Archive | Tributes

#imnohero #neverforget: Robert M. Hanson, Medal of Honor

Bob Hanson was born on February 4, 1920, in Lucknow, India, to Methodist missionaries. After graduating from Hamline University in 1942, Hanson entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2d Lt on February 1, 1943, and designated a Naval Aviator at NATC Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 19, 1943. He joined VMF-214, the famous Black Sheep Squadron, in June 1943, and shot down 2 enemy aircraft before joining VMF-215 in October 1943. Lt Hanson served with VMF-215 until he was killed in action on February 3, 1944. While flying with VMF-215, Hanson was credited with another 23 aircraft destroyed in aerial combat plus 2 probables, for a total of 25 destroyed and 2 probables during World War II, all while flying F4U-1 Corsair fighters. He was posthumously promoted to Captain and awarded the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as fighter pilot attached to a Marine Fighting Squadron in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, November 1, 1943, and New Britain Islands, January 24, 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant HANSON fought the Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness. On November 1, while flying cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked six enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and destroying one Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor on January 24, First Lieutenant HANSON waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking with devastating fury, brought down four Zeros and probably a fifth. Handling his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

http://www.veterantributes.org/

#imnohero #neverforget: Detective Micheal Robert Doty, EOW January 17, 2018

MICHEAL ROBERT DOTY

https://www.odmp.org/officer/23511-detective-micheal-robert-doty

Detective Micheal Doty succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while searching for a subject who had shot a York County Sheriff’s canine handler earlier in the night.

Deputies had originally responded to a domestic disturbance at which a man had attacked his wife before fleeing into a wooded area near his home. The man ambushed a canine officer who was attempting to locate him, wounding him. The subject also shot a law enforcement helicopter that was assisting with the search.

Following the wounding of the canine officer, a SWAT team responded to the scene to continue searching for the man in the 1400 block of South Parham Road.

The man set up a second ambush, wounding Detective Doty and two other members of the SWAT team before being shot and wounded.

Detective Doty was flown to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he died the following day.

On May 22, 2018, to avoid the death penalty, the 47-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and several other charges. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Detective Doty served first with the York Police Department and later with the York County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

#imnohero #neverforget: William D. Halyburton, Jr., Medal of Honor

Bill Halyburton was born on August 2, 1924, in Canton, North Carolina. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 4, 1943, and was trained at the Hospital Corps School at Naval Training Station Bainbridge, Maryland, receiving his rating as a Pharmacist’s Mate in 1944. After completing combat training at Camp Pendleton, California, Halyburton embarked aboard the transport ship USS General M.M. Patrick (AP-150) in December 1944 to join the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Pacific. He went ashore as a Corpsman with the Marines during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945, and was killed in action while giving aid to an injured Marine on May 10, 1945. PM2C Halyburton was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. The guided missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG-40) was named in his honor in 1981.

His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy’s merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

http://www.veterantributes.org/

#neverforget #imnohero: JOSEPH WILLIAM SHINNERS,

Master Police Officer Joseph William Shinners | Provo Police Department, Utah

JOSEPH WILLIAM SHINNERS

Master Police Officer Joseph Shinners was shot and killed in Orem, Utah while attempting to arrest a wanted fugitive at 10:00 p.m.

Investigators had received information that the wanted subject was going to be in the area of a retail store at 50 West University Parkway, in Orem. Members of the Provo Police Department and the Orem Police Department located the subject in the parking lot and attempted to take him into custody. During the arrest the man opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Shinners. The subject was also wounded in the shootout and is in custody.

Officer Shinners was transported to Utah Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly before midnight.

Officer Shinners had served with the Provo Police Department for three years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Master Police Officer. He is survived by his wife and young son.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/23880-master-police-officer-joseph-william-shinners

#neverforget: Trooper Anthony A. Raspa, New Jersey State Police, EOW May 30, 2015

Trooper Anthony Raspa was killed in a vehicle crash on I-195 near mile marker 9 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, at approximately 12:48 am.

His patrol car he was driving struck a deer in the travel lane, and then left the roadway and collided with a tree. He and his partner were both transported to CentraState Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Trooper Raspa had served with the New Jersey State Police for 19 months.
http://www.odmp.org/officer/22497-trooper-anthony-a-raspa

#imnohero: Brooke E. Allen, Major General O-8, U.S. Air Force

Brooke Allen was born on September 1, 1910, in Columbus County, North Carolina. He was commissioned a 2d Lt of Infantry through the Army ROTC program at Davidson College, North Carolina, on June 1, 1933, and joined the Flying Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps on June 20, 1933. Lt Allen was awarded his pilot wings at Kelly Field, Texas, in July 1934, and then served with the 9th Bomb Group at Mitchel Field, New York, from July 1934 to September 1939. His next assignment was as an intelligence officer with the 18th Bomb Wing at Hickam Field, Hawaii, from September 1939 to December 1940, followed by service as a squadron commander with the 5th Bomb Group at Hickam Field from January 1941 to January 1942. Col Allen served on the staff of 7th Air Force in Hawaii from January to March 1942, and then served as commander of the 42nd Bomb Squadron of the 11th Bomb Group in Hawaii from March to July 1942. During this time, Col Allen led his squadron of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers in four attacks against the Japanese Task Force during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. He again served on the staff of 7th Air Force from July to September 1942, and then took command of the 5th Bomb Group and led them in combat at Guadalcanal from October 1942 to August 1943. Col Allen returned to the U.S. in August 1943 and served on the staff of Headquarters 2nd Air Force at Colorado Springs, Colorado, until July 1945. He attended Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from August 1945 to March 1946, and then served as deputy commander of the North Atlantic Wing for Air Training Command at Westover Field, Massachusetts, from April to June 1946. His next assignment was as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Air Force Representative to the United Nations Military Staff Committee in New York City from July 1946 to May 1948, followed by service with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from May 1948 to February 1951. Gen Allen was commander of the Air Pictorial Service in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from February 1951 to August 1952, and then was chief of staff for the Military Air Transport Service at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from September 1952 to June 1954. Gen Allen served another tour at the Pentagon from July 1954 to March 1955, followed by service as commander of the Continental Division of the Military Air Transport Service at Kelly AFB, Texas, from April 1955 to July 1957. He was commander of the 6th Allied Tactical Air Force at Izmir, Turkey, from July 1957 to June 1959, and then served as commander of Headquarters Command at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C., from August 1959 until his retirement from the Air Force on January 1, 1966. Brooke Allen died on May 30, 1992, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brooke Empie Allen, Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber and Commander of the 42d Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (H), HAWAIIAN Air Force, in aerial action against enemy Japanese Naval surface forces during the period 4 to 6 June 1942, at Midway. Lieutenant Colonel Allen led his squadron of B-17s in four attacks against the Japanese Task Force during the first two crucial days of the Battle of Midway. The gallant leadership, personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Allen on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Hawaiian Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

#neverforget: Police Officer Gregg Anthony “Nigel” Benner, Rio Rancho Police Department, New Mexico, EOW May 25, 2015

Police Officer Nigel Benner was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of Pinetree and Southern Roads at approximately 8:15 pm.

Officer Benner was about to go off-duty when he spotted a vehicle driving in an erratic manner. Inside that vehicle was a female driver and her boyfriend. The two were driving around Rio Rancho looking for a home to burglarize. When Officer Benner activated his light, the vehicle stopped. Officer Benner approached and began to speak with the female driver and he obtained identification from her. The passenger however, provided false identification information to the officer. After conducting a computer check, Officer Benner returned to the suspect’s vehicle to question them further, but the suspects fled in the vehicle.

Officer Benner pursued the vehicle for a short distance before the passenger shot his girlfriend in the foot, and pushed her from the vehicle. Officer Benner stopped to check on her well being, and then continued to pursue the suspect. A short distance away, the suspect shot Officer Benner several times. Wounded, Officer Benner walked back toward the female and asked “What was his name?”, before collapsing.

Officer Benner was transported to UNM Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The female suspect was arrested at the scene. The male suspect was arrested later that evening after robbing a gas station at gunpoint. On September 23rd, 2016, the male subject was convicted of murder and multiple other felonies related to the incident. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The female subject had previously accepted a plea deal to lesser charges.

Officer Benner was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Rio Rancho Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and three stepchildren.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/22494-police-officer-gregg-anthony-nigel-benner

#imnohero: Richard K. Allee, Colonel O-6, U.S. Air Force

Richard Allee was born on December 14, 1935, in Port Jervis, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on July 18, 1955, and was trained as an aircraft mechanic. Allee entered the Aviation Cadet Program on February 12, 1957, and was commissioned a 2Lt and awarded his pilot wings on June 12, 1958. Lt Allee next went through B-47 Stratojet combat crew training, and then was assigned to Whiteman AFB, Missouri, as a B-47 pilot. In August 1963, Capt Allee was transferred to Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, where he flew B-47s with the 352nd Bomb Squadron. He next transitioned into flying C-47 transports with the 605th Air Commando Squadron at Howard AFB, Panama, from July 1964 to March 1968. Allee then became an F-105 Thunderchief pilot and was assigned to the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. He flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from April 1968 until his aircraft was shot down on December 21, 1968. Major Allee was listed as Missing in Action until August 17, 1979, when his status was changed to Killed in Action. During this time, he was promoted to Colonel. His remains were returned to the United States on December 23, 1996.

His Air Force Cross Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Major Richard K. Allee for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over Southeast Asia on 21 December 1968. On that date, Major Allee was attacking an extremely important supply and storage area containing a large concentration of unfriendly forces and located in one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. During the initial phase of his dive bombing attack, Major Allee’s aircraft sustained critical damage from lethal antiaircraft artillery fire defending this important target. Although his aircraft was burning, he demonstrated professional dedication and exceptional valor by continuing his attack and delivering his ordnance directly on target. Knowing that his mission was now accomplished, Major Allee attempted recover from his dive bombing attack but the severity of the damage sustained by his aircraft made recovery unsuccessful and his aircraft was observed impacting in the immediate target area. Through his superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and extraordinary heroism, Major Allee reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

#neverforget: Detective Kerrie Sue Orozco, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska, EOW May 20, 2015

Detective Kerrie Orozco was shot and killed as she and other members of the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve a warrant on a man wanted for a shooting in September 2014.

The subject opened fire on the officers as they approached a home near the intersection of Read Street and Martin Avenue. Members of the task force returned fire, fatally wounding the man.

Detective Orozco was transported to Creighton University Medical Center where she succumbed to her wounds.

Detective Orozco had served with the Omaha Police Department for seven years. She is survived by her husband, newborn daughter, and two stepchildren.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/22489-detective-kerrie-sue-orozco

#neverforget: Lance Corporal Jonathan Wade Parker, South Carolina Highway Patrol, EOW May 16, 2005

Trooper Jonathan Parker was killed when his patrol car was deliberately rammed during a vehicle pursuit of a robbery suspect near the intersection of Highway 527 and Highway 378.

The suspect had robbed a convenience store at a truck stop on I-95 earlier in the morning and was being pursued by Clarendon County deputies and Manning police officers.

Trooper Parker, who was ahead of the pursuit, had stopped his patrol car on the shoulder of the highway to wait for the pursuit to reach his location. It is believed that the suspect intentionally drove into the patrol car, causing it to burst into flames. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended at the scene.

The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. He was sentenced to an additional 25 years for failure to stop.

Trooper Parker had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for 5 years, and had previously served with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife, parents, brother, and four sisters.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/17758-lance-corporal-jonathan-wade-parker

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