Kate Nesbitt is first woman in Royal Navy to receive MC | Army Rumour Service Kate Nesbitt is first woman in Royal Navy to receive MC Welcome to the Army Rumour Service, ARRSE The UK's largest and busiest UNofficial military website. The heart of the site is the forum area , including: » we have our own encyclopaedia; the ARRSEPedia » our reviews section - book and other reviews Kate Nesbitt is first woman in Royal Navy to receive Military Cross Royal Navy Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt with colleagues Kate Nesbitt, above, won her a Military Cross. 'Under fire her commitment and courage made the difference between life and death,' the MoD said Michael Evans, Defence Editor A 20-year-old medic who repeatedly rushed forward to save colleagues while under attack from the Taleban has become the first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross and only the second in the Armed Forces. Able Seaman Class 1 Kate Nesbitt tended wounded colleagues from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines several times when they came under fire while on patrol in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence said: âAble Seaman Nesbittâs actions throughout a series of offensive operations were exemplary. Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.â Able Seaman Nesbittâs award was one of more than 100 announced by the MoD yesterday in relation to 3 Commando Brigadeâs tour of duty in Helmand between October and March. She was one of 14 to receive the Military Cross. Two were awarded to members of the special forces; their names were not published. The Old Coot: September 2009 Private, 2nd/14th (Victoria) Battalion, Australian Military Forces Born: 8 January 1918, Armadale, Melbourne, Australia Died: 29 August 1942, near Isurava, New Guinea Citation: In New Guinea, the Battalion to which Private Kingsbury belonged had been holding a position in the Isurava area for two days against continuous and fierce enemy attacks.

On the 29th August, 1942, the enemy attacked in such force that they succeeded in breaking through the Battalion's right flank, creating a serious threat both to the rest of the Battalion and to its Headquarters. To avoid the situation becoming more desperate, it was essential to regain immediately the lost ground on the right flank. Private Kingsbury, who was one of the few survivors of a Platoon which had been over-run and severely cut about by the enemy, immediately volunteered to join a different platoon which had been ordered to counter-attack. He rushed forward firing his Bren Gun from the hip through terrific machine-gun fire and succeeded in clearing a path through the enemy. Continuing to sweep the enemy positions with his fire and inflicting an extremely high number of casualties on them, Private Kingsbury was seen to fall to the ground shot dead by the bullet from a sniper hiding in the wood. Private Kingsbury displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. His initiative and superb courage made possible the recapture of the position which undoubtedly saved Battalion Headquarters, as well as causing heavy casualties amongst the enemy. His coolness, determination and devotion to duty in the face of great odds was an inspiration to his comrades.

Posted by First Lieutenant, US Marine Corps Reserve; 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division Born: 22 October 1915, Ennie, Texas Died: 8 March 1945, Iwo Jima Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement.

Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission.

His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Posted by STS-132 and STS-133 crews announced Actually, the STS-132 crew was announced a few months ago, but I haven't been paying proper attention to the space programme lately. ZUI this NASA press release dated 14 May 09: NASA has assigned the crew for space shuttle mission STS-132, targeted for launch in April 2010. This flight will deliver the Russian-built Mini Research Module (MRM1) to the International Space Station. Navy Capt. Ken Ham will command the shuttle Atlantis for this 11-day mission. Navy Cmdr. Tony Antonelli will serve as the pilot. Mission specialists are Navy Capt. Steve Bowen, Karen Nyberg, Garrett Reisman, and Piers Sellers. This will be the third spaceflight for Sellers, and the second for each of the others. Capt Ham (USN). Cdr Antonelli (USN). Capt Bowen (USN). Dr Nyberg . Dr Reisman .

Dr Sellers . For the shuttle programme's final flight, ZUI this press release dated 18 Sep: NASA has assigned the crew for the last scheduled space shuttle mission, targeted to launch in September 2010. The flight to the International Space Station will carry a pressurized logistics module to the station. Veteran shuttle commander and retired Air Force Col. Steven W. Lindsey will command the eight-day mission, designated STS-133. Air Force Col. Eric A. Boe will serve as the pilot; it will be his second flight as a shuttle pilot. Mission Specialists are shuttle mission veteran Air Force Col. Benjamin Alvin Drew, Jr., and long-duration spaceflight veterans Michael R. Barratt, Army Col. Timothy L. Kopra and Nicole P. Stott. ******* Lindsey currently is chief of the Astronaut Office. Long-duration spaceflight veteran and former space station commander Peggy A. Whitson has been named his successor when Lindsey transitions in October to training for his spaceflight. Whitson was a flight engineer aboard the station during Expedition 5 in 2002 and the commander of Expedition 16 in 2007 to 2008.

This will be Lindsey's fifth spaceflight, and the second for each of the others. Col Lindsey (USAF, ret). Col Boe (USAF). Col Drew (USAF). Dr Barratt . Col Kopra (US Army). Stott . Posted by First Lieutenant, US Marine Corps; Observation Squadron 7M Born: 19 March 1895, Richland County, Illinois Died: 8 January 1987 Citation: During the progress of an insurrection at Quilali, Nicaragua, 6, 7, and 8 January 1928, 1st Lt. Schilt, then a member of a marine expedition which had suffered severe losses in killed and wounded, volunteered under almost impossible conditions to evacuate the wounded by air and transport a relief commanding officer to assume charge of a very serious situation. 1st Lt.

Schilt bravely undertook this dangerous and important task [in his Vought O2U Corsair] and, by taking off a total of 10 times in the rough, rolling street of a partially burning village, under hostile infantry fire on each occasion, succeeded in accomplishing his mission, thereby actually saving 3 lives and bringing supplies and aid to others in desperate need. Note: Schilt retired in 1957 with the rank of general. His other awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and the Air Medal with four gold stars. Posted by What's in a Name reading challenge Another reading challenge I just stumbled across: *This is a challenge that anyone can join, no matter what types of books they like to read. You should be able to find books from any genre that will work. *Dates: January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 *The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories. 1. A book with a "profession" in its title. Examples might include: The Book Thief, The Island of Dr.

Moreau, The Historian 2. A book with a "time of day" in its title. Examples might include: Twilight, Four Past Midnight, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 3. A book with a "relative" in its title. Examples might include: Eight Cousins, My Father's Dragon, The Daughter of Time 4. A book with a "body part" in its title. Examples might include: The Bluest Eye, Bag of Bones, The Heart of Darkness 5. A book with a "building" in its title. Examples might include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Little House on the Prairie, The Looming Tower 6. A book with a "medical condition" in its title. Examples might include: Insomnia, Coma, The Plague *You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don't use the same book for more than one category. *Again, there will be some small prizes scattered throughout. No set schedule, so just be sure to check in once a while. There will also be a prize awarded at the conclusion to one participant who completes the challenge.

*You don't need to decide exactly which books you will be reading ahead of time, though you're certainly welcome to. Either way, I'd love to see your lists of possibilities, and I'll bet everyone else would love to read them as well. To join in, simply leave a link here. Or, if you don't have a blog, simply leave your name (and feel free to share your list in the comments if you'd like). Click on the picture above for the original post at What's in a Name-2 . I've already read books for items 1, 3 and 5* (and possibly 6) this year, so I'm off to a good start.... * Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, by Brandon Sanderson; Sister Light, Sister Dark, by Jane Yolen; and The Secret of the Old Mill, by "Franklin W Dixon." Posted by WWII reading challenge It's a little late, but I just found this reading challenge at War through the Generations. War Through the Generation’s very first reading challenge will be World War II. The challenge will run from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009.

Rules: To participate in the WWII Reading Challenge, you must commit to reading at least five books throughout the year. We plan to read more than that, and feel free to do the same! The books can be fiction or non-fiction, and they can be about any aspect of WWII. WWII should be the primary or secondary theme, and it doesn’t matter whether the book takes place during the war or after the war. Children’s literature is acceptable! (Please visit the WWII Reading List page for some recommendations.) You can count books you are reading for other challenges, so long as they meet the aforementioned criteria. You can decide which books you’d like to read right away, or you can choose them during the course of the challenge. However, when you sign up, we ask that you set a reading goal for the challenge. At the end of the challenge, those who met or exceeded their reading goals will be entered in a drawing (prizes to be announced later). **Participants anywhere in the world are eligible for most prizes in the drawing!** Click on the picture above for instructions on how to sign up. I've already read three WWII books* this year, so I've signed up for a total of six.

* Shadows in the Jungle: The Alamo Scouts Behind Japanese Lines in World War II, by Larry Alexander; The Silver Sword (aka Escape from Warsaw), by Ian Serraillier; and Battleship Bismarck: A Survivor's Story, by Baron Burkard von Müllenheim-Rechberg. Posted by ZUI this article from Ask anyone - family, friends, Soldiers - who knew Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti of the 10th Mountain Division, and they'll tell you he was the best friend, best Soldier, best noncommissioned officer, best person they ever knew. ******* He was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class the following day and will be the first Soldier awarded the Medal of Honor for Operation Enduring Freedom Thursday, when President Barack Obama presents the nation's highest honor to Monti's parents in a White House ceremony. Monti will also be honored in a Pentagon ceremony Friday. Monti earned the Medal when he and 15 other Soldiers became the first American servicemembers to ever set foot in the Gremen Valley, near the Pakistan border. Reports had showed insurgents were in the area, but not their exact location, their numbers or the types of weapons they had.

************* *** ************* JARED CHRISTOPHER MONTI Sergeant First Class (then Staff Sergeant), US Army; 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Born: 20 September 1975, Abington, Massachusetts Died: 21 June 2006, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant First Class Monti distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a team leader with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 21 June 2006. On that day, Sergeant First Class Monti was leading a mission to gather intelligence and to direct fires against the enemy in support of a squadron-size interdiction mission. While at an observation position on top of a mountain ridge, Sergeant First Class Monti’s sixteen-man patrol came under attack by a superior force consisting of as many as 50 enemy fighters.

On the verge of being overrun, Sergeant First Class Monti directed his patrol to set up a hasty defensive position behind a collection of rocks. He then began to call for indirect fire from a nearby support base; accurately bringing the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still calling for fire, Sergeant First Class Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank the patrol. Sergeant First Class Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded and exposed in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant First Class Monti moved from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of withering enemy fire. After closing within meters of his wounded Soldier, the heavy volume of fire forced Sergeant First Class Monti to seek cover. Sergeant First Class Monti then gathered himself and rose again to maneuver through a barrage of enemy fire to save his wounded Soldier. Again, Sergeant First Class Monti was driven back by relentless enemy fire.

Unwilling to leave his Soldier wounded and exposed, Sergeant First Class Monti made another attempt to move across open terrain and through the enemy fire to the aide of his wounded Soldier. On his third attempt, Sergeant First Class Monti was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his Soldier. Sergeant First Class Monti’s acts of heroism inspired the patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Sergeant First Class Monti’s immeasurable courage and uncommon valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 3d Squadron 71st Cavalry Regiment, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the United States Army. Posted by Gertrude Baines 6 Apr 1894 - 11 Sep 2009 The oldest person in the world has died. ZUI this article from the Los Angeles Times: Although she liked her bacon crispy and her chicken fried, she never drank, smoked or fooled around, Gertrude Baines once said, describing a life that lasted an astonishing 115 years and earned her the title of oldest person on the planet.

It was a title Baines quietly relinquished Friday when she died in her sleep at Western Convalescent Hospital, her home since she gave up living alone at age 107 after breaking a hip. She likely suffered a heart attack, said her longtime physician, Dr. Charles Witt, although an autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. ******* Baines was born in Shellman, Ga., on April 6, 1894, when Grover Cleveland was in the White House, radio communication was just being developed and television was still more than a half-century from becoming a ubiquitous household presence. She was 4 years old when the Spanish-American War broke out and 9 when the first World Series was played. She had already reached middle age by the time the U.S. entered World War II in 1941. ******* The centenarian, who worked as a maid at Ohio State University dormitories until her retirement, had outlived all of her family members. Her only daughter died of typhoid at age 18. In her final years, she passed her days watching her favorite TV program, "The Jerry Springer Show," and consuming her favorite foods: bacon, fried chicken and ice cream.

She complained often, however, that the bacon served to her was too soft. Baines is the first supercentenarian listed by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) to die since the death of Gertrude Noone on 10 September. The GRG's list of validated living supercentenarians (people who have reached their 110th birthday) currently includes 72 people (4 men and 68 women), ranging from Kama Chinen of Japan (born 10 May 1895) to Ruth Anderson of Minnesota (born 24 Jul 1899). The oldest person in the United States is now Mary Josephine Ray of New Hampshire (born 17 May 1895 in Canada), the world's second-oldest person; 26 other supercentenarians live in the US, though none are in California. Posted by Gertrude Noone 30 Dec 1898-10 Sep 2009 The oldest military veteran in the world has died.

ZUI this article from the Los Angeles Times: Gertrude Noone was a 44-year-old insurance policy clerk for Travelers in Hartford, Conn., in 1943 when she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. When she died peacefully Thursday morning at age 110 at an assisted-living facility in Milford, Conn., she was the oldest known living military veteran in the world -- a fact that made her proud. ******* Noone, who rose to the rank of sergeant first class, was chief clerk of the large dispensary at Ft. Myer, Va., by the time she left the Army in 1949. She then worked as an administrative assistant at a private psychiatric hospital in Stamford, Conn., until retiring in 1962. Bob Johnson, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who has spent the last 19 years helping World War I and World War II veterans receive recognition and awards, said the title of the world's oldest known living military veteran passed to Noone when British World War I veteran Harry Patch died July 25 at 111. ******* One of 10 children, Noone was born Dec.

30, 1898, in Ansonia, Conn. All nine of Noone's siblings predeceased her. The most recent was her sister Esther Balogh, who served as an Army nurse during World War II and died in 2003 at 103. Noone, who never married, lived with Balogh for many years until 2002, when she moved into Carriage Green, where she joined the gardening club and participated in a weekly exercise group. There are still three living World War I veterans, but the oldest - John Babcock, a Canadian now living in the US - is only 109. Noone, who at the time of her death was the 60th-oldest person in the world, is the fourth supercentenarian listed by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) to die since the death of Harry Patch .

The others were Ethel Johnson of Ohio (28 Sep 1897-29 Jul 2009), Sarah Wilkins of Iowa (27 Mar 1899-8 Aug 2009) and Pasqualina Franco of Ontario (2 Dec 1898-16 Aug 2009). Posted by Lieutenant, 4th Punjab Infantry, Bengal Staff Corps Born: 20 December 1841, Bath, Somerset Died: 5 July 1875, Dehra Ghazi Khan, India Citation: For the daring and gallant manner in which, in the course of the recent operations against the Frontier Tribes, on the 30th October, 1863, he led a party of his Regiment to re-capture the Crag Picket, after its garrison had been driven in by the enemy; on which occasion sixty of them were killed in desperate hand to hand fighting.

From the nature of the approach to the top of the Crag, amongst the large rocks, one or two men only could advance at one time; "and while I ascended one path," relates Major Keyes, commanding the 1st Punjab Infantry, "I directed Lieutenant Fosbery, of the late 4th European Regiment, to push up another, at the head of a few men. He led this party with the greatest coolness and intrepidity, and was the first man to gain the top of the Crag, on his side of the attack.

Lieutenant Pitcher, equally cool and daring, led a party of men up to the last rock, until he was knocked down and stunned by a large stone thrown from above, within a few yards of him." Lieutenant Pitcher also displayed great gallantry in leading on a party of his Regiment to endeavour to recover the Crag Picket, when it again fell into the enemy's hands, on the 13th of November, as related in the following extract from Major Keyes' report of the 16th of that month; "The duty of leading the first charge devolved upon Lieutenant Pitcher, and I beg to bring to the special notice of the Brigadier-General Commanding, the admirable manner in which he performed this important duty. He was by many yards the foremost of his party, and the gallant bearing of this excellent young Officer was the admiration of all spectators. It is impossible to say too much, or to over-rate his services on this occasion.

Lieutenant Pitcher was severely wounded, and was obliged to be carried back." [London Gazette issue 22876 dtd 19 Jul 1864, published 19 Jul 1864.] GEORGE VINCENT FOSBERY Lieutenant, 4th Bengal European Regiment, British Indian Army Born: 11 April 1832, Stert, Wiltshire Died: 8 May 1907, Bath, Somerset Citation: For the daring and gallant manner in which, on the 30th of October, 1863, acting as a Volunteer at the time, he led a party of his Regiment to re-capture the Crag Picquet, after its garrison had been driven in by the enemy, on which occasion sixty of them were killed in desperate hand to hand fighting.

From the nature of the approach to the top of the Crag, amongst the large rocks, one or two men only could advance at one time; and "whilst I ascended one path," relates Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes, C.B., commanding the 1st Punjab Infantry, "I directed Lieutenant Fosbery, of the late 4th European Regiment, to push up another at the head of a few men. He led this party with the greatest coolness and intrepidity, and was the first man to gain the top of the Crag on his side of the attack." Subsequently, Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes being wounded, Lieutenant Fosbery assembled a party with which he pursued the routed enemy in the direction of the Lalloo ridge, inflicting on them further loss and confirming possession of the post. [London Gazette issue 22988 dated 7 Jul 1865, published 7 Jul 1865.] Note: Fosbery was the inventor of the Paradox rifle/shotgun, and also of a self-cocking revolver, which was manufactured by the Webley & Scott Revolver & Arms Company.

Posted by Ordinary Seaman, US Navy; USS Santiago de Cuba Born: 1846, Maine Died: at sea Citation: On board the U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba in the assault on Fort Fisher, [near Wilmington, North Carolina, on] 15 January 1865. When the landing party to which he was attached charged on the fort with a cheer, and the determination to plant the colors on the ramparts, Savage remained steadfast when more than two-thirds of the marines and sailors fell back in panic during the fight. When enemy fire shot away the flagstaff above his hand, he bravely seized the remainder of the staff and brought his colors safely off. Posted by Operational Honours and Awards List A new Operational Honours and Awards List has been issued by the Ministry of Defence. ZUI this article from the MOD Defence News: A total of 145 members of the Armed Forces have received honours and awards in the Operational Honours List dated today, 11 September 2009.

Amongst the awards is a Military Cross given to Medical Assistant Class 1 Kate Louise Nesbitt, RN, for service in Afghanistan - the first MC awarded to a woman in the Royal Navy and only the second MC awarded to any woman. ZUI this article from The Times: A 20-year-old medic who repeatedly rushed forward to save colleagues while under attack from the Taleban has become the first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross and only the second in the Armed Forces. Able Seaman Class 1 Kate Nesbitt tended wounded colleagues from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines several times when they came under fire while on patrol in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence said: “Able Seaman Nesbitt’s actions throughout a series of offensive operations were exemplary. Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.” The Military Cross is given to members of the Armed Forces “for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy”, and ranks below only the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross as a recognition of bravery in battle.

Private Michelle Norris, 18, a medic with the Royal Army Medical Corps, was the first woman to win the Military Cross. She braved heavy sniper and machinegun fire from 200 insurgents during a fierce battle in southern Iraq in 2006. She climbed on top of an armoured vehicle to give life-saving treatment to a comrade. This article from The Telegraph includes brief descriptions of some of the awards, as does this one from the BBC. Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt MC Posted by Operation Yes (Sara Lewis Holmes) I read a lot of books, but seldom write reviews - for the simple reason that I hate writing reviews. The process always reminds me of high-school English class, where we would read a perfectly good story and then ruin it by dissecting it. (I'm a surface reader - I read the story exactly as written, without regard for possible parables, allegories or other hidden meanings.) This week, however.... I mentioned a while back that one of the books I was looking forward to this year was Operation Yes, by Sara Lewis Holmes. It finally came out on 1 September, and it was well worth the wait. The book is set on an Air Force base in North Carolina.

Bo Whaley, son of the base commander, doesn't like school; he's acquired a reputation as a troublemaker, too. Gari Whaley doesn't want to spend a year with her uncle Phil's family, but her mother is an Army nurse who's being sent to Iraq for a year. Bo and Gari are both going to be in the sixth grade at Young Oaks School. Carol Loupe dropped out of the Air Force Academy to become a teacher. She's the only one in her family who isn't in the service - her sister is an Air Force pilot, one brother is at the Academy and the other brother is part of a Special Forces team in Afghanistan. Miss Loupe is also at Young Oaks, doing her first year as a sixth-grade teacher. Miss Loupe is a very active teacher. On the first day of school, she is down on her knees, taping off a rectangle on the classroom floor whilst calling roll (from memory). The Taped Space is meant to be a stage for improv, leading to some wild scenes. Unfortunately, the School Commission is coming to do a material inspection of the school, and theatre isn't part of the state-approved sixth-grade curriculum.... And then Miss Loupe receives bad news.

Very bad news. And Bo, Gari and the rest of the sixth grade - aided by their first-grade reading buddies and 100,000 Little Green Men - set out to help her recover. Holmes, I believe, was an Air Force brat; she's now an Air Force wife. So her descriptions of life on base sound right, and she deals well with problems like Gari's separation from her mother or Bo's worries about what will happen when his father transfers next year. Favourite bits include the school librarian, who uses book titles as cuss words ("Frog and Toad!" Miss Candy said.); the FOD walkdown Bo organises to find a lost pendant; the performance presented by the Ugly Couch Players, and: "A milk run is a routine mission," said Mr. Nix to his class as they came through the line. "Does anyone know what the opposite of routine is?" One of his first graders tried to raise her hand and dropped her pudding. A glob of it landed on his shoe. "No, that's not it," said Mr. Nix. Operation Yes, by Sara Lewis Holmes. Scholastic, 2009.

Ages 9-12 (though our public library lists it as YA). Available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble , of course - though buying through IndieBound or from your local independent bookseller is highly recommended! Posted by Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve; 1841 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm (on board HMS Formidable) Born: 2 November 1917, Trail, British Columbia, Canada Died: 9 August 1945, Onagawa Wan (Onagawa Bay), Japan Citation: For great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan on 9th August, 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success, and, although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership.

(London Gazette Issue 37346 dated 13 Nov 1945, published 9 Nov 1945.) Note: Lieutenant Gray was the last Canadian to win the Victoria Cross. His target was the Etorofu-class escort Amakusa. Posted by Captain, US Air Force; 366th Fighter Wing/4th Allied POW Wing Born: 13 April 1942, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Died: 22 January 1968, Hoa Lo, North Vietnam Citation: While on a flight over North Vietnam [on 9 November 1967], Capt. Sijan ejected from his disabled [F-4C] aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than 6 weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food. After being captured by North Vietnamese soldiers, Capt. Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a prisoner of war camp. In his emaciated and crippled condition, he overpowered 1 of his guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be recaptured after several hours.

He was then transferred to another prison camp where he was kept in solitary confinement and interrogated at length. During interrogation, he was severely tortured; however, he did not divulge any information to his captors. Capt. Sijan lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. During his intermittent periods of consciousness until his death, he never complained of his physical condition and, on several occasions, spoke of future escape attempts. Capt. Sijan's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces. Posted by J. R. Rustin ZUI this article - "Chipley Native - Medal of Honor Recipient - Dies" - from the Foster Folly News*: James Relius "Dick" Rustin (1929-2009), went to be with the Lord on August 29, 2009. He was born on November 29, 1929 in Chipley, Florida.

He had a life span of 79 years which included a much honored military career. For two years he served with the U.S. Marine Corp, then transferred into the U.S. Army where he served for 20 years. As well as serving in the Korean War and World War II, Dick was awarded many military honors including the Medal of Honor. However, the Army's Medal of Honor page does not list a medal awarded to anyone named Rustin in either World War I or Korea (or for that matter, Vietnam). And if Mr Rustin was in fact born on 29 Nov 1929, he was only 15 years old when World War II ended, making his service in that war highly unlikely. Something seems amiss....

* "A Washington County Florida Community Newspaper" Posted by Strawberry Girl - children's, by Lois Lenski (Newbery Medal, 1946) * The Grey King - children's modern fantasy, by Susan Cooper (Newbery Medal, 1976) Tomorrow's Magic - fantasy, by Pamela F Service Daniel Boone - children's biography, by James Daugherty (Newbery Medal, 1940) Winter in Thrush Green - fiction, by Miss Read The Spartacus War - ancient history, by Barry S Strauss Battles at Thrush Green - fiction, by Miss Read The Last Thing I Remember - YA thriller, by Andrew Klavan Driving Like Crazy - automobiles, by P J O'Rourke From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler - children's, by E L Konigsburg (Newbery Medal, 1968) * Battleship Bismarck: A Survivor's Story - WW II, by Burkard Freiherr von Müllenheim-Rechberg A Wrinkle in Time - children's, by Madeleine L'Engle (Newbery Medal, 1963) * The Tomorrow Code - YA SF, by Brian Falkner Many Skies: Alternative Histories

 of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars - AH/astronomy, by Arthur R Upgren Saint Antony's Fire - AH/SF, by Steve White Ordinary Jack - children's, by Helen Cresswell Time Out - children's time travel, by Helen Cresswell Shelter Me - YA historical fiction, by Alex McAulay Gateway - SF, by Frederik Pohl Absolute Zero - children's, by Helen Cresswell A Wind in the Door - children's, by Madeleine L'Engle 21 books this month, with three rereads.

To reach my goal of 209 books this year, I have to average 17.417 per month, so I'm currently three behind track. Almost caught up! When I finished reading Daniel Boone on 7 August, it meant that I had read all 88 winners of the John Newbery Medal. Finishing my reread of A Wrinkle in Time on 21 August meant that I had finished reading all 88 within the last two and a half years. I commented on them here . No Carnegie Medal winners this month, so I'm still at 16 of 70. It's been suggested that I should start reading the Caldecott Medal winners next. Perhaps.... Posted by Royal Navy on active service in Afghanistan | Navy Net - Royal Navy Community Navy Net - Royal Navy Community Welcome to the Navy Net aka Rum Ration The UK's largest and busiest UNofficial RN website.

The heart of the site is the forum area , including: » we have our own encyclopaedia; the RRPedia » our reviews section - book and other reviews Naval_Gazer We've seen rare reports of Naval Strike Wing, RN Medics, RN Clearance Divers and RN Loggies in Afghanistan but, in general, the contribution of non-RM members of the Naval Service has been invisible. The universal wearing of dessies doesn't help either, leaving the Great British Public and the mass media with the impression that only the Pongoes and Crabs are involved. I've started this thread in an attempt to redress the balance somewhat. Just to reinforce my point: ​ Petty Officer Emily Staines said: ..."Lots of people don't realise that there are a lot of Royal Naval personnel working in Afghanistan. I've talked to the trainees about what I've done and some of them have said that they can't wait to finish their training and get out there to serve their Country. My experience is different to the other instructors. I haven't yet been to sea, but I think the fact that I have been to Iraq and Afghanistan gives me credibility with the trainees.

It shows that as Naval Nurses we are military people doing a military job."... Click to expand... ​ Nursing Times said: A medical assistant who has been training nurses in Afghanistan has been awarded a certificate of recognition by the Royal Navy. Natalie Chinniah, 26, of Buxton, Derbyshire, volunteered to teach a group of Afghan nurses trauma management at a hospital in Helmand Province. All 12 nurses graduated from the two-month course in March. The project will help to enable the hospital to operate its own ambulance service. Ms Chinniah has served as a medical assistant to the Joint Forces Medical Group since September 2008. She is regularly attached to a foot or vehicle patrol in Helmand Province. The current tour is her second in Afghanistan since she joined the Royal Navy in 2004. She said: "The tour has been a real experience. I've been shot at and have been on the receiving end of rocket attacks"... Click to expand... ​ RN website 15 Mar 2010 said: With no coast, Afghanistan may not be the most typical posting for a Royal Navy Aircraft Handler but it goes to show how much the three services cooperate with each other on their deployments.

So it is that Petty Officer Dennis 'Harry' Harrison finds himself working in the Military Support and Stabilisation Team (MSST) in Helmand Province. He is responsible for radio broadcasting messages to the locals, for example the dangers of explosives and why children should not play with them. He is also out on patrol regularly and when any operations come up he straps a very heavy portable unit to his back and broadcasts messages to explain what we are doing and warning the locals of possible danger... Click to expand... BARNEYRNSM Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan There was also a shed load out there 2008-2009,stokers, chefs, SAs,reggies MAs WE Tiffs and thats just the ones I heard of. tommo Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan When I talk to people about the Navy, very often they don't realise our boys and lasses are out there. Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan tommo said: When I talk to people about the Navy, very often they don't realise our boys and lasses are out there. Click to expand... Well stop talking to these people - they're clearly morons...

:shock: :wink: Navy Diver to Counter IED Threat in Afghanistan RN website 7 Oct 2009 said: A Royal Navy Petty Officer (Diver) has swapped the icy waters of Scotland for the desert and mountains of Afghanistan, making him the first Royal Navy explosive ordnance disposal operator to conduct bomb disposal in the region. Petty Officer (Diver) Jay Gardner is an expert in bomb disposal both at sea and on land and will be deploying with a team of three divers from the Fleet Diving Squadron in Portsmouth to work alongside colleagues from the Army's Royal Engineers and Royal Logistic Corps. A member of the Northern Diving Group since November 2008 when he joined from minehunter HMS Walney, Petty Officer Gardner has been conducting intensive pre-deployment training for the last six months... Click to expand... Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team Deploy To Afghanistan RN website 4 Mar 2010 said: Four more Portsmouth-based Royal Navy bomb disposal experts are heading to Afghanistan to play a vital part in the counter explosives effort. The quartet, from the Fleet Diving Squadron based at Horsea Island, will leave on Monday (8 March) and spend six months in Helmand Province.

Predominantly based at Camp Bastion, they will work in support of the British Armyâ€™s 21 Field Squadron Royal Engineers and also deploy to forward operating bases in Sangin, Banji and Kajaki. There they will carry out offensive search and clearance of insurgent-laid improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and conventional munitions and also accompany regular foot patrols. They will also train the Afghan National Army (ANA) in explosive ordnance recognition, search and disposal skills... Click to expand... Royal Navy Specialists Train for Operations in Afghanistan RN website 4 Jan 2010 said: Highlighting the tri-Service effort in Afghanistan, as well as the versatility of today's Royal Navy, a group of 80 sailors have recently swapped the high seas for dry land to train for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. Tucked away in the heart of HMS Nelson, Portsmouth Naval Base, a group of 80 sailors listen intently as their lecturer points out the differences in the various explosive devices displayed before them.

The lumps of tangled metal may look conspicuous in the classroom setting, but, when the group is deployed to Afghanistan in a few weeks' time, they will be carefully hidden away by insurgents in a deadly game of hide and seek. And in a bid to gear them up for their impending six-month deployment to the operational theatre, this group of logistics, administrative, intelligence and operations personnel are being put through their paces at the Royal Navy Pre-deployment Training and Mounting Centre in Portsmouth... Click to expand... Royal Navy Sea Kings - flying over Afghanistan for two years MOD website 9 Dec 09 said: It's a long way from their natural stomping grounds over the world's oceans but after two years of successful service in Afghanistan Royal Navy Sea Kings are showing they are more than at home in the hot and dusty conditions of Helmand province. For two years the green Sea King Mk4s of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have been heavily involved in flying operations in Afghanistan as part of the Joint Helicopter Force.

Mainly based at Kandahar Airfield, with elements also based at Camp Bastion, they regularly fly missions over the volatile Helmand region, 80 miles (129km) to the west of Kandahar... Click to expand... Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan Lest we forget... First Royal Navy female awarded Military Cross for Afghanistan bravery Daily Telegraph 11 Sep 2009 said: A female medic who saved the life of soldier while under enemy fire has become the first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross. Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt was among more than 100 service personnel who were recognised for acts of heroism during 3 Commando Brigade's deployment earlier this year. The rating was recognised for outstanding gallantry after she went to the assistance of a soldier from 1st Bn The Rifles who had been shot in the neck during a gun battle with the Taliban. AB Nesbitt, 21, dressed the wound and kept the soldier from losing blood while Taliban bullets and rockets flew overhead during the battle in Marjah district in Helmand, close to the provincial capital Lashkar Gah in March... Click to expand...

Logistics HQ deploys to Afghanistan MOD website 30 Jun 2009 said: Tri-Service Headquarters staff of the Joint Force Support deployed to Afghanistan recently where they will be ensuring that troops on the front line have all the support they need to do their job. The Headquarters, which is formed around HQ 8 Force Engineer Brigade, normally based at Headquarters Land Forces in Wilton, will be responsible for providing approximately 9,000 British soldiers, sailors, airmen, and embedded troops from coalition partners, with everything from buttons, bullets and food to medical care and welfare support... ...Captain Andy Kyte, from the Royal Navy Logistics Branch, is the Deputy Commander of the Headquarters. He said: "It's a very different environment to the one a Naval Officer normally goes into, but working with the Army and RAF as a Naval Logistics Officer is nothing new. Although it is predominantly a Land campaign, in theatre the whole delivery of logistics is joint - we have experts from all three Services with deep specialist knowledge." Click to expand...

Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan sgtpepperband said: tommo said: When I talk to people about the Navy, very often they don't realise our boys and lasses are out there. Click to expand... Well stop talking to these people - they're clearly morons... :shock: :wink: Click to expand... I know, but some moron's do need reducating. :lol: BZ to all our lads and lasses out there not just in Afgan but across the globe at this current time Navy Lynx Squadron Recognised For Efficiency in Afghanistan RN website 12 Oct 2009 said: Royal Navy and Royal Marine Lynx helicopter crews from 847 Naval Air Squadron were recently honoured for maintaining the highest level of operational efficiency in Afghanistan. During a parade at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, friends and family of personnel from 847 Naval Air Squadron watched as they received their standard Afghanistan operational medals. The personnel were also presented with the prestigious Australia Shield which is given to the naval air squadron that maintains the highest level of operational efficiency.

Over nine months of this year the squadron deployed and sustained a half-squadron detachment, including a four-week period when virtually the entire unit was deployed in one or other overseas location. The squadron's ambitious but carefully managed programme has enabled it to be the only Lynx unit to meet its UK-based Annual Flying Task while at the same time delivering over 250 hours per month in support of operations in Afghanistan... Click to expand... Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit Honoured RN website 15 Jan 2010 said: The Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit (MASU) Repair Section was recently awarded a Royal Aeronautical Society medal for its work restoring vital operational capability in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The team, based at Fleetlands, Gosport, repair aircraft around the world which have been damaged through accident or enemy action and work around the clock, in 50-degree-Celsius heat through to sub-zero temperatures.

The team have faced a wide variety of repair tasks, notably in Afghanistan and Iraq, ranging from small arms fire skin damage and airframe fatigue cracking to significant structural damage caused by rocket attacks, returning critical support helicopters to service in support of troops and saving the cost of repatriating the helicopters to the UK... Click to expand... Merlin Force Flies into Action RN website 1 Nov 2009 said: Ahead of its arrival in Afghanistan at the end of this year, the men and women of the Merlin Force have been training for their deployment in the Californian desert, on Exercise MERLIN VORTEX. We go behind the scenes at their temporary home, the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, to find out what it takes to deploy the Royal Air Forceâ€™s newest support helicopter. Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Neil Parrock is the Detachment Commander of the Exercise, which has seen the Force personnel of all three Services working together to achieve their training objectives. Neil, 37, is Officer Commanding the Training Development and Standardisation Flight for the Merlin Force, back home at RAF Benson, but has been in Southern California since July... Click to expand...

Navy Surgeon Saves Lives and Limbs in Afghanistan RN website 18 Nov 2009 said: Currently on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan, Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Graham Hill believes that this is his hardest tour so far. Cdr Hill, who is normally based at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, is currently saving lives and limbs in his post at the operating table of Camp Bastion's field hospital in Helmand province. He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2009 for an eight-week tour as the UK Joint Forces Medical Group's Field Hospital Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon... Click to expand... Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan Good thread, Naval Gazer. I was told by someone recently that there was one particular point when the RN was supplying 60% of the personnel out in Afghan. Re: RN on active service in Afghanistan soleil said: Good thread, Naval Gazer. I was told by someone recently that there was one particular point when the RN was supplying 60% of the personnel out in Afghan. Click to expand...

Navy Club's Trafalgar Night Dinner Speech (in Lincoln's Inn) on 12 Oct 07 Adm Band said: "...Somewhat understandably, our military focus remains rooted around operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Navy's support to them in conjunction with our sister services. In Afghanistan, last winter, the Naval Service supplied over 50% of the total UK forces deployed in southern Afghanistan. This included not only the Royal Marines of 3 Cdo Bde, but 800 Naval Air Squadron and significant numbers of logistic support, medical and HQ staff as well as reserves contributing to operations..." Click to expand... Two years later, Admiral Stanhope, the current 1SL, presented these facts in his speech to RUSI at Chatham House: First Sea Lord Talks Beyond Afghanistan on 27 Nov 2009 Adm Stanhope said: "...We in Defence are stretched, certainly, but I think we are also delivering across all of our business. The Navy's immediate, unquestionable focus remains its long-standing commitment to supporting the Joint Campaign in Afghanistan.

From last October to April this year, around 3,000 members of the Naval Service provided over 30 per cent of the UK forces deployed to Helmand, including not only the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade and the Harrier jets of the Naval Strike Wing, but also Naval Air Squadron helicopters and significant numbers of logistic, engineering, medical and HQ staff... " Click to expand... Bearing in mind that the Naval Service is by far the smallest of the Armed Forces (Naval Service: 35,000 including Royal Marines; Army: 99,000; and RAF: 39,000 on 1 Apr 2009 according to DASA statistics ) these are extremely creditable achievements. Unlike the Army, for which Afghanistan is its core business, the RN still has its own core business of operating a fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft worldwide. Royal Navy Doctor Recognised For Role in Afghanistan RN website 16 Oct 2009 said: A Royal Navy doctor from Plymouth has been recognised for stepping up to the challenge of leading the medical team providing care to personnel serving in Afghanistan.

Surgeon Lieutenant Commander (Surg Lt Cdr) Andrew Maples, aged 32, was a newly qualified General Practitioner when he deployed to Afghanistan with 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines from January to April this year. Originally posted as one of a team of six providing day to day medical care to around 5,000 Service personnel based at Camp Bastion, very soon after arriving in Afghanistan Surg Lt Cdr Maples was asked to stand in for the Senior Medical Officer (SMO). As part of this role he was expected to advise on policy, prepare briefs and supervise the junior doctors, as well as run a busy practice. So successful was he in fulfilling this position that he was asked to reprise the role on a number of occasions to allow the SMO to visit the forward operating bases in the region. Click to expand... Navy medic helps soldiers in Afghanistan Nottingham Evening Post 7 Aug 2009 said: A NOTTS Royal Navy medic who helped injured British soldiers serving in Afghanistan has been given her service medal. Medical Assistant Ria Holohan, 23, from Mansfield, spent six months in Helmand Province during Operation Herrick 9.

She spent time out on patrol with soldiers seeing to any casualties, and worked as a 'mini medic' with the helicopter teams flying into the field and collecting casualties... Click to expand... Helmand surgeon tells of her fight to save lives Daily Telegraph 25 Jul 2009 said: There is a grim monotony to Surgeon Commander Sarah Stapley's working day. Every morning - usually just after 7am - the pager strapped to her waist bleeps into life, warning the trauma team at the British Army's field hospital in Helmand that a severely injured patient is inbound on a Chinook helicopter. The wounded are often young soldiers, usually the victims of an improvised explosive device (IED), with one or more of their limbs missing. In recent weeks the casualty flow has been unrelenting, as British and Nato troops involved in Operation Panchai Palang - meaning Panther's Claw - battle with the Taliban in central Helmand. Since the start of this month, 21 soldiers have been killed and dozens more have sustained life-changing injuries... Click to expand...

The Duchess presents campaign medals to Royal Navy medics for service in Afghanistan Prince of Wales website 9 Jul 2009 said: The Duchess of Cornwall today presented campaign medals to Royal Navy medics for their service in Afghanistan. The Duchess was guest of honour at the event to celebrate the contribution of the Royal Naval Medical Services personnel who deployed to Helmand Province between October and April this year. The Royal Navy led the UK's joint force medical group in southern Afghanistan during this period and provided 340 of the 547 medics on the tour. This was the largest deployment of Royal Navy medics since the Falklands War in 1982. Another 68 Royal Naval Medical Services personnel were sent to Iraq in 2008-09, primarily serving in the hospital on the main coalition military base next to Basra International Airport... Click to expand... ISAF surgeon saving Afghan lives NATO ISAF website 28 Mar 2009 said: KABUL, Afghanistan - A British Royal Navy Surgeon, Commander Steve Bree, is currently serving with other International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) medics in the Camp Bastion Role 2 Medical Facility.

As the Clinical Director, he oversees the staff providing medical care to ISAF and Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) troops, as well as local civilians. Having deployed in February, Commander Bree's two-month tour will soon end with his return to the UK, where he works at a military hospital. In providing medical care at the Camp Bastion facility, he dealt with patients experiencing a range of illnesses and injuries and also helped deliver babies. Despite the Role 2 facility being an ISAF hospital, the vast majority of people receiving emergency treatment have been Afghans, including members of the Afghan National Security Forces and civilians... Click to expand... Royal Navy Sea Kings 'bag' intelligence over Helmand MOD website 22 Sep 2009 said: The Royal Navy's unique airborne surveillance and control helicopters, known as 'Baggers', have recently deployed to Helmand for the first time, where they are detecting, following and intercepting insurgent activity. The Mk7 helicopters are known as Baggers thanks to the large grey 'bag' which contains the aircraft's state-of-the-art radar.

Primarily used in the maritime surveillance role, the helicopter's powerful onboard sensors also enable it to provide valuable battlefield reconnaissance and targeting information at particular times in land operations, and in May this year Sea King Mk7s from 854 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) were deployed to Afghanistan... Click to expand... NMCB 7 Redeploys to, Focuses on Afghanistan Operations Global Security website 2.12.09 said: ..."The first real evidence of the U.S.'s surge into Southern Afghanistan became apparent when the Seabees arrived," said British Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Bawer, deputy chief of staff, Bastion for Supply, Logistics and Real Life Support. "The U.S. Marines arrived first but the Seabees are what really captured our attention. We describe them as the 'enablers to the enablers.' In the [United Kingdom], we have nothing like them. The Seabees are a self contained unit who not just arrived, but asked not 'what the base could do for us' but rather 'what can we do for you?' Their efforts greatly impressed us as they were eager to help with an amazing attitude to back it."... Click to expand...

Question: Able seaman Kate Nesbitt, a medical assistant, became the first woman in the RN to receive which award in Nov. 2009?
Answer: The Military Cross