Post by robersabel on Apr 9, 2013 13:35:16 GMT -5
The 71st Anniversary the fall of Bataan. Where is that? Who cares?
Unlike Pearl Harbor, the attack by air and invasion of the Philippine Islands during December 1941 were not the most important news of the war in the Pacific.
Over 15,000 American military personnel were involved against a crack and well experienced Japanese ground forces. Army combatants who were originally assigned to AAF units, tank battalions, coast artillery (anti aircraft) regiments and others took up arms to fight the enemy as infantrymen.
The military has guidelines which recognize certain acts and/or accomplishments by an individual soldier as well as whole units. They are enforced by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 92. Failure to obey order or regulation. The majority, if not all units were recognized towards their gallant stand against an enemy of these United States. They were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (later known as the Presidential Unit Citation).
Pertinent guidelines describe circumstances required to be met for eligibly of the Combat Infantryman badge (CIB). A War Department Circular was made retroactive on or after 6 December 1941 to assure eligibility of all Army combatants at the beginning of WWII. A three letter word fits the individual who fought for his country, many paying the ultimate sacrifice. “and Combat Infantryman badges may be awarded to any infantryman”
The majority of Americans on the Philippine Islands during the battle of Bataan and Corregidor (which fell the following month) were captured, killed in action or lost their lives in captivity.
Upon repatriation late 1945, there were only a few properly processed and fully recognized with awards and decorations, including the CIB. (Please note: all WWII recipients of the CIB were entitled to the Bronze Star Medal).
The procedures were followed somewhat post WWII to as recent as January 2003 when an AAF veteran was presented the CIB by Congressman Patrick Kennedy (RI).
Today, 9 April marks 71st anniversary the fall of Bataan, and there is no doubt veterans who live today and next of kin who reside in Arizona and across the nation are being denied full recognition for several reasons.
Misinterpreting or ignoring applicable guidelines by justifying denials based on guidelines initiated after the fact. Such action is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, since those involved are small in number, support is weak. Thus, such warriors are forgotten.
Unlike Pearl Harbor, the attack by air and invasion of the Philippine Islands during December 1941 were not the most important news of the war in the Pacific.
Over 15,000 American military personnel were involved against a crack and well experienced Japanese ground forces. Army combatants who were originally assigned to AAF units, tank battalions, coast artillery (anti aircraft) regiments and others took up arms to fight the enemy as infantrymen.
The military has guidelines which recognize certain acts and/or accomplishments by an individual soldier as well as whole units. They are enforced by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 92. Failure to obey order or regulation. The majority, if not all units were recognized towards their gallant stand against an enemy of these United States. They were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (later known as the Presidential Unit Citation).
Pertinent guidelines describe circumstances required to be met for eligibly of the Combat Infantryman badge (CIB). A War Department Circular was made retroactive on or after 6 December 1941 to assure eligibility of all Army combatants at the beginning of WWII. A three letter word fits the individual who fought for his country, many paying the ultimate sacrifice. “and Combat Infantryman badges may be awarded to any infantryman”
The majority of Americans on the Philippine Islands during the battle of Bataan and Corregidor (which fell the following month) were captured, killed in action or lost their lives in captivity.
Upon repatriation late 1945, there were only a few properly processed and fully recognized with awards and decorations, including the CIB. (Please note: all WWII recipients of the CIB were entitled to the Bronze Star Medal).
The procedures were followed somewhat post WWII to as recent as January 2003 when an AAF veteran was presented the CIB by Congressman Patrick Kennedy (RI).
Today, 9 April marks 71st anniversary the fall of Bataan, and there is no doubt veterans who live today and next of kin who reside in Arizona and across the nation are being denied full recognition for several reasons.
Misinterpreting or ignoring applicable guidelines by justifying denials based on guidelines initiated after the fact. Such action is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, since those involved are small in number, support is weak. Thus, such warriors are forgotten.