Other Memories
Assigned TDY from FE Warren AFB,on a APCHE Team for the Launch of 127D(Cannon Ball Flyer),141D(Long Lady),39D(Big Sue),64D(Tall Tree II) and 46D(Tall Tree I).Between May 1962 to March 1963
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
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Sent in DD-149 and recieved new medal in December 2009.
Description The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the Caribbean Crisis or the Missile Scare, was a 13-day (October 16–28, 1962) confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning American bThe Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the Caribbean Crisis or the Missile Scare, was a 13-day (October 16–28, 1962) confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning American ballistic missile deployment in Italy and Turkey with consequent Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. The confrontation, elements of which were televised, was the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war.
In response to the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961, and the presence of American Jupiter ballistic missiles in Italy and Turkey, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev decided to agree to Cuba's request to place nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter future harassment of Cuba. An agreement was reached during a secret meeting between Khrushchev and Fidel Castro in July 1962 and construction of a number of missile launch facilities started later that summer.
The 1962 midterm elections were under way in the United States and the White House had denied charges that it was ignoring dangerous Soviet missiles 90 miles from Florida. These missile preparations were confirmed when an Air Force U-2 spy plane produced clear photographic evidence of medium-range (SS-4) and intermediate-range (R-14) ballistic missile facilities. The United States established a military blockade to prevent further missiles from entering Cuba. It announced that they would not permit offensive weapons to be delivered to Cuba and demanded that the weapons already in Cuba be dismantled and returned to the USSR.
After a long period of tense negotiations, an agreement was reached between President John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev. Publicly, the Soviets would dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba and return them to the Soviet Union, subject to United Nations verification, in exchange for a U.S. public declaration and agreement never to invade Cuba again without direct provocation. Secretly, the United States also agreed that it would dismantle all U.S.-built Jupiter MRBMs, which were deployed in Turkey and Italy against the Soviet Union but were not known to the public.
When all offensive missiles and Ilyushin Il-28 light bombers had been withdrawn from Cuba, the blockade was formally ended on November 20, 1962. The negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union pointed out the necessity of a quick, clear, and direct communication line between Washington and Moscow. As a result, the Moscow–Washington hotline was established. A series of agreements sharply reduced U.S.–Soviet tensions during the following years.... More
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description The 389th Bombardment Group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation on 9 May 44 for its action in Operation "TIDAL WAVE". A low-level1 bombing raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania on 1 Aug... The 389th Bombardment Group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation on 9 May 44 for its action in Operation "TIDAL WAVE". A low-level1 bombing raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania on 1 Aug 43.
I was assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing and the 389th Missile Maintenance Squadron on 1 Jul 61. Five and a half months after enlisting in the Air Force. I remained in the 389th until my discharge in 1964.
I was instructed at the time of my 389th assignment that the Presidential Unit Citation was part of our uniform while assigned to the 389th and was to honor the 389th Bombardment Group airman that served in World War Two. The only item that I wore on my uniform during my enlistment longer than the PUC was my enlisted collar brass.
I display the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) on my profile to continue the honor to these WW2 heroes of the 389th BG.
The other ribbons are displayed since I'm a veteran of the USAF and I believe since I spent ninty percent of my Air Force career in the 389th MMS I also consider myself a veteran of the 389th.
Assigned TDY from FE Warren AFB,on a APCHE Team for the Launch of 127D(Cannon Ball Flyer),141D(Long Lady),39D(Big Sue),64D(Tall Tree II) and 46D(Tall Tree I).Between May 1962 to March 1963