Legacy Worthy Memories USAF Heroes:
There are numerous heroes from the United States Air Force who are honored on Memorial Day for their selfless service and sacrifices. While it's challenging to choose, here are ten well-known USAF heroes who have been recognized for their contributions:
General Jimmy Doolittle: Known for leading the "Doolittle Raid" during World War II, where B-25 bombers took off from an aircraft carrier and bombed Tokyo, Japan. The raid boosted American morale and demonstrated the U.S.'s ability to strike back after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Colonel Charles "Chuck" Yeager: The first person to break the sound barrier in level flight, Yeager was a decorated pilot during World War II and the Korean War. His achievements in aviation and test piloting made him an icon of American aviation history.
Lieutenant Colonel William "Bill" Pitsenbarger: A pararescueman who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. Pitsenbarger saved numerous lives before sacrificing his own.
Brigadier General Robin Olds: An ace fighter pilot during World War II and the Vietnam War, Olds flew combat missions in both conflicts. He is known for his leadership and innovative tactics, and he was credited with shooting down enemy aircraft.
Major Richard "Dick" Bong: The leading American fighter ace of World War II, Bong scored 40 aerial victories in the Pacific Theater. He received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary piloting skills and bravery.
Colonel John "Jack" H. Glenn Jr.: An astronaut and Marine Corps aviator, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962. He later served in the U.S. Senate and returned to space in 1998 at the age of 77, becoming the oldest person to travel in space.
General Benjamin O. Davis Jr.: The first African American general officer in the U.S. Air Force, Davis faced racial discrimination throughout his career but persevered and became a highly respected leader. He played a crucial role in the integration of the U.S. military.
Lieutenant Colonel Virgil "Gus" Grissom: A Mercury Seven astronaut, Grissom flew aboard the second manned mission of the U.S. space program. He later commanded the Gemini 3 mission and tragically lost his life during a launchpad fire in 1967.
Colonel John "Killer" Kane: A B-52 bomber pilot during the Vietnam War, Kane was known for his strategic and tactical skills. He led Operation Linebacker II, a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam that contributed to the Paris Peace Accords.
General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.: The first African American four-star general in the U.S. military, James had a distinguished career in the Air Force. He was a combat pilot during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and later served as a military diplomat.
These individuals represent a small fraction of the countless heroes from the USAF who have made significant contributions and sacrifices in service to their country.
While Memorial Day is widely recognized as a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces (USAF), there are several lesser-known yet significant facts associated with the Memorial Day holiday:
1. Origins: Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, dates back to the years following the American Civil War. The holiday was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868.
2. Multiple Claims of Origin: While the official establishment of Memorial Day is attributed to General John A. Logan, there are other towns and cities across the United States that claim to have held the first Memorial Day observances. These include Waterloo, New York; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois, among others.
3. The Date Controversy: Memorial Day was traditionally observed on May 30th each year until 1971 when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, moving several federal holidays to specific Mondays to create long weekends. Since then, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May.
4. National Moment of Remembrance: In 2000, Congress established the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution, encouraging all Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor and remember the sacrifices of fallen service members.
5. Flags at Half-Staff: On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is traditionally raised briskly to the top of the staff, then solemnly lowered to half-staff until noon. After noon, it is raised again to full staff, symbolizing the nation's resolve to not let the sacrifice of fallen heroes be in vain.
6. Arlington National Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery, located just outside Washington, D.C., is a significant site for Memorial Day ceremonies. Since 1868, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard," have placed small American flags in front of each headstone at Arlington before Memorial Day weekend.
7. Unofficial Start of Summer: Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start of the summer season in the United States. Many people take advantage of the long weekend to engage in outdoor activities, gather with family and friends, and enjoy barbecues or picnics.
8. The National Memorial Day Concert: Since 1989, a National Memorial Day Concert has been held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is broadcasted live on television and radio and features performances by renowned artists, as well as tributes to fallen soldiers and their families.
9. The "Gone But Not Forgotten" Honor Guard: At Arlington National Cemetery, an elite group known as the "Gone But Not Forgotten" Honor Guard remains on duty throughout Memorial Day weekend. These volunteers walk among the tombstones and ensure that each fallen service member is honored and remembered by placing a small American flag in front of their grave.
10. The Indianapolis 500: The Indianapolis 500, a prestigious motorsports event, is held annually on Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race has been a Memorial Day tradition since 1911, except during times of war when the event was not held.
11. The National Memorial Day Parade: In Washington, D.C., the National Memorial Day Parade takes place along Constitution Avenue. The parade features marching bands, military units, veterans' organizations, and patriotic floats, paying tribute to the sacrifices of America's service members.
12. The Origins of Taps: The haunting bugle call known as Taps, often played at military funerals and ceremonies, has a connection to Memorial Day. The melody of Taps was composed by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield during the American Civil War. It is said that Butterfield revised an earlier bugle call and designated it to be used for extinguishing lights at the end of the day, but it eventually became associated with funerals and remembrance.
13. The Big Red Poppy: The poppy used as a symbol of remembrance in the United States is commonly known as the "big red poppy" or the "American Legion Poppy." This specific variety of poppy (Papaver rhoeas) was selected for its vibrant red color and its ability to grow well in various climates across the United States.
The red poppy tradition in the United States is separate from the wearing of poppies in the Commonwealth countries, which have their own significance related to Remembrance Day in November.
The tradition of wearing red poppies to honor fallen soldiers originated with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in the early 20th century. Moina Michael campaigned to make the red poppy a symbol of remembrance and persuaded the American Legion to adopt it in 1920.
Moina Michael, an American professor and humanitarian, is credited with popularizing the use of red poppies as a symbol of remembrance in the United States. Moina Michael was inspired by the poem "We Shall Keep the Faith" by Moina's contemporary, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. She vowed to wear a red poppy as a sign of remembrance and wrote a response poem titled "We Shall Keep the Faith."