Jerry Lewis (Joseph Levitch)
(March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017)
Project Paperclip Team at Fort Bliss.
In a move that stirs up some controversy, as part of "Operation Paperclip," the United States shipped 88 German scientists to
America to assist the nation in its production of rocket technology.
Most of these men had served under the Nazi regime and critics in
the United States questioned the morality of placing them in the
service of America. Nevertheless, the U.S. government, desperate
to acquire the scientific know-how that had produced the terrifying
and destructive V-1 and V-2 rockets for Germany during WWII, and
fearful that the Russians were also utilizing captured German
scientists for the same end, welcomed the men with open arms.
On this day in 1968, U.S.troops in Vietnam destroyed a village
consisting mostly of women and children. The event is known
as the My-Lai massacre.
Over 500 babies, children, women and men were slaughtered by American
soldiers. Many Vietnamese women and girls had been raped. Huts were
burned, livestock was killed, food supplies destroyed.
Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses, but only one
Lieutenant William Calley Jr., a platoon leader in C Company, was
convicted. Found guilty of killing 22 villagers, he was originally given
a life sentence, but served only three and a half years under house
arrest.
William Laws Calley Jr. will be 76 on June 8.
This U.S. Army photo shows the aftermath of the Mỹ Lai Massacre
with mostly women and children lying dead on a road.
The village was burned to the ground.
The My Lai Massacre memorial site.
The Apr. 12, 1971, cover of TIME.
On this day in 1968, U.S. troops in Vietnam destroyed a village
consisting mostly of women and children. The event is known
as the My-Lai massacre.
William Laws Calley Jr. will be 75 in June.
Terry Anderson, an Associated Press newsman, was taken hostage
in Beirut on this day in 1985. He was released on December 4,1991.
Physicist Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fuel rocket on
this day in 1926. Goddard is known as the father of modern rocketry.
Robert Hutchings Goddard
(October 5, 1882 – August 10, 1945)
Jerry Lewis (Joseph Levitch) (March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017)
Comedian, actor, and muscular dystrophy telethon host Jerry Lewis
formed one of history’s greatest comedy teams with Dean Martin. He
received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Los Angeles Film
Critics Association, The American Comedy Awards, and the Venice
Film Festival.
From left: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
A total of 26 U.S. soldiers were charged with criminal
offenses. Platoon leader, Lieutenant Calley (above),
was convicted for the killing of 22 villagers.
From left: Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin comedy team.
Jerry Lewis (Joseph Levitch) is 91 years old today.
Jerry Lewis’ early schtick was called "Record Act," which featured him miming
the lyrics of popular songs as they played on a phonograph.
1960
1963