JFK SPACE CENTER NAMED BY NASA
Cape Canaveral, Florida (JFK+50) James Webb, Director of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, issued an order today, carrying out an Executive Order signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 29, officially changing the name of NASA's Launch Operations Center to the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Space Center.
December 20, 1961
NY TIMES SAYS 2000 US SOLDIERS IN VIETNAM
New York City (JFK+50) The New York Times reported today that there are about 2000 American soldiers & military advisers "on the ground" in South Vietnam.
President Kennedy's policy has been to continue United States military support for South Vietnam against the threat of the communists.
To this point, however, there are no American "combat" troops in Southeast Asia.
JFK's father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., who suffered a stroke yesterday, is resting comfortably today at St. Mary's Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.
The President & 1st Lady visited the hospital this morning where they conferred with the elder Kennedy's doctors.
December 20, 1943
CANADIANS ATTACK GERMANS AT ORTONA
Ortona, Italy (JFK+50) The 1st Canadian Division, led by Major General Christopher Vokes, launched an attack today on the medieval seaport of Ortona, Italy which is defended by German troops.
Brig. R.W. Moncel & Maj Gen C. Vokes
Sogel, Germany, April 10, 1945
Photo by Alexander Mackenzie Stirton
Library & Archives of Canada
The operation is part of British General Bernard Montgomery's advance up the Italian Adriatic coast.
The Royal Edmonton Regiment & Seaforth Highlanders of Canada launched their attack from the south.*
"Canadian Armour Passing
Through Ortona"
by Dr. Charles Fraser Comfort
Canadian War Museum
*Canadians lost 1,372 killed at the Battle of Ortona which concluded on December 27. This represents almost 25% of all Canadian dead in the Mediterranean Theater.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called Ortona "Little Stanlingrad."**
**The city of ORTONA today is a town located in the Province of Chieti in the region of Abruzo in Italy. Its' population is 23,000.
"Ortona von der Seeseite"
Photo by ravoe001
JFK+50 SALUTES CANADA
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) We would like to give a salute today to our neighbor to the north, CANADA.
JFK+50 visitors from CANADA have just passed the 5000 mark & has long represented the country with the 2nd highest number of visitors to our blog.
My good friend from Calgary, Steve Davis, tells me that Canadians are among the most "internet connected" people in the world.
We will appreciate the continued support of Canadians for JFK+ 50.*
*We also want to thank Steve for providing us with the address of an excellent website for Canadian history which we will use for future postings.
