A Going Concern Trivia Quiz

Answer: Balloon pilot

The Aeronaut Badge - in a "regular" and senior version - was issued by the Army Air Service (later the Army Air Corps) from 1918 until the mid-1930s, when it was renamed the Balloon Pilot Badge. Issuance continued through the Army Air Force (USAAF) and the US Air Force. The related Balloon Observer Badge had only one-wing, but a very similar history. Rapid progress in aeronautics made balloon aviation archaic, and the USAF discontinued the badges in the 1950s.

The US Navy had its own version - the Dirigible Pilot Insignia. With only one wing (like the USAAF observer badge), Navy lighter-than-airmen seem to have been relegated to a lower rung on the aviation ladder. But in any case, the Navy removed the badge from the uniform list in 1978.

Answer: signalmen

The need for visual communication surely arose when two vessels first sailed in company. Britain's Royal Navy standardized signaling in 1799, but it was cumbersome at best: Nelson's famous signal at Trafalgar: "England expects that every man will do his duty" required 28 flags.

US Navy signalmen (SM) were expert in visual communication. They learned the flag bag (think of an egg crate filled with about 66 different colored flags, plus spares!). They were adept with semaphore flags (sometimes called "wig-wag") - a pair of brightly colored, hand held flags; one in each hand. By moving their arms to various angles, signalmen could rapidly send messages. Their skill at semaphore earned them nickname of "skivvy-wavers." SMs were also adept at flashing light Morse and yardarm blinker comms. They learned basic navigation skills, and were well qualified as lookouts. Signaling could be used for more practical purposes too. It was not uncommon to see a signalman chat informally with a buddy on a nearby ship, using "hands only" semaphore. Perhaps something like: "see you at 1800 at the Gate Bar."

One source showed that the USN rating of SM was established in 1921 and was absorbed into the Quartermaster (QM) rating in 1948. SM was re-activated in 1956, serving until 2003. Where did it go? Once again, absorbed into the QM rating. There really isn't much new under the sun.

The other three ratings offered all work inside the ship; nice padded chairs, air conditioned spaces, maybe even coffee cup holders. Pick your rate; pick your fate!

Answer: Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

The GAR was basically the Civil War's Union veteran version of the American Legion or VFW. A "department" in every state (except Hawaii) managed local "posts in cities and towns. For a number of years, the GAR was a very powerful political tool, and was effective in veteran's rights issues. Annual encampments were held until 1949. As a kid in the 1950's, I remember seeing the GAR meeting hall in my hometown. The old soldiers who once met there have long since faded away. Southern veterans had a similar organization in the United Confederate Veterans (UCV).

The Great White Fleet's 14 month round-the-world cruise began in 1907, but there was no "League." The American Legion and VFW are still active.

Answer: Army Nuclear Power Program

The goal of ANPP was to develop an effective means of supplying power & heating requirements to remote/inaccessible locations. Eight (perhaps nine) reactor plants were built. A tragic accident at an Idaho site in 1961 took the lives of two soldiers and a Navy Seabee, and probably helped hasten the program's end.

One of the reactor plants (MH-1A) was built on a barge. The reactor was decommissioned in 1978, and the barge was towed to the James River Reserve Fleet, in storage until 2028, per the "SAFSTOR" program. Fifty years of nuclear proximity? A bit scary, at best!

Perhaps even more worrisome - surplus military flamethrowers can be legally purchased for $900-$1600, depending on how far you want to squirt! They are not classed as guns, so the ATF does not monitor them; no background check is required. They are being marketed as "fun devices." Maybe they'll come in handy for cooking whatever we catch in the James River!

Navy nuke power has been going strong - and SAFE - for over 60 years!

Answer: Army Coast Artillery

The Coast Artillery (CA) was a distinct Army Corps, separate from the Field Artillery. In addition to medium and large caliber guns in forts, the CA was responsible for railroad guns, coastal antiaircraft (AA) guns, harbor minefields, and mine planting vessels. When CA was disestablished in 1950, the Field Artillery Corps and AA units were merged to form the Artillery Corps. All mine warfare duties were transferred to the Navy.

Several coastal fortifications remain; some are listed as national landmarks. The Fort Miles Historical Area near Lewes DE is one such. I spent four years there in the 1970s, after the fort was converted to a Navy listening station. I stood many midwatches, making rounds in what once was a 16" gun casemate, but never heard any guns.

The Salvation Army is not a military organization, but it, the Coast Guard, and Navy SEALS are all quite alive and active in their respective lines of work.

Answer: B-52 tail gunner

Aerial gunners were around long before 1955, but that's about when the B-52 (BUFF) and its enlisted gunner entered service. The other five crewmen were officers.

Several sources say the tail gun was eliminated because of an incident in the first Gulf War - a "friendly" aircraft somehow locked on to the B-52 gunner's fire control radar, ID'd it as "threat," and fired a missile at it. The BUFF was severely damaged, but was able to land safely. Fortunately, no one was injured. Truth? Or fiction? Seems unlikely to me. There are still aerial gunners on AC-130s and helos, but their primary effort is against ground targets. The days of the enlisted "airplane shooter" are long gone.

Sherman tank gunners were enlisted, but the M-4 was long gone from the inventory by 1991. Battleship cooks were all enlisted, but (presumably) killing fellow crewmen was not their intent. The USAF has never had official "executioners."

Answer: last horse mounted US cavalry charge

Troop G attacked Japanese infantry and tanks in the Army's last horse cavalry charge. The stunned enemy was driven off, albeit temporarily. Shortly after the skirmish, lack of food forced the butchering of the horses, and the 26th was reconstituted into other units. Bataan fell on 9 April 1942, and Corregidor held out until 6 May. The months long resistance by Filipino and American troops throughout the Islands certainly delayed further Japanese conquest, and likely saved Australia from invasion.

Tear gas remains in the military inventory to this day. The M1917 Browning .30 cal. machine gun saw service in both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam before being phased out in the late 1960s.

Answer: VA

Similar to their Army Air Corps cousin, Naval aviation evolved into fighter (VF) and attack branches: torpedo (VT), and bombing (VB). Fighters shot down planes; attack aircraft destroyed land and sea targets. Over time, VT and VB units were merged and redesignated as attack (VA) squadrons. There was always rivalry between VA and VF squadrons. The old saying was: "Fighter pilots make movies; Attack pilots make history!" There's a nugget of truth in that statement. You probably remember "Top Gun," but do you remember "Flight of the Intruder"?

The end of the Cold War, budget cuts, and ageing airframes forced major changes in all the services. For the Navy, BOTH VF and VA type aircraft were phased out - goodbye F-14 Tomcat; goodbye A-6 Intruder. Hello FA-18 Hornet! Notice the "FA"? Fighter-Attack! The modern day Squadron designator? VFA, of course.

The last two pure VA squadrons (VA's 75 and 196) were disestablished on 28 February, 1997. HSL's are helicopter units, and the B-52 is the USAF BUFF.

Answer: US Army Pigeon Service

Her name was Cher Ami ("Dear Friend"), and she was a homing pigeon in the Army Signal Corps Pigeon Service. In October 1918, Cher helped save the "Lost Battalion" during the Battle of the Argonne. She was grievously wounded during the flight, losing an eye and leg. Army medics saved her, and she lived another 8 months. Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her wartime service. Her body was mounted, and has been displayed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

This one may have stumped you (no disrespect intended, Cher). The term "doughboys" and the 40 year comment pointed to the WW1 era. The WASP and OSS were created during WW2; WAF began in 1948. The programs ended in 1944, 1945, and 1976, respectively.

Answer: a veteran serving life in prison for murder

The National Cemetery Administration is a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and maintains some 133 national cemeteries in 40 states and territories. The US states themselves operate and maintain additional cemeteries, using the same general eligibility guidelines established by the VA.

VERY GENERALLY speaking, some additional categories authorized for burial in national cemeteries include: 1. Active duty military and veterans (I was surprised to learn that vets with Undesirable or Bad Conduct discharges may-MAY be eligible). 2. NOAA officers, Philippine Armed Forces. 3. Spouses and dependents.

People who are NOT eligible for National Cemetery burial include Dishonorable Dischargees, Tier III sex offenders, divorced former spouses, and those guilty of subversive activities. As with any government run program, there are numerous restrictions, exceptions, and modifiers, so please consult OFFICIAL information. YOUR interment may vary.