Military History Anniversaries 16 Jun thru 15 July

Events in History over the next 30 day period that had U.S. military involvement or impacted in some way on U.S military operations or American interests

1. Jun 16 2012 The United States Air Force's robotic Boeing X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth after a classified 469-day orbital mission.

1. Jun 17 1775 American Revolution: Battle of Bunker Hill. Though the battle was a British victory, their losses were so high that nearly a third of all their officers killed in the war died in this one battle. Casualties and losses: US 450 - Brit 1054.

1. Jun 17 1861 Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia results in Confederate victory. Casualties and losses: US 12 - CSA none reported.1. Jun 17 1863 Civil War: Battle of Aldie in the Gettysburg Campaign. Results inconclusive. Casualties and losses: US 305 - CSA 119.1. Jun 17 1876 Indian Wars: Battle of the Rosebud - 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne led by Crazy Horse beat back General George Crook's forces at Rosebud Creek in Montana Territory. 1. Jun 17 1877 Indian Wars: Battle of White Bird Canyon - the Nez Perce defeat the U.S. Cavalry at White Bird Canyon in the Idaho Territory. Casualties and losses: US 38 - IND 3.1. Jun 17 1932 Bonus Army: Around a thousand WWI veterans amass at the United States Capitol as the U.S. Senate considers a bill that would give them certain benefits.

1. Jun 17 1942 WW2: 1st American expeditionary force lands in Africa (Gold Coast).1. Jun 17 1992 A joint understanding agreement on arms reduction is signed by U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin.1. Jun 18 1778 American Revolution: British troops abandon Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1. Jun 18 1812 War of 1812: The U.S. Congress declares war on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.1. Jun 18 1864 Civil War: The Second Battle of Petersburg ends with a Confederate victory. Casualties and losses: US 13,386 - CSA ~4,000.1. Jun 18 1864 Civil War: The siege of Pittsburg begins and lasts until April 1865.1. Jun 18 1945 WW2: USS Bonefish (SS223) sunk by combined efforts of escort destroyer Okinawa, and three Coast Defense Vessels off southern coast of Honshu, Japan. 85 killed.1. Jun 18 1965 Vietnam War: The United States uses B-52 bombers to attack National Liberation Front guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam. 1. Jun 18 1979 SALT II is signed by the United States Jimmy Carter and the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev Vienna.1. Jun 19 1944 WW2: First day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. 300 Japanese aircrafts shot down.1. Jun 19 1953 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed at Sing Sing for passing of information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union.

1. Jun 20 1816 - Battle of Seven Oaks between North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company, near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 1. Jun 20 1941 USS O9 (SS70) foundered during deep submergence tests off New London, Connecticut. 33 died1. Jun 20 1944 WW2: The Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes with a decisive U.S. naval victory. The lopsided naval air battle is also known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot". 1. Jun 21 1861 Civil War: The 3-day Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road begins. Results inconclusive. Casualties and losses: US 2962 - CSA 572.1. Jun 21 1898 Spanish American War: The United States captures Guam from Spain in a bloodless event.1. Jun 21 1918 WWI: German commander, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, scuttles the German fleet interned at Scapa Flow under the terms of the Armistice whilst negotiations took place over the fate of the ships. 52 of the 74 interned vessels sink.

SMS Derfflinger sinking

1. Jun 21 1942 WW2: A Japanese submarine surfaces near the Columbia River in Oregon, firing 17 shells at nearby Fort Stevens in one of only a handful of attacks by the Japanese against the United States mainland.1. Jun 22 1813 War of 1812: After learning of American plans for a surprise attack on Beaver Dams in Ontario, Laura Secord sets out on a 30 kilometer journey on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. 1. Jun 22 1898 SpanishAmerican War: United States Marines land in Cuba. 1. Jun 22 1944 President Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights.1. Jun 22 1945 WW2: The 82-day Battle of Okinawa ends when the organized resistance of Imperial Japanese Army forces collapses in the Mabuni area on the southern tip of the main island. Casualties and losses: Allies 84,570 - JP 105,755 - Civ 42K to 105K killed.1. Jun 22 1952 Utah's 213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was awarded the Distinguished (now Presidential) Unit Citation in South Korea for its stubborn defense of SanghongJongNi during the Communist Chinese offensive of April 1951. 1. Jun 22 1990 Cold War: Checkpoint Charlie is dismantled in Berlin.

A view of Checkpoint Charlie in 1963, from the American sector

1. Jun 23 1780 American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly of Springfield, now of Millburn Township). 1. Jun 23 1812 War of 1812: Great Britain revokes the restrictions on American commerce, thus eliminating one of the chief reasons for going to war. 1. Jun 23 1865 Civil War: At Fort Towson in the Oklahoma Territory, Confederate, Brigadier General Stand Watie surrenders the last significant rebel army.1. Jun 23 1945 WW2: Last organized Japanese defiance broken (Tarakan)1. Jun 23 1961 Cold War: The Antarctic Treaty, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and bans military activity on the continent, comes into force after the opening date for signature set for the December 1, 1959.1. Jun 24 1779 American Revolution: European Waters - The Great Siege of Gibraltar begins. Casualties and losses: SP & FR 6,000 - GB 1,788.1. Jun 24 1813 War of 1812: Battle of Beaver Dams - British and Indian combined force defeats the U.S. Army. Casualties and losses: US 537 - GB 40. 1. Jun 24 1916 WWI: The start of a week-long artillery bombardment on the German Line in preparation for the launch (1 Jul) of the 141-day Battle of the Somme.

A young German Sommekmpfer in 19161. Jun 24 1952 Korean War: US airplanes bomb energy centers at Yalu, Korea.1. Jun 25 1876 Custer & 7th Cavalry wiped out by Sioux & Cheyenne at Battle of Little Big Horn. Casualties and losses: US 323 - Indians 138 Est.1. Jun 25 1944 - WW2: United States Navy and Royal Navy ships bombard Cherbourg to support United States Army units engaged in the Battle of Cherbourg. Casualties and losses: US 22,000 - GER 38,000.1. Jun 25 1948 Cold War: The Western allies begin an airlift to Berlin after the Soviet Union blockades West Berlin.

C-47 Skytrains unloading at Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Airlift.

1. Jun 25 1950 Korean War: Conflict begins with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea. 1. Jun 25 1996 The Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia kills 19 U.S. servicemen.1. Jun 26 1917 WWI: The first U.S. troops arrive in France to fight alongside Britain and France against Germany 1. Jun 26 1918 WWI: Western Front Battle for Belleau Wood Allied Forces under John J. Pershing and James Harbord defeat Imperial German Forces under Wilhelm, German Crown Prince. 1. Jun 26 1924 Latin America Interventions: After 8 years of occupation US troops leave Dominican Republic1. Jun 26 1993 The U.S. launches a missile attack targeting Baghdad intelligence headquarters in retaliation for a thwarted assassination attempt against former President George H.W. Bush in April in Kuwait.1. Jun 26 2005 War in Afghanistan: Three U.S. Navy SEALs and 16 American Special Operations Forces soldiers are killed during Operation Red Wing, a failed counterinsurgent mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan.1. Jun 27 1944 WW2: Cherbourg, France liberated by Allies.

The mayor of Cherbourg thanks General Collins for liberating the city

1. Jun 27 1950 Korean War: North Koreans troop reach Seoul, UN asks members to aid South Korea, Truman orders Air Force & Navy into Korean conflict.1. Jun 28 1776 American Revolution: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the first decisive American victory of the War leading to the commemoration of Carolina Day. Casualties and losses: US 37 - GB 220.1. Jun 28 1776 American Revolution: Thomas Hickey, Continental Army private and bodyguard to General George Washington, is hanged for mutiny and sedition.1. Jun 28 1778 American Revolution: The Continentals engage the British in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse resulting in standstill and British withdrawal under cover of darkness. Casualties and losses: US ~500 - GB ~1,134.1. Jun 28 1919 WWI: The Treaty of Versailles is signed in Paris, bringing fighting to an end in between Germany and the Allies of World War I.

Cover of the English version and workmen decommissioning a heavy gun, to comply with the treaty.

1. Jun 28 1921 The U.S. Senate confirmed Pennsylvania Col. George Rickards as the first National Guardsman to serve as Chief of the Militia Bureau. The bureau later was named the National Guard Bureau. 1. Jun 28 1950 Korean War: Seoul is captured by North Korean troops. Packed with its own refugees fleeing Seoul and leaving their 5th Division stranded, South Korean forces blow up the Hangang Bridge to in attempt to slow North Korea's offensive.1. Jun 28 1950 Korean War: Bodo League Massacre - Suspected communist sympathizers, argued to be between 100,000 and 1,200,000 are executed by South Korea troops.

Prisoners lie on the ground before execution by South Korean troops

1. Jun 28 1950 Korean War: North Korean Army conducted Seoul National University Hospital Massacre of 700 to 900 doctors, nurses, inpatient civilians and wounded soldiers.1. Jun 28 1965 Vietnam: 1st U.S. ground combat forces authorized by Pres Johnson1. Jun 29 1776 America Revolution: First privateer battle of the War fought at Turtle Gut Inlet near Cape May, New Jersey 1. Jun 29 1943 WW2: Germany begins withdrawing U-boats from North Atlantic in anticipation of the Allied invasion of Europe1. Jun 29 1949 US troops withdraw from Korea after WWII1. Jun 29 1966 Vietnam: U.S. planes bomb Hanoi & Haiphong for 1st time 1. Jun 30 1815 US naval hero Stephen Decatur ends attacks by Algerian pirates1. Jun 30 1943 WW2: Gen MacArthur begins Operation Cartwheel (islandhopping).1. Jun 30 1944 WW2: The Battle of Cherbourg ends with the fall of the strategically valuable port to American forces. Casualties and losses: US 22,000 - GER 28,000.1. Jul 01 1862 Civil War: The Battle of Malvern Hill - The final battle in the Seven Days Campaign, part of George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. Casualties and losses: US 2,100 - CSA 5,650 1. Jul 01 1863 Civil War: Battle of Gettysburg - Gen. Lee's northward advance is halted.1. Jul 01 1898 Spanish American War: Battle of San Juan Hill is fought in Santiago de Cuba. Casualties and losses: US/RoC 3,180 - SP 809

Gatling guns hauled by mules arrive to turn the tide at San Juan Hill

1. Jul 01 1907 World's first air force established (U.S. Army).1. Jul 01 1948 The United States Air Force accepts its first female recruits into a program called Women in the Air Force (WAF).1. Jul 01 1968 Cold War: The Nuclear non-proliferation treaty is signed in Washington, D.C., London and Moscow by sixty-two countries.1. Jul 01 1970 Vietnam: Beginning of the 23 day Siege of Fire Base Ripcord.1. Jul 02 1776 The Continental Congress adopts a resolution severing ties with the Kingdom of Great Britain although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not approved until July 4.1. Jul 02 1926 Congress enacted a bill that established the U.S. Army Air Corps and placed it in control of all Army aviation activities, including those of the National Guard. This bill also directed that upon mobilization, all Guard air assets were to be incorporated into the Corps, thus separating them from their peacetime role within their respective divisions.1. Jul 03 1754 French and Indian War: George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity to French forces. Casualties and losses: GB 400 - FR 221. Jul 03 1775 American Revolution: George Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

George Washington taking command of the Army.

1. Jul 03 1778 American Revolution: British and Iroquois forces kill 360 patriots in the Wyoming Valley massacre. 1. Jul 03 1814 War of 1812: Americans capture Fort Erie Canada. Casualties and losses: US 9 - UK 137.1. Jul 03 1863 Civil War: The final day of the Battle of Gettysburg culminates with Pickett's Charge. Casualties and losses: US ~1,500 - CSA 6,555. 1. Jul 03 1898 Spanish American War: U.S. Navy defeats Spanish fleet in Santiago harbor Cuba.1. Jul 03 1915 U.S. Marines land in Haiti following the assassination of the Haitian president Vilbrun Guillaume. The Marines remained as occupation forces until 1934.1. Jul 03 1950 Korean War: US & North Korean forces clash for the first time in the Korean War.1. Jul 03 1988 USS Vincennes in Strait of Hormuz shoots down Iran Airbus A300 killing all 290 people.

USS Vincennes and a similar A300B2-200

1. Jul 04 1776 American Revolution: Declaration of Independence approved by Congress. U.S. gains independence from Britain.1. Jul 04 1778 American Revolution: Forces under George Clark capture the British post at Kaskaskia village during the Illinois campaign.1. Jul 04 1802 United States Military Academy opens at West Point, New York 1. Jul 04 1863 Civil War: Siege of Vicksburg Vicksburg, Mississippi surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant after 47 days of siege. 150 miles up the Mississippi River, a Confederate Army is repulsed at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas.1. Jul 04 1944 WW2: 1st Japanese kamikaze attack U.S. fleet near Iwo Jima.1. Jul 05 1945 WW2: Liberation of the Philippines declared.1. Jul 06 1777 American Revolution: Siege of Fort Ticonderoga After a bombardment by British artillery under General John Burgoyne, American forces retreat from Fort Ticonderoga, New York. 1. Jul 06 1779 American Revolution: Battle of Grenada French victory over British naval forces.1. Jul 06 1848 Mexican American War: Ended with the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo.1. Jul 07 1777 American Revolution: Battle of Hubbardton - American forces retreating from Fort Ticonderoga are defeated. Casualties and losses: US 367 GB ~2101. Jul 07 1846 Mexican American War: American troops occupy Monterey and Yerba Buena, thus beginning the U.S. acquisition of California. 1. Jul 07 1863 Civil War: First military draft in US - It applied to men 18 to 35 who were allowed to purchase $300 exemptions. This provision allowed the sons of wealthy families to buy their way out of military service and fueled resentment among the poor and middle classes.1. Jul 07 1865 Civil War: Four conspirators. Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt, and Mary Surratt, in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln are hanged.

1. Jul 07 1941 WW2: U.S. forces land in Iceland to forestall Nazi invasion.1. Jul 07 1944 WW2: Largest Banzai charge of the Pacific War at the Battle of Saipan.1. Jul 08 1947 The Roswell Incident. Debris recovered from the crash of an experimental high-altitude surveillance balloon belonging to what was then a classified (top secret) USAF program named Mogul. UFO proponents maintain that an alien craft was found, its occupants were captured, and that the military engaged in a massive cover-up.

Roswell Daily Record announcing the "capture" of a "flying saucer."

1. Jul 08 1948 The United States Air Force accepts its first female recruits into a program called Women in the Air Force (WAF).1. Jul 08 1950 Korean War: Gen Douglas MacArthur named commanderinchief UN forces in Korea.1. Jul 08 1959 Vietnam: First Americans killed in Vietnam.1. Jul 09 1776 American Revolution: George Washington ordered the Declaration of Independence to be read out loud to members of the Continental Army in New York City for the first time. 1. Jul 09 1863 Civil War: Siege of Port Hudson - The 48 day Siege ends. Casualties and losses: US ~5,000 - CSA ~750 + 6,500 Surrendered.1. Jul 09 1943 WW2: Operation Husky Allied forces perform an amphibious invasion of Sicily. 1. Jul 09 1944 WW2: The island of Saipan in the Marianas fell to U.S. troops following their defeat of Japanese defenders. Casualties and losses: US 13,791 - Japan 29,9201. Jul 09 1944 WW2: Napalm was used for the first time during the American invasion of Tinian in the Marianas.1. Jul 09 1951 WW2: President Truman asked Congress to formally end state of war with Germany.1. Jul 10 1778 American Revolution: Louis XVI of France declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1. Jul 10 1940 WW2: The German Luftwaffe began attacks on British convoys in the English Channel to start the Battle of Britain.1. Jul 10 1942 WW2: An American pilot spots a downed, intact Mitsubishi A6M Zero on Akutan Island (the "Akutan Zero") that the US Navy uses to learn the aircraft's flight characteristics.

1. Jul 10 1943 WW2: Assault elements of the 180th and 157th Infantry regiments, both part of the 45th Infantry Division from AZ, CO, and OK, stormed ashore as part of the invasion of Sicily. This operation marked the first time any Allied force attacked an Axis power on its home ground. 1. Jul 10 1951 Korean War: Armistice negotiations begin at Kaesong.1. Jul 11 1789 U.S. Marine Corps created by an act of Congress.1. Jul 11 1798 The United States Marine Corps is reestablished; the Corps, which was initially established 10 Nov 1775 by a Resolution of the Continental Congress, had been disbanded after the American Revolutionary War. 1. Jul 11 1864 Civil War: Battle of Fort Stevens Confederate forces attempt but fail to invade Washington, D.C. Casualties and losses: US 373 - CSA 400-500.1. Jul 12 1812 War of 1812: U.S. forces led by Gen Hull invade Canada at Windsor, Ontario.1. Jul 12 1862 The Medal of Honor is authorized by the United States Congress. 1. Jul 12 1973 A fire destroys the entire 6th floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States.

Conflagration underway, 1973

1. Jul 12 2007 U.S. Army Apache helicopters perform airstrikes in Baghdad, Iraq; footage from the cockpit is later leaked to the Internet.1. Jul 13 1863 New York Draft Riots: In New York City opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in United States history. Casualties: 129 dead 2,000 wounded.1. Jul 13 2008 Afghanistan: Taliban guerrillas attack NATO troops near the village of Wanat in the Waygal district in Afghanistan's far eastern province of Nuristan.1. Jul 14 1863 Civil War: Confederate forces under Gen. Robert E. Lee are defeated after three days of fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. Casualties and losses: US 23,055 - CSA 23,2311. Jul 14 1916 WWI: Battle of Delville Wood - An action begins within the Battle of the Somme, which was to last until 3 September 1916. It ended in a tactical allied victory.1. Jul 14 1945 Battleship USS South Dakota is first U.S. ship to bombard Japan.

1. Jul 14 1950 Korean War: North Korean troops initiate the Battle of Taejon. Outcome was a North Korean tactical victory and a American and South Korean strategic victory (establishment of Pusan Perimeter). Casualties and losses: US 3,550 - NKA UNK1. Jul 15 1918 WWI: Second Battle of the Marne The last major German Spring Offensive on the Western Front began against French, American, British, and Italian troops. It ended on 4 AUG in a decisive allied victory. Casualties and losses: Allies 132,717 Germany 168,367.1. Jul 15 1958 U.S. Marines deployed in Lebanon.1. Jul 15 1966 Vietnam: The United States and South Vietnam begin Operation Hastings to push the North Vietnamese out of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone.

[Source: Various Jun 2015 ++]

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