US Military History Throughout The Years.

Short bits of history you know, and some you may not!

• A Unified Force: Wednesday, June 14, 1775 – The Second Continental Congress establishes the US Army as a unified force to fight the British with George Washington being appointed as its commander. Ten companies were authorized. Many of the men who would make up these ranks had experience either in the British Army or in militias, and they would bring many British traditions with them. It was not till later in the war, with French aid, that the new army would come into its own as a competent force.
• This is Only a Test: Monday, June 14, 1954 – The Civil Defense Agency organizes and evaluates a drill in which the US is faced with a massive nuclear attack. Across 54 American cities alarms were sounded and civilians were expected to follow procedures to seek proper shelter during the 10 minute drill. By the end of it 12 MILLION Americans were estimated to have “died”. Surprisingly, government officials that conducted the test were pleased with the results…..
• Bombing The Mainland: Thursday, June 15, 1944 – 68 B-29 Superfortress bombers conducted the first bombings of the Japanese islands since 1942. The planes were launched from Chengdu, China attacked the city of Yawata. They did not have much success as only one bomb actually hit its target and one B-29 would be shot down from anti-aircraft fire. The massive fuel requirements of the Superfortress would drain the airbases they launched from, nearly halting further operations. Over the next year only around a dozen raids would be launched from these bases and after the Mariana Islands were captured they would be moved to airbases there. This would decrease the overall range the bombers would have to fly, increasing their effectiveness and number of missions.
• Sabre Ace: Sunday, June 15, 1952 – 2LT James Low becomes the most junior Ace of the Korean War. Low would serve in the US Navy during WW2, working on electronics and hitching rides on torpedo bombers in his free time. After the war and the start of the Korean War he would sign up for the Aviation Cadets, being assigned to fly the new F-86 Sabre jet fighter. Due to being older than most cadets, he would soon earn the nickname “Dad” during his training. He would arrive in Korea in April 1952 and on his second mission shoot down his first enemy MiG-15 fighter. He quickly became the 17th Flying Ace of the war and after a brief duty assignment back in the States would return to Korea. Once back he would shoot down and damage several other enemy aircraft. He would go on to serve in the Vietnam War where he was shot down and was a POW for some time. He would hide his status as an Ace from the Vietnamese, to prevent further torture and other harsh treatment and was released after a year as a prisoner.

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