Latest news with #DistinguishedFlyingCross
Global News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Pair of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute grads discover unique connection from Second World War
What began as a fun graduation night between two close friends at the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute has grown into a story with unexpected historical depth. The students, both in their final year in 2025, chose to attend prom together to mark the end of high school — never imagining their families had crossed paths long before they were born. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In the days following the event, their families discovered a striking coincidence. A newspaper clipping from the Second World War revealed that both of their great-grandfathers had flown together aboard the same aircraft during active service. The men, Mel Sherwood (Drew Sherwood's great uncle) and Grant Spackman (Anna Johnson's great grandfather), were crewmates in the Royal Canadian Air Force and recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded by King George VI. Though the students had no idea about their shared lineage, the revelation created a moment of reflection across both families. A wartime bond had quietly resurfaced in the form of a modern-day friendship, bridging generations in an unexpected and meaningful way. Story continues below advertisement Learn more about the story by watching the video at the top of this article.
Los Angeles Times
24-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Around Town: Huntington Beach police, O.C. Sheriff's Department offer free e-bike training
Join the Huntington Beach police and the Orange County Sheriff's Department Saturday, May 31 for a hands-on e-bike training event featuring six 70-minute sessions focused on safe riding practices, traffic awareness and California e-bike laws. Riders can take their own bicycles and helmets to the event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Dwyer Middle School, 1502 Palm Ave., in Huntington Beach. Registered participants can receive prizes, giveaways and a sticker for completing the course. Registration is required, and all riders under 18 need a permission slip to attend. To register, visit the event's Eventbrite page. The Orange County fairgrounds' Heroes Hall Museum invites the public to attend a free Speaker Series talk on May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m., titled 'Beyond the Battlefield: Navigating the Journey of Veterans with PTSD.' The event begins with a viewing of the documentary film 'The Volunteer,' which documents the journey of veteran Bruce Nakashima as he searches for and reconnects with a fellow Army Ranger and friend who saved his life in Vietnam. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on post traumatic stress disorder and its impact on veterans and their families featuring Nick Berardino, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam; Tom Clark, a Vietnam veteran and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient; and Tim Higle, veteran and director of the South County Veterans Center. Heroes Hall is located at the O.C. fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Admission is free. Local residents are encouraged to join Costa Mesa Planning Commissioners Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. to discuss future land use concepts and key components of the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, which will guide future growth at the 85-acre site. Topics for discussion will include the proposed land use distribution, open space framework, circulation network and overall site organization on the grounds of the decommissioned state hospital site. Tuesday's study session takes place at Costa Mesa City Hall Council Chambers, 77 Fair Drive, in Costa Mesa.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Shane Osborn Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / May 20, 2025 / Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE Corp), a leading renewable energy company specializing in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC), is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Osborn as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Shane Osborn brings an exceptional track record of leadership and operational excellence, having previously served as Program Manager for Federal and Commercial Partnerships at OTE Corp. His extensive experience encompasses high-level roles in the military, government, finance, and renewable energy sectors. A decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Osborn earned international acclaim for his courageous leadership when he successfully landed a severely damaged U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft after a mid-air collision in 2001 and led his crew through 12 days of imprisonment by the Chinese government, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal for his heroism. Following his military career, Osborn served as Nebraska State Treasurer, managing over 27 billion dollars in pension assets and earning recognition for transparency initiatives. Additionally, he founded and led RWH Energy, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) recognized as an approved Energy Service Company (ESCO) by the U.S. Department of Energy. In his new role as COO, Osborn will oversee all operational aspects of OTE Corp, driving efficiency, innovation, and strategic growth initiatives. He will play a critical role in scaling OTE's infrastructure projects, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence across all company activities, including pivotal contracts with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial partners. Jeremy P. Feakins, Chairman and CEO of OTE Corp, stated, 'We are thrilled to announce Shane Osborn's appointment as Chief Operating Officer. Shane's extraordinary leadership skills, organizational expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence have already significantly advanced our mission. His elevation to COO ensures our continued operational success and positions us for substantial future growth."Osborn's leadership and operational capabilities will enhance OTE Corp's ability to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that promote energy independence and resiliency, particularly for remote and mission-critical military installations and global communities facing energy and freshwater challenges. About Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE Corp) OTE Corp is a U.S.-based energy company specializing in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) systems. OTEC harnesses ocean temperature differentials to produce sustainable, continuous, 24/7 power, vital for U.S. military bases and coastal communities in tropical regions. SWAC systems utilize deep seawater to provide efficient cooling solutions, significantly reducing energy consumption. Safe Harbor Statement Except for historical information contained herein, this release contains forward-looking statements made under the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties detailed in OTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Jeremy P. Feakins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [email protected] +1 917 679 2005 SOURCE: Ocean Thermal Energy Corp. press release
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
10 soldiers receive Purple Heart for 2024 drone attack at Tower 22
The Army has awarded 10 New York Army National Guard soldiers the Purple Heart for injuries they sustained in a January 2024 drone attack while they were assigned to a U.S. military base in Jordan. The soldiers were wounded during a Jan. 28, 2024 drone attack on Tower 22 that resulted in the deaths of three Army reservists, Army Times previously reported. At least 40 troops were injured in total. Desert Storm Apache crews awarded Distinguished Flying Cross The 10 soldiers, who are assigned to the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, received their medals on May 10 from unit commander Lt. Col. Darren Ketchum. 'This decoration is not sought, and it's not given lightly,' Ketchum said. 'It is earned through courage in the face of danger. Today, we recognize those who stood firm when faced with the harshest realities of combat.' The soldiers honored during the ceremony were: • Staff Sgt. David Barrientos, from Zebulon, North Carolina • Sgt. Anthony Gist, from Floral Park, New York • Sgt. Ryan Kissoon, from Richmond Hill, New York • Sgt. Guillermo Renderos, from Yonkers, New York • Sgt. Jarvis Ho So, from Brooklyn, New York • Spc. Christian Tiburcio, from Manhattan, New York • Spc. Matthew Crespo, from Brooklyn, New York • Spc. Domingo Perez, from Brooklyn, New York • Spc. Junior Clarke, from Brooklyn, New York • Spc. Michael Branch, from Brooklyn, New York 'I am honored to have received the medal, but it's never an award we wanted to get,' Sgt. Ryan Kissoon said. 'It's a sad relief we made it home that day, and others didn't.' Kissoon added that the chaplain assigned to Tower 22, Maj. Chase Wilhelm, told him something he would never forget about that day. ''We are all from different parts of the country, but we will forever be bonded by blood,'' he recalled Wilhelm saying. When the attack unfolded, 14 soldiers from the battalion's Charlie Company were at the outpost to help maintain communications, according to a release announcing the Purple Heart recipients. The drone struck a section of the base where soldiers lived. Soldiers suffered concussions and other injuries due to the blast. Platoon leader 1st Lt. Ian Gallagher said the containerized housing unit 'crinkled like a soda can' from the blast. Soldiers who were not severely injured worked to rapidly restore communications from the outpost while combat lifesaver-trained troops in the unit used aid kits to help treat other injured soldiers. Other uninjured soldiers donated blood. Charlie Company commander Capt. Paul Kramarz said the soldiers assigned to the Tower 22 base were chosen especially for the mission. 'These soldiers from Charlie Company, located at Tower 22, were a hand-selected team,' Kramarz said. 'We knew they would operate at the far reaches of our area of responsibility.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Desert Storm Apache crews awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses
The Army awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses to 15 aviators who helped kick off the air campaign of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991. The men received the high honor May 15 at the 2025 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit hosted by the Army Aviation Association of America in Nashville, Tennessee. The cross is the fourth highest award for military valor. The pilots and weapons operators originally received Air Medals with 'V' devices for valor following the historic mission. Retired Gen. Richard 'Dick' Cody served as battalion commander for the unit — the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment — during Desert Storm. Cody worked for multiple years to secure upgrades to the medals for the aviators, who were part of Task Force Normandy, according to an Army release. Five soldiedrs awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing wounded comrades Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, commanding general of the Aviation Center of Excellence and the Aviation branch chief, presented the awards to the aviators. 'This is one of those truly significant moments for us, both as an Army and as an Aviation branch,' Gill said. 'Every one of us who joins the Army looks to those who came before us. We need to use these example setters as people we should recognize and honor and then replicate the commitment that they made on that night of January 17, 1991.' The task force of eight Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and four Air Force MH-53J Pave Low helicopters were divided into two teams for the mission, Red Team and White Team. The Distinguished Flying Cross recipients from Red Team are: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lewis Hall, Warrant Officer Jerry Orsburn, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shawn Hoban, Warrant Officer Tim Vincent, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Miller, Warrant Officer Jody Bridgeforth, Capt. Newman Shufflebarger and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tim Roderick. From White Team, they are: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dave Jones, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tip O'Neill, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ronald Rodriguez, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lee Miller, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tim Zarnowski, Lt. Tom Drew, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Stewmon and Lt. Col. Dick Cody. The teams destroyed two Iraqi early warning radar sites 22 minutes before H-hour, which disabled the adversary's air defenses and established a 20-mile wide air corridor in the first minutes of the air campaign. The Apache crews launched 27 Hellfire missile, hundreds of rockets and thousands of rounds of 30mm ammunition during the mission, according to the release. The citation for their awards said the men 'displayed heroic actions' during the 15-hour mission, which occurred in darkness, 90 miles into enemy territory. 'The eight crews of Task Force Normandy fired the first shots of Desert Storm leading to the destruction of the Iraqi radar and ground control sites and officially kickstarted the allied air campaign,' the citation reads.
