Bob Geurtze on LinkedIn: History 101 : Edward "Eddie" Crook Jr. (April 19, 1929 – July 25, 2005)… (2024)

History 101: SergeantRobert Allen Owens(September 13, 1920 – November 1, 1943) was aUnited States Marinewho waskilled in actionin thePacific campaignofWorld War II. He wasposthumouslyawardedhis nation'shighest military award — theMedal of Honor— for his heroic actions on his first day in combat atBougainville. The commanding general of the3rd Marine Divisiondescribed Owens' heroism — "Among many brave acts on the beachhead of Bougainville, no other single act saved the lives of more of his comrades or served to contribute so much to the success of the landings."On November 1, 1943, theMarine amphibious landing at Cape Torokina,Bougainville, was strongly resisted by the sole piece of artillery available to the Japanese defenders, a well-camouflaged75 millimeter regimental gun. Strategically placed and protected within acoconutlog bunker, the gun had already destroyed four landing craft and damaged ten others, seriously threatening the success of the operation. No boats could approach the beach without passing within 150 yards or less from the muzzle. The emplacement was so situated that it could only be attacked from the front and also in a position whereby rifle fire and grenades could not reach the gun crew.Sizing up the situation, Sgt Owens decided that the only way to neutralize the gun was to charge it directly from the front. Calling on four volunteers to assist him, he positioned them where they could place supporting bunkers under fire. At the moment when he judged he had a fair chance of reaching his objective, the six-feet-three, 232-pound Marine charged right into the very mouth of the still rapidly firing cannon. Entering the emplacement through the fire port, he chased the Japanese out the back where they were cut down by his rifleman. Pursuing them, he in turn was instantly killed.It was discovered that a round had been placed in the chamber and the breech was almost closed at the moment that Sgt Owens came through the fire port. Over 150 rounds of high-explosive shells were stacked and ready for firing. The enemy had counted heavily on this weapon to stop the Marine landing. They made several determined but fruitless efforts to recapture the piece. Maj GenAllen H. Turnage, Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division, said, "Among many brave acts on the beachhead of Bougainville, no other single act saved the lives of more of his comrades or served to contribute so much to the success of the landings." Semper Fi

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History 101: U.S. Marine Raiders gathered in front of a Japanese dugout which they helped to take on Cape Torokina during the Bougainville campaign in January, 1944.Semper Fi!!

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History 101: Wilbert McClure (October 29, 1938 – August 6, 2020) was an American professional boxer. As an amateur he won gold medals in the light middleweight division at the 1959 Pan American Games and the 1960 Olympics. As a professional he competed from 1961 to 1970.McClure earned degrees in literature and philosophy in 1961 from the University of Toledo and a doctorate in psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1973. He later became a Massachusetts state boxing commissioner. He was honored in August 2012 for his life's work by the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School.McClure was found guilty in Wilson v. McClure et al, the first legal case in the US to reach a federal court jury to challenge the concept of same-race discrimination in September 2000. The case was brought by race-black licensed boxing promoter Zeke Wilson against a state sports commission headed by the race-black chairman for damage reparations and punitive redress after his right to conduct professional boxing events was violated.In this case, race-white boxing commissioner William Pender performed direct discriminatory acts, while the race-black commission chairman Wilbert McClure failed to provide the promoter sufficient protection under his authority and cooperated in the unjust cancellation of a series of boxing events, causing financial harm to the promoter. A unanimous jury verdict found that the race-black Chairman was guilty of racial discrimination along with race-white Commissioner William Pender and both defendants were assessed punitive damages in addition to the compensatory damages awarded by the jury.The precedent-setting case is the subject of the non-fiction book, The Eighth Round. The book is being adapted into a motion picture by the same title. R.I.P. Skeeter McClure

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It was 43 seconds into the 13th round when Rocky delivered his Suzie Q punch to the Jaw of Jersey Joe Walcott becoming the Heavy weight champion of the world. It has become one of boxing's most legendary punches. It was not an easy night for Rocky he was losing the fight and could barely see out of one eye..

History 101: George Chuvalo fought them all in the golden era of heavy-weight boxing and never kissed the canvas..''Angelo Dundee told me that I had Muhammad hurt and ready to go in the fifth round of our second fight, in Vancouver. I nailed him right on the point of the chin and he wobbled... but I thought he was fooling around. Usually when I hit a guy on the button, something happened. But Ali was able to suck it up and recover.''- George Chuvalo

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New book has arrived, I read a book about every 10 days.. exercise for the brain is important.. Keep Punching my friends. This election year is historical no matter which side of the fence you are on..

The Coast Guard entering Depot Bay Oregon on a very stormy day..

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New Book has arrived...think about it...Parking reqirements!! The enormity of it makes it a very interesting subject...2 chapters in.." Hail Mary, full of grace, help me find a parking space."

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