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MWH
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Post what you know happened on This Day in Military History during the month of March.
3/1/2009 9:56:32 AM |
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 1, 1954
On this day a 15 megaton thermonuclear hydrogen bomb was detonated on Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands becoming the most powerful bomb ever detonated by the United States. It was 1,200 more powerful than the World War II atom bomb. Radioactive contamination of the area would leave the most profound affect on the area.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 2, 1776
On this day General George Washington orders American artillery to shell Boston, Massachusetts. By March 17 the British could no longer defend Boston from the bombardment thus ending an 8 year occupation.
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MWH
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Ohio
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March 3, 1931
On this day the Star Spangled Banner was made the national anthem of the US by a congressional resolution. The Navy had used it since 1889. Francis Scott Key in 1814 wrote the poem on a British ship, after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore by the British. Key was held prisoner by the British after a prisoner exchange because he overheard plans of the battle, during the War of 1812.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 4, 1885 and 1897
Grover Cleveland was inaugurated as the 22nd and 24th President on this day. He is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, counting him twice as the president. During the Civil War, Congress passed the Conscription Act of 1863, drafting men to serve or allowing them hire a substitute. Cleveland being a lawyer with money decided to pay George Benninsky, an immigrant a $147 to serve for him.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
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Ohio
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March 5, 1960
Elvis Presley was honorably discharged from the Army. Elvis was drafted in 1957 but it was deferred to finish a movie. On March 24, 1958, Elvis entered the Army. After basic training at Fort Hood, Elvis spent his service in Friedberg, Germany earning a rank of Sergeant.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 6, 1830
On this day the Battle for the Alamo ended. Santa Anna led an invasion on February 23 on the small garrison in Texas to drive the Americans out which the Americans had done earlier to them. Around 250 Texans died in the Alamo including the legendary Davy Crockett.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 7, 1936
Adolph Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the Rhineland. Hitler had broke the treaty a few times already but this was the first offensive action directly against the treaty that would show evidence that Germany was about to take back its pre-treaty territories which would later start World War II with the invasion of Poland in 1939.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 8, 1965
The first United States troops arrive in Vietnam. 3,500 Marines land in Vietnam thus setting the stage for the fight against communism and all out war for the United States at home and in Vietnam.
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MWH
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Ohio
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March 9, 1945
B-29 Superfortresses launch massive bomber attacks against Japan. The bombing of Tokyo, killed between 120,000 and 150,000 people. This fire bombing by some estimates equaled that of the atomic bombs of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
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MWH
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Ohio
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March 10, 1942
27th Infantry Division is deployed for overseas duty being the first divisions deployed during World War II. Sent to Hawaii then took part of Pacific campaigns including the Gilbert Islands and Makin Atoll.
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MWH
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March 11, 1941
The Lend Lease Act was signed. The United States supplied the allies with war material throughout World War II between 1941 and 1945. The US received land for military bases and promise of repayment. The British did not pay back the money they received until 2006. The total amount loaned by the US was over 50 billion to its allies.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 12, 1947
The Truman Doctrine was proclaimed in a speech to support Greece in its independence fight. The doctrine became mainly about the fight for democracy, against communism. Truman saw the Soviets as the 1930’s axis powers that needed to be halted. Greece did win its independence. The doctrine set the tone for the cold war and even today even though many people thought believed in isolationist.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 13, 1942
Julia Flikke becomes the first female Colonel United States Army Nurse Corps.
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MWH
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Posts: 346
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March 14, 1879
On this day Albert Einstein is born in Germany and his family was Jewish. Einstein migrated to the US in December 1932 one month before Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and started the slow expulsion of Jews. Einstein was a world renowned physicist at this time. Einstein is best known for his Theory of Relativity and his work on the Manhattan Project which created the first atomic bombs dropped on Japan that would end World War II.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
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Ohio
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March 15, 1767
Andrew Jackson the seventh President of the United States was born. Jackson served as a Colonel in the War of 1812 in charge of the Tennessee militia. He defeated the Red Stick Creeks Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Jackson is hated among some Indians for making treaties and taking their land. Jackson also defended New Orleans against the British. He also served in the First Seminole War. Jackson is the last President to pay off the national debt.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 15, 1767
Andrew Jackson the seventh President of the United States was born. Jackson served as a Colonel in the War of 1812 in charge of the Tennessee militia. He defeated the Red Stick Creeks Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Jackson is hated among some Indians for making treaties and taking their land. Jackson also defended New Orleans against the British. He also served in the First Seminole War. Jackson is the last President to pay off the national debt.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 16, 1802
United States Military Academy was established, known primarily as West Point today. The site of the institution played a key role in the Revolutionary war off the Hudson River, 50 miles north of New York City. The only way to get into West Point is to apply and be recommended usually by a congressman.
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MWH
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Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 17, 1863
Battle of Kelly's Ford took place in the Civil War. The battle was a huge Calvary match against the Union and Confederate armies. The union took 2,100 Calvarymen across the river to attack some 800 confederate troopers. The Union won the battle but did not destroy the enemy.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 18, 1942
War Relocation Authority is created on this day by an Executive Order. The mission was to relocate Japanese, Italian and German Americans on the west coast to internment camps to protect the United States during World War II from espionage and sabotage. It was known that majority of interns were not a threat against national security, dire decisions were made in a time of war because of the possibility.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 19, 1945
Adolf Hitler issues the Nero Decree ordering the complete destruction of the infrastructure of Germany so that is would detour the ability of the Allies to take over. It was known as the Nero order after Roman Emperor Nero who may have done something similar in Rome. Few Germans followed the order so it was in vain.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 20, 1933
On this day Dachau concentration camp opened, the first concentration camp in Germany. Dachau would be the model for future camps in Nazi Germany. On April 29, 1945 the camp surrendered to the US Army 42nd Infantry Division. My Grandfather was in the 42nd during this time but his 242nd regiment according to him did go to the camp.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 21, 1941
James Stewart enlisted in the US Army Air Corps after several failed attempts because he did not meet the weight requirements. Stewart received his pilot’s license in 1935. James began as an instructor on many types of planes including B-17’s. He would later get his way and eventually fly B-24’s over Germany. Stewart achieved rank of Brigadier General and was in the active reserve until 1968.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 22, 1622
The first known Indian attack of the first settlement. The English had started the integration of Indians into Christianity. The Powhatan nation rebelled against this integration after four years of suppression and built up hatred. Over 300 settlers were massacred by the Indians which led to both sides retaliating against each other with severe brutality over many years. This would set the stage of Indian Wars for the next 200 years, the foreigner taking the native peoples land.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 23, 1912
Werner von Braun was born. He was a German Nazi that was instrumental in the rocket used by the Germans like the V-2. He was the foremost rocket scientist in the world. When World War II ended the allies fought over who could attain German scientist in order to use their advanced knowledge to help themselves build rockets. Von Braun was even detained by the Gestapo but later released. Von Braun surrendered to the United States and Werner would become a major player in the United States space program.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 24, 1944
On this day the “Great Escape” commenced. 76 prisoner of war airmen escaped from Stalag Luft III a German POW camp in Poland. The camp only consisted of captured air force men, initially there were British and American airmen but during the tunnel construction the Americans were moved to another camp. The tunnel was extremely advanced but it was supposed to reach into a forest as an exit but the distance was misjudged leading to an exit in a wide open field. Of the 76, all were British and only 3 men made it to safety whereas the other 73 were re-captured by the Germans. Hitler then ordered that 50 men would be executed. After the war German officers were tried for their actions.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 25, 1941
During World War II the Axis powers are typically known as Germany, Italy and Japan but there were other countries on the side of the Axis powers. On this day Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Pact to join the Axis powers. Yugoslavia was facing pressure from the Allies and Axis powers to join their cause so under duress Yugoslavia chose to join Hitler.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 26, 1951
The United States Air Force flag is approved by President Truman. The USAF was created in 1947, during World War II the Air Force was part of the Army. The flag consists of a bald eagle, 13 stars, roman numerals, and a blue background.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 27, 1965
For the first time South Vietnam conduct military operations in Cambodia. The US supported the operation with artillery, airstrikes, and helicopter support. It is not until 1970 before the United States crosses over into Cambodia to conduct its own military operations. Cambodia became a safe haven for the Viet Cong as the US was not supposed to cross the border of Cambodia until Nixon approved it in 1970. Search MyWarHistory.com for Eldon Erlenbach, a Vietnam Veteran who was one the 7th Calvary Soldiers to raid Cambodia.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 28, 1969
Dwight D. Eisenhower died on this day. A veteran of World War I and World War II in the Army. Eisenhower was promoted to be a five star general and the Supreme Commander of Allied forces during World War II. His popularity led him to serve two terms as President of the United States. He was largely responsible for the US freeway system after seeing the Autobaugn in Germany.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 29, 1973
Last day of US troops in Vietnam as part of Paris Peace Accords. The United States had been there for ten years. The Hanoi Hilton releases the last 67 of its known American prisoners of war.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 30, 1965
Terrorist bomb explodes outside the United States Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam killing two Americans.
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MWH
Joined: 02/12/2008
Posts: 346
Ohio
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March 31, 1854
Commodore Matthew Perry signed an agreement which opened up two Japan ports for trading with the west for the first time. Thus ending 200 years of seclusion. Commodore Perry of the US Navy had done what no one before him could accomplish and made a name for himself with the country.
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