General Douglas MacArthur was always one to play politics, especially should it advance his career. And, getting a Congressman a medal surely wouldn't hurt that.
I think Lt. Robert R. Hatch probably had orders to return to base in the event any enemy planes were spotted. It sure wouldn't do to have the life of a Congressman ended under your orders.
Unfortunately, Lt. Hatch was killed a short time later, so we will never know what he had to say about it.
Johnson got his Silver Star and MacArthur had a valuable ally in Congress.
--GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Showing posts with label Johnson Lyndon Baines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnson Lyndon Baines. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2015
LBJ's Silver Star: The Mission That Never Was-- Part 2
"His gallant action enabled him to obtain and return with valuable information."
LBJ's biographer, in his book "Means of Ascent" takes umbrage at Johnson's receiving his nation's third-highest combat medal for what amounted to taking an airplane ride and spending a few minutes under fire.
The fact is that LBJ never got within sight of Japanese forces. His mission, like so much of his life, was a lie.
If Johnson received a Silver Star for simply riding along on the plane, shouldn't the crew, which included Lt. Robert R. Hatch, pilot, also have received the award?
--GreGen
LBJ's biographer, in his book "Means of Ascent" takes umbrage at Johnson's receiving his nation's third-highest combat medal for what amounted to taking an airplane ride and spending a few minutes under fire.
The fact is that LBJ never got within sight of Japanese forces. His mission, like so much of his life, was a lie.
If Johnson received a Silver Star for simply riding along on the plane, shouldn't the crew, which included Lt. Robert R. Hatch, pilot, also have received the award?
--GreGen
LBJ's Silver Star: The Mission That Never Was-- Part 1
From Bizland.com
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Congressman temporarily serving in the U.S. Navy, received the nation's third highest combat decoration for a 1942 fact-finding mission. He was so proud of that Silver Star that he wore a silver lapel pin for the rest of his life.
But, did he really deserve it?
It was issued by General Douglas MacArthur's chief of staff and reads in part: "While on a mission obtaining information in the Southwest Pacific Area, Lt.Cmdr. Johnson, in order to obtain personal knowledge of combat conditions, volunteered as an observer on a hazardous aerial combat mission over hostile positions in New Guinea. (The plane was piloted by Robert R. Hatch of Goldsboro, N.C.)
"As our planes neared the target area, they were intercepted by eight hostile fighters. When, at this time, the plane in which Lt.Cmdr. Johnson was an observer developed mechanical trouble and was forced to turn back alone, presenting a favorable target to the enemy fighters, he evidenced coolness in spite of the hazard involved."
More to Come. --GreGen
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Congressman temporarily serving in the U.S. Navy, received the nation's third highest combat decoration for a 1942 fact-finding mission. He was so proud of that Silver Star that he wore a silver lapel pin for the rest of his life.
But, did he really deserve it?
It was issued by General Douglas MacArthur's chief of staff and reads in part: "While on a mission obtaining information in the Southwest Pacific Area, Lt.Cmdr. Johnson, in order to obtain personal knowledge of combat conditions, volunteered as an observer on a hazardous aerial combat mission over hostile positions in New Guinea. (The plane was piloted by Robert R. Hatch of Goldsboro, N.C.)
"As our planes neared the target area, they were intercepted by eight hostile fighters. When, at this time, the plane in which Lt.Cmdr. Johnson was an observer developed mechanical trouble and was forced to turn back alone, presenting a favorable target to the enemy fighters, he evidenced coolness in spite of the hazard involved."
More to Come. --GreGen
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Lt. Robert R. Hatch, USAAF-- Part 2: Flew Lyndon Johnson on Raid
One source said that Robert Hatch flew a B-26 Marauder named "Dixie" #01496 on 12 missions with the 19th Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group against the Japanese at Rabaul, Lae and Salamua.
The plane was lost October 1, 1943.
This goes against his death being Jan. 10, 1943.
I found out that on 8 June 1942, the "Dixie" was one of eleven B-26 Marauders that raided Lae on June 9th. On board as an observer was one Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon Baines Johnson, USNR, the future 36th president of the United States.
Of course, Lt. Hatch was from North Carolina which may have had something to do with the "Dixie" name of the plane.
Digging Deeper. --GreGen
The plane was lost October 1, 1943.
This goes against his death being Jan. 10, 1943.
I found out that on 8 June 1942, the "Dixie" was one of eleven B-26 Marauders that raided Lae on June 9th. On board as an observer was one Lt. Cmdr. Lyndon Baines Johnson, USNR, the future 36th president of the United States.
Of course, Lt. Hatch was from North Carolina which may have had something to do with the "Dixie" name of the plane.
Digging Deeper. --GreGen
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