Presidential Proclamation 2714 was signed by President Harry S. Truman on Dec. 31, 1946, to officially declare the cessation of all hostilities in World War II. Even though actual combat of the war ended May 8, 1945, in Europe and Sept. 2, 1945, in the Pacific, the state of war was not lifted off of Japan and Germany in order to give a reason for the necessity of occupation troops in these countries. Once the War Crimes Trials were over, the hostilities were seen as over. The signing of Proclamation 2714 is the reason why the U.S. recognizes its WWII veterans as anyone who served between the dates of Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946. And now you know the rest of the story.
Blue Water Navy Bill Press Conference
The VFW showed up in force to a Blue Water Navy Bill press conference in the Cannon House Office Building yesterday. House VA Committee Chairman Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) and incoming Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) hosted the bipartisan event to urge the Senate to pass H.R. 299, The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act 2018, which the House passed unanimously 382-0 back in June. It has been held up twice in the Senate over the past two weeks by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who either objected to the bill’s cost or wanted to wait for more sufficient evidence. VFW Legislative Director Carlos Fuentes said, “If America can’t afford to take care of her veterans, then America should quit creating us.”
Survey Shows Increased Trust from Veterans in VA Hospitals
Between fall 2017 and September 2018, VA surveyed more than 1.6 million veterans regarding their trust of VA health care. Eighty-six percent of veterans indicated they trust VA, which is a 2.4 percent increase. Veterans expressed concerns with access to specialty care, lack of parking and long wait times to receive medication.
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Releases Report
This past week, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) released its annual report which provides an overview of the past year’s accomplishments and missions. In FY18, the agency accounted for 203 formerly missing service members, which is the highest yearly total reached to date, and made substantial progress in identifying remains who were previously accounted for as a part of group burials. Broken down by conflict, 10 were accounted for from the Vietnam War, 37 from the Korean War, and 156 from World War II.
POW/MIA Update
Air Force Col. Richard A. Kibbey, was a member of Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. On Feb. 6, 1967, he, along with three others, were aboard a HH-3E helicopter on a rescue and recovery mission over North Vietnam. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. 1st Class James L. Boyce was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, engaged in combat operations against the North Korean People’s Army south of Chonui, South Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Frederick E. Coons was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 29, 1950, Coons was declared missing action in the vicinity of Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. William H. Jones was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, engaged in attacks against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near Pakchon, North Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. George L. Spangenberg was a member of Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. James P. Shaw was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, when enemy forces invaded the regiment’s positions and forced them to withdraw in North Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Sgt. Vernon L. Hamilton was a member of the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Lynn W. Hadfield was a member of the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force. On March 23, 1945. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Hulen A. Leinweber was a member of 40th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group. On June 10, 1945, the P-51 aircraft he was piloting was reportedly struck by anti-aircraft fire, causing the right wing to break off. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. James R. Lord a member of the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, 12th Tactical Air Command, 12th Air Force. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. William A. Boegli was a member of Company L, 332nd Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, invading Angaur Island in the Palau Island chain. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Nicholas J. Gojmerac was a member of Company Q, 4th Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, when his unit assaulted a Japanese stronghold at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia Island, Solomon Islands. Interment services are pending.
Navy Reserve Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class William H. Blancheri was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pfc. Michael L. Salerno was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Fred E. Freet was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
USS Oklahoma: The following personnel were stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The battleship sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including:
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur C. Barrett. Interment services are pending.
Navy Storekeeper 2nd Class Gerald L. Clayton. Interment services are pending.
Navy Storekeeper 1st Class John W. Craig. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 3rd Class Warren H. Crim. Interment services are pending.
Navy Musician 2nd Class Francis E. Dick. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class George T. George. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Charles C. Gomez. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Claude O. Gowey. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Daniel L. Guisinger. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Robert W. Headington. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Challis R. James. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Wesley V. Jordan. Interment services are pending.
Navy Radioman 3rd Class Howard V. Keffer. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Joe M. Kelley. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Elmer D. Nail. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Frank E. Nicoles. Interment services are pending.
Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class Eli Olsen. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Millard C. Pace. Interment services are pending.
Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Merle A. Smith. Interment services are pending.
Navy Reserve Fireman 1st Class Lewis F. Tindall. Interment services are pending.
To everyone, have a prosperous and happy New Year.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
