|
In the Military Gregg K. Kakesako |
See also: For Your Benefit
Inouye’s heroism is
dramatized in ‘Beyond Glory’U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is one of seven Medal of Honor recipients profiled in the 75-minute show "Beyond Glory," based on Larry Smith's 2003 oral-history book, now playing through May 2 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Inouye lost his right arm while fighting with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Italy. The play features Stephen Lang, whose Broadway credits include "Death of a Salesman" with Dustin Hoffman and the movie "A Few Good Men." The segment recounts how Inouye continued to toss a hand grenade at the Germans after a rifle grenade torn off his right arm. It also continues with Lang as Inouye recounting how a nurse taught him to light a cigarette with one hand.
The performance is being staged in theater in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Medal of Honor recipients portrayed include John William Finn as a 93-year-old reflecting on his actions as a Navy lieutenant at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941; James Stockdale, a Navy pilot shot down over North Vietnam and held captive for seven years; and Vernon J. Baker, an African American who had to wait half a century for recognition of his heroism in World War II.
The war in Iraq and Afghanistan have limited the participation of military personnel from Hawaii in exercise Cobra Gold 04 in Thailand May 13-27 which includes the armed forces of Thailand, Singapore, Mongolia and the Philippines. Most of the 13,500 U.S. personnel are from the I Corps at Fort Lewis, Wash., the Army said. With two combat brigades of the 25th Infantry Division in Iraq and Afghanistan, the participation by Schofield Barracks soldiers have been limited to 20 soldiers. Ten Hawaii Air National Guard personnel as well as a handful of Pacific Army reservists specializing in signal and civil affairs will attend. None of Pearl Harbor's warships are in the region.
The exercise is held annually to improve U.S., Thai, Singaporean, Mongolian and Filipino combat readiness and cooperation, and enhance security and humanitarian interests the five countries.
The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke destroyer will be named after Rear Adm. Isaac Campbell Kidd who was killed on Dec. 7, 1941 while serving on board USS Arizona. Kidd was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack. He was the first flag officer to lose his life in World War II, and the first in the U.S. Navy to meet death in action against any enemy. He was commanding officer of the Arizona from September 1938 until February 1940.
He was promoted to rear admiral and assigned as commander Battleship Division One and chief of staff to commander, Battleships, Battle Force. Two other destroyers have been named after Kidd --- the first served from 1943-1974 and is still afloat as a memorial at Baton Rouge, La.; and another one which sailed from 1981-1998.
The Stars and Stripes has reported that the Pentagon is offering $1,000 monthly bonuses for all 20,000 soldiers whose tours in Iraq and Kuwait have been extended beyond a year, according to Army officials. The $1,000 bonus was spelled out in a memorandum recently signed by Charles S. Abell, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. It will be extended to the approximately 704 soldiers in 10 units stationed in Kuwait. The bonus kicks in as soon as a soldier has spent more than 365 days in Iraq, Kuwait or both - either as 12 consecutive months, or a total of 12 months out of 15 months.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other
sources by reporter Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He can be reached can be reached by phone
at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.