Hero of the Week 15

Welcome back viewers!

This week's hero is...

Sgt. Ernest Kouma

Ernest Kouma was born on November 23, 1919. He enlisted in the military in 1940 and served in World War II as a tank commander. After World War II ended, Kouma was stationed in Japan as part of an occupation force. When the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, he once again answered the call to duty. Although Kouma had already been in combat, his tour in Korea would far exceed anything he had previously experienced.

In the first weeks of the war the United Nations' forces were soundly defeated by the North Korean Army. They were eventually pushed back to a small perimeter around the port-city of Pusan (the perimeter would eventually be known as: "the Pusan Perimeter"). Ernest Kouma was part of the 72nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. His tank battalion was positioned at the small village of Agok near the Naktong River. Their objective was to hold their position at the river and to keep the North Koreans from crossing and breaking through the Pusan Perimeter. On the night August 31st, the North Koreans launched their attack.

From midnight until 1:30 in the morning, Kouma and his tank crew continued to fight the advancing North Koreans. At one point during the battle, nearly every American tank at the Naktong river was either knocked out or forced to retreat. Kouma's tank was the only one that remained in the fight. Even after his tank became completely surrounded by the enemy soldiers, Kouma continued to give commands to his crew and personally returned fire at the enemy. He manned his tank's .50 caliber machine gun and repelled numerous attacks. When the gun's ammunition ran out, Sgt. Kouma threw grenades and fired his pistol. He continued to do this even after he was severely wounded. After a total of nine hours he finally gave to order to withdraw back to American lines. For the next eight hours they fought their way through hordes of communist soldiers until they finally reached friendly positions. 

During the battle, Sgt. Kouma is believed to have killed at least 250 enemy soldiers. He received the Medal of Honor for his incredible leadership and courage during the battle. He also received the Purple Heart. Ernest Kouma would serve in the army for another 20 years before retiring in the year 1971 after a total of 31 years in the military. For the rest of his life he lived in Kentucky until his death on December 19, 1993.

Sergeant Ernest Kouma's incredible bravery while serving in Korea is truly remarkable. He and his tank crew faced very long odds against a vastly superior force. Despite being wounded, Kouma continued to fight and lead his crew until they were forced to retreat. And even then, he remained in the fight. His story is the stuff of legends. He is definitely someone who deserved the Medal of Honor and someone to be held in high regard.

Further Information:

http://soldiers.dodlive.mil/2015/09/heroes-of-the-naktong/

http://www.military.com/HomePage/TitleHistories/1,10982,100001%7C967848,00.html

http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=1189

Hero of the Week 14

Welcome back viewers!

This week we will honor three heroes who all share a connection.

Allow me to introduce: Norman Borlaug, Henry Wallace, and George Washington Carver

These men are considered by many to be among the smartest of the 20th Century. All three of them came from different families and different backgrounds. They also had different jobs within their lives. However, despite their differences they are all connected in way. This is because all three of these men made significant developments in agriculture. These developments are credited with saving the lives of over 2 billion people. 

George Washington Carver was born to a family of former slaves in the 1860s in Diamond, Missouri. Carver is mostly known for successfully developing 266 products from the peanut. Many of these products are still used today. Carver is also known for developing about 88 products from the sweet potato. He did all of this while battling racism and prejudice around him. However, one of Carver's greatest (and lesser known) contributions was when he met a young six year old boy while he was attending Iowa State University. One day, Carver escorted the boy through a botanical garden and shared his fascination of plants with the latter. This boy's name was Henry Wallace. And he would never forget his experience with George Washington Carver.

Henry Wallace was born on October 7, 1888 in Orient, Iowa. While growing up on a farm made Wallace very interested in learning about plants, it was his meeting with George Washington Carver that inspired him to begin experimenting with them. One plant that he was particularly interested in was corn. Wallace dedicated most of his young life to studying corn and eventually developed some of the very first hybrid corn varieties. His developments in agriculture led him to be selected as Secretary of Agriculture for President Franklin Roosevelt and eventually vice-president of the United States. During his time as vice-president, Wallace took a trip down to the country of Mexico. There he discovered how important corn was to the Mexican people's diet. Wallace than got the idea to build agriculture experimental stations in Mexico in order improve corn varieties and adapt them to the climate and soil of Mexico. His idea was approved, and a station was established in Mexico. One of the scientists who joined the station was a man named Norman Borlaug.

Norman Borlaug was born on March 25, 1914 in Cresco, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Ph.D. in plant pathology and genetics. Later in his life, Borlaug took up a job position at the agriculture experimental station in Mexico that was built by the Rockefeller Foundation. While he was there, Borlaug found a way to hybridize high-yeild corn and also wheat that was disease resistant. As a direct result of this, corn production at the station doubled and wheat production dramatically increased five-fold. The method he used was repeated not only in Mexico, but around the world. In the continents of Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Europe, Borlaug's seed product was used time and again to the present day. It is estimated that over 2 billion lives were saved as a direct result of this. Borlaug was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his developments in agriculture. 

Many achievements and wonderful acts can be credited to certain people. But sometimes history proves that one person's discoveries and acts can lead to another's great acts in the future. George Washington Carver was a brilliant man who taught the world many things. One of those who learned from him was Henry Wallace. And it was Henry Wallace who later used his own knowledge and government positions to pass on what he learned from Carver to the rest of the world. And one of those who learned from Wallace was Norman Borlaug. And it was he who used his knowledge to teach the world an invaluable method to growing crops that has been duplicated countless times. 

To put it more simply, these three men learned from each other. And as a result, 2 billion people around the world are alive today. What it should tell us is that what we teach the next generation could have a MAJOR impact in the future just like it did with Carver, Wallace, and Borlaug. I believe its safe to say that we owe these three men a lot of respect and admiration and that their link to each other should always be remembered.

Further Information:

http://www.agbioworld.org/biotech-info/topics/borlaug/connection.html

https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/seeyouthere/2012/01/05/the-borlaug-chain/

http://lifetoday.org/connect/words-of-life/the-butterfly-effect/

Hero of the Week 13

Welcome back viewers!

This week's hero is...

Charles Kamin Sr

Lt. Charles Kamin was a fireman from Chicago. He was born in the year 1920. Later in his life, Kamin joined the Chicago Fire Department and was put in charge of Truck 35. Kamin's leadership and skills as a fireman would be put to the ultimate test during one of the biggest tragedies in the history of the United States.

December 1st, 1958 was a day that began like any other for the people of Chicago. However, the day soon turned into a nightmare when a fire broke in the, Our Lady of the Angels elementary and middle school (its cause in unknown). The fire began in the basement of the north wing of the school around 2:00 PM. It then smoldered undetected for nearly 20 minutes. The students and teachers did not notice it until they saw black smoke in the hallways that later entered the classrooms. Soon, the entire north wing of the school was either on fire or filled with thick black smoke. Those on the first floor mostly succeeded in escaping. But for the students and teachers who were on the second floor, there was no exit. They became trapped in their classrooms by the thick billowing smoke and burning flames. For them, the only way out was through the windows. This caused many to jump or fall from the windows in panic. Some of these students survived, others did not.

Within four minuets of receiving phone calls about the burning school, hundreds of firefighters descended on the scene and began to try to rescue the trapped students and teachers. Lt. Kamin was one of them. After seeing a number of kids trapped in a smoking class room on the second floor, he quickly placed a latter at the window (room 211) and climbed up to it. Once he was there, Kamin began to pull kids out of the classroom, around his back, and place them on the ladder to climb down. He was described by his fellow fireman as, "operating like a robot". He managed to personally pull at least 8 children from the smoking classroom and place them on the ladder. However, as he was reaching for another child, the room suddenly erupted in flames incinerating all who were still inside. Kamin himself was thrown from the ladder and received minor burns on his arms and face. Tragically, at total of 92 students and 3 teachers died in the fire at the Our Lady of the Angels School. It is one of the worst school fires in American history.

Despite successfully rescuing at least 160 students and teachers, many fireman were deeply traumatized by the deaths of so many kids. Lt. Charles Kamin was no exception. Although he recovered from his injuries and was hailed as a hero by the people of Chicago (including many survivors), Kamin was forever haunted by the screams of the children who died. He suffered terrible nightmares and often blamed himself for not being able to save more. Kamin would serve in the Chicago fire department for 30 years before retiring in 1977. He later died in a car accident in November 1992. He was 72 years old. 

The fire at the Our Lady of the Angels School was by far one of the most tragic and heartbreaking disasters in American history. However, the actions of people like Lt Charles Kamin prevented many more lives from being lost in the fire. Kamin was good man who did the best he could when he was needed. I believe that he should be seen as one of America's greatest heroes.

Further Information:

http://www.olafire.com/Saved%20by%20a%20brawny%20angel.asp

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-19/news/9204150711_1_kamin-chicago-fire-department-firehouse

http://www.olafire.com/OLAHeroes.asp

David Cowan and John Kuenster, To Sleep with the Angels: The Story of a Fire (1996)

Hero of the Week 12

Welcome back viewers!

This week, we again have a team of heroes.

Allow me to introduce, the crew of the USS Laffey!

The destroyer, USS Laffey was the second of its name. The ship was named after Bartlett Laffey (a Civil War recipient of the Medal of Honor). She was launched on November 21, 1943 and commissioned on February 8, 1944, under the command of Captain Frederick J. Becton and with a crew of 336. The ship took part in the Invasion of Normandy and the battle of Leyte where it escorted troop transports and bigger ships. However, the Laffey is best known for its combat during the Battle of Okinawa, where she and her crew faced the largest and most unrelenting kamikaze attack in World War II.

The USS Laffey was part of a task force of U.S. Navy ships (Task Force 54) that took part in the battle of Okinawa. Their job was to blockade the island and provide artillery support for the soldiers and marines who were battling the Japanese garrison. However, they soon found themselves being subjected to a terrifying weapon: the Kamikaze. At this point of the war, most of Japan's navy ships had been sunk and most of its planes destroyed. With the American military closing in on the Japanese home islands, the Japanese government decided to use a new tactic. Japanese pilots would cram their planes with a bunch of explosives and then deliberately fly them into American ships. The planes would strike the ship at full speed and hopefully sink or severely damage it. Those who volunteered to carry out this mission were given the title, kamikaze (divine wind). 

On April 14, 1945, Laffey was assigned to Radar Picket Station No. 1. Her job was to repulse air attacks against Task Force 54. This position was the most dangerous of the blockade due to it being the closest to mainland Japan. The previous two ships at the picket station had been sunk or damaged by kamikaze attacks. Laffey was accompanied by two support ships (LCS-51 and LCS-116). For two days, they patrolled their position without incident. But on April 16, at 7:45 AM, Laffey's radar picked up a lone Japanese plane. The plane withdrew after being fired upon (it was most likely a scout). Nearly an hour later at least fifty planes appeared on Laffey's radar. The planes quickly descended on the ship and began their attack.

The crew of the Laffey immediately rushed to their battle stations. Before long, all of the ship's guns were firing at the oncoming kamikazes. The gun crews unleashed a furious barrage of anti-aircraft fire that was able shoot down a number of the attackers. The ship was also violently maneuvered to dodge the planes that got through the barrage. The crew successfully shot down nine of the attacking aircraft. Unfortunately, the kamikazes were able to eventually strike the ship. During the battle, five planes  succeeded in striking the destroyer. The ship also suffered four bomb hits. One bomb caused the rudder to jam 27 degrees to port. When a crew man asked Captain Becton it they should abandon ship the latter responded, "I'll never abandon ship as long a single gun can fire!" The crew of the Laffey continued to fire at the planes. Just when all seemed lost, at least a dozen American planes arrived on the scene and drove off or shot down the remaining kamikazes. The entire engagement had lasted at least 80 minutes. The Laffey's casualties were: 32 dead and 71 wounded. Despite the severe damage and the loss of life, the Laffey had survived.

During the last few months of the war in the Pacific as many as 5,000 American servicemen died in kamikaze attacks and at least 200 ships were either sunk or badly damaged (USS Laffey included). The crew of the Laffey received the US Presidential Unit Citation for their heroic stand at Radar Picket Station No. 1. Captain Frederick Becton received the Navy Cross. The Laffey was eventually repaired and survived the war. She continued to serve in the US Navy until she was decommissioned in 1975. Unlike most World War II ships, she was not sold for scrap. Instead she was preserved as a museum ship and is currently located in Charleston SC. 

The story of the USS Laffey is clearly one of the most remarkable of World War II. It depicts a brave captain and crew who faced overwhelming odds and yet never gave in. They continued to fight even when things began to look hopeless. Not only did they survive, they won. Their story is one that definitely deserves to be told.

Further Information:

http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm

https://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=USS-Laffey-DD724

Wukovits, John. Hell from the Heavens. De Capo Press, 2015. Print

Hero of the Week 11

Welcome back viewers!

This week's hero is....

Ida Lewis

Ida Lewis was born on February 25, 1842 in Newport Rhode Island. Her parents were Hosea and Zoradia Lewis. Ida's father worked as a Revenue Cutter Service Captain. In 1854, he was appointed lighthouse keeper at the Lime Rock Light in Newport. However, just months into his service at the lighthouse, Hosea suffered a severe stroke that left him debilitated. He would die in 1872, due to complications of his stroke. As a result his wife, Zoradia took over as the lighthouse keeper at the Lime Rock Light with Ida often helping as an assistant. From early in her childhood, Ida had established herself as an expert boat handler. She was quoted as being a much faster rower than any man in Newport. Her rowing skills would be put to the test on March 29, 1869.

On that night two American soldiers (Sgt. James Adams and Pvt. John McLaughlin) were arriving at their new post at Fort Adams. To get to the fort, they needed to cross Newport Harbor. The two soldiers hired a local boy (his name is unknown) to guide them across the harbor to get the fort in a rowboat. During the trip the seas got rough and a snowstorm blew in from the open ocean. The rough seas caused the small boat to capsize, throwing its three passengers into the icy water. Ida spotted the capsized boat from the lighthouse and realized that they would freeze to death unless they were rescued. Despite suffering from a cold herself, Ida Lewis got into her own boat and rowed out to the men in the water. She reached them and heaved the two men into the boat. Tragically, the boy had been washed away by the current (he was never found). Ida quickly rowed the freezing men back to the lighthouse where she saved the two from dying of hypothermia.

Thanks to Ida's quick actions, both Adams and McLaughlin made full recoveries. Ida Lewis was commended by the commanders of Fort Adams for her heroism. When her mother, Zoradia died in 1879, Ida inherited the job of light housekeeper. During her service she rescued a total of 18 people from dying in the sea (that is what is documented, she may have saved even more). In 1881, she received the Gold Lifesaving Medal from the US government. She was the first women to ever receive such an honor. 

Ida Lewis continued to serve as the lighthouse keeper of the Lime Rock Light until her death on October 24, 1911, at the age of 69. Ida Lewis was a brave and moral woman who risked her life to save others on multiple occasions. Some people even called her the, "bravest woman in America". It was a title she very much earned. She is definitely someone who deserves our respect and admiration. 

http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/flashback-photo-ida-lewis-bravest-woman-america/

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2017/03/tlbl-ida-lewis/