Fun Turns to Tragedy!!!

The Skinny

I am a gun enthusiast trapped in the People's Republic of Maryland. My political affiliation is Independent, as the Ruling parties are both full of crap, and long ago stopped representing the common man. If the Libertarians weren't such freaks I would probably be one. I am a member of the Nation of Riflemen and damn proud of it. I once took an oath that I would support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As far as I know I never broke that oath, and will continue to follow it. I am not Politically Correct and will NEVER be Politically Correct. If you need to know more, feel free, Ask.

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Well during the holidays you are supposed to get together with friends and have a good time. 
On Wednesday we did just that.  I got pictures to prove it…

Unfortunately we were not able to shoot the Barrett as it would not fully chamber a round.  It seems that there was a bit of debris on the shoulder of the chamber that was preventing the round from fully seating.  We were not about to force anything, as a mishap with a .50 cal would surely turn our fun to tragedy.  Never fear fun was far from over.

We had a full lineup of fun without the Barrett.  We had Barney (My .308) and Eric kindly let us pop the cherry on his H&K G36 (Civilian Version).  It was a nice firing weapon and was fun to shoot.  The integrated scope was kind of nice but I would have liked to have a bit more magnification for my crappy eyes.

Eric also provided a very nice AR pistol to shoot.

The muzzle flash was so big that it obscured the target after each squeeze of the trigger.  Here is a short movie clip showing the whole little pistol in all its Flash and Bang glory.

Oh and finally Eric let us have a bit of fun with his H&K MP5.  Yes we had Class III Goodness at our holiday gathering…

Well the Analog Kid has put up a very nice piece about how Washington State is going to handle its Budget surplus of 1.4 billion dollars.  Well my wonderful state has a budget surplus of 1.7 billion dollars and already the government wants to spend it all. 

Here is a novel concept why don’t you all sit down and figure a way to pay off the states estimated 6.8 billion dollars worth of bonds.  Then you can give us a tax break that means something. 

The Governor (R) wants to give us a 1 cent per $100 reduction in property taxes (which will come out to about 35 to 45 bucks a year for us).  Meanwhile the Majority of the Maryland elected officials (D) want to spend spend spend.  Now as next year is an election year, both sides are busy making promises that they

won’t keep.  The last Democrat in the Governors office left the state with massive deficit, and both of the Democrat candidates are running on platforms of increased spending.  Oh Joy…

Oh and to Progressive Maryland:  The money to fund all of the little projects you all want has to come from somewhere, and last time I checked my personal money tree has not sprouted and spread its leaves of 100 dollar bills.  So get your grubby little fingers out of my wallet… The state of Maryland and Federal government is doing a fine job without your help.

Well all you criminals it seems that all the law abiding citizens of Compton have turned in their sole means of protection…  Oh yea, they got gift certificates to Circuit City so they probably have some pretty nice electronics.  So go ahead and help yourself they can no longer stop you.

Have a Merry Christmas all you goblins.

Oh and to all you law abiding

citizens out there who suddenly find yourselves burgled and unable to do anything about the Goblin toting off your new Plasma TV (because he did not turn in his gun) you can lay the blame down at the feet of sheriff’s Deputy A.J. Rotella.

Oh and two of my favorite parts of the article were:

“Hopefully and prayerfully this will cut down on the shootings,“ said Compton resident Ruther Daniels, 44, who turned in a .22-caliber handgun.

Yea right…  This “Trade In” got guns out of the hands of criminals.  Now that is a truly deluded person.

Tec-9 semiautomatic machine gun pistol.

Once again MSM gets it wrong.  a Tec-9 is a semiautomatic pistol.  Fricking Knobs.  Oh and show a bit more bias in the title of the article next time, as this title was a bit weak on that…

*BURR, ELMER J.

Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company 1, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Buna, New Guinea, 24 December 1942. Entered service at: Menasha, Wis. Birth: Neenah, Wis. G.O. No.: 66, 11 Oct. 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on 24 December 1942, 1st Sgt. Burr saw an enemy grenade strike near his company commander. Instantly and with heroic self-sacrifice he threw himself upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. 1st Sgt. Burr thus gave his life in saving that of his commander.

DALESSONDRO, PETER J.

Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kalterherberg, Germany, 22 December 1944. Entered service at: Watervliet, N.Y. Born: 19 May 1918, Watervliet, N.Y. G.O. No.: 73, 30 August, 1945. Citation: He was with the 1st Platoon holding an important road junction on high ground near Kalterherberg, Germany, on 22 December 1944. In the early morning hours, the enemy after laying down an intense artillery and mortar barrage, followed through with an all-out attack that threatened to overwhelm the position. T/Sgt. Dalessondro, seeing that his men were becoming disorganized, braved the intense fire to move among them with words of encouragement. Advancing to a fully exposed observation post, he adjusted mortar fire upon the attackers, meanwhile firing upon them with his rifle and encouraging his men in halting and repulsing the attack. Later in the day the enemy launched a second determined attack. Once again, T/Sgt. Dalessondro, in the face of imminent death, rushed to his forward position and immediately called for mortar fire. After exhausting his rifle ammunition, he crawled 30 yards over exposed ground to secure a light machinegun, returned to his position, and fired upon the enemy at almost pointblank range until the gun jammed. He managed to get the gun to fire 1 more burst, which used up his last round, but with these bullets he killed 4 German soldiers who were on the verge of murdering an aid man and 2 wounded soldiers in a nearby foxhole. When the enemy had almost surrounded him, he remained alone, steadfastly facing almost certain death or capture, hurling grenades and calling for mortar fire closer and closer to his outpost as he covered the withdrawal of his platoon to a second line of defense. As the German hordes swarmed about him, he was last heard calling for a barrage, saying, “OK, mortars, let me have it—right in this position!“ The gallantry and intrepidity shown by T/Sgt. Dalessondro against an overwhelming enemy attack saved his company from complete rout.

VOSLER, FORREST T. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps. 358th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. Place and date. Over Bremen, Germany, 20 December 1943. Entered service at: Rochester, N.Y. Born: 29 July 1923, Lyndonville, N.Y. G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, on 20 December 1943. After bombing the target, the aircraft in which T/Sgt. Vosler was serving was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated vicious attacks by enemy fighters. Early in the engagement a 20-mm. cannon shell exploded in the radio compartment, painfully wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the legs and thighs. At about the same time a direct hit on the tail of the ship seriously wounded the tail gunner and rendered the tail guns inoperative. Realizing the great need for firepower in protecting the vulnerable tail of the ship, T/Sgt. Vosler, with grim determination, kept up a steady stream of deadly fire. Shortly thereafter another 20-mm. enemy shell exploded, wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the chest and about the face. Pieces of metal lodged in both eyes, impairing his vision to such an extent that he could only distinguish blurred shapes. Displaying remarkable tenacity and courage, he kept firing his guns and declined to take first-aid treatment. The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, T/Sgt. Vosler finally got the set operating and sent out distress signals despite several lapses into unconsciousness. When the ship ditched, T/Sgt. Vosler managed to get out on the wing by himself and hold the wounded tail gunner from slipping off until the other crewmembers could help them into the dinghy. T/Sgt. Vosler’s actions on this occasion were an inspiration to all serving with him. The extraordinary courage, coolness, and skill he displayed in the face of great odds, when handicapped by injuries that would have incapacitated the average crewmember, were outstanding.

This post is mostly for Major Mark as he was the one to get me back into darts (he is in the sandbox right now so I hope he is OK).  I throw darts in the Howard County Dart League in Maryland.  I am on a B team (means we suck but still have fun) which is currently in either last place or next to last place…  But never mind that, back to today.

I threw 26 personal points in the course of 12 games (I won my singles crickets and my partner and I won our doubles crickets matches) which for me is unheard of, usually I throw 13 to 16 personal points in an entire match.  But I was hot Hot HOT today.  I should have won my singles 301 also but I could not get my double out in either the 2nd or 3rd game.  I really don’t feel bad as I was throwing against their team captain (who is an A player) and I was holding my own.  So it looks like I will move up two places to 9th overall, up from 13th 2 weeks ago, as I also shot well on Wednesday night also so this was a really good week. 

Update: Woo Hoo, 9th place is mine…

*COWAN, RICHARD ELLER

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Krinkelter Wald, Belgium, 17 December 1944. Entered service at: Wichita, Kans. Birth: Lincoln, Nebr. G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945. Citation: He was a heavy machinegunner in a section attached to Company I in the vicinity of Krinkelter Wald, Belgium, 17 December 1944, when that company was attacked by a numerically superior force of German infantry and tanks. The first 6 waves of hostile infantrymen were repulsed with heavy casualties, but a seventh drive with tanks killed or wounded all but 3 of his section, leaving Pvt. Cowan to man his gun, supported by only 15 to 20 riflemen of Company I. He maintained his position, holding off the Germans until the rest of the shattered force had set up a new line along a firebreak. Then, unaided, he moved his machinegun and ammunition to the second position. At the approach of a Royal Tiger tank, he held his fire until about 80 enemy infantrymen supporting the tank appeared at a distance of about 150 yards. His first burst killed or wounded about half of these infantrymen. His position was rocked by an 88mm. shell when the tank opened fire, but he continued to man his gun, pouring deadly fire into the Germans when they again advanced. He was barely missed by another shell. Fire from three machineguns and innumerable small arms struck all about him; an enemy rocket shook him badly, but did not drive him from his gun. Infiltration by the enemy had by this time made the position untenable, and the order was given to withdraw. Pvt. Cowan was the last man to leave, voluntarily covering the withdrawal of his remaining comrades. His heroic actions were entirely responsible for allowing the remaining men to retire successfully from the scene of their last-ditch stand.

Well I finally got this one finished…

Here it is Len…

Seven things to do before I die:

Purchase a Ferrari
Drive said Ferrari on a road course, in anger
Move to somewhere in the America that is not a Pansy Bed Wetter state full of Looney PC morons
Buy enough land in said state so I can have my own 1000 yard range
Acquire something in Full Auto.
Retire wealthy enough to do what I want when I want.
Be able to tell the government to go pound sand (and not have to worry about a no knock police entry later)

Seven things I cannot do:

Quit
The speed limit
Put up with stupid people
Microsloth Windows (you can put a nice shiny interface on it, but it is still a turd)
Hang-glide
Ride a Unicycle
Water-ski barefoot

Seven things that attract me to…...(my wife):

Intelligence
Beauty
Sense of Humor
Patience of a saint
Long Hair
Feisty
Nice Rack (what can I say, I am a boob man)

Seven things I say most often:

Argue your limitations and sure enough they are yours…  (Richard Bach)
Are we having fun yet?
Just peachy. (in response to the question: How are you)
You ain’t seen bad yet… (yea I know a cheesy movie quote)
This should be fun.
I LIKE IT!!!
What the hell are you doing in the left hand lane, you moron…

Seven books (or series) that I love:

LaNague Chronicles—by F. Paul Wilson (read it and you will understand)
Freehold—by Michael Z. Williamson (and everything else he has written)
Robert A. Heinlein (nuff said)
A hymn before battle – by John Ringo (and everything else he has written
The Honor Herrington series – by David Webber (and everything else he has written)
Enders Game – by Orson Scott Card
On a Pale Horse – Piers Anthony
The Hobbit (for without it I would not be an avid book devourer and yes that was 8 just because I hate conformity)

Seven movies I watch over and over again:

Snatch (Bullet tooth Tony rocks)
Heat (the bank robbery scene is stupendous)
Ronin (Yea baby Guns and Cars)
The Long Kiss Goodnight (I am a sucker for a strong female role)
Gone in 60 Seconds (what can I say, I am also a car guy)
Scent of a Woman
Dirty Harry

Seven suckers I want to infect:

Sorry I am not going to inflict this one on anyone but: Joe Huffman since he loves Memes… and to Tam at Books, Bikes, and Boomsticks.  I have yet to see this one tackled by a Woman.  Plus I want to see if she has stumbled upon my humble corner of the ether…

I have always been a knife kind of guy.  From a child I liked knives and then when I got into the army my knife lust got worse.  Even today as a *cough* professional I still like knives and carry a Kershaw Ken Onion.  Well when I was over at Wadcutter’s place I saw a link that I was not familiar with.  It turned out to be a link for Spyderco.  I found another knife that I lust after… 

It reminds me of the old EK combat knives.  I lusted after those but always ended up buying Gerbers…  The Gerber Mark II was always my favorite, too bad they quit making them, as I would love to have another one since I snapped the tip off of my old one.

Yes I know that the Mark II was big.  That made it not quite PC for the 80s army, which in turn made me have to have it on at all times when we were in the field.

EDWARDS, WALTER ATLEE

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Sea of Marmora, Turkey, 16 December 1922. Born: 8 November 1886, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 123, 4 February 1924. (Medal presented by President Coolidge at the White House on 2 February 1924.) Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For heroism in rescuing 482 men, women and children from the French military transport Vinh-Long, destroyed by fire in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey, on 16 December 1922. Lt. Comdr. Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, placed his vessel alongside the bow of the transport and, in spite of several violent explosions which occurred on the burning vessel, maintained his ship in that position until all who were alive were taken on board. Of a total of 495 on board, 482 were rescued by his coolness, judgment and professional skill, which were combined with a degree of heroism that must reflect new glory on the U.S. Navy.

Saving the French even when it is not war time…

Great news!!!

Well folks, Fish or Man has won his court case and has beaten back the GFWs in small town Washington…

Go Read about it NOW....

Oh yea… He beat the Man by himself without the help of the

pro gun organizations in Washington state

*JOHNSON, LEROY

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 126th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 15 December 1944. Entered service at: Oakdale, La. Birth: Caney Creek, La. G.O. No.: 83, 2 October 1945. Citation: He was squad leader of a 9-man patrol sent to reconnoiter a ridge held by a well-entrenched enemy force. Seeing an enemy machinegun position, he ordered his men to remain behind while he crawled to within 6 yards of the gun. One of the enemy crew jumped up and prepared to man the weapon. Quickly withdrawing, Sgt. Johnson rejoined his patrol and reported the situation to his commanding officer. Ordered to destroy the gun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy positions, he chose 3 other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led them to a point near the objective. After taking partial cover behind a log, the men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sgt. Johnson saw 2 unexploded grenades which had fallen near his men. Knowing that his comrades would be wounded or killed by the explosion, he deliberately threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body. Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Through his outstanding gallantry in sacrificing his life for his comrades, Sgt. Johnson provided a shining example of the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Note:  The * symbol in front of the name means that the award was given posthumously.

Captain Charles L. Thomas


Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas’s armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signaled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signaled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas’ outstanding heroism were an inpiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

What makes this particular CMH winner special???

DOWNS, HENRY W.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company I, 8th Vermont Infantry. Place and date: At Winchester, Va., 19 September 1864. Entered service at: Newfane, Vt. Birth: Jamaica, Vt. Date of issue: 13 December 1893. Citation: With one comrade, voluntarily crossed an open field, exposed to a raking fire, and returned with a supply of ammunition, successfully repeating the attempt a short time thereafter.

I am going to attempt to put up a post every day (yea right) on a different Congressional Medal of Honor winner.  There have been more than 3400 CMH awarded since the inception of the medal in 1861.  More than 600 of these were awarded posthumously.  As Of December 7 there are 117 living CMH winners.