March 25, 2011

Crusaders at Work

By Ed Timperlake
A much honored, even legendary term from history, "Crusaders", has fallen by the wayside in this era of political correctness and American engagements in Middle East wars. In fact, a Marine Fighter Squadron, VMFA-122, had to change their name in back to their WWII moniker "Werewolves."  Someone in power did not want a decorated Marine Squadron known as "The Crusaders" arriving in the Middle East to fight in Iraq.  That would have apparently sent the "wrong" signal.  To paraphrase Shakespeare "Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of holy war" is a phrase to be avoided at all costs. Independent of being very PC the Marine name change actually made some sense since Marine fighter pilots tend to not care what is their nickname as long as they can fight. Actually going back in time it might have been more difficult to "re-brand" the USN/USMC fighter force.  This is because at one time they were all flying the...(Read Full Article)