. Then I wised up and got so good at (non-combat) soldiering he couldn't bust me and Lt. Robert Scott Gruhn upped me to corporal and then to buck Sgt and Staff Sergeant. in my first 10 months in service...That fourth stipe came the day before we sailed to England on the RMS Aquitainia...a converted British luxury liner that looked like a sister ship of the RMS Titanic...SHEEEEEEEEEEESH!! We left for New York Harbor out of old Camp Shanks.
Msgt Dave Light
TSgt Al Carpenter
While at March AFB, Hq 15AF, SAC, our two daughters were born to wife and me and I was promoted to master sergeant, my retirement grade.
An NCO in public/affairs information services,had to assist in news media coordination at site of on-base bomber crash killing all crew aboard.
Hq 15th Air Force, Strategic Air Command