“BALLOONS UP” – SHORT LIFE OF THE ARMY BALLOON SERVICE

French Cagout R going up operated by men trained at Fort Omaha.

Technological advances correspond to a lot of monies spent on projects becoming out-of-date by the time of final completion or very soon after.  Excellent cases abound in the field of defense spending.  Take the example of the US Army Balloon Service for illustrative purpose.

Continue reading

MEUSE-ARGONNE CEMETERY – VALOR BUT NOT QUITE ENOUGH

Distinguished Service Cross – established in 1918 as a second rank for valor to the Medal of Honor.

Others beyond the golden dead (Medal of Honor winners have their names inscribed in gold at cemeteries administered by the American Battlefields and Monuments Commission (ABMC)) earned medals for valor. Their headstones are inscribed with their awards, as well, here at Meuse-Argonne ABMC Cemetery, just not in gold. You have to look a little harder.

This is the second of a series looking at some of the men and women lying buried at America’s largest cemetery in Europe, Meuse-Argonne ABMC Cemetery in Romagne, France. Here, we look at the award given out on the second rung of heroism in the pantheon of awards for heroism in the American military system – the Distinguished Service Cross.

Continue reading