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Post by LBer1568 on Mar 31, 2013 0:25:32 GMT 9
www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/03/30/vietnam-vets-reflect-on-wars-long-effects.htmlThe Vietnam War might have ended for most Americans in March 1973, when U.S. troops pulled out of the country. Today — Ohio’s first Vietnam Veterans Day — is meant to commemorate that time. Just received the following e-mail from Governor Kasich Lorin, Today is the first observance of Ohio Vietnam Veterans Day and I'm proud that this long overdue honor was established to thank our veterans. Thank you for all of the hard work done by veterans organizations and the Ohio Legislature to ensure that our brave soldiers and service members get the recognition that they deserve. If you know any Vietnam veterans, please take a moment to share your thanks today. -John John Kasich Governor of Ohio
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Post by Gene on Jul 13, 2013 8:05:41 GMT 9
Vietnam War Airman's Remains Identified Defense Department forensic scientists have identified the remains of Maj. Larry J. Hanley, 26, of Walla Walla, Wash., an airman missing in action in Southeast Asia since 1969, announced Pentagon officials. DOD is returning Hanley's remains to his family for burial with full military honors; that burial is scheduled to take place in Hanley's hometown on July 13, states the Pentagon's July 8 release. On Nov. 4, 1969, Hanley, an F-105D Thunderchief pilot, was attacking an enemy anti-aircraft position, when his aircraft crashed in Khammouan Province, Laos, according to the release. Since the exact location of the crash site remained unknown, Pentagon officials declared Hanley missing in action; in 1979, his status changed to killed in action. In February 2012, US officials received human remains found at a crash site in Khammouan Province. The forensic scientists used dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA matches to help identify Hanley.
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Post by LBer1568 on Jul 13, 2013 22:45:46 GMT 9
Jim, Aren't all POW's promoted when they are declared MIA? That would explain his age/rank. It used to take 10-11 years to make major.
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jul 13, 2013 23:06:54 GMT 9
Jim, Aren't all POW's promoted when they are declared MIA? That would explain his age/rank. It used to take 10-11 years to make major. I don't know about the Air Force, Navy and the Corps, but here is what I found out about the Army. Lorin, I suspect it is the same for all branches. I don't ever remember seeing this. It is interesting. You have to go down the page bit to find "Promotions". There are two sections: POW and MIA. myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/POW__MIA_Entitlements.html?serv=147Jim Too
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Post by Mark O on Jul 14, 2013 1:01:49 GMT 9
Major Hanley sounds like a hell of a guy. Not much on him on the POW Network web site, but I did find this on the site for the VFW post that is named in his honor.
www.vfwpost3377.org/larry_hanley.html
In a similar vein, I remember reading that most of the original (military) astronauts were promoted following a space flight, especially if they went to the moon. Alan Shepard, the first American in space of course, was grounded for several years after his Mercury flight so he missed flying in the Gemini Program, but remained with NASA, and the US Navy. By the time of his Apollo flight (Apollo 14) he was a US Navy Captain, and subsequent to the mission was promoted to Rear Admiral, the first astronaut to make flag rank. Critics sort of slammed him for this hinting that it was one of the prime motivators for him to seek the mission, but I suppose much of that is speculation. The author does indicate that making flag rank was very important to Shepard knowing he would probably not get there having spent pretty much his senior US Navy years with NASA, and not it the fleet. The author writes about it in the autobiography. (A good read, by the way.)
www.amazon.com/Light-This-Candle-Shepard--Americas-Spaceman/dp/0609610015/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373730849&sr=1-2&keywords=Light+this+candle
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jul 14, 2013 2:20:51 GMT 9
According to the VFW Post biography, he was promoted to major on 1 June 1978, when he would have been 35.
So, he seems to have been promoted beyond what most would have been.
I suppose his MIA status had as much to do with that as anything.
Now, I wonder what ranks all those other 80 some thousand MIAs have been awarded since they went missing?
When you consider some are from WW2, it could be interesting to see.
Any of you know about that?
Jim Too
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Post by Jim on Jul 18, 2013 3:57:59 GMT 9
AVERAGE WW II COMBAT SOLDIER HAD 40 DAYS OF COMBAT ... AND THE AVERAGE COMBAT SOLDIER IN VIETNAM HAD 204 DAYS OF COMBAT. YOU CAN ONLY GUESS WHAT THE AVERAGE COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOT WHO WAS FLYING EVERY DAY HAD... ANYWAYS, ENJOY THE VIDEO AND PASS IT ON IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO SERVED THERE. This is one of the better Vietnam videos made by and for Michigan Vietnam Veterans, but I believe all of you will appreciate this. This story could and is retold by 49 other states and territories as well. If you know a Vietnam Veteran consider sending this link to them. www.v-prod.com/trailer_vietnam.html__._,_.__ www.v-prod.com/trailer_vietnam.html
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jul 18, 2013 5:20:59 GMT 9
I'm thinking it may be hard to watch the 3 hour video.
I found it a bit hard to watch the trailer.
I served two tours in the theater.
First at Ubon, Thailand from February 1967 to February 1968.
Second at Da Nang, Republic of Viet Nam October 1968 to September 1969.
In Thailand we were getting infiltrated, planes shot at, and some areas of the city and country quite dangerous.
We lost far too many aircrews because of government stupidity.
Nam was the same stupidity, but many times over.
We averaged 3 rocket attacks a week while I was at Da Nang on the military complex.
It was not safe to go anyplace alone.
I'm glad I was at both places, but sad for the many lives sacrificed for government stupidity.
Jim Too
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