Required reading: Maritime Monday 101 by Fred Fry posted at gCaptain Blog and a story of the lowly barrage balloons download Bathory from Eagle 1.
BT

Admiral Paul Foster was born in March 25th, 1889 in Wichita, KS. He attended the University of Idaho, and later was accepted to the Naval Academy, graduating in 1911. Initially assigned to the surface navy aboard the USS WASHINGTON (CA-11) and the newly commissioned USS UTAH (BB-31). The USS UTAH participated in the Mexican Campaigns and Ens Foster went ashore with a landing party at some point and demonstrated a significant amount of courage on the 21st and 22nd of April, 1914, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.ADM Foster then transitioned to the “Silent Service,” taking command of the G-4 in February of 1916. Folling that tour, he had command of the USS AL-2 (SS-41), and, while operating in Bantry Bay, was credited with the sinking of German U-Boat UB-65 on 10 July, 1918. The UB-65 was one of three enemy subs sunk by the US Navy in WWI.
In 1924, ADM Foster was assigned as the commissioning Engineer Officer aboard USS TRENTON (CL-11). In January, 1927, he was awarded the Navy Cross for his efforts in a gun turret explosion aboard TRENTON. At this point in his career, then LCDR Foster became the first man to be awarded all three of the top awards for his service time; The Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal.Resigning his commission in 1927, ADM Foster left the service, but was recalled in 1941, where he went to work on the staff of the Navy Inspector General, conducting three inspecptions at the personal direction of the President.ADM Foster served until 1961. He passed away in 1972. To honor this man, the USS PAUL F FOSTER (DD-964), the second ship of the SPRUANCE Class destroyers.

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was commissioned February 21st, 1976.Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, FOSTER conducted 13 deployments to the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. She supported both Desert Storm and Desert Shield in 1990/91. She was decommissioned in March 27th, 2003, and now serves as the Self Defense Test Ship for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, CA.

Warm up reading (after you finish this one!): Fred Fry’s Maritime Monday – his 100th edition, btw.

The Land Before Time full movie

and Eagle1 tells some tale of how the ground pounders horned in on nautical work for many, many years.

A blast from the past, or more precisely post #1 in this series.

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Foreign Exchange full movie

Still getting the lay of the new land out here, so the postings time for research is at a premium. If you follow the link, I began with some history of the beginnings of the US Navy, when we began to consciously design and build warships. Harken back to the days of wooden ships, iron men, and the decision making process in Congress, and other places, that may remind you of some events today, or not. It was an exciting time, when a particular shipwright created a great design and got the ships to sea, where they performed remarkably well against the former motherland and other enemies in the foreign way.

Today was the day of the time honored tradition of christening of a US Naval vessel, in this case, the one day to be the USS NEW YORK (LPD-21). House of 1000 Corpses divx I Wanna Hold Your Hand

In Memory of My Father ipod

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NEW YORK will carry to sea 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the Ground Zero site in her stem, a reminder for all the days of her service of that day in our history. CDR F. Curtis Jones, USN, will have the honor of serving as the PCO.

History…plenty of it was on display today to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11.

A big “Bravo Zulu” to Sgt. Wayne Leyde, WA-ANG.

Most, who don’t understand, would take the money and run. This man made a commitment, and his word is his bond.

How about the real people who can handle any situation?

It seems Medea Benjamin knows who

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….

Oh, the sticky sweet, dripping all over irony! Get over and read the article.

Unsolicited advice to Medea: You’re looking to apply “disproportionate force” for your defense. That can get you in trouble with the Rules of Engagement lawfare types.

In a very good way.

Her post, describing a discussion with a soldier at the USO is wonderful. Even if it didn’t give me an opportunity make a teaser headline from one of her observations, it’s still another one of those “must read” posts around the blogosphere.

Titled “Investments”, you won’t be disappointed.

The Navy remembers Lt Spence Dry, USN, for his part in the secret Operation Thunderhead Trainspotting ipod

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, a plan to send in SEALs to rescue POWs.

He died June 5th, 1972.

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His father, a WWII Skipper has kept his memory alive.

Taco Bell has a great post. It begins with his teacher from prior days, sitting him down when he was commissioned as a Marine 2nd Lt and passing along a sword and .45, and the recollection of a combat Marine, who crossed those beaches.

It goes on to tell of Taco’s privledge of being part of a contingent in 1985 to visit the island and assist the vets in their return tour.

Do Not Miss This Post. Dr T and the Women rip

While other MilBloggers get their beauty sleep, the great news is the AEGIS/SM-3 combination has successfully engaged the failed spy satellite at about 10:30PM EST today.

From CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — An inoperable U.S. spy satellite orbiting about 150 miles above Earth was struck Wednesday by a missile fired from a U.S. Navy cruiser, military sources told CNN.

A Delta II rocket lifts off, carrying a reconnaissance satellite that failed hours later.

The Pentagon said the window of opportunity to strike the 5,000-pound satellite opened Wednesday, when the space shuttle Atlantis landed in Florida. The Pentagon wanted to be sure the shuttle would not be struck by any debris from a destroyed satellite.

But earlier the official said conditions had to be perfect, and that was not the case Wednesday with swells in the Pacific Ocean west of Hawaii running slightly higher than Navy would like.

CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said six- to eight-foot swells were reported in the area through Wednesday night and were not expected to come down until Friday or Saturday.
[…]

Great news. In a scenario where two fast moving objects have to make a “skin-to-skin” meeting on the end of space with a closing velocity of 22,000 mph, it happened, even while the ship wallowed about in moderate seas in the Pacific.

So, BZ to the crew of USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70) and their supporting tracking units, USS RUSSELL (DDG-73) and USS DECATUR (DDG-59)!

And, just in case you wondered, China has voiced “concerns” over this act to the US. You know, the country who already shot down a satellite, but without notification to the world community and no regard for the debris field it left in orbit to possibly damage other satellites and space vehicles. Anyhow, since they used a land based silo system, and not a mobile, sea bore one, I’m sure they are concerned, since we have engineers who can solve for an intercept between a mobile launch platform and the target.

Related Reading: Frey Frey’s Maritime Monday 98 and Eagle1’s Sunday Ship History: Special Monday President’s Day Edition.

BT

He wasn’t on the battlefield, in his utilities doing construction under fire. He was on TWA Flight 847 on June 14th, 1985, enroute the States from Nea Makri, Greece. He, for no other reason than he had chosen to serve his nation, was picked out to be murdered.

SW2(DV) Robert Dean Stethem, USN, Underwater Construction Battalion ONE He was born in 1961. His father and brothers were SEALs. I’d say salt water ran in his veins. A tribute to Robert is posted here. A shipmate has his remarks posted there, about the day Robbie died. More detailed info is found at Black Five’s site about the circumstances aboard 847. The killer? His justice came a few days ago, but not in time to have saved the lives of many others in the years in between.SW2 Stethem is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

A ship, full of fight and the sensors and weapons to back it up, sails the oceans bearing the name “STETHEM” in steel letters on the transom. Commissioned Oct 21st, 1995, the USS STETHEM (DDG-63) is an ARLEIGH BURKE Class Guided Missile Destroyer.Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, STETHEM has been an intergral part in the GWoT. A fairly detailed account of the STETHEM’s operations, from commissioning to 2003 are listed on her Wikipedia page.

“Steadfast and Courageous” a fitting motto for a vessel.