Tara Ross's This Day in History

Medal of Honor Monday: Sammy Davis

On this day in 1967, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Sammy L. Davis has been called the “real Forrest Gump” because footage from his Medal ceremony was used in the much-loved Tom Hanks movie.

“I went to war ‘cause I loved my grandpas. And I love my country,” Davis later said. “And when I got over there, the reason why we fought so hard, was because we discovered we loved each other, that we were all we had. And we became brothers.”

On November 17, 1967, then-Pfc. Davis was serving in an artillery unit at a remote fire support base near Cai Lay, Vietnam. Fighting had been ongoing all day. As night fell, the fighting ceased—at least for a little bit.

But everyone knew another attack was coming. The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-sammy-davis-moh

This Day in History: Battle of Fort Washington

On this day in 1776, the British demand that Patriots at Fort Washington surrender. Perhaps they thought Americans were discouraged and would simply comply? After all, George Washington and his men were coming off a nearly uninterrupted string of defeats in and around the New York area.

The latest in this string of defeats had occurred at White Plains, where Washington had once again found himself in retreat.

Did he feel like he was always retreating in those days? It must have been discouraging. Also: How miraculous that Washington’s men seemed to be always escaping and living to fight again another day. General Washington’s persistence would eventually win our Revolution.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-fort-washington

This Day in History: Charles Carroll, Signer

On this day in 1832, a signer of the Declaration of Independence passes away. Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the last living signatory of that document.

He was also the only Catholic person to sign. He suffered immensely because of this latter fact.

For years, Carroll was mistreated because of his faith.  As a young boy, he attended a religious private school in secret. When he got older, he traveled overseas to complete his education. When he returned to America, he was unable to run for office because he was Catholic.

All in all, perhaps it would have been understandable if he’d chosen to remain loyal to the Crown during the Revolution?

FULL STORY: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-charles-carroll

This Week in History: The Yorkie Doodle Dandy of WWII

At about this time in 2005, a memorial is dedicated for Smoky, the “Yorkie Doodle Dandy” of World War II. Smoky was a little Yorkshire Terrier who served alongside Corporal William “Bill” Wynne in the 5th Air Force, 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron.

Wynne would call her a “mighty little dog I was fortunate enough to have.”

Corporal Wynne first met Smoky when he was serving as an aerial photographer in New Guinea. Another G.I. had found the dog in an abandoned foxhole. Poor Smoky was skin and bones! Wynne ended up buying her for two Australian pounds (about $6.44). From then on, man and dog were inseparable.

Wynne taught Smoky tricks during his free time, but Smoky also hung out in the darkroom with Wynne when he was working. When air raid sirens sounded, the two would run for cover together. Many soldiers came to believe that Smoky instinctively knew which shelter was best. They began following her to the hole that she chose.

FULL STORY: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-smoky-dog

On this day in 1815, Elizabeth Cady is born into a prominent family in Johnstown, New York. She would go on to become a well-known advocate for women’s rights.

“[Elizabeth] was arguably the most important female activist-intellectual of [her] era,” biographer Lori Ginzberg writes, “and one of her generation’s most charismatic leaders.”

Elizabeth’s discontent with the status quo began early: Her gender put artificial limits on her education, which she found upsetting. She yearned for more opportunity and would have leapt at the chance to go to college.

She had to instead content herself with attending a female seminary.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-elizabeth-stanton

Medal of Honor Monday: Alwyn Cashe

At about this time in 2005, a hero succumbs to his injuries. Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe had saved several of his fellow soldiers from a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle mere weeks earlier.

Cashe has been described as “an example of what being a Dogface Soldier is all about—selfless service.” His friend, 1st Lt. James “Jimmy” Ryan, would remember Cashe as a man who was “tough and competitive” and “just wouldn’t quit. . . . he cared about the mission, he cared about getting things done, and he cared about taking care of his people.”

Which is exactly what Cashe did on October 17, 2005, near Samarra, Iraq.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-alwyn-cashe-moh

This Week in History: Marine Corps War Memorial

During this week in 1954, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its birthday—and it  dedicates a new War Memorial. That Memorial is easily recognizable today, but do you know the story of how it was created?

The statue was the brainchild of Felix de Weldon, a Viennese-born sculptor who’d come to North America just before World War II began. De Weldon had been commissioned to create a bust for the Canadian Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister was not available to pose when he first arrived. De Weldon had some time to kill, so he decided to tour the United States.

He surely had no idea what was about to happen.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-marine-memorial

This Day in History: Non-Signers of the Constitution

On this day in 1819, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention passes away. Caleb Strong of Massachusetts attended the Convention, but he never signed the Constitution.

Have you ever thought about the men who were appointed to serve at the Convention, but who failed to sign the document?

Roughly three dozen men fall into this category of “non-signer” of the Constitution. Of these, only a small handful deliberately rejected the substance of the document. Others didn’t sign, but for different reasons.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-nonsigners-constitution

This Day in History: Abraham Lincoln elected

On this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States. Such an achievement must have seemed impossible during his early childhood years.

Lincoln was born in a tiny log cabin in Kentucky. When Abe was 7 years old, his family moved to Indiana, where they squatted on a plot of land until they finally earned enough to purchase it legally.

Unfortunately, Abe’s mom died roughly 2 years later. His dad soon remarried Sarah Bush Johnston.

Sarah proved to be a blessing. She encouraged Abe to learn. Abe still never really received much in the way of a formal education, but he taught himself as much as he could. His stepmother later recalled that “Abe read all the books he could lay his hands on—and when he came across a passage that Struck him he would write it down . . .”

The story continues here : https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-abraham-lincoln-election

On this day in 1732, an American Patriot is born in Massachusetts. You may or may not know John Glover’s name, but you do know about the Revolutionary War events in which he participated.

Glover led a unique regiment of men from Marblehead and other fishing villages: His men were professional sailors. The skill set would prove invaluable.

Glover and his “Marbleheaders” arrived outside Boston soon after the “shot heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord. Glover was well-equipped, and he ensured that his men were, too. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, George Washington was quick to trust Glover in an effort to create a Navy. This small fleet of vessels—“Washington’s Cruiser’s”—would work to harass British shipping early in the war.

But that was just the beginning of Glover’s contributions.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-john-glover

Medal of Honor Monday: John Basilone

On this day in 1916, a hero is born. “Manila John” Basilone would go on to become the only Marine to earn both a Navy Cross and a Medal of Honor during World War II.

Yet the legendary Marine started off in the Army.

He was just 18 years old when he enlisted this first time. He served for three years before returning to civilian life and a job as a truck driver. His second stint in the military came in July 1940. This time, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-john-basilone-moh

This Day in History: Providence & the Revolution

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.

This Day in History: Providence & the Revolution

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.

This Day in History: USS Philadelphia set ablaze

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

This Day in History: Martha Jefferson

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.

FULL STORY: http://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-martha-jefferson

This Day in History: Cal Poly Football Team Tragedy

On this day in 1960, a plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashes in Ohio. The tragedy was the first airline crash involving a United States sports team.

Amazingly, 26 people survived.

The Cal Poly team had been in Ohio to play a football game, of course. That game against Bowling Green hadn’t gone very well. Afterwards, the players just wanted to get home. Surely no one was happy about the dense fog that descended upon the area. Would Cal Poly’s chartered plane be able to take off?

The pilot entrusted with the decision, it was later discovered, was flying with a suspended license. The story continues here: http://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-cal-poly-1960

Medal of Honor Monday: Lucian Adams

On this day in 1944, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. SSgt. Lucian Adams didn’t plan to serve in the military. He’d expected to be a professional baseball player.

“About the last thing I was planning on,” he later laughed, “was becoming a soldier and certainly it never occurred to me to be a hero. I was drafted, and once I got in the Army, I decided it was a job and I would do the best I could.”

Either way, his strong throwing arm would prove useful in France during World War II, as a local Texas journalist later observed, because Adams could forcefully hurl grenades at enemy machine gun nests.

FULL STORY: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-lucian-adams-moh