วันอังคารที่ 14 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2556

History of the Royal Thai Army

History of the Royal Thai Army
The Monarch – Highest Armed Forces Commander
                        Under the sublime leadership of generations of great monarchs, the army has been integral to the survival and stability of Thailand ever since the Thai nation came into existence.
                        From ancient times, the kingdom’s great monarchs have distinguished themselves as righteous rulers in time of peace and as formidable warriors in time of war. Thais of all ages are infinitely indebted to their incomparable kings for the national heritage, and for the freedom and independence they have enjoyed till today.
                        The kingdom’s monarchs have for centuries been exalted as the highest commanders of the armed forces by virtue of their kingship and because of their life-long commitment to defend the sovereignty of the kingdom. In 1940, the ministry of defense decreed that the monarch become upon his accession to throne, the highest commander of the armed forces.
                        In addition to their military leadership, the king’s boundless mercy add righteousness has for generations helped stabilize the nation and strengthen the unity of Thais of all creeds and from all walks of life.
                        Historically, the first integrated Thai kingdom took shape some 700 years ago. The Sukhothai kingdom, which lasted from 1257 to 1438, was most glorious under King Ramkhamhaeng the Great. During his reign(1279 – 1319), King Ramkhamhaeng expanded the Thai borders in all directions. His military might and tactical prowess was indisputable.
                        Thanks to the country’s two great kings and warriors, Thailand regained its independence under King Naresuan the Great (1590 – 1605) of the Ayudhaya kingdom, once again under King Taksin the Great (1767 – 1782) of the Thon Buri period. Counting on the kingdom’s military might as well as the indomitable fighting spirit of Thai warriors, King Naresuan and King Taksin liberated the Thai people from foreign lords and masters, who had hitherto dominated the Southeast Asian region. A historic battle in recent time was the nine-army battle early in the Rattanakosin era.
                        Crown Prince Surasinghanart, acting on the order of King Rama I, led forces to repel the invading enemies in the West. With a mere 70,000 – strong troops, the Thai armed forces valiantly and tactically stood up against the 144,000 troops, forcing the aggressors to retreat in humiliation. Thai was the last most memorable battle prior to the advent of the Western colonization era that posed a great threat to the kingdom’s sovereignty.
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วันศุกร์ที่ 10 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Thai Aviation Aechanic, unsurpassed by any




Aviation in Thailand started in 1913 with only 8 aircraft imported from France which in constant use in daily operation. Wear and tear in plane parts quickly was apparent. Airplane being of new technology required spare parts only through import, costly and time consuming , Lieutenant Colonel Phra Chalem Akas, Commander of the Amy Air Division, and his people were acutely aware of the situation and painstakingly sought solution; an aspiration was formed. We shall make our own aircraft.




They started to acquire carpenter and welding tools, imported workshop tools and equipment, and airplane engines in order to assemble the fuselage, wing, tail, and propeller. Non-commission officers and privates with carpentry, welding, or engine skill were trained for aircraft mechanic.





The capability to repair, and later design and build aircraft by our own mechanic, besides a great budget saving rendered a leap of development for the Thai aeronautical engineering, and by itself gained a national pride.

วันเสาร์ที่ 8 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2555

World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (2): Army & Air Corps (Elite)

World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (2): Army & Air Corps (Elite)


The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be awarded to personnel in the United States' Armed Forces. From the early fighting in the Philippines through the D-Day landings in Northwest Europe to the final assaults in the Pacific, this book looks at the brave US soldiers and airmen who were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the face of danger. It tells the exciting combat stories of such famous figures as the film star Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated US soldier of World War II (1939-1945), alongside less well-known awardees.

STARR SINTON has a degree in Anthropology and a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a military lawyer, a special assistant United States attorney, and an attorney in private practice, and has published numerous articles in various US government publications. ROBERT HARGIS gained a BA in History from California State University, San Bernadino. He currently works as a High School teacher, teaching United States History and Western Civilization.

Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq


Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq


A fascinating look at six of our bravest soldiers and the highest military decoration awarded in this country


Since the Vietnam War ended in 1973, the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for valor, has been presented to only eight men for their actions “above and beyond the call of duty.” Six of the eight were young men who had fought in the current war in Iraq, Afghanistan, or both. All of these medals were awarded posthumously, as all had made the choice to give their lives so that their comrades might live.
Uncommon Valor answers the searing question of who these six young soldiers were, and dramatically details how they found themselves in life-or-death situations, and why they responded as they did. For the first time, this book also provides a comprehensive history of the Medal of Honor itself—one marred by controversies, scandals, and theft.
Using an extraordinary range of sources, including interviews with family members and friends, teammates and superiors in the military, personal letters, blogs posted within hours of events, personal and official videos and newly declassified documents, Uncommon Valor is a compelling and important work that recounts incredible acts of heroism and lays bare the ultimate sacrifice of our bravest soldiers.

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60 mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army. Read More...thai military patches

Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of the United States Marine Corps: World War II to Present


Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of the United States Marine Corps: World War II to Present


16 color plates & 8 x 11 & The most thorough and easy-to-use guide on all decorations, medals, badges, and insignia of the Marine Corps, complete with beautiful color plates. The first book of its type published in the United States.

DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, BADGES AND INSIGNIA OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS: World War II to Present. By James G. Thompson with Foreword by General Walter E. Boomer. USMC, Retired. Published by Medals of America Press. 123 pages. 16 color plates. Bibliog. Index. Available in both hard and soft cover. This new book is a complete visual history of the Marine Corps as told by its insignia, military medals, ribbons and badges. This is a complete easy to use guide on the subject and covers the period from World War II to the present. It features all the Marine decorations and service medals along with their history and award criteria. Each medal and ribbon is shown in full color and is identified and displayed in correct order with all attachments and devices. Included are special sections on badges as well as how to wear medals, ribbons and insignia; how to claim medals; how to display awards and detailed information on marksmanship and trophy badges. There is also information on the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. This concise book puts it all together for you and is a must for all Marines, veterans and collectors. Jim Thompson has written a book that is destined to become an instant collector's item. James G. "Jim" Thompson served as a regular officer in the United States Marine Corps in the early 1960's. His service included time as a Platoon Commander and Assistant S-4 in the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, as well as Assistant S-4 for Embarkation on the staff of the 2nd Marines. He also served on sea duty as the Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Randolph (CVS-15). He is a retired Sales Manager formerly with Procter & Gamble and lives in Dunwoody, Georgia.
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World War II to Present

Complete Guide to United States Navy Medals, Badges and Insignia: World War II to Present


Complete Guide to United States Navy Medals, Badges and Insignia: World War II to Present


Complete Guide to United States Navy Medals, Badges and Insignia - World War II to Present, is the most comprehensive awards book ever written on the Navy. Every military medal is illustrated in color with complete details for awards, attachments, date's, and history. This book answers every award question from World War II to Present.
By A Reader The book is designed to present a huge wealth of detailed information previously not in print in a manner consistent with easy access and historical accuracy. The very concise and smooth-flowing history of Navy awards and insignia, the very emblems that have adorned the Navy uniform are traced from the America Revolution to the present military operations in Iraq.
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Complete Guide to United States Navy Medals, Badges and Insignia: World War II to Present

Military Medals of the United States


Military Medals of the United States

This is the single best book in the world on U.S. Military Medals. 192 pages containing: Criteria for all medals listed in full detail with dates and campaigns. Superb front and back color pictures of all U.S. Military decorations, service medals, marksmanship medals and ribbons, plus commonly awarded foreign medals. Separate color ribbon display in correct order of precedence for Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine awards since 1939. Complete chapter on devices for awards and ribbons cross referenced with medals. Complete section on wear and display of U.S. Military Medals for all branches. Valuable section on how to claim your medals from the government.
By NealA refreshingly entertaining and well-illustrated tour of 236 years of United States military awards the book allows the reader to take the long road of history or a shortcut to a specific medal. The evolution of American military medals beginning with the Revolutionary War is described and illustrated on every page with many original drawings and photographs. The medals and ribbons for each war and campaign are described even to how they were worn on the uniforms. The real tour de force is the magnificent full-color photographs of over 300 medals and ribbons awarded since the Civil War. The focus is not just on veterans and their families but there are detailed ribbon charts for active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. It is without a doubt the most complete presentation ever done on United States military medals.
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