THIS MONTH IN MILITARY HISTORY

A monthly update from the desk of:

Bob Hogan

Director of Burlington’s Office of Veterans Services

February

            The month of February, like every month of the year has it’s notable events of interest. On February 4, 1941, the United Services Organization (USO) was founded. Planning began among leaders of religious and welfare agencies in 1940, when world events accurately forecast the United States eventual entry into the World War.  The USO received no funds from the US Government, but received it’s funding from voluntary contributions.

            On February 1, 1942, the attack on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands began. The Navy launched a surprise surface and air attack against Japanese bases and shipping on the islands. The two carrier task forces under Vice Admiral William Halsey, attacked the Japanese in order to protect trans-Pacific supply routes to Australia.

            On the 23rd of that same month, the first enemy attack on the U.S. mainland took place. A Japanese submarine shelled an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California. It was the first and most serious of the few meager Japanese attacks on the U.S. mainland.

            The Battle of the Java Sea took place at the end of February, 1942. It marked the collapse of organized Allied resistance in the area, paving the way for Japanese conquest of the Indies.

            On February 18, 1943 many young men in the United States Army came of age at Kasserine Pass. Associated Press war correspondent Hal Boyle once wrote, “In war, as in love, it is your first campaign that stays bone deep in your memory.” Of the 1,200 men with the 19th Combat Engineers on this day, only 125 remained. Kasserine pass was where the United States and the Germans had their first clashes with each other.

            In 1944 Marines landed and secured Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, and the Marshall Islands on February 18th. The 22nd Marines, under Colonel John T. Walker, had only two weeks to prepare for the landing. Backed up by Army amphibious tractors, the Marines took Engebi and its airfield with relative ease. On February 19, the assault on Eniwetok began and lasted three days, with Marines involved in the heaviest fighting. On the 22nd, the Marines landed on Parry Island and with Army support completed the capture

            On the 20th of February 1944, Operation Big Week got underway. The initial mission began the six days of strikes by the Eighth and 15th Air Forces against German aircraft plants. The final missions were flown on February 25. The Americans bombed by day and the British by night, both encountering  heavy Luftwaffe resistance. The United States lost 244 bombers and 33 fighter planes during the operation. Germany lost 692 planes in the air, not to mention the damage done on the ground from the relentless bombing.

            In 1945, Manila began to be recaptured as the month of February got underway. After a well planned offensive, the 37th Division, First Cavalry, and 11th Airborne Division met at Manila. The Americans herded the Japanese garrison into the old walled city by the end of the month. There the 18,000 Japanese made a valiant suicidal defense, forcing the Americans to clean them out in house to house street warfare.

            The Argonaut Conference at Yalta occurred in February 1945. The conference began with Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, and their respective ministers in attendance. The Big Three issued the Declaration of Liberated Europe, a pledge to support the postwar governments of the liberated states.

            On the 14th of February in 1945, following Royal Air Force attacks, the U.S. Eighth Air Force bombed Dresden, Chemnitz, and Magdeburg Germany. The bombings caused extensive fires devastating over 1,600 acres killing and estimated 100,000 people. The attack is considered the most destructive in history, even more so than Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

            In the Pacific two days later, Troop carrier C-47s dropped 2,065 paratroopers on Corregidor, in the Philippines, after an amphibious landing from Bataan. Three days later, Marines landed on Iwo Jima. The Third, Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions, under Major General Harry Schmidt landed on Iwo and cut the island in half. They stormed Mount Suribachi and raised the American Flag on February 23rd. Some 6,800 Americans died during the 36 day assault. Thousands more were injured, and more Marines earned the medal of Honor in Iwo Jima than any other battle in U.S. history.

            In Korea in February of 1951, there was passage of a UN resolution condemning China for aggression in Korea on the 1st, and four days later, Operation Punch forces the Chinese to retreat north of Seoul. The operation consisted of a task force comprised of the U.S. 25th Division, which was augmented by heavy artillery and armored units and by tactical close-air support.

            By the end of the month, Operation Killer begins and lasts through the first part of March, pushing Communist forces in central Korea north of the Han River.

            In 1952, on February 16, Communist negotiators at Panmunjon suggest that the Soviet Union should be a member of the neutral commission in charge of supervising the cease-fire. In February 1953, Lt. Gen. Maxwell Taylor becomes the new commander of 8th Army, and proposals are made to exchange sick and wounded POW’s.

            Jumping to Vietnam, on February 8, 1965 the first retaliatory air strike in North Vietnam occurred. U.S. Air Force Super Sabre F-100s suppressed ground fire in the target area while flying cover for attacking South Vietnamese fighter aircraft. President Johnson opened continuous limited air strikes against North Vietnam, in order to bring about a negotiated settlement.

            In February 1971, “Operation Dewey Canyon II” began. Supported by heavy U.S. airpower and artillery fire, South Vietnamese troops crossed into Laos for a 44 day assault on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Observers described the drive as the bloodiest fighting of the Indochina War.

            Two years later, in February 1973, The first of 566 POWs returned home from Captivity in Vietnam. Led by Navy Captain Jeremiah Denton, the first group of 116 American prisoners of war was released in Hanoi by North Vietnam. Another 19 were released by the Vietcong. Capt. Denton’s first words upon arrival at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines were; “We are honored to have the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander in Chief and to our Nation for this day. God Bless America”.

            On February 1st, 1991, Iraqi forces, estimated at 60,000 mass for attack near Kuwait. Air strikes drive Iraqis forces into defensive positions. During 26 days of air sorties, more than 26,000 sorties were flown.

            By the 24th, G-Day, Coalition ground forces embark on what turns out to be a 100 hour campaign. Tanks punch holes in Iraqi defenses and then air war enters it’s final faze. 100,000 coalition (mostly U.S. Forces) into assault, and the Iraqi forces begin surrendering in large numbers.

            And with the “Mother of all Retreats” by Iraqi forces trying to get out of Kuwait, the fighting ends on the 28th.

            Bob Hogan, the Director of Veterans Services for the Town of Burlington, can be reached by calling 781 270-1959 or dropping by the office at 61 Center Street, the Human Services Building.