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March 2010 Announcement

Part #: DI-240271 - Santa Fe "Keep Him Flying" - American Homefront Series, from the America's Honor Collection
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Part #: DI-240311 - First Armored ision - The America's Honor Collection
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Part #: DI-240111 Army 101st Airborne - The America's Honor Collection
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The 101st Airborne ision (Air Assault) has demonstrated the characteristics of military professionalism since the unit's activation Aug. 15, 1942.

On August 19, 1942, the first commander, Maj. Gen. William C. Lee, promised his new recruits that the 101st has no history, but it has a "Rendezvous with destiny."

As a ision, the 101st has never failed that prophecy. During World War II, the 101st Airborne ision led the way on D-Day in the night drop prior to the invasion. When surrounded at Bastogne, Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe answered "NUTS!" and the Screaming Eagles fought on until the siege was lifted. For their valiant efforts and heroic deeds during World War II, the 101st Airborne ision was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations.

General Order Number Five, which gave birth to the ision, reads, "The 101st Airborne ision, activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Like the early American pioneers whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of this nation, we have broken with the past and its traditions in order to establish our claim to the future.

"Due to the nature of our armament, and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves, we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far-reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme.

"Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle. This is a fitting emblem for a ision that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies.

"The history we shall make, the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people, depends wholly and completely on the men of this ision. Each inidual, each officer and each enlisted man, must therefore regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of the nation. Each, in his own job, must realize that he is not only a means, but an indispensable means for obtaining the goal of victory. it is, therefore, not too much to say that the future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne ision."

The 101st Airborne ision was reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckinridge, Ky., in 1948 and again in 1950. It was reactivated again in 1954 at Fort Jackson, S.C., and in March 1956, the 101st was transferred, less personnel and equipment to Fort Campbell, Ky., to be reorganized as a combat ision.

In the mid-1960s, the 1st Brigade and support troops were deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, followed by the rest of the ision in late 1967. In almost seven years of combat in Vietnam, elements of the 101st participated in as many as 15 campaigns, earning additional laurels to their proud name.

In 1968, the 101st took on the structure and equipment of an airmobile ision. Today, the 101st stands as the Army's and world's only air assault ision with unequaled strategic and tactical mobility.

In January 1991, the 101st once again had its "Rendezvous with Destiny" in Iraq during the deepest combat air assault into enemy territory in the history of the world. Miraculously, the 101st sustained no soldiers killed in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war.

Fort Campbell soldiers have supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia, then later supplied peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia.

In quest of its "Rendezvous with Destiny", the ision has been chosen to develop and exploit the doctrine of air assault - Tomorrow's ision in Today's Army.
http://www.campbell.army.mil/dhistory.htm

Part #: DI-240121 - Navy Sea Bees - The America's Honor Collection
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The Seabees- "We Build, We Fight!"

Because civilians couldn't be used due to International laws, the Navy needed a Militarized Construction Force to build advance bases in World War Two. Rear Admiral Ben Moreell was tasked to form a Construction Battalion, or CB, which is where the unit got it's name. Admiral Moreell gave the newly formed Seabees their motto- "We Build, We Fight" Construimus, Batuimus, and the unit was born.

To form the Seabees, recruits were sought who needed little or no training. After all, there was a war on, and it was under different conditions than we had ever fought before. Recruits came from all walks of construction life, including men who built Boulder Dam. All in all, over 325,000 men joined the Seabees and their efforts in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres made our victory possible.

Typical of the Seabee spirit, the first decorated Seabee hero of the war, Seaman 2nd Class Lawrence C. "Bucky" Meyer, USNR, was among the Seabees of the 6th battalion who worked on Henderson Field. In his off-time, he salvaged and repaired an abandoned machine gun, which, on 3 October 1942, he used to shoot down a Japanese Zero fighter making a strafing run. For this exploit, he was awarded the Silver Star. It was, however, a posthumous award, for 13 days after shooting down the plane, "Bucky" Myer was killed in action when the gasoline barge on which he was working was struck by Japanese naval gunfire.

It was during the landing on Treasury Island in the Solomons, on 28 November 1943, that Fireman 1st Class Aurelio Tassone, USNR, of the 87th Naval Construction Battalion created that legendary figure of the Seabee astride his bulldozer rolling over enemy positions. Tassone was driving his bulldozer ashore during the landing when Lieutenant Charles E. Turnbull, CEC, USNR, told him a Japanese pillbox was holding up the advance from the beach. Tassone drove his dozer toward the pillbox, using the blade as a shield, while Lieutenant Turnbull provided covering fire with his carbine. Under continuous heavy fire, Tassone crushed the pillbox with the dozer blade, killing all 12 of its occupants. For this act Tassone was awarded the Silver Star.

Although Seabees were only supposed to fight to defend what they built, such acts of heroism were numerous. In all, Seabees earned 33 Silver Stars and 5 Navy Crosses during World War II. But they also paid a price: 272 enlisted men and 18 officers killed in action. In addition to deaths sustained as a result of enemy action, more than 500 Seabees died in accidents, for construction is essentially a hazardous business.

The Seabees have participated in every major conflict since. In Korea, they performed acts that facilitated the UN. During Operation Deep Freeze in Antartica, they build a 200 foot runway. In Scotland, they created a floating drydock and service facility for Polaris submarines. In Viet Nam, before the conflict, they started as part of Task Force 90's "Passage to Freedom. During the conflict, they were invaluable in constructing support systems and bases, including some crucial locations to support the Special Forces.

Since then the Seabees have modernized, increased their battle readiness profile, and participated in every action of the combined military from the invasion of Granada to disaster relief in major floods and hurricanes. Their "Can Do" attitude has served the military well, and they stand ready to serve in time of war or time of peace.

Many thanks to Dr. Vincent A. Transano, command historian of the Naval Engineering Command.
For a more detailed history, go to http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq67-1.htm

Eventually the AVG contract expired and the China Air Task Force and 23rd Fighter Squadron carried on as the "Flying Tigers" under the command of Brig Gen Chennault.

Their numbers grew in China and by special order of the President in March 1943, the 14th Air Force was established by Army Air Force Chief Lt Gen "Hap" Arnold. Chennault continued as the commander and was promoted to Major General. The "Flying Tigers" conducted effective fighter and bomber operations along a 5,000-mile front from Chunking and Cheng Tu in the west to Indo-China in the south; from the Tibetan Plateau in Burma to the China Sea and Formosa in the east. They were also instrumental in establishing supply of Chinese forces through airlifting cargo across "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater. The Tigers eventually grounded the Japanese Air Force as the war came to a close.

Chennault's record of combat achievements, unrivaled in the annals of World War II, is a testament to his courage, tactical innovation and gritty determination - an air strategist who produced an indominatable fighting force in spite of continuous obstacles. The man, a legend in his own time, was responsible for the destruction of more than 2,100 Japanese planes, the sinking of 2,135,489 tons of enemy shipping, and 59,450 enemy casualties.

Our Entry into Space

After inactivation in January 1946, the 14th Air Force was reactivated to serve Air Defense Command, Continental Air Command (CONAC) and the Pre-Order until 1960. Inactive for six years, the 14th became part of Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) in 1966. In 1968, the 14th assumed the functions of ADCOM's Ninth Aerospace Defense ision and became the 14th Aerospace Force (AEROF), the first command dedicated to space surveillance and tracking.

The 14 AEROF mission performed a major portion of the CONAC space defense responsibilities. The Space Defense Center located in Cheyenne Mountain and operated by the 14 AEROF served as a command post for a global network of electronic and optical sensors that detected, tracked, and identified all man-made objects orbiting the earth. The primary detection and tracking network was the USAF SPACETRACK system. Also included were the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and the Sea Launched Ballistic Missile System with sites located around the world. The 14 AEROF also maintained the 10th Aerospace Defense Squadron, which provided launch services at Vandenberg AFB, with a subordinate unit at Johnston Island in the Pacific.

Delta I

A Brief Return to Flying

On October 8, 1976, the 14 AEROF was redesignated as 14 AF (Pre-Order) at Dobbins AFB, Georgia where it managed airlift forces for the Military Air Command. On July 1, 1993, the 14th Air Force returned to its former space role and the Flying Tigers became a Numbered Air Force for Air Force Space Command, responsible for performing space operations.

The 14th of Today

As the Air Force's sole Numbered Air Force for space, the 14th Air Force space operations mission includes space launch from the east and west coasts, satellite control, missile warning, and space surveillance. Its overall mission is to ensure warfighters are supported by the best space capabilities available. The 14th Air Force consists of two launch wings (the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB, CA and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, FL, Cape Canaveral AS), a space control and missile warning wing (21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, CO), a satellite control wing (50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, CO) and an air base wing supporting Buckley AFB (460th Air Base Wing at Buckley AFB, CO). The "Flying Tigers" now serve as the Air Force space operational component of US Strategic Command. In Fall 1997, the 14th Air Force established the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC)/614th Space Operations Group, at Vandenberg AFB for the 24-hour command and control of all space operations resources. The Flying Tigers - a proud past and a brilliant future.

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/14af/14af_history/

The 1st Marine ision was activated aboard the battleship Texas February 1, 1941. It is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated ision-sized unit in the United States Marine Corps.

ision regiments were in existence as early as March 8, 1911, when the 1st Marines was formed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It saw action in Haiti in 1915, in the Dominican Republic in 1916, and throughout the Caribbean during World War I. The 5th Marines was created in Vera Cruz, Mexico July 13, 1914. It served in Santo Domingo in 1925 and participated in 15 major engagements during World War I. These included Belleau Wood, Chateau and St. Mihiel. On Aug. 11, 1917, 7th Marines was activated in Philadelphia, Penn. It spent the duration of World War I in Cuba and was disbanded after the war. It was reactivated in 1941. The 11th Marines was formed in January 1918 at Quantico, Va., as a light artillery regiment. The regiment went to France as an infantry unit, providing a machine gun company and a guard company. Decommissioned and reactivated twice between world wars, the regiment again served as infantry in Nicaragua. Re-formed in 1940 as a full-fledged artillery unit, 11th Marines joined 1st Marine ision.

Guadalcanal was the first major American offensive of World War II. Launched August 7, 1942, this operation won the ision its first of three World War II Presidential Unit Citations. Others won were for the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.

" The Old Breed" was the unit chosen to land at Inchon, Korea, September 15, 1950, adding one more PUC to its list of decorations. The fifth PUC was for the ision's "attack in the opposite direction," fighting its way out of the Chosin Reservoir against seven Communist Chinese isions. The Chinese suffered an estimated 37,500 casualties trying to stop the Marines' march out of the "Frozen Chosin." Battles between April and September earned the ision its sixth PUC. The 2d Battalion, 1st Marines returned to Guantanamo Bay for two months in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. More than 11,000 Marines of 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade participated in the naval blockade, which forced the withdrawal of the missiles from Cuba.

Fewer than three years later, the ision was again on the move. In 1965, 7th Marines participated in Operations Starlite and Piranha, the first major engagements for American ground troops in South Vietnam. March 1966 saw 1st Marine ision Headquarters established at Chu Lai. By June, the entire ision was in South Vietnam, its zone of operation - the southern two provinces of I Corps - Quang Tin and Quang Ngai. Between March and October 1966 to May 1967, the ision conducted 44 named operations. Major engagements included Operations Hastings and Union I and II. In these operations, 1st Marine ision units decisively defeated the enemy. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the ision was involved in fierce fighting with both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army elements. It was successful in beating back enemy assaults in its operation areas.

After six hard years of combat, 1st Marine ision returned home to Camp Pendleton in 1971, closing another chapter of dedicated service to Corps and country. In 1975, the ision supported the evacuation of Saigon by providing food and temporary shelter at Camp Pendleton for Vietnamese refugees as they arrived in the United States. In 1990 1st Marine ision formed the nucleus of the massive force sent to Southwest Asia in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. During Operation Desert Shield, the ision supported I Marine Expeditionary Force in the defense of Saudi Arabia from the Iraqi threat. In 1991 the ision went on the offensive with the rest of Coalition Forces in Operation Desert Storm. In 100 hours of ground offensive combat 1st Marine ision helped to liberate Kuwait, smashing the Iraqi Army in the process.

Immediately following the Persian Gulf conflict, the ision sent units to assist in relief efforts following a typhoon in Bangladesh (Operation Sea Angel) and a volcanic eruption in the Philippines (Operation Fiery Vigil). In December 1992 Operation Restore Hope, bringing relief to famine-stricken Somalia, kicked off with the early morning amphibious landing of Marines from the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was supported by Battalion Landing Team, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines. More than 15,000 metric tons of food was successfully distributed from 398 different food sites in the city during the operation. The final phase of the operation involved the transition from a U.S. peacemaking force to a United Nations peacekeeping force. U.S. Marine involvement in Operation Restore Hope officially ended April 27, 1993, when the humanitarian relief sector of Mogadishu was handed over to Pakistani forces.

Today 1st Marine ision is a multi-role, expeditionary ground combat force. The ision is employed as the ground combat element (GCE) of I MEF or may provide task-organized forces for assault operations and such operations as may be directed. The 1st Marine ision must be able to provide the ground amphibious forcible entry capability to the naval expeditionary force (NEF) and to conduct subsequent land operations in any operational environment.

The 1st Marine ision is currently composed of 1st, 5th, 7th and 11th Marines; Headquarters Battalion; 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion; 1st and 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions; 1st Combat Engineer Battalion; 1st Tank Battalion; and 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. These units represent a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women.

Headquarters Battalion provides command and administration for 1st Marine ision. Within the battalion are a headquarters and service company, military police company, a communications company, and a truck company. The ision headquarters is located in the 11 Area, while Headquarters Battalion and its companies are located in the 33 Area. The 1st, 5th and 7th Marines each consist of one headquarters company and four infantry battalions, with one battalion deployed outside the continental United States at all times. The infantry battalions are the basic tactical units that the regiment uses to accomplish its mission of locating, closing with and destroying the enemy by fire and close combat. The 1st and 5th Regiments are located in the 53 and 62 Areas, respectively. The 7th Marines is located in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The 11th Marines consists of a headquarters battery and four artillery battalions. The 11th Marines is the primary source of fire support for 1st Marine ision in amphibious assault and subsequent operations ashore. It provides direct and general fire support to frontline units as required by the infantry commanders. The 11th Marines' organic weapon is the 155 mm howitzer (M198 towed howitzers). The Las Pulgas (43) Area is home to 11th Marines, 1/11 and 2/11. Las Flores (41) Area is home to 5/11 and 3/11 is located at Twentynine Palms.

1st Tank Battalion was activated on 1 November 1941 and is located at Twentynine Palms, Calif. Its mission is to provide combat power to 1st Marine ision in the form of amphibious and/or Maritime Preposition Forces; conduct operations ashore utilizing maneuver, armor protected firepower, and shock action in order to close with and destroy the enemy. As a separate battalion, 1st Tank Battalion is responsible for providing armored assets as well as anti-armor systems and staff expertise in their employment. The 1st Tank Battalion is equipped with the M1A1 Abrams Battle Tank.

The 1st Combat Engineer Battalion performs many specific functions while fulfilling its mission of providing both tactical and logistical engineer support to 1st Marine ision. The battalion shares San Mateo (62) Area with 5th Marines.

The mission of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion is to transport the surface assault elements of the landing force from amphibious shipping to inland objectives during the amphibious assault and to provide support to mechanized operations ashore. The amphibious assault vehicles are primarily used to transport personnel in tactical operations. The battalion is located in Camp Del Mar (21) Area.

The ision has two light armored reconnaissance battalions. The mission of a LAR battalion is to conduct reconnaissance, security and economy of force operations, and within its capabilities, limited offensive or delaying operations that exploit the unit's mobility and firepower. 1st LAR Battalion was activated 31 May 1985 and is located at Las Flores (41) Area. 3d LAR Battalion was activated on 11 September 1986 and is located at Twentynine Palms.

The ision reactivated the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion on 8 June 2000 but the battalion was originally activated on 1 March 1937. It now calls the Margarita(33) Area home. Before 1944 Marine Recon was primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 a two company amphibious reconnaissance battalion was formed with the mission of conducting beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. Today the Battalion performs a wide variety of tactical and special operations in support of the ision.

http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/msc/1mar/history.htm

Part #: DI-240151 - Coast Guard 1st District - The America's Honor Collection
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From Maine to the Shrewsbury River in NJ, coastline stretches along 2,000 miles making up the First District. It is best known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and prosperous fishing industry.

District One utilizes a wide variety of Coast Guard assets, including 34 small boat stations, 27 cutters, one air station, and many other marine safety offices, groups, and aids to navigation teams. These resources are kept running by less than 3,700 active duty and Pre-Order members.

With an excess of one million boats registered in the First District, Coast Guard personnel have performed over 8,300 search and rescue cases since 1999. These men and women conduct search and rescue safety inspections, perform maritime law enforcement, respond to oil spills, and provide upkeep for thousands of bouys and other aids to navigation. Together with 6,400 auxiliarists, the First District also educates the public on boating safety.

The First Coast Guard District has shown that truly, it is Always Ready, yesterday, today, and for the future. Semper Paratus!

www.uscg.mil

Stock Checks:

Inventory is a fluid commodity.  It changes by the hour (sometimes by the minute). To retain our pricing structure we maintain stock levels designed to turnover 6 times each year. We cannot guarantee stock status till we have an order in hand. All product is subject to prior sale. If we confirm that we have it, and, while we are waiting for the order it sells, you would be upset that we did not hold it.
We used to hold items but learned a VERY EXPENSIVE lesson. When we held items for customers’ orders, the order never materialized 80%+ of the time.  We lost out on the orders placed while the item was on hold.  Also we wasted staff time that could have been used to pull actual orders.
Since we are well known for finding older stock the fact that it may not be on our shelves at this minute does not mean we can’t get it. So, as we spell out on our terms pages, we don’t do it anymore. You may, however, call in and we will tell you if the items are available and if possible attempt to locate what we don’t have while you are on the phone.