Medal of Honor Monday: Richard Antrim

 Richard Nott Antrim

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while interned as a prisoner of war of the enemy Japanese in the city of Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, in April 1942. Acting instantly on behalf of a naval officer who was subjected to a vicious clubbing by a frenzied Japanese guard venting his insane wrath upon the helpless prisoner, Comdr. (then Lt.) Antrim boldly intervened, attempting to quiet the guard and finally persuading him to discuss the charges against the officer. With the entire Japanese force assembled and making extraordinary preparations for the threatened beating, and with the tension heightened by 2,700 Allied prisoners rapidly closing in, Comdr. Antrim courageously appealed to the fanatic enemy, risking his own life in a desperate effort to mitigate the punishment. When the other had been beaten unconscious by 15 blows of a hawser and was repeatedly kicked by 3 soldiers to a point beyond which he could not survive, Comdr. Antrim gallantly stepped forward and indicated to the perplexed guards that he would take the remainder of the punishment, throwing the Japanese completely off balance in their amazement and eliciting a roar of acclaim from the suddenly inspired Allied prisoners. By his fearless leadership and valiant concern for the welfare of another, he not only saved the life of a fellow officer and stunned the Japanese into sparing his own life but also brought about a new respect for American officers and men and a great improvement in camp living conditions. His heroic conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Comdr. Antrim and the U.S. Naval Service."

From Lieutenant Richard Antrim's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1947.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian

"The Bridge at Remagen"

 

 

 

 German Movie Poster

Spanish Movie Poster

Swedish Movie Poster

 DVD Cover

DVD Cover

One last bridge over the Rhine remains intact and it becomes the focal point for all the fighting on the Western Front.  Who will reach it first?!  Although heavily fictionalized, this is the tale of the Oberkassel railway bridge that gave the Allies an open door to the heart of the Third Reich.  With lots of action and character, this is your classic Hollywood war flick and a must for any WWII aficionado.  Check out the trailer and see what ya think.

Awesome flick,

Brian

"Sailor and the Seagul"

This harrowing educational film enlightens sailors who are soon-to-be-civilians to re-up to continue their career in the USN.  It shows the hardships of being a civilian and how good the Navy really treats their men.  So take a gander here and see if a job on the seven seas is your ticket to easy street.

Sneaky bastards,
Brian

"Playing for Time"

This TV movie tells the tale of the Woman's Orchestra of Auschwitz and their fight to survive during the dark days of WWII.  The movie is a very powerful flick and another testimony to the will to survive in the living hell of Auschwitz.  Check out the commercial and see what you think.

Powerful flick,
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: Sylvester Antolak

Sylvester Antolak

"Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machine gun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machine gun, machine pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time, he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his sub-machine gun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strong point, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and, refusing to seek the medical attention which was so badly needed, chose to lead the way toward another strong point 100 yards distant. Utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he stormed ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strong points until he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad went on to overwhelm the enemy troops. By his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machine gun, and clearing the path for his company to advance."

From Sergeant Sylvester Antolak's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 19, 1945.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian

Long Live The Republic!

I wanna take a moment to honor all the Texicans and their American allies who kicked the shit outta Santa Anna and his Mexican yahoos.  May Texas continue to be the greatest place to live and may her citizens prosper and thrive under her lone star.

YEEEEHAAA!  Happy birthday, Texas!
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: Richard B. Anderson

Richard B. Anderson

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, February 1, 1944. Entering a shell crater occupied by three other Marines, Private First Class Anderson was preparing to throw a grenade at an enemy position when it slipped from his hands and rolled toward the men at the bottom of the hole. With insufficient time to retrieve the armed weapon and throw it, Private First Class Anderson fearlessly chose to sacrifice himself and save his companions by hurling his body upon the grenade and taking the full impact of the explosion. His personal valor and exceptional spirit of loyalty in the face of almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

From Private First Class Richard B. Anderson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on October 19, 1945.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian

"Churchill's Leopards"

A commando team has been tasked with destroying a dam prior to the D-Day landings.  With help from the French Resistance, can these brave men and women accomplish their duty or will the German's supply lines remain open for reinforcements against the Allied beachheads?!  This flick is actually better then your average macaroni combat films, but just barely.  Check out the trailer and see what you think.

I never did see Churchill or any leopards in this though?
Brian

"So Long, Scribbly!"

This story always stuck with me for some reason as a kid.  To see the slow progression of Scribbly's art go from whimsical to his final take of what war is after he experiences it for himself.  I read it again today and it brought back so many memories and emotions.  A great testimony of the crew over at DC who toted the famous quote for many of their war books, "Make War No More!". This issue was also a nod to one of the industries first, Sheldon Mayer who opened so many doors to the industry many of us love today.

Track it down and give it a read,
Brian

Scribbly's depiction of WAR

"Under the Rainbow"

A secret service agent and an unwitting movie casting agent are thrust into a life and death struggle against Axis agents hell bent to recover secret plans of the US military.  Can these two along with their 150 pals stop the Axis or will the US's secrets fall into the hands of the Axis?!  This is a pretty funny flick with a young Carrie Fisher showing just about everything us old Star Wars geeks wanted to see up until Jedi gave us more!  Swing by and see the riveting trailer and see if you can take this mind blowing espionage thriller.

Not a bad flick,
Brian

It's Coming...

Been following this awhile now and it looks like its clanking its way closer to a film deal.  Lets hope it gives a much needed adrenalin shot into the Weird WWII movie genera.

Oh, Hollywood and its Schurzen-clad Tigers,
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: Beauford T. Anderson

Henry S. Truman & Beauford T. Anderson

"He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when a powerfully conducted predawn Japanese counterattack struck his unit's flank, he ordered his men to take cover in an old tomb, and then, armed only with a carbine, faced the onslaught alone. After emptying 1 magazine at pointblank range into the screaming attackers, he seized an enemy mortar dud and threw it back among the charging enemy Japanese soldiers, killing several as it burst. Securing a box of mortar shells, he extracted the safety pins, banged the bases upon a rock to arm them and proceeded alternately to hurl shells and fire his piece among the fanatical foe, finally forcing them to withdraw. Despite the protests of his comrades, and bleeding profusely from a severe shrapnel wound, he made his way to his company commander to report the action. T/Sgt. Anderson's intrepid conduct in the face of overwhelming odds accounted for 25 enemy killed and several machine guns and knee mortars destroyed, thus single-handedly removing a serious threat to the company's flank."

From Technical Sergeant Beauford T. Anderson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 27, 1946.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian