There was a riot at the old Joliet Prison in Illinois in June of 1917. June 5th 1917. The prisoners were trying to break down the gate that was in the Blues Brothers movie. The one Belushi walks out of in the beginning of the movie Blues Brothers. Same gate.They had a coal car and were ramming down the gate. There was a a detachment of Illinois Army National Guard troops of the 1-131 st infantry 33rd division, encamped down the street from the prison about a mile away. They were awaiting movement to France where their record was outstanding. Ducit Amor Patriae. Fed by love of country 1-131st.. First Illinois. The Dandy First! Its quite a story.. to make it short. The members of the 1-131st Infantry showed up and stopped the riot using only their bayonets. They were praised all across the country even by the President, for showing restraint and not shooting any of the rioting prisoners. They just used their Bayonets..... The headline in the New York Times the next day claims the rain and the Infantrymen s bayonets stopped the Riot. I like to think it was more the bayonets on a warm June day. Headline in the NY Times... The next day June 6th 1917. "BAYONETS AND RAIN QUELL PRISON RIOT; Illinois Troops Charge 1,000 Convicts Who Set Fire to Joliet Penitentiary During Revolt. ONE KILLED AND MANY HURT Two Hundred Prisoners Defy Soldiers, but Are Driven to Coverby a Drenching Shower." I seriously doubt it was the rain that stopped the riot. lol. 🤣

Afternoon. This is my first time on this forum and finding this as a post was exciting. I have an 1874 very similar! The neat thing I’m noticing is that both have no “U.S.” brand on the flap, and both have a webbbing chape holding the closure buckle on, when all other originals I have seen have leather. Have you been able to determine if this is a late design change, or if these bags were simply prototypes?

Good post and one I can relate to. As for my collecting, I’ve been trying to wind things down for a while but without much success. There is always something new that crosses my path I just can’t resist. The USMF has been a huge and invaluable source of information as well as entertainment . And the folks here are the best.  I’ve had and have my share of rough patches in life and I have always found in my hobbies and the USMF in particular, a refuge to crawl into to escape for a while. I’ll add my thanks to one and all.  mikie

Understand completely!  But, I should have said "on loan" to the Museum.  You wouldn't have to permanently give up your mementos.  What I had in mind is to have a temporary exhibit created of your mementos and my father's mementos and station the exhibit near the Life Magazine mural in the Pacific Hall.  It would tell the story of two Marines who bravely fought together - one ultimately sacrificing his life for the democracy that I hope will survive today - and the other who lived and carried his friend's memory in his heart until he died.  My father had two sisters and was raised by a single mom in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  He was half-blood Cherokee Indian.  My sisters and I believe that Jack Blankenhorn was the brother my father never had.  They were both so young when they volunteered to serve their country.  Again, this is just an idea that I have to honor these two men.  

Does anyone know how the Wake Island Clasp or W device would be worn if a Wake Island defender had previously been awarded an Expeditionary Medal? Would they wear a star to denote the clasp represented a 2nd award?   The Navy Dept. regs for 1953 simply state the star is worn to denote additional awards of the Expeditionary Medal. The clasp and W are mentioned in a separate paragraph to denote an award for the defense of Wake Island.   Since there were several qualifying expeditions in the late 1920s, and in Haiti up to 1931, the chance certainly exists that some may have already earned the MCEM, especially among senior officers and NCOs of the First Defense Battalion. 

I wanted to give my usually update on my own state within the hobby and how I have been doing. Personally, life has been really rough. I won’t go into detail but will say that when it rains it pours. To use the Finding Nemo quote, just keep swimming…   On the collecting side it has definitely been pouring, but luckily in a good way. My activity in the community really started back in 2018 and as of 2024 I have managed to fill out my collection the way I wanted. Both in terms of projects and research, I have swamped myself in enough to keep me busy. The only question now is how to best go about fine tuning my place within the hobby. It has been a nice problem to have.   Following a few acquisitions from the likes of the great to work with and all around solid gentleman, Robert Wilson, to the friendship and unsuspected surprise from Mike Kelso, I was able to complete some goals and aspirations I had within the hobby. I look forward to continuing working with and chatting with my fellow military history buffs.   Without a doubt the biggest take away, as always, has been the community and friendships within the hobby. A space and a camaraderie within which to escape and unwind, being able to interact and bond with like minded people over our interest in military history and keeping these memories alive. The likes of @tarbridge, @Dave, @KASTAUFFER @mike kelso, @kcmo, @Kurt Barickman and many many more. You guys really are what makes this so enjoyable. I love what I do as a historian both professionally and as a hobby. I really live for keeping these memories alive and being able to share and bond with you guys and build these friendships means the world to me. So to every member I mentioned above and to the community at large, Thank you!!!

Hello and welcome to Norman D Landing. I admit to being a little confused when I first stumbled in here. I was late to the party and had no idea what was going on. But I quickly learned that nothing was going on, and at the same time, everything was. NDL very quickly topped my list of favorite places on the web. I agree that it is “a hodge-pudge of unrelated postings”. And to me that is its greatest strength and appeal. I never know what interesting, informative or just plain fun things will pop up when I click on here. The people who hang out here are a wealth of information and experience who are always more than willing to share.  Great folks, one and all. I suggest that you stop thinking, climb in, hang on, and enjoy the ride. I did a number of years ago and am forever grateful that I did.  mikie

On Ebay @ $50.    

If you want to quell a riot, an unsheathed bayonet, sends a powerful easily understood message. Considering all of the Violent Demonstrations in Sri Lanka over the decades, how does the Government there in your country handle it? What code do the Govt troops tasked with keeping order in Sri Lanka utilize? As of recent times in the USA, the bayonet should make a come back in my opinion. Certain groups here have tried to coddle criminals and I think everyone in this country has seen the negative effects of that.

. Hi Rooster,    Thank you for your support and viewpoint    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, April 02  2O25.   ...