Great Book

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Corporal Miles M. Oviatt (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on August 5, 1864, on board the USS Brooklyn. His citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked the deck, Cpl. Oviatt fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2_hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee.

Private Michael Owens (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on June 11, 1871, on board the USS Colorado. His citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Colorado during the capture of Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Fighting courageously in hand-tohand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action.

Sergeant Robert Allen Owens (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on November 1, 1943, at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a marine division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during extremely hazardous landing operations at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 1 November 1943. Forced to pass within disastrous range of a strongly protected, well-camouflaged Japanese 75-mm. regimental gun strategically located on the beach, our landing units were suffering heavy losses in casualties and boats while attempting to approach the beach, and the success of the operations was seriously threatened. Observing the ineffectiveness of marine rifle and grenade attacks against the incessant, devastating fire of the enemy weapon and aware of the urgent need for prompt action, Sgt. Owens unhesitatingly determined to charge the gun bunker from the front and, calling on 4 of his comrades to assist him, carefully placed them to cover the fire of the 2 adjacent hostile bunkers. Choosing a moment that provided a fair opportunity for passing these bunkers, he immediately charged into the mouth of the steadily firing cannon and entered the emplacement through the fire port, driving the guncrew out of the rear door and insuring their destruction before he himself was wounded. Indomitable and aggressive in the face of almost certain death, Sgt. Owens silenced a powerful gun which was of inestimable value to the Japanese defense and, by his brilliant initiative and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, contributed immeasurably to the success of the vital landing operations. His valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.


At first glance I’d know there would be no second glance when it comes to a book about an eight-oar crew from the 1930’s… but my good friend (and Labor Day Uncle) DG told me I should read it and I have a policy that when DG tells me to read a book, I read it. I finally had a chance to read this book (The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown) and boy was it good! It was part sports book, part history book and total easy to read greatness. I found my pulse pick up reading this thing. I won’t go into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil it for you. Just get the book and read it. You won’t be sorry.


Picture Thursday

Nap time for Susie

And Daniel

Mary Ruth with another award (for something she wrote about The Wife)

Daniel wearing the hat his sisters told him to wear

Daniel with his Nana and Susie

More napping from Daniel

 

Daniel at a basketball game

This is how we camp out in the den (I sleep on the sofa)