Hero of the Week 78

 Welcome back viewers

This week's hero is...

Emmett Kelly

Emmett Kelly was born on December 9, 1898. At a young age, he made the decision to join the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. For seven years, Kelly worked as a trapeze artist. In 1931 however, Kelly decided that he wanted to join the clown act. It was not long before he created his own personal character called, "Weary Willie". This character quickly became his most notable performance and is considered to be revolutionary in the circus clown act. However, on one hot day in July of 1944, Kelly would be confronted with one of the worst disasters in American history.

On July 6, 1944, the Barnum and Bailey Circus began to prepare for a performance in Hartford, Connecticut. The circus performers set up a huge canvas tent which was known as the, "Big Top". It wasn't long before thousands of spectators began to arrive and fill the stands. By the time that the first act began, there were more than 7,000 people who were seated around the three circus rings and two stages. The first performance (the lion act) began at 2 PM. The next performance was the Flying Wallendas (stunt performers) high wire act. 

Since nearly everyone's attention was on the stage, nobody knows when or how it happened, but less than 30 minutes after the show began, people began to smell smoke. The circus band conductor then spotted flames on the southwest sidewall of the Big Top. He quickly ended the performance and informed the audience to begin evacuating. However, the fire began to spread at an alarmingly rapid rate. This was due to the Big Top's paraffin wax that was used to waterproof the tent. Within minutes of being spotted, the fire was already beginning to engulf the whole tent. At first, the crowd began an orderly evacuation to the tent's exits. Unfortunately, the Big Top's power shorted out and pieces of burning fabric began dropping on people. This caused the evacuation to turn into mass hysteria that engulfed the crowd of people trying to escape.

Emmett Kelly himself was located outside the Big Top getting ready for the clown act when he heard screams. He quickly grabbed a bucket of water (an iconic image depicts this) and ran to the burning Big Top to help assist fighting the fire in any way possible. Upon seeing how huge the inferno was, Kelly decided to assist people in escaping by ripping holes in the canvas which enabled dozens of people to escape. He personally carried at least six children to safety. Unfortunately, some of the escaping spectators had become separated from their families and many then attempted to reenter the burning tent. Upon seeing this, Kelly quickly yelled for them to keep moving and organized volunteers to keep people from reentering. Just minutes later, the fire caused the Big Top to collapse. 

Although most the 7,000 spectators had successfully escaped, at least 200 became trapped under the burning Big Top. Kelly, police, firemen, and other good samaritans quickly ran to the collapsed tent to try and cut the people out before the fire reached them. Unfortunately, most of those that were trapped died before they could be reached. By the time the fire had been extinguished, 167 people had been killed (mostly women and children) and more than 600 were injured.

Although he was heralded as a hero in the aftermath of the fire, Emmett Kelly never sought any recognition for what he did on July 6, 1944. Like many others, he was forever haunted by the deaths of so many people and often blamed himself for failing to save more. He continued to perform as a circus clown for another decade before he retired. He passed away on March 28, 1979, at the age of 80. In 1994, Kelly was posthumously inducted into the International Circus Hall of Fame.

The circus fire of 1944 will always remain one of the saddest days in American history. However, the heroism of people like Emmett Kelly helped to prevent many more lives from being lost. He is definitely someone who should be held in high regard.

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2016/07/06/tears-of-a-clown/

https://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-condon-hartford-circus-fire-0703-20140702-column.html

O'Nan, Stuart (2008). The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Hero of the Week 77

 Welcome back viewers

This week's hero is...

William Ellery

William Ellery was born on December 22, 1727, in Newport Rhode Island. He grew up as the son of a merchant and entered Harvard University when he was only 16. He successfully graduated in 1747. When he returned to Newport, Ellery became a merchant like his father and got involved in the trading business. However, he quickly discovered that this profession was not in his best interest. After working as a customs collector and as a clerk for the Rhode Island General Assembly, he decided to enter politics. Little did he know, he was about to play a role in the future of a nation.

In the year 1776, one of Rhode Island's delegates to the Continental Congress (Samuel Ward) suffered an untimely death while the issue of Independence was being discussed. Since it was the smallest of the colonies, the Rhode Island legislature knew that at least two representatives were needed to make their population's voice heard. By this point, William Ellery had already made his position on the matter clear to his country men. 

In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Ellery became a major advocate for armed resistance against British occupation. He was quoted as saying, "You must exert yourself. To be ruled by Tories, when we may be ruled by Sons of Liberty, how debasing! There is liberty and fire enough, it only requires the application of the bellows. Blow, then, a blast will shake this country!" His patriotic words inspired thousands of Rhode Islanders to move into Massachusetts and join the growing Continental Army that was converging on Boston. Due to his ardent viewpoints and distinguished credentials, the Rhode Island Congress chose Ellery to become their second delegate on May 4. Less than two weeks later, Ellery joined fellow delegate, Stephen Hopkins at the Second Continental Congress down in Philadelphia.

After the Patriot stand at Bunker Hill, the Sons of Liberty made the decision to sign the Declaration of Independence. Ellery later wrote, "I was determined to see how they all looked as the signed what might be their death warrant. I placed myself beside the Secretary Charles Thomson and eyed closely as he affixed each name to the document. Undaunted resolution was displayed in every countenance". When it was his turn to sign, Ellery made his signature big and clear. It was the second-largest signature after John Hancock. 

After the signing, William Ellery was placed on Congress's Marine Committee and was instrumental in smuggling supplies and clothing to the Continental Army. However, he was prevented from returning to his home in Newport due to the city being captured and occupied by the British. Despite this setback, Ellery continued to serve in the Continental Congress until the end of the war.

After the US had become independent, William Ellery continued to serve in the Congress until 1786. After that, he became an advocate for abolishing slavery. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Ellery as Collector of Customs for the city of Newport, a post he held for the next thirty years. In the last years of his life, he reflected on his contributions to American independence and the life he had lived. He wrote, "I have been a clerk of the court, a quack lawyer, a member of Congress, one of the lords of the Admiralty, a judge, a loan officer, and finally a Collector of the Customs and thus, not without great difficulty, but as honestly, thank God, as most men, I have got through the journey of a varied and somewhat anxious life". He passed away on February 15, 1820, at the age of 92.

Out of all the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Ellery is one of the least well-known. However, he was a very interesting figure who dedicated his life to helping those around him in the best way possible while securing the future of our country. He truly is a person who should be held in high regard.

https://www.dsdi1776.com/signers-by-state/william-ellery/

https://www.revolutionary-war.net/william-ellery/

Hero of the Week 76

Welcome back viewers

This week we will honor two heroes who share a connection

They are...

Congressman Leo Ryan and Tsutsumi Sakamoto

Intro

Leo Ryan and Tsutsumi Sakamoto were two public servants for their countries. When they heard of a dire situation involving their countrymen, they both went to investigate and resolve the matter peacefully. Unfortunately both of them would pay a heavy price for their actions.

Part I

Leo Ryan was born on May 5, 1925, in Lincoln, Nebraska. During World War II he served in the US Navy as a submariner. After the war he worked as an english and history teacher before he moved to California. In 1962, Ryan was elected to the California State Assembly as a Democrat. He served at that position for 10 years before he was elected to the United States Congress from California's 11th District. For the next five years, Ryan advocated for prison and educational reform and made many changes in the state. 

In 1977, Congressman Ryan received word that there were a number of human rights violations and abuses being inflicted on American citizens who were living abroad. The reports were coming from a notorious religious cult called, "Peoples Temple". Headed by a zealot pastor named, Jim Jones, Peoples Temple had relocated from California to the South American country of Guyana. Once there, they had constructed a small town on the outskirts of Guyana's capital called, "Jonestown". By that year, more than 900 American citizens were living in Jonestown. Although many of them called it paradise, it was not long before allegations of abuse and criminal activity began to be inflicted on the Jonestown's residents. And many began to hope for a way out.

At the urging of concerned relatives, Congressman Leo Ryan took it upon himself to investigate the allegations. On November 1, 1978, he publicly announced that with a small group of aides, journalists, and concerned relatives he would personally fly down to Guyana and investigate Jonestown. Two weeks later Congressman Ryan and his group boarded a plane, took off from Washington, and landed in Georgetown, Guyana on November 14.

Three days later Ryan along with his aide (future Congresswoman Jackie Speier), nine journalists, and four relatives boarded a small plane and landed at an airstrip at the town of Port Kaituma, which was a few miles from Jonestown. Upon arrival, Ryan and his entourage received a warm welcome from the people of Jonestown. Through the night, they treated them to a celebration and openly spoke about how Jim Jones had changed their lives for the better and had nothing but praise for their community.

During the celebration however, one of the members of Jonestown (Vernon Gosney) slipped a note to NBC reporter Don Harris (whom he mistook for Ryan). Ryan then made a speech giving his thanks for the warm reception. Once he was finished he walked over and spoke to a handful of individuals who were determined to leave Jonestown. They warned Ryan that things were not at all what they seemed to be and that Jim Jones had become highly erratic and was on the verge of insanity. Ryan also noticed that Jones seemed quite delusional during the celebration and promised the defectors that he would get them out by the next day. 

On November 18, 14 members of Peoples Temple boarded a truck and headed for the Port Kaituma airstrip. Once there, they began to board two airplanes that would fly them out. Just as they were preparing to board however, a large tractor pulled onto the tarmac ahead of the planes. A group of armed men got out and opened fire on Ryan's group. Congressman Leo Ryan, Don Harris, and three others were all killed. Another nine (including Jackie Speier and Vernon Gosney) were wounded. Those that survived quickly fled into the brush.

Part II

Tsutsumi Sakamoto was born on April 8, 1956, in Yokosuka, Japan. He graduated from Tokyo University with a degree in law. In 1984, he officially became a lawyer who represented clients in Japan's civil court. It was not long before he began to put his profession to good use.

Sakamoto quickly gained a reputation as an anti-cult lawyer. Most of the clients he took on were former members of Japanese cults who had filed lawsuits against the groups they had left. One doomsday cult in particular drew Sakamoto's attention. It was the largest in Japan and at its height, one of the largest in the world. Its name was, "Aum Shinrikyo".

Aum Shinrikyo was headed by a self-proclaimed guru named, Chizuo Matsumoto (better known as: Shoko Asahara). Asahara had formed Aum in 1984 using a combination of radical Buddhism and Apocalyptic Christianity. He claimed to be a supernatural being with hidden powers that could perform miracles. It wasn't long before he had successfully recruited thousands of people across Japan. 

However, it was also not long before controversy and abuse allegations began to be leveled against the cult. The allegations included, drug trafficking, sexual abuse of children, and even murders of cult members who tried to leave. Many of those who left began to file lawsuits against Aum. And Tsutsumi Sakamoto was by far, the most successful at winning them. Unfortunately, his successes also made him a target. 

On October 31, 1989, Sakamoto managed to pursuade Asahara to take a medical test and prove that he really did have supernatural powers in his blood. The results revealed however, that Asahara's blood contained no abnormalities nor anything to suggest he was anything other than a regular human being. Sakamoto then gave an interview for the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) regarding his activities against Aum. Unfortunately, the TBS members intentionally broke their source protection policy and showed the interview to members of Aum (including Asahara himself). 

Asahara became enraged and decided that Tsutsumi Sakamoto was a threat and needed to be eliminated, not matter the cost. On November 3, 1989, four members of Aum Shinrikyo drove to Yokohama. At 3 AM the next morning, the snuck into Sakamoto's apartment. Once there, they abducted and murdered Tsutsumi along with his wife (Satoka), and his infant son (Tatsuhiko). 

Epilogue

The killing of Congressman Ryan started a chain reaction that would end with hundreds of more people losing their lives. Within minutes of Ryan's departure, Jim Jones called all of his followers to the pavilion for a, "White Night". He then told them that because some members had "betrayed" the group by electing to leave, it was time for the rest to commit a revolutionary suicide. During the meeting, the shooters from the airstrip returned and confirmed that Leo Ryan was among the dead. After this, Jim Jones and more than 900 of his followers either committed suicide or were forced to do so. When the Guyanese army arrived on the scene the next day, there were only six survivors (along with those who survived the shooting at the airstrip). It was the largest loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act until the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The ghastly murder of the Sakamoto family would not be solved for at least six years. As far as any friends or extended family knew, they had simply disappeared. Like the killing of Leo Ryan before him, Tsutsumi Sakamoto's murder would also bring further tragedy in it's wake. As the years went by, Shoko Asahara's mental state became even more erratic. He became convinced that everyone outside of Aum Shinrikyo was a threat that needed to be eliminated before it became too dangerous. On March 20, 1995, five members of Aum snuck onto three lines of the Tokyo Metro. Once there, they punctured packets containing deadly sarin gas. The result was devastating. At least 12 people were killed and more than 6,000 were admitted to hospitals around the city (many suffered permanent injuries). 

However, this attack quickly brought the full wrath of Japan's law enforcement on the cult. By the end of the year, Shoko Asahara and hundreds of his followers were arrested. It was only then, that the fate of the Sakamoto family was finally revealed. For all the crimes they committed, Shoko Asahara and a dozen others were sentenced to death by the Japanese supreme court. They were executed in June of 2018. 

In the latter half of the 20th Century to the present day, the danger presented by cults had become all too real. However, there have always been good people who have stood up to this danger and tried to do what they could to help those in need. Congressman Leo Ryan and Tsutsumi Sakamoto were among the bravest and most noble of these people. They both used their positions to answer cries for help and both gave their lives for it. I believe that they should be remembered as some of the greatest heroes in the world.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/jonestown-bio-leo-ryan/

https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/07/world/japanese-police-find-body-of-a-lawyer-believed-killed-by-cult.html

https://www.creighton.edu/creightonmagazine/2018smrfeaturehewantedtogothere/

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/07/17f82a8e8b7d-aum-executions-spark-mixed-feelings-among-victims-relatives.html

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/04/03/Japan-TV-network-fights-ethics-charges/3444828507600/

Hero of the Week 75

 Welcome back viewers

This week will honor a team of heroes

They are...

Company A of the 31st Infantry Regiment (AKA: the Polar Bears)

 

Intro

The 31st Infantry Regiment was founded in the year 1916 at Fort William McKinley. Less than a year later, the United States entered World War I. Unfortunately the 31st would be one of the very few American infantry regiments that did not see combat in the First World War. However, although their baptism by fire would not be in the trenches of France it would come at one of the most unlikeliest of places. It would be on the frozen tundra of Siberia.

Part 1

In the wake of the Russian Revolution, the country had plunged into a highly destructive civil war. On one side were the communist Red Army. On the other side were the pro-republic White Army. The western countries threw their support behind the latter. In the waning days of World War I, the US sent at least 13,000 American soldiers to Russia. Their objective was to seize and hold key ports in North Russia and Siberia. The nickname for these soldiers was, "the Polar Bears".

The men of the 31st Infantry were among those sent to fight in Siberia. By June of 1919, 72 men from Company A were garrisoned at the Siberian town of Romanovka, under the command of 2nd Lt. Lawrence Butler. Many of the Polar Bears camped at Romanovka were fresh and inexperienced. For the first three weeks of June, they mingled with the town's villagers and enjoyed camping under the stars. Little did they know, a large enemy force was moving on their position.

On the night of June 24, more than 200 Red Army soldiers and partisans massed along a bluff that overlooked the Americans' positions outside of Romanovka. They were led by an ardent communist named, Yakov Tryapitsyn. And he was determined to wipe out this small group of foreign invaders who dared to interfere in Russia's future. While the Polar Bears were sleeping in their tents, the Reds slowly began to surround them and set up machine guns on the hills around the town. At 5 AM on the morning of June 25, the lone Polar Bear sentry left his post unrelieved to get breakfast. Seconds later, the Reds opened fire.

Part II

Before the Polar Bears could react, a lethal wave of rifle and machine gun fire began to rake their tents. Within a matter of seconds, at least 19 of them were literally killed in their own beds. Lt Butler was awakened to the sound and quickly grabbed his weapons. As he was leaving his tent a bullet shattered his jaw. Although he was bleeding badly and unable to speak, Butler was able to pull his men into a fighting withdrawal using hand signals. 

In order to prevent more of them being killed in the open, the polar bears quickly fell back to a trio of log houses. Three of them stayed behind to cover the retreat. Privates Roy Jones and Emmet Lunsford used their BARs (Browning Automatic Rifle) to lay down suppressing fire, while Pvt. George Strakey sniped at the Reds with his M1903 Springfield Rifle. Despite being severely wounded themselves, all three held their positions until their comrades reached the log houses. 

After the Polar Bears had successfully fallen back to a secure position, they were able to effectively hold their own against the attacking Bolsheviks. Using grenades, machine guns, and rifles, they were able to beat back numerous assaults. However they were still in danger since more than half of their number had been killed or wounded in just the first few minutes. Lt Butler asked for two volunteers to make a run to the railroad tracks and follow them to the nearest town (Novonzhino) where Company E was stationed. Corporals Leo Heinzman and Valeryan Brodnicki were the first to volunteer. With covering fire being provided by their comrades, Heinzman and Brodnicki made a mad dash for the railroad.

Part III

Despite the enemy training all their fire on Brodnicki and Heinzman, both men successfully made it to the tracks. They then successfully flagged down a passing train and alerted those aboard to the situation at Romanovka. However there were only 17 men from Company K on the train under the command of Sgt. Sylvester Moore. Knowing that more soldiers were needed in order to relieve the besieged men at Romanovka, Sergeant Moore ordered the engineer to back the train to Novonzhino. Once there, they quickly picked up 58 more soldiers from Company E and headed back to Romanovka to save Company A.

As soon as the Polar Bears from E and K arrived they immediately launched a flank attack on the Reds. This combined with their own heavy losses, forced the latter to pull back. Eventually they retreated and the battle of Romanovka was over. Despite the battle lasting just over an hour the carnage was horrific. The Polar Bears had suffered 24 KIAs and another 25 were wounded (more than 60% of Company A's force). Since the medics were among the dead, many of the wounded did not receive adequate medical care and either died in the days following the battle or were left permanently disabled.

Despite their severe losses, the Polar Bears had inflicted far more casualties on the attackers. The Reds suffered between 40 to 60 KIAs and an unknown number of wounded and were forced into a disorganized retreat from the area. As a result the Polar Bears considered the Battle of Romanovka a victory.

Epilogue

However, the American victory at Romanovka was short-lived. Although the Allied Intervention in Russia had won many battles it was ultimately a failure. All soldiers of the West (Americans included) were withdrawn by July of 1920. The Russian Civil War itself went on for another 3 years before victory was finally achieved by the Bolsheviks (Reds). Russia then became known as, "the Soviet Union" (or USSR).

Even though the overall operation was a failure, the men of the 31st Infantry Regiment returned to America with their heads held high. At least 15 men (including Butler, Brodnicki, Lunsford, Strakey, and Jones) received the Distinguished Service Cross for valor. The Polar Bear Regiment went on to serve in many more conflicts through the 20th Century. It remains active in the US Army today.

For most Americans today, the Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War has been largely forgotten. However, I believe that these brave men deserve the same remembrance and regard as all the others who have answered the call to duty. Even if the operation failed, they still fought with the same courage and valor that soldiers continue to show to this day. Their story is definitely one that deserves to be told.

https://www.historynet.com/red-dawn-in-romanovka-russia.htm

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-10-mn-5916-story.html

https://armyhistory.org/31st-infantry-regiment/