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Kentucky National Guard history in the month of May

May 2, 2011 | By kentuckyguard
dwa The following is a compilation of significant dates in our commonwealth's military history.  For more on the legacy of our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, visit the Kentucky National Guard eMuseum. [caption id="attachment_6847" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Palo Alto during the Mexican-American War"] May 1, 1970 – Cambodia Campaign began (Vietnam War) May 2, 1945– German Unconditional Surrender to Italian Allies (World War II) [caption id="attachment_6875" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Fort Meigs, Ohio (War of 1812)"] May 5, 1813 – Brig. Gen. Green Clay, with 3,000 Kentuckians, reaches besieged Fort Meigs, Ohio.  On orders from General William Henry Harrison divides his force, his part of the force cuts their way through the enemy's lines into the fort. 800 Kentuckians, under Col. Wm. Dudley, are order to cross the Maumee River and attack the guns and spike them so they can no longer fire. Once this was accomplished, the militia pursues what appears to be retreating Indians under the leadership of Tecumseh. After they entered the woods, the Indians counterattacked while the British forces swung around their flanks cutting most off from the river. Only about 150 escaped with the remainder being killed or captured. Of those captured, about 50 were murdered by the Indians before Tecumseh put a stop to it. The British, without use of their artillery, soon lifted the siege and moved back into Canada (War of 1812) May 5, 1942 – Fall of Corregidor (World War II) May 5, 1968 – Mini-Tet began (Vietnam War) [caption id="attachment_6849" align="alignleft" width="237" caption="General Zachary Taylor"] May 8, 1846 – General Zachary Taylor defeats the Mexicans at Palo Alto (Mexican-American War) May 8, 1945 – Pvt. Roy Edward Goodpaster, Company D, 192nd Light Tank Battalion (Harrodsburg Tankers) died at Camp Moji Hospital Fukuoka #4 Kyushu Island Japan of wounds received aboard the “Hell Ships” Oryoku Maru & Enoura Maru (World War II) May 8, 1945 – VE (Victory Europe) Day, Germany’s Unconditional Surrender Signed (World War II) May 8, 1972 – U.S. Navy mined North Vietnamese ports (Vietnam War) May 9, 1781 – McAfee Station, along Salt River attacked by over 150 indians. Only 13 men and their families inside who kept up a gallant defense for near 1/2 day until help arrived from nearby Harrodsburg. One settler killed at onset of action, 1 minor wounded. As pursuit was made the Indians made a stand at the ford of the river 1 more killed and 1 injured when thrown from horse. (Early Indian Wars) May 9, 1846 – General Zachary Taylor defeats the Mexicans at Resaca de la Palma (Mexican-American War) May 9, 1868 – Kentucky Legislature to present a Gold Medal to Samuel Hatfield, of Floyd County, another survivor of the Kentuckians who assisted in achieving Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. May 9, 1868– Kentucky Legislature appropriates funding to repair monument over Daniel Boone's grave, which had been defaced by Federal soldiers during the war. [caption id="attachment_6852" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Daniel Boone's grave"] May 10, 1773 – The McAfee Company (James Jr., Robert, & George McAfee along with James McCoun Jr. and Samuel Adams) left Virginia on a 4-month expedition into Kentucky . Explored lands along Ohio & Kentucky Rivers. descended the Kentucky to where Frankfort now is located, continued exploration of Henry, Franklin, Anderson, & Mercer Counties. Eventually making land claims along Salt River. May 10, 1969 – Battle of Hamburger Hill (Vietnam War) May 10, 1972 – Operation Linebacker (Vietnam War) May 11, 1871 – Re-interment at Crab Orchard, Lincoln, County, of the unknown Southern soldiers who fell at the Battle of Wildcat Mountain, in 1862. [caption id="attachment_6854" align="alignleft" width="187" caption="Lieutenant Hugh McKee"] May 11, 1871 – Killed in the fight between the men from four U.S. war steamers and the Coreans (now Korea), Lt. Hugh McKee, of Lexington, Kentucky, aged 27. He was the first man to enter the fortress, from which the attack was made by the Coreans. His father, Col. William R. McKee, fell nobly at the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847. [caption id="attachment_6864" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Pfc. Wesley Davis Hungate"] May 12, 1942 – Pfc. Wesley Davis Hungate, Company D, 192ndLight Tank Battalion (Harrodsburg Tankers) died at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines of dysentery while a Japanese prisoner of war (World War II) May 13, 1846 – Congress of the United States declares war on Mexico. Maj. Gen. E.P. Gaines makes a requisition on the Governor of Kentucky for 4 regiments of volunteers, comprising 2,400 men (Mexican War) May 13, 1968 – 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery entered active duty and served 11½ months in Vietnam.  Kentucky was only one of two states to have both Air and Army Guard units called up in 1968 (the other being Kansas). Kentucky was the only state to have both Air and Army mobilized units deploy overseas (Vietnam War and Pueblo Call-up) May 17 – Armed Forces Day. May 17, 1846 – Governor Owsley issues a proclamation, appealing to Kentuckians "to form themselves into volunteer companies," and to report to him forthwith (Mexican War) May 18, 1846 – The Louisville Legion, offer their services to the governor, and are accepted (Mexican War) [caption id="attachment_6870" align="alignleft" width="134" caption="Sgt. Ben R. Devine"] May 19, 1942 – Sgt. Ben R. Devine, Company D, 192nd Tank Battalion (Harrodsburg Tankers) died at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines of dysentery while a Japanese prisoner of war (World War II) May 20, 1777 – St. Asaph's or Logan's Fort or Logan's Station resists attack by Indians (Early Indian Wars) May 22, 1846 – Formal proclamation of Governor Owsley for two regiments of infantry or riflemen, and one of cavalry, for the service of the United States against Mexico (Mexican-American War) [caption id="attachment_6858" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="359th Fighter Group patch"] May 24, 1946 – The 359th Fighter Group was redesignated as HQ, 123rd Fighter Group, and allotted to the Air National Guard of Kentucky, together with its colors and World War II battle participation credits. The 368th Fighter Squadron was also allotted to the KyANG with its colors and record, and redesignated as the 165thFighter Squadron. [caption id="attachment_6862" align="alignright" width="189" caption="368th Fighter Squadron patch"] May 25, 1921 – Pvt. Manley Vaughan, Troop C, 53rd Machine Gun Squadron, Louisa, Kentucky, was killed near Borderland W. Va. Kentucky National Guard soldiers from Louisa, Morehead and London were on state active duty from May 14, to June 4, 1921 along the Kentucky – West Virginia border in connection with a coal strike in the Tug River District. At approximately 10 p.m. on May 25, 1921, a West Virginal State Policeman reported some sixty shots fired on the Kentucky shore of the Tug River below Nolan, West Virginia. Lt. Fred See of the Kentucky National Guard was stationed nearby in Pike County and asked by the West Virginia State Police to reconnoiter and try to end the disruption. There was a coal strike in progress in the area and martial law was in effect and the shots were apparently fired across the river in the direction of the Big Splint mining camp in West Virginia where the United Mine Workers union had erected a tent camp to house the striking miners. Lt. See and seven men, including Vaughn, set out to investigate. They crossed the river at Borderland into West Virginia due to heavy rains making roads nearly impassable, he planned to follow the railroad track and cross back to the Kentucky side below Nolan to get to the site of the disturbance. At Nolan he was joined by an unknown number of West Virginia State Police and they proceeded down the track. Hearing a group of men coming up the track, Lieutenant See and his men advanced and stopped four men. When ordered to put up their hands, two men cooperated. Soldiers were searching the individuals for weapons when Vaughan and a West Virginia State Police Officer Charles M. Kackley were shot in the head from behind. Both were killed. One of the union miners in the group escaped in the darkness but was recaptured the next day. May 26, 1846 – Governor Owsley announces that the requisition upon Kentucky for troops is full (Mexican War) May 26, 1871 – Confederate Memorial Day inaugurated, commemorating the occasion when Jefferson Davis was freed from prison. [caption id="attachment_6856" align="alignleft" width="194" caption="George Rogers Clark"] May 27, 1778 – George Rogers Clark and men camp on Corn Island, at Falls of the Ohio (Louisville). May 30 – Memorial Day

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