Jan/Feb 2009 - Korean War Veterans Association

72
UPDATE 03
Saluting The Flag
The 2009 NDAA clarified actions to be
taken during the playing of the
National Anthem. It authorizes individuals
in uniform to give the military salute
at the first note of the anthem and maintain
that position until the last note.
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
who are present but not in uniform
may render the military salute in the manner
provided for individuals in uniform;
and all other persons present should face
the flag and stand at attention with their
right hand over the heart, and men not in
uniform, if applicable, should remove
their headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being
over the heart.
On 29 Jan 08,
Members of the Armed
Forces and veterans
who are present but
not in uniform may
render the military
salute in the manner
provided for individuals
in uniform;...
President Bush
signed a law
amending federal
code to allow
a veteran to
salute the U.S.
flag while not in
uniform in certain,
but not all,
situations. The
amended federal
code addresses actions for a viewer of the
U.S. flag during its hoisting, lowering or
passing. In these instances, the law allows
a veteran in civilian attire to salute the
flag. All other persons present should face
the flag, or if applicable, remove their
headdress with their right hand and hold it
at the left shoulder, the hand being over
the heart. Citizens of other countries present
should stand at attention.
All such conduct toward the flag in a
moving column should be rendered at the
moment the flag passes. However, another
section of federal code that specifically
relates to actions of those reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance was not amended. In
this case, a veteran in civilian attire is not
specifically authorized to render a hand
salute during the Pledge.
In any case, a veteran in civilian
clothes is authorized to place their right
hand over their heart as has been tradition
[Source: NCOA Leg Actions 22 Oct 08
++]
B-26 from page 27
An aerial view of Kunsan AFB, K-8
direct support of the ground forces along
the front lines. One day I was the lead
bombardier of a flight of seven of our
squadron birds—all of which dropped
their load of 500-pounders on my release.
As it was at level flight at 10,000 ft, on
a heading of 90 degrees for more than 10
minutes, we picked up considerable flak.
We lost no aircraft, however, and made it
back safely. Nonetheless, it vividly
reminded me of a mission I flew as a tail
gunner in a B-24 Liberator on Christmas
Day 1944 over the Battle of the Bulge during
which the flak was thick and close
According to KORWALD records,
there were 159 B-26s lost during the
Korean War: three B-26s, 118 B26 Bs,
and 38 B-26 Cs. All three B-26s were lost
in 1951 (2 January, 24 March, and 15
August). None of the tail numbers are
known.
Details about the first loss are sketchy.
Records say only that it crashed while on
an Intruder mission.
The second, from 452nd Bomb Wing
(L), 730th Bomb Squadron, was hit by
anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission.
It landed at Suwon to drop off a
wounded crew member, TSgt Ralph H.
159 B-26s Lost in Korea
enough to hear. Oh, the perils of a young
airman.
Back to the B-26. It did the job it was
called for. It hacked away at trucks and
trains carrying supplies to the front line. It
would hit supply dumps and troops, and
work with jet fighter bombers is close air
support missions. And, as a 26-year-old
1st Lieutenant, I was content that I was
part of that effort and decided that the Air
Force was a career worth pursuing.
And I did!
Major Rafael Ramos, USAF (Ret), 2602
Starling Lane, Bradenton, FL 34209
Painter.
The third, from 3rd Bomb Group, 90th
Bomb Squadron, was hit by anti-aircraft
fire over enemy territory. It landed at
90th Composite Wing RAAF Base.
Two members of the crew, 1Lt
Raymond W. Johnson and 1Lt Kenneth
E. Tonkin, were wounded in the incident.
The stories of the B-26 Bs and B-26
Cs are in many cases more lethal.
Although we cannot detail each one here,
readers can access the details of their
individual fates at: http://www.dtic.mil/
dpmo/pmkor/korwald_afct.htm
January – February 2009
The Graybeards