Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger."

Upon graduating high school in 1950, country music legend Willie
Nelson ventured into the Air Force, embarking on a journey that
would unexpectedly shape his path.

Studio album released in 1973.

On February 8, 1943, Japanese troops evacuate Guadalcanal,
leaving the island in Allied possession after a prolonged
campaign.

The American victory paved the way for other Allied wins in
the Solomon Islands.

Guadalcanal is the largest of the Solomons, a group of 992
islands and atolls, 147 of which are inhabited, in the South
Pacific Ocean.

The Battle of Edson’s Ridge Guadalcanal.

Pvt. Eddie Slovik became the first American soldier since
the Civil War to be court-martialed and executed by firing
squad for desertion—and the only one who suffered such
a fate during World War II.

Pvt. Eddie Slovik was a draftee. Originally classified 4-F
because of a prison record (grand theft auto), he was
reclassified 1-A when draft standards were lowered to
meet growing personnel needs.

In January 1944, he was trained to be a rifleman, which
was not to his liking, as he hated guns.

In August of the same year, Slovik was shipped to France
to fight with the 28th Infantry Division.

Eddie and Antoinette Slovik.

1974

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jetliner
(similar to above) operating as American Airlines
Flight 5342, was on final approach to Runway 33
at Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington,
Virginia Wednesday evening when it collided with
an Army H-60 Sikorsky helicopter crashing into the
Potomac River Wednesday evening. 

This was the first commercial airline crash in the U.S.
since 2009.

A U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.

Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 – 5 April 1964)

MacArthur was a general who served as a top commander
during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank
of General of the Army.

He served with distinction in World War I; as chief of staff
of the United States Army from 1930 to 1935; as Supreme
Commander, Southwest Pacific Area, from 1942 to 1945
during WWII; as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
overseeing the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951;
and as head of the United Nations Command in the Korean
War from 1950 to 1951.  

MacArthur was nominated for the Medal of Honor three
times, and was awarded it for his WWII service in the
Philippines.

General Douglas MacArthur wades ashore during initial
landings at Leyte, Philippine Islands.

General Douglas MacArthur signs as Supreme Allied Commander during formal surrender ceremonies on
the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay.