Task force Goalpost was comprised of men from the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, along with two tank battalions and artillery. Early in the war many US infantry divisions created ad hoc specialist units for particularly motivated men, see for instance the 29th ‘Ranger’ battalion from the same numbered division which contributed men for pointe du hoc.
It’s likely the ‘raider’ battalion was a similar volunteer force temporarily detached from the regiment for this assault.
Think a Freedom would be risked in such a role today?
Think today's SWO's would feel confident enough to push up that river under fire?
Gotta share this. Sorry...
So happens, while messing about some genealogy stuff today, stumbled across the realization that a distant ancestor was Jacob Wilson Parrott... the first recipient of the Medal of Honor, along with others who participated "Andrew's " Raid" a deep penetration op into Georgia in 1862. I am humbled. Our common ancestor was Frederich Parrott, a Bernese Anabaptist who had fled the then ongoing brutal ethnic cleansing in Switzerland. Its no wonder all of Frederick's sons fought in the American Revolution (one died at Germantown).
I think you will find the heart. I'm not sure you'll find the navigational abilities or the Flag level Command support if things go south and the mission fails. (In which case every E-7 and above will need to die to avoid being pinned with responsibility of failing to carry out an order successfully.)
Sal, great post worthy of a FULL Full Bore! . In 5 years who you gonna "Full Bore"? We aren't producing any "damn the torpedoes, get the objective" officers/crew anymore like Boyd. Rot starts at the head.
I liked his article a few years back on combining low light technology with automated image analysis to identify and track submarines using bioluminescence.
Just wanted to say thank you for these FbFs. I raised a sailor (actually he’s an NFO, just got his wings) and we both find these posts inspiring. Men of honor still serve.
Those old four pipers sure did find themselves used for a lot of things in WW II. Crummy for ASW (2 screw-single rudder=very wide turning diameter) but were minesweepers, transports and a whole bunch of odd ball one offs as discussed above.
I find it curious that 100 years ago we could build more than a hundred of these, and in 20 years we seem to have produced rather less with a similar misison:
The CDR Boyd's are no more. The ranks of zeroes are full of lying, ass-kissing spineless crabs who can't be trusted to lead anyone to the pisser.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/new-clues-about-2020-campaign-disinformation
I wish you wouldn't hold back your opinions and say what you really think :-)
Just a Fullbore Friday core Navy values reinforcement piece.
Fascinating story. Even more interesting to track along with Google Earth as if you were there.
Take a look here: https://goo.gl/maps/J4rpfTALBmSa4M1g6
^ A very daunting Sea & Anchor detail, to be sure. Especially under fire.
I know the USS Dallas write-up calls the passengers "Army Raider Det", rather than Rangers, but:
1. Army never had Raiders, that was USMC
2. 1, 2, and 4th Ranger Bns were in theater by the Sicily invasion or earlier
3. The Boyd write-up calls them Rangers
Task force Goalpost was comprised of men from the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, along with two tank battalions and artillery. Early in the war many US infantry divisions created ad hoc specialist units for particularly motivated men, see for instance the 29th ‘Ranger’ battalion from the same numbered division which contributed men for pointe du hoc.
It’s likely the ‘raider’ battalion was a similar volunteer force temporarily detached from the regiment for this assault.
Full Bore for sure...
Think a Freedom would be risked in such a role today?
Think today's SWO's would feel confident enough to push up that river under fire?
Gotta share this. Sorry...
So happens, while messing about some genealogy stuff today, stumbled across the realization that a distant ancestor was Jacob Wilson Parrott... the first recipient of the Medal of Honor, along with others who participated "Andrew's " Raid" a deep penetration op into Georgia in 1862. I am humbled. Our common ancestor was Frederich Parrott, a Bernese Anabaptist who had fled the then ongoing brutal ethnic cleansing in Switzerland. Its no wonder all of Frederick's sons fought in the American Revolution (one died at Germantown).
https://www.mohhc.org/about/first-medals-recipients/andrews-raiders/
Will our kids understand this all is worth fighting for tomorrow?
"Think today's SWO's would feel confident enough to push up that river under fire?"
The last and best service some LCS could perform.
The operative issue is having a Flag officer who understands and can convey to a crew, that ships are expendable if the mission requires it
HMS Campbeltown at St Nazaire comes to mind.
Or USS Satterlee at Pte du Hoc on D-Day
Or USS Samuel B Roberts at Samar
I think you will find the heart. I'm not sure you'll find the navigational abilities or the Flag level Command support if things go south and the mission fails. (In which case every E-7 and above will need to die to avoid being pinned with responsibility of failing to carry out an order successfully.)
https://news.usni.org/2018/05/24/senior-enlisted-mccain-sailor-pleads-guilty-dereliction-charge-collision
Sal, great post worthy of a FULL Full Bore! . In 5 years who you gonna "Full Bore"? We aren't producing any "damn the torpedoes, get the objective" officers/crew anymore like Boyd. Rot starts at the head.
Her commanding officer at the time would be one LCDR Brodie. https://uboat.net/allies/commanders/4052.html
His obituary.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1977/03/16/robert-brodie-retired-navy-rear-admiral/781a52cb-af4c-469c-be81-f1f45b71dabf/
Yeah, I've wondered if Rob Brodie was related (Former USNI Contributor)
I liked his article a few years back on combining low light technology with automated image analysis to identify and track submarines using bioluminescence.
Loved his realistic take on LCS and EPF.
Another great read! Thanks for sharing Sal.
Well done.
The airport's still there, as Kenitra Air Base of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, and was also NAS Port Lyautey.
"destroyer-transport"- sounds like what the Marines need for the first island chain.
Just wanted to say thank you for these FbFs. I raised a sailor (actually he’s an NFO, just got his wings) and we both find these posts inspiring. Men of honor still serve.
"Artillery officer"? Gunnery Officer, surely...
Those old four pipers sure did find themselves used for a lot of things in WW II. Crummy for ASW (2 screw-single rudder=very wide turning diameter) but were minesweepers, transports and a whole bunch of odd ball one offs as discussed above.
They were the Navy we went to war with, and maintained the highest tradtions.
As a modern comparison, we are talking about a ship smaller than a Damen 9813. https://media.damen.com/image/upload/v1631709364/catalogue/defence-and-security/sigma/fast-frigate-9813/product-sheet-fast-frigate-9813.pdf
I find it curious that 100 years ago we could build more than a hundred of these, and in 20 years we seem to have produced rather less with a similar misison:
Displacement
1,215 tons (normal)
1,308 tons (full load)
Length 314 ft 4.5 in (95.822 m)
Beam 30 ft 11.5 in (9.436 m)
Draft 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Propulsion
4 × boilers, 300 psi (2,100 kPa) saturated steam[1]
2 geared steam turbines
27,600 hp (20,600 kW)
2 shafts
Speed 35.5 knots (65.7 km/h)
Range 4,900 nmi (9,100 km) @ 15 kn (28 km/h)
Crew
8 officers
8 chief petty officers
106 enlisted
Armament
4 × 4 inch/50 caliber guns (102 mm)
1 × 3 inch/23 caliber gun (76 mm) (anti-aircraft)
12 × 21 inch torpedo tubes (4 × 3) (533 mm)[1]
Seems the retired Navy Captain says what he thinks when running for office, but nothing when it counted:
https://thespectator.com/topic/recruitment-crisis-national-security-dei-military-biden/