Chain of Command In August of 1978, Jack was selected for major aviation command and became the Commander of all Naval Forces, Iceland. Commensurate with this assignment, he was dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station, Keflavik. He served in Iceland until 1980 when he then moved back to the West Coast and was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Wings Pacific at Moffett Field, California. In January 1983, Jack earned his third and final command tour as the Commanding Officer of Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Pacific Fleet (FASOTRAGRUPAC). During this command tour, he was responsible for over 1,000 personnel and multiple detachment sites assigned to deliver essential fleet aviation training in the operation and tactical employment of aviation systems and equipment for Navy and Marine Corps aircrew.
Chain of Command In August of 1978, Jack Keene was selected for major aviation command and became the Commander of all Naval Forces, Iceland. Commensurate with this assignment, he was dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station, Keflavik. He served in Iceland until 1980 when he then moved back to the West Coast and was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Wings Pacific at Moffett Field, California.
Criteria The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. ... The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. The performance must merit recognition by individuals in a key position which was performed in a clearly exceptional manner. MoreHide
Comments Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of ... Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Chain of Command In August of 1978, Jack Keene was selected for major aviation command and became the Commander of all Naval Forces, Iceland. Commensurate with this assignment, he was dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station, Keflavik. He served in Iceland until 1980 when he then moved back to the West Coast and was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Wings Pacific at Moffett Field, California.
Chain of Command In August of 1978, Jack Keene was selected for major aviation command and became the Commander of all Naval Forces, Iceland. Commensurate with this assignment, he was dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station, Keflavik. He served in Iceland until 1980 when he then moved back to the West Coast and was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Wings Pacific at Moffett Field, California.
Criteria The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while assigned to a joint activity, distinguish themselves by outstanding ac... The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while assigned to a joint activity, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not to an extent that would justify award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. MoreHide
Comments Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of ... Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Chain of Command In addition to all his operational tours, Jack was a graduate and student at the US Naval War College (where he also completed a Master of Arts from Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island), US Navy Postgraduate School, the Foreign Service Institute in Washington D.C., and the Royal Norwegian Defense College.
Chain of Command In addition to all his operational tours, Jack was a graduate and student at the US Naval War College (where he also completed a Master of Arts from Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island), US Navy Postgraduate School, the Foreign Service Institute in Washington D.C., and the Royal Norwegian Defense College.
Criteria The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by outstanding noncombat achievement or by meritorious service to the United States, but not of a... The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by outstanding noncombat achievement or by meritorious service to the United States, but not of a degree that would warrant the award of the Legion of Merit. MoreHide
Comments Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of ... Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Description Yankee Station was a point in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam used by the U.S. Navy aircraft carriers of Task Force 77 to launch strikes in the Vietnam War. While its official designation Yankee Station was a point in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam used by the U.S. Navy aircraft carriers of Task Force 77 to launch strikes in the Vietnam War. While its official designation was "Point Yankee," it was universally referred to as Yankee Station. Carriers conducting air operations at Yankee Station were said to be "on the line" and statistical summaries were based on days on the line.
The name derived from it being the geographic reference point "Y", pronounced "Yankee" in the NATO phonetic alphabet. In turn the term Point Yankee derived from the launch point for "Yankee Team" aerial reconnaissance missions over Laos conducted in 1964. It was located about 190 km due east of Dong Hoi, at 17° 30' N and 108° 30' E.
During the two periods of sustained air operations against North Vietnam (March 2, 1965-October 31, 1968 and March 30, 1972-December 29, 1972) there were normally three carriers on the line, each conducting air operations for twelve hours, then off for twelve hours. One of the carriers would operate from noon to midnight, another from midnight to noon, and one during daylight hours, which gave 24-hour coverage plus additional effort during daylight hours, when sorties were most effective. However at the end of May, 1972, six carriers were for a short period of time on the line at Yankee Station conducting Linebacker strikes.
The first aircraft carrier at Yankee Station was USS Kitty Hawk, which was ordered there in April 1964 for the Yankee Team missions. Kitty Hawk was joined by Ticonderoga in May and Constellation in June, two months prior to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Ticonderoga and Constellation launched the first bombing missions from Yankee Station on August 5, 1964. Constellation was also the last carrier conducting operations at Yankee Station on August 15, 1973. USS Forrestal suffered a major accident while at Yankee Station when a series of fires and explosions on her deck killed 134 men and injured another 161.
A corresponding Dixie Station in the South China Sea off the Mekong Delta was a single carrier point for conducting strikes within South Vietnam from May 15, 1965 to August 3, 1966.... More
Memories Jack Keene participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee TeamsJack Keene participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee Teams operations in support of the Vietnam War in 1965.... More
Other Memories In addition to all his operational tours, Jack was a graduate and student at the US Naval War College (where he also completed a Master of Arts from Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island), US Navy Postgraduate School, the Foreign Service Institute in Washington D.C., and the Royal Norwegian Defense College.
Description Operation Market Time was the United States Navy’s effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was one of four Navy duties begOperation Market Time was the United States Navy’s effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was one of four Navy duties begun after the Tonkin Gulf Incident, along with Operation Sea Dragon, Operation Sealords and naval gunfire support.
Operation
Seaplane tenders USS Currituck (AV-7), USS Pine Island (AV-12), and USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) served as flagships for Market Time.
A VP-40 SP-5B Marlin on patrol in 1965.
An SP-2H Neptune of VP-1 flying over Vietnamese junks.
When a trawler was intercepted landing arms and ammunition at Vung Ro Bay in northern Khánh Hòa Province on 16 February 1965 it provided the first tangible evidence of the North Vietnamese supply operation. This became known as the Vung Ro Bay Incident.
North Vietnamese mine laying ships attempted to close the entrance to the bay but were turned back by U.S. Marine helicopters modified with anti-ship missiles launching daring close range attacks on the vessels, braving intense machine gun fire from North Vietnamese commandos on the decks of the ships.
P5M seaplane Patrol Squadrons, Navy destroyers, ocean minesweepers, PCFs (Swift boats) and United States Coast Guard cutters performed the operation. Also playing a key role in the interdictions were the Navy’s patrol gunboats (PGs). The PG was uniquely suited for the job because of its ability to go from standard diesel propulsion to gas turbine (jet engine) propulsion in a matter of a few minutes. The lightweight aluminum and fiberglass ships were not only fast but highly maneuverable because of their variable pitch propellers. Most of the ships operated in the coastal waters from the Cambodian border around the south tip of Vietnam up north to Dà Nẵng. Supply ships from the Service Force, such as oilers, would bring mail, movies, and fuel.
Of the many vessels involved in Operation Market Time, one of the more notable was the USCGC Point Welcome (WPB-82329) which, on 11 August 1966, was brought under fire by a number of United States Air Force aircraft. This incident of a "blue-on-blue" engagement killed two members of the cutter’s crew (one of whom was the commanding officer) and wounded nearly everyone on board.
Operation Market Time was established by the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff after the 1965 Vung Ro incident to blockade the vast South Vietnam coastline against North Vietnamese gun-running trawlers. The trawlers, usually 100-foot-long Chinese-built steel-hulled coastal freighters, could carry several tons of arms and ammunition in their hulls. Not flying a national ensign that would identify them, the ships would maneuver “innocently” out in the South China Sea, waiting for the cover of darkness to make high-speed runs to the South Vietnam coastline. If successful, the ships would off load their cargoes to waiting Viet Cong or North Vietnamese forces.
To stop these potential infiltrations, Market Time was set up as a coordinated effort of long range patrol aircraft for broad reconnaissance and tracking. These aircraft, initially SP-5 seaplanes, later P-2 and SP-2 Neptunes and P-3 Orions, were armed with Bullpup air-to-surface missiles and were therefore capable of engaging these craft directly. Under normal conditions, however U.S. and allied surface forces intercepted suspect ships that crossed inside South Vietnam’s 12-mile coastal boundary. On the aviation side, some of the patrol squadrons that were involved and flying from South Vietnam, Thailand, or Philippine bases were: VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-8, VP-16, VP-17, VP-22, VP-26, VP-28, VP-40, VP-42, VP-45, VP-46, VP-47,VP-48, VP-49 and VP-50.
A significant action of Market Time occurred on 1 March 1968, when the North Vietnamese attempted a coordinated infiltration of four gun-running trawlers. Two of the four trawlers were destroyed by allied ships in gun battles, one trawler crew detonated charges on board their vessel to avoid capture, and the fourth trawler turned tail and retreated at high speed into the South China Sea. LT Norm Cook, the patrol plane commander of a VP-17 P-2H Neptune patrol aircraft operating from Cam Ranh Bay, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for discovering and following two of the four trawlers in the action.
Market Time, which operated day and night, fair weather and foul, for eight and a half years, succeeded in denying the North Vietnamese a means of delivering tons of war materials into South Vietnam by sea.... More
Memories Jack Keene participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee TeamsJack Keene participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee Teams operations in support of the Vietnam War in 1965.... More
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Description Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, J... Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Description Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, J... Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, J... Operation Market Time, starting in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Description Captain Jack Keene enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1954 and retired in June 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earne... Captain Jack Keene enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1954 and retired in June 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Natio... The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Nations or friendly foreign nations MoreHide
Description Jack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at the zenith of the Cold War, he began his naval career as a fighter pilot flying both the F9F8 Cougar an... Jack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at the zenith of the Cold War, he began his naval career as a fighter pilot flying both the F9F8 Cougar and the FJ-4B Fury jet aircraft. Jack accumulated 140 aircraft carrier landings on board the USS Shangri-La (CV-38), USS Oriskany (CV-34), and USS Midway (CV-41) aircraft carriers. He proudly served in the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis and other Southeast Asia operations as a fighter pilot in VF-63, VA-63, and VA-22 Navy squadrons. Transitioning to the land based mission of maritime patrol, Jack then flew the P-2V Neptune in Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-2) and deployed to Kodiak and Adak in Alaska, and Iwakuni Island in Japan. During the later deployment, he participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee Teams operations in support of the Vietnam War in 1965.
Captain Jack Keene retired from the United States Navy in 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Description Jack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at the zenith of the Cold War, he began his naval career as a fighter pilot flying both the F9F8 Cougar an... Jack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at the zenith of the Cold War, he began his naval career as a fighter pilot flying both the F9F8 Cougar and the FJ-4B Fury jet aircraft. Jack accumulated 140 aircraft carrier landings on board the USS Shangri-La (CV-38), USS Oriskany (CV-34), and USS Midway (CV-41) aircraft carriers. He proudly served in the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis and other Southeast Asia operations as a fighter pilot in VF-63, VA-63, and VA-22 Navy squadrons. Transitioning to the land based mission of maritime patrol, Jack then flew the P-2V Neptune in Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-2) and deployed to Kodiak and Adak in Alaska, and Iwakuni Island in Japan. During the later deployment, he participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee Teams operations in support of the Vietnam War in 1965. MoreHide
Description The crisis started with the 823 Artillery Bombardment at 5:30 pm on August 23, 1958, when the PRC's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began an intense artillery bombardment against Quemoy (Kinmen). The RThe crisis started with the 823 Artillery Bombardment at 5:30 pm on August 23, 1958, when the PRC's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began an intense artillery bombardment against Quemoy (Kinmen). The ROC troops on Kinmen dug in and then returned fire. In the heavy exchange of fire, roughly 440 ROC soldiers and 460 PRC soldiers were killed.
This conflict was a continuation of the First Taiwan Strait Crisis, which had begun immediately after the Korean War was over. The Nationalist Chinese had begun to build on the island of Kinmen and the nearby Matsu archipelago. During 1954, the PLA began firing artillery at both Kinmen and some of the nearby Matsu islands.
The American Eisenhower Administration responded to the request for aid from the ROC according to its obligations in the mutual defense treaty that had been ratified in 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the reinforcement of the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet in the area, and he ordered American naval vessels to help the Nationalist Chinese government to protect the supply lines to the islands.
Also, under a secret effort called "Operation Black Magic", the U.S. Navy modified some of the F-86 Sabre fighter planes of the ROC Air Force with its newly developed AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (early models). These missiles gave the Nationalist Chinese pilots a decisive edge over the Soviet-made MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters in the skies over the Matsu Islands and the Taiwan Strait. The ROC pilots used the Sidewinder missiles to score numerous kills on PLAAF MiG aircraft.
The US Army's contribution was to reinforce the strategic air defense capability of the ROC. A provisional Nike battalion was organized at Fort Bliss, TX, and sent via USMTS USS General J. C. Breckinridge (AP-176) to Taiwan. The 2nd Missile Battalion was augmented with detachments of signal, ordnance and engineers, totaling some 704 personnel. Recent research from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration also indicates that the U.S. Air Force was prepared for nuclear warfare against the PRC.[citation needed]
Twelve long-range 203 mm (8-inch) M115 howitzer artillery pieces and numerous 155 mm howitzers were transferred from the U.S. Marine Corps to the Army of the ROC. These were sent west to Kinmen Island to gain superiority in the artillery duel back and forth over the straits there. The impact of these powerful (but conventional) artillery pieces led some members of the PLA to believe that American artillerymen had begun to use nuclear weapons against them.
Soon, the Soviet Union dispatched its foreign minister, Andrei Gromyko, to Beijing to discuss the actions of the PLA and the Red Chinese Air Force, with advice of caution to the Red Chinese.
On September 22, 1958, the Sidewinder missile was used for the first time in air-to-air combat as 32 Nationalist Chinese F-86s clashed with 100 Red Chinese MiGs in a series of aerial engagements. Numerous MiGs were shot down by Sidewinders, the first "kills" to be scored by air-to-air missiles in combat.
Soon, the PRC was faced with a stalemate, the PLA's artillerymen had run out of artillery shells.[citation needed] The Red Chinese government announced a large decrease in bombardment levels on October 6.... More
Memories Jack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at theJack Keene joined the Navy in 1954 and was designated a naval aviator in May, 1955. A veteran at the zenith of the Cold War, he began his naval career as a fighter pilot flying both the F9F8 Cougar and the FJ-4B Fury jet aircraft. Jack accumulated 140 aircraft carrier landings on board the USS Shangri-La (CV-38), USS Oriskany (CV-34), and USS Midway (CV-41) aircraft carriers. He proudly served in the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis and other Southeast Asia operations as a fighter pilot in VF-63, VA-63, and VA-22 Navy squadrons. Transitioning to the land based mission of maritime patrol, Jack then flew the P-2V Neptune in Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-2) and deployed to Kodiak and Adak in Alaska, and Iwakuni Island in Japan. During the later deployment, he participated in the initial establishment of the Market Time air barrier and Yankee Teams operations in support of the Vietnam War in 1965. ... More
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Description Captain Jack Keene enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1954 and retired in June 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earne... Captain Jack Keene enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1954 and retired in June 1984 after a 30 year remarkable and illustrious career of service to our nation. During his career, Jack earned and was awarded the Legion of Merit (the Navy's 6th most highest precedence award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements), the Meritorious Service Medal (given in recognition of Jack's superlative command tour in VP-22), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (given for his exceptional service on the Secretary of Defense staff), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal among other unit citations and letters of commendation. MoreHide
In August of 1978, Jack was selected for major aviation command and became the Commander of all Naval Forces, Iceland. Commensurate with this assignment, he was dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station, Keflavik. He served in Iceland until 1980 when he then moved back to the West Coast and was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Wings Pacific at Moffett Field, California. In January 1983, Jack earned his third and final command tour as the Commanding Officer of Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Pacific Fleet (FASOTRAGRUPAC). During this command tour, he was responsible for over 1,000 personnel and multiple detachment sites assigned to deliver essential fleet aviation training in the operation and tactical employment of aviation systems and equipment for Navy and Marine Corps aircrew.