Hupple’s Cat
@hupplescat
My better angels want crew-served weapons. I write about USMC 1866-1917 “The Marines Have Landed At Nantucket…” Marine Corps Gazette, May 2025 History blog:
Waller would become Smedley Butler's mentor and friend. Alexandria was one of a number of instances where the USMC studied the Royal Marines, looking for ways to improve as an organization. It would be another 20 years before any meaningful organizational change would occur in the USMC. 3/3
Cochrane was a Civil War vet, and would be the Bn XO at the Guantanamo landing in 1898. Waller would gain notoriety as "the Butcher of Samar" when he was court-martialed for executing 11 Filipino porters suspected of plotting against Marines on the disastrous march across the island in 1901. 2/
In the days following the bombardment, Marines and Bluejackets from USS LANCASTER, QUINNEBAUG, and NIPSIC — of the Caribbean Squadron — landed to protect "American interests" and the Consulate. Capt Henry Clay Cochrane, and Lieutenants Littleton Waller and Frank L. Denny led the landing party. 1/
All kidding aside, the new Rolling Stones album is a fun listen. It's every bit as good as anything they've done since the mid-90s. Tight, light, super competent, and even thoughtful in a couple of places. Added bonus? An Amy Winehouse cover.
One last entry for #PhantomPhriday... Expeditionary. Not a common perspective on aircraft in a combat zone. At least that I've seen. Night all.
@hoosierhomer.bsky.social has a good compass. He also crafts some really nice objet d’arte. Help him out for a good cause!
In re VMFA-314, "...awarded the Hanson Trophy as the best Fighter Attack Squadron in the Marine Corps while under the command of Frank E. Petersen." General Petersen was the 1st African-American Marine aviator. And the 1st African-American Marine General. An imposing figure. #PhantomPhriday
I'd have to look up when the term MAGTF (pronounced mag-taf, IIRC) was officially adopted. Marines had been experimenting with Close Air Support going back to the days of Curtiss Hydroplanes and the advanced base force. Back then the "support" was reconnaissance and liaison. #PhantomPhriday
IIRC, the Navy turned to Old Man McDonnell when they needed a fighter plane for fleet defense. The F-4 Phantom II resulting. The Marines had other ideas... Have a Phabulous Phriday! #PhantomPhriday
Bupples. For strategic victory, yo must first have strategy. Otherwise yo just chucking expensive rocks. - Henry J.
My boy Conan had those symptoms years ago. Took him to the vet, they gave him oxygen and an x-ray, and put him on diuretics. The day after he was fit as a fiddle, and the symptoms never came back. I miss this raggedy eared vandal.
My nomination for the perfect day to take a boat out on the river. Niagara Wednesday.
The last sporty, utilitarian, vehicle built. I’d love to pick up a decent 2-door convertible…
Rumor has it a number of enlisted Marines “lost” this item of head gear sailing for Cuba. Major Henry Clay Cochrane held onto his. (I know it’s not a pith helmet, but damn.)
"My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its office-holders." - Mark Twain
“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”