Forgotten Heroes of the Cold War

In Memory of USS Liberty (AGTR-5)

2011-10-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

In Memory of USS Liberty (AGTR-5), a ship of the US Navy, attacked by Israeli aircraft and PT boats in international waters near Gaza, June 8, 1967.
34 men were killed and 171 wounded.

Forgotten Heroes Slide Show

2008-09-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Forgotten Heroes Slide Show

Thursday, June 7, 2007

SGT. Joel Mayo, USAF

Major Harold Lewis, USAF

Richard S. Welch, CIA

Major Richard Bakke USAF

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Lt. Jesse Beasley

USS Pueblo

P2V Type Lost over Yellow Sea on Jan. 4th, 1954

Friday, May 11, 2007

POW-MIA of the Cold War

LTC Peter Dewey

C-47 Shoot Down 8-19-46 YugoSlavia

C-130 Shoot Down Armenia 9-2-58

Major Williard Palm USAF 1-7-60 Shot Down Barents Sea

Capt. Tsantes, Jr. Athens 11-14-83

Navy P2V-3W 10 KIA over Vladivostock

Capt. Francis Gary Powers

RB-29 6-13-52 Sea of Japan

RB-50 Sea of Japan 7-29-53

LTJG Deane 8-22-56 East China Sea

HB-50D Lost 8-31-56 off coast of Alaska

Anti Sub Patrol 1-12-62

Gen. Van Fleet ,Greece 1948-50

Gen. James A. Van Fleet

Nuclear Test Exposure

U2 Shoot down Cuba Major Anderson 10-27-62

LTC Hannaford Shot down over E. Germany 1-28-64

LCDR Robert Lee Krag USS Thresher

USS Scorpion

USS Liberty Attacked By Isrealis 6-8-67

Capt. McGonagle Skipper USS Liberty CMH

LDCR Armstrong USS Liberty

PC2 John Speicher USS Liberty

Lt. James Pierce USS Liberty

CT3 Alan Higgins USS Liberty

CT1 Curtis Graves USS Liberty

CT2 Allen Blue USS Liberty

USS Liberty

USS Pueblo

Koreans Shoot Down EC-121 4-15-69

May 15-16 1975

2LT Vandergeer USAF Cambodia 5-15-75

PFC Boyd, Mayguez Incident

Richard Welsh CIA 12-23-75

Desert One Iran 1980

Gregory Fronius 7th SF Group

Major Arthur Nicholson US Army

Capt. William Nordeen USN

Col James Rowe

USS Hobson

2008-07-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

USS Hobson sunk 700 miles off Azores, in collision with USS Wasp, April 26, 1952, 176 men killed, 61 survived.

COL Nick Rowe Killed by terrorists in Philippines, April 21, 1989

2008-07-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

Killed by terrorists in Philippines, April 21, 1989

Five US Navy Airmen lost on antisubmarine patrol, January 12,1962

2008-07-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

(Brown, Gaswick, Milette, Rennenberg, Wells)

C-47 Crew Shot Down Over Yugoslavia 8-12-46

2008-05-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

C-130 Crew Shot Down over Armenia 9-2-58

2008-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Seaman Duane Hodges, USS Pueblo

2008-05-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

General George Marshall

2008-05-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Berlin Airlift 1948-49

2008-04-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Grenada

2008-02-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

for
Conspicuous Gallantry
in Action during
Operation Urgent Fury
In Grenada
(1983)

Citations

*SEAGLE, JEB F. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Jeb F. Seagle (237964456), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as an AH-IT (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit, conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, Captain Seagle's aircraft was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. Having been knocked out by the blast, Captain Seagle regained consciousness after his fellow pilot had flown the aircraft to impact and found that his aircraft was on fire and burning out of control. As Captain Seagle exited the front cockpit of the Cobra, he saw that the other pilot had been critically wounded and remained helplessly trapped in the aircraft. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Seagle courageously returned to the aircraft which was now engulfed in flames and pulled him out. As unexpended ordnance began to cook off all around them, Captain Seagle carried the severely wounded pilot well clear of the danger. Now exposed to heavy enemy small arms and machinegun fire and faced with certain death or capture, Captain Seagle ignored the danger and remained to attend the wounds of the injured pilot by wrapping a tourniquet around his severely bleeding arm. Realizing that enemy soldiers were approaching, Captain Seagle fearlessly distracted them away from the helpless pilot and ultimately sacrificed his own life in an effort to buy time for the rescue helicopter to arrive. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Seagle ensured his brother-in-arms was rescued; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
Home Town: Jacksonville, North Carolina

U.S. Navy

ERSKINE, DONALD KIM
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Donald Kim Erskine, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while commanding an assault element from SEAL Team SIX in support of Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada on 25 October 1983. During early morning hours, Lieutenant Erskine successfully secured a target within an environment of dense enemy concentration. Determined to hold his position, he twice engaged the enemy and eliminated their combat effectiveness, taking 10 wounded prisoners of war without casualty to his assault element. Administering to the enemy wounded, Lieutenant Erskine again established a defensive perimeter. Engaged a third time by a numerically superior force, his position came under heavy automatic weapons, RPG-7, and 20-mm. cannon fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Erskine directed fire and maneuver tactics which allowed his force to take up new positions. Although painfully wounded himself and closely pursued by a large enemy force, he courageously directed his men in evasion and escape maneuvers which resulted in the safe extraction of his entire force. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Lieutenant Erskine reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

U.S. MARINES

DEMARS, MELVIN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Melvin DeMars, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an CH-46 Medevac Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Following the destruction of the helicopter piloted by Captain Jeb Seagle, Major DeMars flew the medical evacuation helicopter that landed and recovered Captain Timothy Howard from the crash site. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Major DeMars reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

*GIGUERE, PAT (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Pat Giguere, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, Captain Giguere's wingman was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. With full knowledge of their vulnerability as a single aircraft without a wingman's protective cover and with total disregard for their own safety, Captain Giguere and his Co-Pilot exposed their aircraft to heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire while engaging enemy ground forces and preventing the certain capture of the helpless and gravely wounded crew. Requesting assistance from a rescue aircraft and organizing the rescue attempt, Captain Giguere and his Co-Pilot fearlessly continued to engage the anti-aircraft emplacements that encircled the zone protecting the more vulnerable rescue aircraft and buying enough time to effect a successful rescue. Purposely remaining behind until the rescue aircraft could escape the enemy fire, Captain Giguere sacrificed his life after a gallant struggle so that others might live. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Giguere reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Home Town: Jacksonville, North Carolina
HOWARD, TIMOTHY B.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Timothy B. Howard, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an AH-IT (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit, conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Captain Howard was flying a Cobra helicopter supporting Navy SEALs who had gone in to rescue Governor-General Paul Scoon, the British Administrative Representative on Grenada. Captain Howard had brought his Cobra into a hover in order to allow his Weapons Officer, Captain Jeb Seagle, to line up a shot with a TOW missile. As they hovered the ship was bracketed by gunfire from a ZU-23 23-mm. Anti-Aircraft gun. Shells exploded around the ship. One shell hit the port side engine and another blasted through cockpit side. That second shell almost severed Captain Howard's right arm and also peppered his right leg, breaking it in a number of places. In addition, the violet impact had knocked Captain Seagle unconscious. Captain Howard using his functioning limbs, managed to land the aircraft in the middle of Tanteen Field without rolling it. The force of the impact activated the canopy release system and also woke Captain Seagle, who jumped out of the aircraft and pulled Howard free. He then tied his helmet communications cord around the stricken pilots arm to stop the bleeding. Captain Howard feeling as though he was slipping away, told Captain Seagle to leave him and save himself. Seagle refused and instead, grabbing Howard's pistol, moved away to lure Grenadian forces, who had begun advancing on the crash site, away from his grievously injured pilot. While a medevac CH-46 was landing to rescue Captain Howard, Captain Seagle was captured and executed by Grenadian forces. As the CH-46 sped out of St. George's Harbor, the gunship covering its withdrawal, crewed by Captain Pat Giguere and Lieutenant Jeff Scharver was hit and plunged into the harbor. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
NEIDIGH, KELLY
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Kelly Neidigh, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of the aircrew on an CH-46 Medevac Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Following the destruction of the helicopter piloted by Captain Jeb Seagle, Staff Sergeant Neidigh rescued Captain Timothy Howard from the crash site. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Staff Sergeant Neidigh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
*SCHARVER, JEFFERY R. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Jeffery R. Scharver, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, First Lieutenant Scharver's wingman was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. With full knowledge of their vulnerability as a single aircraft without a wingman's protective cover and with total disregard for their own safety, First Lieutenant Scharver and his pilot exposed their aircraft to heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire while engaging enemy ground forces and preventing the certain capture of the helpless and gravely wounded crew. Requesting assistance from a rescue aircraft and organizing the rescue attempt, First Lieutenant Scharver and his pilot fearlessly continued to engage the anti-aircraft emplacements that encircled the zone protecting the more vulnerable rescue aircraft and buying enough time to effect a successful rescue. Purposely remaining behind until the rescue aircraft could escape the enemy fire, First Lieutenant Scharver sacrificed his life after a gallant struggle so that others might live. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, First Lieutenant Scharver reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Born: at Canton, Ohio
Home Town: Canton, Ohio

U.S. Army

TRUJILLO, STEPHEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Stephen Trujillo, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Aidman of the 2d Battalion, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, near Calivigny Camp on 27 October 1983. After a U.S. helicopter was hit by ground fire and spinning out of control, collided with a second helicopter causing both crash in flames to the ground, Sergeant Trujillo ignored the danger of hostile enemy fire and the possibility of imminent explosion from the fuel tanks of either or both aircraft in order to treat the wounded and to pull at least three of his comrades to safety. His actions were instrumental in saving several lives, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Home Town: Boulder, Colorado

Forgotten Heroes Slide Show

2007-12-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

Forgotten Heroes Slide Show

SGT. Joel Mayo, USAF

2007-06-07T17:00:00.003-07:00

Major Harold Lewis, USAF

2007-06-07T17:00:00.002-07:00

Richard S. Welch, CIA

2007-06-07T17:00:00.001-07:00

Major Richard Bakke USAF

2007-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Lt. Jesse Beasley

2007-05-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

USS Pueblo

2007-05-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

P2V Type Lost over Yellow Sea on Jan. 4th, 1954

POW-MIA of the Cold War

2007-05-11T01:26:00.000-07:00

LTC Peter Dewey

2007-05-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

C-47 Shoot Down 8-19-46 YugoSlavia

2007-05-11T01:23:00.001-07:00

C-130 Shoot Down Armenia 9-2-58

2007-05-11T01:22:00.001-07:00

Major Williard Palm USAF 1-7-60 Shot Down Barents Sea

2007-05-11T01:21:00.001-07:00

Capt. Tsantes, Jr. Athens 11-14-83

2007-05-11T01:19:00.000-07:00

Navy P2V-3W 10 KIA over Vladivostock

2007-05-11T01:16:00.000-07:00

Capt. Francis Gary Powers

2007-05-11T01:15:00.001-07:00

RB-29 6-13-52 Sea of Japan

2007-05-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

RB-50 Sea of Japan 7-29-53

2007-05-11T01:11:00.000-07:00

LTJG Deane 8-22-56 East China Sea

2007-05-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

HB-50D Lost 8-31-56 off coast of Alaska

2007-05-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

Anti Sub Patrol 1-12-62

2007-05-11T01:04:00.000-07:00

Gen. Van Fleet ,Greece 1948-50

2007-05-11T01:02:00.000-07:00

Gen. James A. Van Fleet

2007-05-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

Nuclear Test Exposure

2007-05-11T00:58:00.001-07:00

U2 Shoot down Cuba Major Anderson 10-27-62

2007-05-11T00:55:00.000-07:00

LTC Hannaford Shot down over E. Germany 1-28-64

2007-05-11T00:53:00.000-07:00

LCDR Robert Lee Krag USS Thresher

2007-05-11T00:51:00.000-07:00

USS Scorpion

2007-05-11T00:49:00.000-07:00

USS Liberty Attacked By Isrealis 6-8-67

2007-05-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

Capt. McGonagle Skipper USS Liberty CMH

2007-05-11T00:45:00.000-07:00

LDCR Armstrong USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:43:00.000-07:00

PC2 John Speicher USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

Lt. James Pierce USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:40:00.001-07:00

CT3 Alan Higgins USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:38:00.000-07:00

CT1 Curtis Graves USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

CT2 Allen Blue USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:35:00.000-07:00

USS Liberty

2007-05-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

USS Pueblo

2007-05-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

Koreans Shoot Down EC-121 4-15-69

2007-05-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

May 15-16 1975

2007-05-11T00:27:00.000-07:00

2LT Vandergeer USAF Cambodia 5-15-75

2007-05-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

PFC Boyd, Mayguez Incident

2007-05-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

Richard Welsh CIA 12-23-75

2007-05-11T00:20:00.000-07:00

Desert One Iran 1980

2007-05-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

Gregory Fronius 7th SF Group

2007-05-11T00:16:00.000-07:00

Major Arthur Nicholson US Army

2007-05-11T00:13:00.000-07:00

Capt. William Nordeen USN

2007-05-11T00:12:00.000-07:00

Col James Rowe

2007-05-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

Major Williard Palm USAF 1-7-60 Shot Down Barents Sea

2007-05-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

C-130 Shoot Down Armenia 9-2-58

2007-05-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

C-47 Shoot Down 8-19-46 YugoSlavia

2007-05-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

LTC Peter Dewey

2007-05-10T23:58:00.001-07:00

POW-MIA Cold War

2007-05-10T23:51:00.000-07:00