The U.S. Army.

Here’s a not so brief overview of some major events my friends.

There are 2 sections to this tribute.
One’s for the smart folk.
One’s for the silly folk.
And ..one’s..well…for both. Heh.

For the “not in the mood to read all this info” friends..ha..scroll down for the joke section. Heh.

First American unit formed 1747 Known as “His Majesty’s first Independent Company of American Rangers.” Though it served England, the Rangers were American soldiers.

French & Indian War
1758 It began on American soil and was brought to Europe, that war was part of what the French and British called the “Seven Years War.”

Wars and Battles
History of the U.S. Army Time Table

War for Independence
1775-1783 Using small unit ambush techniques, the colonists proved successful against one of the world’s finest armies, even while being outnumbered.

Establishment of the Continental Army June 14, 1775 Congress approved the raising of 10 companies of riflemen to enlist, in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia until the end of the Revolutionary War.

George Washington selected to lead the Continental Army June 15, 1775 Washington, named general and commander in chief, successfully fought against soldiers in large formations using small ambush tactics.

Indian Wars
1790-1891 The army fought American Indians on the plains, southeast, southwest, and Pacific Northwest, driving them from their native lands onto reservations.

First U.S. military academy established 1802 Congress establishes the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.

War of 1812
1812-1815 The war sealed America’s independence. Failing to capture Canada, the army prevented the British from taking Baltimore and New Orleans.

Indian Wars
1817-1863 The 19th century was the era of the great chiefs: Tecumseh, Geronimo, Cochise, Black Kettle, Red Cloud, Sitting Bill, Big Foot, and others.

Mexican War
1846-1848 Soldiers fought for the first time far beyond their frontiers. First time the army administered a military government over a conquered area

Civil War
1861-1865 The many important generals included: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Later, black soldiers were quickly incorporated.

First conscription acts passed 1862 and 1863 Once the initial war fever had dissipated, the South instituted the draft in 1862 while the North waited until 1863.

Battle of Gettysburg
July 1-4, 1863 Considered a turning point in the war, Confederate troops were forced to retreat after an unsuccessful, massive frontal attack.

Gettysburg Address November 1863 Lincoln’s famous short talk was delivered on the Gettysburg battlefield where a national cemetery was declared.

Ulysses S. Grant March 1864 Grant becomes the first man to hold the rank of General of the Army.

Spanish-American War
April-December 1898 Making its mark as an army of great force by war’s end, it helped establish governmental powers over the Philippines.
1900s top of page

World War I
1917-1918 President Woodrow Wilson sent the American Expeditionary Force to the Western front under General John Pershing’s command.

Black combat troops 1917-1918 Nearly 200,000 black soldiers served in Europe, but only 42,000 were classified as combat troops.

National Anthem 1931 “The Star Spangled Banner” officially became the National Anthem.

World War II
1941-1945 The greatest of U.S. generals — Dwight D. Eisenhower, Nelson Bradley and Douglas MacArthur — led the Allies to victory.

D-Day, The Battle of Normandy
June 6, 1944 In the largest, exclusively American field command, 1.3 million men stormed the beaches at Normandy in the greatest amphibious attack in history.

Manhattan Project
1942-1945 U.S. Army engineers participated with civilian scientists to create two atomic bombs.

Korean War
1950-1953 Led by General MacArthur, the war eventually became a stalemate that took the lives of 54,000 Americans and more than two million Koreans and Chinese.

Code of Conduct August 17, 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a code for U.S. soldiers to live by during times of war.

Official U.S. Army song December 12, 1957 U.S. Army announces that “The Army Goes Rolling Along” (”Caisson Song”) was to be verified as their official song.

Vietnam War
1965-1973 Troops were more effectively delivered to precise locations by helicopter. William Westmoreland commanded their involvement.

U.S. Embassy evacuation April 28, 1975 Two days prior to Saigon’s fall, 8,000 people were transported from the U.S. Embassy making it the largest helicopter evacuation in history.

Panama Invasion
1989-1990 It was so successful that troops were withdrawn in two weeks. Some remained to support reconstruction and installation of a new government.

First Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
1991 A coalition force of 34 nations, the United Nations effort was led by U.S. Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.

Iraqi Ceasefire February 27, 1991 About 100 hours after the ground campaign began, President George H.W. Bush declared a ceasefire and that Kuwait had been liberated.

Iraq War (Second Persian Gulf War)
March-April, 2003 After a massive air strike, coalition ground forces invaded Iraq. By mid-April, Saddam Hussein’s army and government had collapsed.

Whew. Now……..Take a deep breath and lighten up!

Who says our guys n dolls aint funny.

“Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.”
General MacArthur

“You, you, and you … Panic. The rest of you, come with me .”
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt.

“If your attack is going too well, you’re walking into an ambush.”
Infantry Journal

“A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what’s left of your unit.”
Army’s magazine of preventive maintenance.

“Aim towards the Enemy.”
Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher

“If the enemy is in range, so are you.”
Infantry Journal

“If you see a bomb technician running, follow him.”
USAF AmmoTroop

“When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.”
U.S. Marine Corps

“Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.”
Unknown Marine Recruit

“Don’t draw fire; it irritates the people around you.”
Your Buddies

Ha.

Seamanship Test
One time during the underway watch the OOD decided to test a Chief Petty Officer’s seamanship. “Chief, what would you do if the forward watch fell off the side of the ship?”

“Easy, sir, I’d call ‘Man Overboard’ and follow the Man Overboard procedures.”

“What would you do if an officer fell overboard?”

“Hmmm,” The Chief said, “Which one, sir?”

God bless our Troops!
Booooooooyah!

Hat ip and curtsey to my friend GMRoper and Spreadin the red white and blue love with my friends at Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Random Yak, DeMediacratic Nation, Adam’s Blog, Maggie’s Notebook, Right Truth, The Amboy Times, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, stikNstein… has no mercy, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Planck’s Constant, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at 10:56 am and is filed under U.S. Military. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.