US Navy Aviator John Struhsaker in his Biplane trainer, Pensacola NAS, 1941
Thank You and God Bless all who have served!
A special thank you to all Active Duty members of the Military and their families who continue to serve selflessly despite the government shutdown – you deserve better!
In memory of all veterans and especially those lost in combat:
“All Gave Some, but Some Gave All!”
Service to the Country – a Family Business
It is hard to imagine the sacrifices made by all of those who served, but here is a brief summary of the US casualties, Since the Civil War.
US Killed and Wounded in Major Conflicts since the Civil War
While the numbers are classified, our intelligence agencies experienced significant casualties from 1945 to 1992 during the first Cold War.
As for my family, we have served for 5 Generations:
World War I: my grandfather Walter Struhsaker, US Marines -US Expeditionary Force
World War II: my father, John “Buck” Struhsaker, US Naval Aviator, My Uncle Earl Dennis, US Army Air Force, Bomber Radio Operator, and my uncle Bill Green, US Army Air Force B-24 Navigator, KIA in the Pacific
Korea: My uncle Bob Green, US Army
Persian Gulf War & the War In Afghanistan: my Nephews, Joey Green, US Army Ranger, and Johnny Green, US Marine Cobra Helicopter Pilot
Cold War: Paul Struhsaker (me), NSA and US Navy
Currently Serving: my Great Niece – Mackenzie “Mac” Daley
Crew of the US Army Air Force B-24 Wasp Nest - Lost in Action – My Uncle Bill Green was Navigator, Killed In Action, Port Moresby, 1943
World War I & II - Walter Struhsaker- John Struhsaker - Earl Dennis
The Next Generation: Airman Makenzie “Mac” Daley
Service comes with its sacrifice – the loss of Bill Green, my mother’s brother, in World War 2 was tragic. Bill and his crew survived the crash landing of their B-24 but were executed by their Japanese captors. Bill’s loss was very hard on my extended family. The facts surrounding him and the B-24 Hornets Nest crew were not made public until the late 2010s. Bill's parents and siblings did not live to hear about this tragedy (you can read more in the Dystopic “postcards from the Pacific” below)
1943 Army Air Force letter, Bill Green declared MIA, Missing in Action
1948 War Department -Bill Green officially designated KIA- Killed in Action
I took a tour of the Battle grounds of the South Pacific this April and traced my family's World War II experiences there. It was fascinating and yet sad. You can read all about it in the following Dystoic newsletters:
The foundation of US deterrence, our ability to prevent war through “Peace through Strength,” lies in the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces
My profound thanks to you all, my brother and sister officers and enlisted veterans!
The Government Shutdown
How safe are we when we fail to pay our armed forces, our air traffic controllers, the FBI, and the intelligence agencies?
What is the impact on our adversaries' view of our credibility and deterrence?
These are questions that US citizens and our Allies should never have to ask!
Enough said on the subject.
That’s a wrap for this week …
Dystopic- The Technology Behind Today's News
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If you have missed a Dystopic News letter, you can find select back copies HERE
Finally, Itsn’t it time your really understood deterrence? Then pick up a copy of my book or listen to the new audiobook:
How The Hell Did We Get Here? A Citizen's Guide to The New Cold War and Rebuilding of Deterrence
Available on Amazon USA HERE, Amazon Internationally (on your local Amazon page), or through Barnes & Noble and other major retailers online https://a.co/d/1FKGJtB
