Ramblin’ Rod Anders  (November 26, 1933 – May 11, 2002)

Born Rodney Carl Andersen, Rod was the host of The Ramblin’ Rod Show, a 
children’s television program on Portland, Oregon’s KPTV Ch. 12, from 1964
until his retirement on August 8, 1997. He was well known for his message 
button-covered sweater (above). At the time of his death, Anders had
collected over 25,000 buttons which were given to him by adoring fans
and many guests of his TV show. He is missed by many.

Aired on KPTV, January 30, 1981

The Rohna was a seventeen year old British liner/troopship carrying 2,193
passengers including 1,988 U.S. troops and a crew of 198. It was part of a
convoy travelling east from Oran to the Far East via the Suez Canal. when
the convoy was attacked by about 30 German Heinkel 177 bombers. The
Rohna was hit by a HS 293 ‘glider bomb’ considered to be the world’s first
guided missile. The ship sank in less than 30 minutes taking 1,015 U.S.
troops and 102 crew members to a watery death.

The attack was the largest loss of U.S. troops at sea in a single incident. For 
reasons of national security, details of the tragedy were kept secret for many  
years and were not fully released until 1967 as a result of the Freedom of
Information Act.

 
A Henschel HS 293 glide bomb

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama that won three Academy Awards, 
including Best Picture. The film ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of
all time.

1978 AD