During this week in 1970, a Special Forces Medic concludes a four-day mission. Then-Sergeant Gary Michael “Mike” Rose had saved the lives of dozens of soldiers during his long ordeal.
Rose had been participating in Operation Tailwind, a secret mission into Laos during the Vietnam War. Even after Rose came home from war, he wouldn’t speak of it for decades.
The mission began on September 11, when Marine helicopters inserted a combined force of Americans and Montagnards deep into enemy territory.
Almost immediately, that force was under attack. Unfortunately, one soldier got trapped outside the company’s defensive perimeter. He was wounded, and Rose rushed to find him, carrying him back to relative safety. Similar scenes would repeat themselves throughout the day as Rose braved enemy fire to get to wounded men.
“Your job [as a combat medic] is to maintain the person’s life,” Rose later described, “to keep them out of shock . . . .You’ve got to talk to the person. You’ve got to convince them that they’re going to be fine . . . even in the chaos of battle.”
During the second day of conflict, Rose would unfortunately join the ranks of the wounded.
The story continues here:
https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-gary-rose-moh
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At about this time in 1783, George Washington issues farewell orders to the troops that persevered with him through the Revolution.
Technically, this anniversary is tomorrow, but I thought the quote was timely: I'm sure many of you agree that we need this kind of divine intervention again next week.
Food for thought. Full-fledged stories resume on Monday.
On this day in 1803, the Tripolitans capture a stranded American vessel. Mere months later, Navy legend Stephen Decatur would set that same U.S. frigate ablaze. His action has been called the “most bold and daring act of the age.”
But why would a United States naval officer set an American ship ablaze?
The audacious stunt occurred during the First Barbary War, soon after USS Philadelphia ran into an uncharted reef on October 31, 1803. She was soon captured by the Tripolitans and was considered a valuable prize. Once repaired, she would be the Barbary states’ most powerful warship. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy had only one remaining ship as powerful as the one they’d lost: USS Constitution.
FULL STORY: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-burning-uss-philadelphia
On this day in 1748, Martha Wayles, future wife of Thomas Jefferson, is born.
Martha “Patty” Wayles Skelton Jefferson is a bit of a mystery! We don’t even have a portrait of her, although the attached silhouette is believed to be hers. Jefferson burned all of their correspondence after her death. By all accounts, though, the two were deeply in love.
Patty was a young and wealthy widow when the two married on New Year’s Day in 1772. Their first child was born 8 months and 26 days after their wedding. They named her Martha, and they called her “Patsy.” Mrs. Jefferson would have six total children over the course of her ten year marriage to Jefferson. Only two would live to adulthood.
The story continues here: http://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-martha-jefferson
