American Patriot/Hero of the Week

Tip O' the Hat to Proof over at the Proof Positive blog for this week's hero.

Medal of Honor

First Lieutenant Charles P. Murray, Jr.

Citation:

For commanding Company C, 30th Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near Kaysersberg, France, on 16 December 1944, while leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory. Descending into a valley beneath hilltop positions held by our troops, he observed a force of 200 Germans pouring deadly mortar, bazooka, machine gun, and small arms fire into an American battalion occupying the crest of the ridge. The enemy's position in a sunken road, though hidden from the ridge, was open to a flank attack by 1st Lt. Murray's patrol but he hesitated to commit so small a force to battle with the superior and strongly disposed enemy. Crawling out ahead of his troops to a vantage point, he called by radio for artillery fire. His shells bracketed the German force, but when he was about to correct the range his radio went dead. He returned to his patrol, secured grenades and a rifle to launch them and went back to his self-appointed outpost. His first shots disclosed his position; the enemy directed heavy fire against him as he methodically fired his missiles into the narrow defile. Again he returned to his patrol. With an automatic rifle and ammunition, he once more moved to his exposed position. Burst after burst he fired into the enemy, killing 20, wounding many others, and completely disorganizing its ranks, which began to withdraw. He prevented the removal of 3 German mortars by knocking out a truck. By that time a mortar had been brought to his support. 1st Lt. Murray directed fire of this weapon, causing further casualties and confusion in the German ranks. Calling on his patrol to follow, he then moved out toward his original objective, possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock. He captured 10 Germans in foxholes. An eleventh, while pretending to surrender, threw a grenade which knocked him to the ground, inflicting 8 wounds. Though suffering and bleeding profusely, he refused to return to the rear until he had chosen the spot for the block and had seen his men correctly deployed. By his single-handed attack on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 1st Lt. Murray stopped a counterattack, established an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an inspiring example for the men of his command.

1st. Lt. Charles P. Murray: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DEATH TO HER ENEMIES

Patriot/Hero of the Week

This week's hero is not an American, but a freedom fighter and hero just the same.

On September 2, an eighty-nine year old woman, by the name of Eileen Nearne, was discovered to have died alone in her Torquay, England apartment. What makes this story significant is that when the authorities, in the absence of any known, living relatives, entered her apartment. They were searching for any form of documentation that might identify, and lead to, next-of-kin to take charge of the funeral arrangements. What they found revealed that this aged, penniless, recluse was not your average little old lady. Ms. Nearne was in fact agent "Rose" during World War II.

Agent "Rose", a member of the British Special Operations Executive, who at the age of twenty-three, parachuted into France to fight the Nazis in 1944. She worked undercover coordinating the efforts of the resistance and spies with the Allied war effort and operating a wireless radio for the Wizard network. Four months after entering France, her transmitter was detected and she was arrested, and tortured, by the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo. She was released due to the inability of the Gestapo to ascertain her true identity. Her French was too good to be a foreigner, owing to a childhood spent in France.

Ms. Nearne was arrested several weeks later and imprisoned at the Ravensbrueck Concentration Camp. She was later transferred to a forced labor camp in Silesia. She escaped from the camp, was re-arrested and escaped again to continue her work with the resistance.

After the war, Ms. Nearne was awarded Croix de Guerre by France, and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of her services. She lived most of her post war life with her sister in London, and moved to Torquay, on the English coast, after her sister's death in 1982.

Ms. Nearne is survived by a niece, Odile Nearne, who lived in Italy and was, despite appearances, close to her secret agent aunt and visited often, including a visit not six months prior. Ms. Nearne's mortal remains were not treated to the ignominy of a pauper's funeral, instead she was honored at a service provided by the British Legion on September 21, 2010 at Our Lady Help of Christians and St Denis Roman Catholic Church, Torquay. Twenty-one standard bearers, two pipers and her niece formed the honor guard around her flag draped coffin, and her remains scattered at sea according to her last wishes.

Eileen Mary "Didi" Nearne is a true hero to the entire free world, and I am proud to tell her story and glad that she did not pass from this veil unlauded and unknown. She faced down the the worst that Nazis could deliver, and never gave up, never backed down and ensured that justice would be served to a cruel, unjust and tyrannical regime. Rest well agent "Rose", you are gone but not forgotten by a grateful world.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DEATH TO HER ENEMIES

American Patriot/Hero of the Week

This post was delayed a week to honor another Medal of Honor recipient and the people who are attempting to aide his widow, and other surviving family. While I would not normally bump a post as near and dear to my heart as the Patriots/Heroes posts, the time constraints of the Baker family's need called out to me to publish their story as soon as possible, and I am sure that Corporal Stein would understand and approve.

This week I honor Marine Corporal Tony Stein. Cpl. Stein died two weeks after the events that earned him the Medal of Honor as a volunteer rooting out Japanese machine gun emplacements during the battle of Iwo Jima, and for aiding wounded comrades. Below is Cpl. Stein's Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Island, February 19, 1945. The first man of his unit to be on station after hitting the beach in the initial assault, Corporal Stein, armed with a personally improvised aircraft-type weapon, provided rapid covering fire as the remainder of his platoon attempted to move into position and, when his comrades were stalled by a concentrated machine-gun and mortar barrage, gallantly stood upright and exposed himself to the enemy's view, thereby drawing the hostile fire to his own person and enabling him to observe the location of the furiously blazing hostile guns. Determined to neutralize the strategically placed weapons, he boldly charged the enemy pillboxes one by one and succeeded in killing twenty of the enemy during the furious single-handed assault. Cool and courageous under the merciless hail of exploding shells and bullets which fell on all sides, he continued to deliver the fire of his skillfully improvised weapon at a tremendous rate of speed which rapidly exhausted his ammunition. Undaunted, he removed his helmet and shoes to expedite his movements and ran back to the beach for additional ammunition, making a total of eight trips under intense fire and carrying or assisting a wounded man back each time. Despite the unrelenting savagery and confusion of battle, he rendered prompt assistance to his platoon whenever the unit was in position, directing the fire of a half-track against a stubborn pillbox until he had effected the ultimate destruction of the Japanese fortification. Later in the day, although his weapon was twice shot from his hands, he personally covered the withdrawal of his platoon to the company position. Stouthearted and indomitable, Corporal Stein, by his aggressive initiative, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of terrific odds, contributed materially to the fulfillment of his mission, and his outstanding valor throughout the bitter hours of conflict sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DEATH TO HER ENEMIES!

American Patriot/Hero of the Week

This week's American Patriot/Hero was going to be Medal of Honor recipient Tony Stein. While I still intend to honor Corporal Stein, I am pushing his story to next week because of the timely need of the family of a hero. This week's Heroes post is a double whammy. Not only will I profile a hero of the American Republic, but also the people who are attempting to help his family in true American fashion.

First Lieutenant Vernon Baker

First Lieutenant Vernon Baker, a black U.S. Army soldier in the 92nd Infantry Division, who fought in Europe during World War II. Lt. Baker was personally responsible for the destruction of three machine gun nests, two observation points, two bunkers and a German communications network for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. For a more detailed account of his actions, see this WaPo article. Later, after a review of the policies of the time, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1997. Below is Lt. Baker's Medal of Honor citation:

For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked an enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

"I'm not a hero. I'm just a soldier that did a good job. I think the real heroes are the men I left behind on that hill that day." - Lt. Baker

I told you Lt. Baker's story so that I could then tell you this story:

After a long bout with brain cancer, Lt. Baker died on July 13, 2010. at his Saint Maries, Idaho home. He left behind a wife, three children, one step-child and a grand-child. Like many of us, the Baker family is suffering from the effects of the current recession. The family is suffering so much so, that they are can not afford to his interment in Arlington Nation Cemetery. The people of his community have refused to let this stand. Businesses, strangers, the local congressman and the Post Falls National Guard are all chipping in to make sure that a brave American Hero's family can attend his funeral. To me, this makes them all heroes. It is sad that this great nation can not or will not bring a hero's family to Arlington to witness his interment and to say their last goodbyes. It is very heartening however that the American people will not allow such a travesty to occur, and a giving, even in these hard times to make sure that a great injustice will not occur. I salute and thank you all. It is actions such as this that help sustain my faith in the American people.

If you would like to help, checks made out to Heidy Baker can be mailed to the following address:
AmericanWest Bank Saint Maries Idaho
1500 Main Ave
Saint Maries, ID 83861

Also money can be wired, fees still apply, to:
Bank Name: AmericanWest Bank
Routing Number: 125107037
Account Number: 100120
On the instructions be note; "To be credited to Heidy Baker account. Contact Saint Maries Branch located at 1500 Main Ave., Saint Maries, ID 83861."

Please help if, and how, you can.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DEATH TO HER ENEMIES!

American Patriot/Hero of the Week

So now I am really now REALLY behind on my blogging. At one point I was a week ahead, but now I can not even keep track of the days. G-Man is trying to see whether the ulcer will finally eat its way completely through my stomach lining, or the impending nervous breakdown will get me a one-way trip to the giggle academy. Place your bets now kids.

Just in time to appear prepared, I received this e-mail. I am not an overly sentimental guy. I never cry at movies, but go all gooey when a baby smiles at me, but this e-mail had me misty eyed as all get out.

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services. I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.


Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel , you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.


I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle," the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945." at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him "Yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what D-Day was." At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.


Shifty died on June 17, 2009 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall, back to back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right.


Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.
Chuck Yeager,
Major General [ret.]

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DEATH TO HER ENEMIES!