Tag Archives: Memorial Day weekend

May 25, 2025 · 10:45 pm

MEMORIAL DAY POSTS FROM BALLADEER’S BLOG

Balladeer’s Blog hopes all of you are having a respectful Memorial Day weekend. I’ll have a brand new Memorial Day blog post tomorrow, but for another seasonal post here are some of my Memorial Day offerings from years past.

I’ve always looked at neglected conflicts or battles. The military members who died in those actions are sometimes overlooked in the big picture.

2012 – THE TOP FOUR FORGOTTEN CONFLICTS IN U.S. HISTORY – A look at the forgotten Revolutionary War battles after Yorktown (1781-1782), the Mexican War (1846-1848), the Nicaraguan Conflict (1926-1928), and the Philippine War (1899-1902).

2013 – FORGOTTEN U.S. NAVAL BATTLES OF WORLD WAR ONE – There were clashes between German U-Boats and the U.S. Navy ships transporting the American Expeditionary Force to Europe, the years-long underwater mining campaign, the German attack on Orleans, MA, the attack on Austria-Hungary’s naval base at Durazzo, Albania and much more.

2013 – THE TOP FOUR FORGOTTEN MILITARY UNITS FROM AMERICAN WARS – Looking at the Oneida Indians First Allies Unit from the Revolutionary War, Doniphan’s Thousand from the Mexican War, the “Yankee Samurai” (Nissei Battalion of 2,000 Japanese-Americans) from World War 2, and the racially integrated 1st Rhode Island Regiment from the Revolutionary War. 

2014 – SOME MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS FROM THE PHILIPPINE WAR OF 1899-1902 – Servicemen from various branches of the armed forces were honored for their heroism during this conflict, including some from Young’s Scouts. Medals were issued for actions at the Sohotan River, Samar, Bayong, San Ysidro, Loac and Catubig. Continue reading →

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May 25, 2025 · 2:25 pm

ELEVEN MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS FROM WORLD WAR ONE

Medal of HonorBalladeer’s Blog offers up a Memorial Day weekend post. In keeping with World War One’s “Eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” tradition that spawned Veterans Day in November, here are eleven WW1 figures who were awarded the Medal of Honor.

J. HUNTER WICKERSHAM

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant, US Army

Site: Limey, France on September 12th, 1918

Citation: Advancing with his platoon during the St. Mihiel offensive, he was severely wounded in 4 places by the bursting of a high-explosive shell. Before receiving any aid for himself he dressed the wounds of his orderly, who was wounded at the same time.

He then ordered and accompanied the further advance of his platoon, although weakened by the loss of blood. His right hand and arm being disabled by wounds, he continued to fire his revolver with his left hand until, exhausted by loss of blood, he fell and died from his wounds before aid could be administered.

Jake AllexJAKE ALLEX

Rank: Corporal, US Army

Site: Chipilly Ridge, France on August 9th, 1918

Citation: At a critical point in the action, when all the officers with his platoon had become casualties, Cpl. Allex took command of the platoon and led it forward until the advance was stopped by fire from a machinegun nest.

He then advanced alone for about 30 yards in the face of intense fire and attacked the nest. With his bayonet he killed 5 of the enemy, and when it was broken, used the butt of his rifle, capturing 15 prisoners.

FRANK MONROE UPTON

Rank: Quartermaster – US Navy

Site: The USS Florence H. on April 17th, 1918 Continue reading →

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May 28, 2023 · 1:32 pm

THE TEXAS NAVY

Balladeer’s Blog’s main Memorial Day post will be tomorrow but here’s a seasonal item for the holiday weekend. 

Texas NavyThe Memorial Day Holiday is marked here at Balladeer’s Blog with posts about neglected conflicts and neglected military units from American history. The latest unit to be examined is the Navy of the Republic of Texas. I’ll examine the period from the Texas Revolution against the tyrannical Mexican government up through the Texas Republic joining the U.S. as the State of Texas.

During the Fall Season of 1835 Texas rebelled against Mexico’s despotism and in March of 1836 officially declared their independence. On September 1st, 1835 two Texas ships – the San Felipe and Laura – clashed with the Mexican vessel Correo de Mejico. Maritime fallout from the incident severely limited Mexico’s efforts to prevent the rebellious Texans from importing arms and supplies for the conflict.

By November of 1835 the Texas government established an official navy to serve at sea and along the Rio Grande. Commodore Charles E Hawkins was in command. During the Texas Revolution their navy prevented the Mexican Navy from establishing a blockade of the new Republic’s coast and its port cities. Those naval forces simultaneously raided Mexican merchant ships, plundering supplies for the Texan land forces.  Continue reading →

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May 27, 2021 · 7:58 pm

11 MEMORIAL DAY ARTICLES ABOUT NEGLECTED CONFLICTS AND UNITS

mascot sword and gun pic

BALLADEER’S BLOG

With Memorial Day Weekend fast upon us, Balladeer’s Blog has been getting requests for readers’ favorite holiday-themed blog posts from the past. I want to post some new ones, too, so let me first post this item synopsizing items from the past complete with links if you want to read the entire article.

THE TOP FOUR FORGOTTEN CONFLICTS IN U.S. HISTORY – A brief look at 1781-1782, the neglected final year of fighting in the Revolutionary War, plus takes on the Mexican War (1846-1848), the Nicaragua Conflict (1926-1928) and the Philippine War (1899-1902). Click HERE.

AMERICA’S NAVAL WAR WITH FRANCE (1798-1801) – Often called a “Quasi-War” because of how few land battles there were and because no formal declaration of war was made, this conflict featured a lot of fascinating action on the high seas. The men who died fighting in it deserve to be remembered just as much as those who died in more high-profile wars. PART ONE.  PART TWO.

TWENTY COLD WAR ATTACKS ON AIRCRAFT – Throughout the Cold War, soldiers, sailors and pilots faced danger and even death in multiple clashes which were downplayed at the time to avoid an escalation of hostilities. Click HERE.

Oneida Nation flag

Oneida Nation’s First Allies Unit

TOP FOUR FORGOTTEN UNITS IN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY – A look at Doniphan’s Thousand from the Mexican War, the Oneida Nation’s First Allies Unit from the Revolutionary War, the Yankee Samurai Unit from World War Two and the country’s very first racially integrated army unit, the First Rhode Island Regiment in the Revolutionary War. Click HERE.

THE TEXAS NAVY – A very neglected aspect of the Texas War of Independence from Mexico. Click HERE. Continue reading →

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May 26, 2017 · 9:24 pm

FOUR NEGLECTED MILITARY UNITS FROM AMERICAN WARS

As part of this Memorial Day weekend Balladeer’s Blog offers an examination of neglected areas of United States military history.

Oneida Nation's First Allies Unit

Oneida Nation’s First Allies Unit

4. THE ONEIDA NATION’S FIRST ALLIES UNIT 

Conflict: Revolutionary War

Comment: The Oneida Nation of Native Americans were America’s first allies. During the Revolutionary War most Native American tribes sided with the British but the Oneida Nation, under Chief Shenendoah, led his people to ally themselves with the emerging United States. The Oneida alliance with the U.S. therefore PREDATED France’s recognition of an independent America.

The Oneida warriors fought alongside American forces throughout upstate New York, most notably at the Battles of Oriskany and Saratoga. They also provided desperately needed food and medical supplies for the Continental Army during the terrible winter at Valley Forge. Two treaties were signed and honored to this very day regarding Oneida sovereignty, retention of their land and a yearly ceremonial delivery of bolts of cloth to the Oneida leaders. That ceremony continues once a Continue reading →

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