Andrew Pickens Chapter - South Carolina Society - SAR

06/20/2026

06/19/2026

Did you know that more battles and skirmishes were fought in South Carolina over the course of the Revolutionary War than in any other of the thirteen colonies? Today, a memorial marker near present-day Salley highlights one such event.

The Battle of John Town Memorial honors a little-known conflict near Dean’s Swamp and is located at the intersection of Salley and Voyager Roads. In May of 1782, British prisoners of war and Loyalists were detained in two "bullpens" at a camp nearby. The British were determined to free them.

Loyalist troops sent by the infamous William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham clashed with a detachment of Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens’ militia, led by Captains William Butler and Michael Watson. Though the Patriots were outnumbered two-to-one, the result of the battle was an American victory.

Plan your next journey through Thoroughbred Country and uncover the people, places and stories that helped shape South Carolina and a new nation.
tbredcountry.org/revolutionary-war

06/17/2026

An archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill has revealed ammunition used in the fight along with the outlines of an earthen fort built to protect the patriots fighting the British.

06/16/2026

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

For many Americans, their first introduction to Bruce Crandall was his portrayal by Greg Kinnear in the 2002 film “We Were Soldiers.” While the film depicts the actions for which Crandall earned the Medal of Honor, the Army aviator had a distinguished career beyond his service in Vietnam.

On Nov. 14, 1965, Crandall led a flight of 16 helicopters carrying troopers into Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley during the intense battle. As enemy fire intensified, follow-on aircraft were ordered to abort their mission. Recognizing that the infantry on the ground desperately needed ammunition and that wounded soldiers remained trapped without medical evacuation helicopters, Crandall took action.

Working outside of his mission parameters, Crandall volunteered to fly ammo in and carry the wounded out of the battle zone. Disregarding his own safety, he organized volunteer crews to keep the helicopters flying.

Through the day and into the night, Crandall flew 22 lifesaving missions and inspired his men to fly with him in spite of the danger. His actions were praised by Col. Hal Moore, the commander of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of Ia Drang, in his book “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young.”

Crandall received the Medal of Honor from President George W. Bush for his actions during the battle in a 2007 White House ceremony.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society reported that Crandall passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026 at the age of 93.

Full story by Miguel Ortiz found in the comments

06/03/2026

George Washington's Mt Vernon