01 - Kentucky's Birthday - Kentucky became the 15th state of the United States of America on June 1, 1792.
03 – Battle of Midway began (1942)
06 – D-Day Invasion of Europe (1944)
06 - Operation Counter began (1952)
08 - John H. Morgan raided Mt. Sterling, took Lexington, thence to Georgetown and Cynthiana, thence through Flemingsburg and West Liberty into Virginia (Civil War, 1864).
09 -- (1969) KyANG returned home and was released from active duty in ceremonies in Louisville. During the recall period of 17 months the wing flew 19,715 tactical flying hours from a total of 11,561 sorties. The 165th Squadron alone processed 257,200 prints and 284,251 feet of film and flew 4,438 recon sorties totaling 7,192 hours.
10 – Battle for the Punchbowl began (1951)
10 -- Siege of Outpost Harry began (1953)
11 -- (1960) The Air National Guard facility at Standiford Field was dedicated to the honor of a former member of the unit, Capt. John William Shewmaker, killed in Korea Oct. 23, 1951, while flying with the 111th Fighter- Bomber Sq. Members of the family were guests of the KyANG for the occasion. (Click here (page 136) to read about the event in "Mustangs to Phantoms").
14 – U.S. Army founded (1775)
14 – Flag Day
15 - (1950) Governor Clements issues an Executive Order appointing BG Roscoe L. Murray to the rank of MG conforming to General Assembly's change to KRS 36.030 raising the rank of the Adjutant General from BG to MG. This is the first time in the history of the Commonwealth that Adjutant General was granted the rank of Major General. --Quadrennial Report of the Adjutant General 1947-1951 page 11.
18 - U.S. Congress declared war against England (War of 1812, 1812).
18 (1945) - during action on Okinawa. Lt. General Simon B. Buckner Jr. became the highest ranking American General killed in action during WWII. The Kentucky native was the son of CSA General and Kentucky Governor Simon B. Buckner. [Courtesy Luther Davenport] Note: In 1954 Congress posthumously promoted him to the rank of General.
19 - 2d Battalion, 138th Field Artillery attacked - Charlie Battery on Tomahawk Hill hit by sappers. KYNG at other firebases were shelled by the NVA so that they could provide little or no fire for Charlie Battery. Senior Commander in Vietnam, General Creighton Abrams, said the 2nd Battalion 138th Field Artillery, was "one of the best trained, and absolutely the best maintained battalion-sized unit in Vietnam."
20 - Governor signs act establishing the Kentucky Militia (1792)
21 - Reunion at Paris, Kentucky, of 69 soldiers of the War of 1812; their combined ages equal 5,487 (1871).
21 - Captain Thomas S. Theobald, of Frankfort, aged 79, receives a pension certificate as a veteran of the War of 1812-the first issued to a Kentuckian, and entitling him to $8 per month. He was First Lieutenant in Morrill's company of Kentucky Mounted Rifles (1871).
22 - Capture by Captain Henry Bird and British-Canadian-Indian army, of Ruddle's and Martin Stations, on upper waters of Licking River (1780).
22 – Pledge of Allegiance recognized by Congress (1942)
GI Bill signed into law (1944)
24 – Kentucky National Guard Day (Learn more about KYNG Day)
24 - Kentucky Militia is organized (1792).
25 - Battle Monument completed and erected in the state cemetery at Frankfort (1850).
25 – Korean War began (1950)
28 - World War I began in Europe after Archduke Francis of Austria and wife assassinated (WWI, 1914).
29 - Appointment by President Polk of William O. Butler, of Carroll County, Kentucky to be major general of volunteers. Butler is the son of Kentucky's first Adjutant General, P.P. Butler (Mexican War, 1846).
29 – First U.S. Ground Forces arrive in Korea (1950)