Early History of the Oozlefinch

Each branch in the US military seems to have their own unique and peculiar traditions and the Air Defense Artillery branch is certainly no different. A tradition that is certainly unique and quite peculiar to Air Defenders is without a doubt the unofficial Air Defense mascot known as the oozlefinch:

There are many legends out there about the origins of the oozlefinch but most seems to agree that the legend of this lovable Air Defense mascot began in 1905 at Ft. Monroe, Virginia the then home of the Coastal Artillery Corps. A Captain H.M. Merriam no doubt under the effects of alcohol, first reported seeing a large eyed, flight challenged bird outside the Officer Club. Soon more people would report seeing this bird and soon even sketches were made. Eventually the legend of this bird would become so great that even a statue was erected at the club in its honor.

Changing Depictions of the Oozlefinch

The depiction that witnesses of the oozlefinch gave of this strange bird centered on its large eyes that never seemed to close and like to watch out over the beach just like the coastal artillerymen it came to represent. The bird also had over sized feet that could be used to snatch and grab anything that came at it just like its coastal artillerymen brethren were able to reach out and attack any enemy ships approach defended shores.

When World War I came along the oozlefinches depictions would begin to change as coastal artillerymen began for the first time to become air defenders. Back then these soldiers had to rely on their as their only form of early warning which was thus eventually attributed to depictions of the oozlefinch as well. After World War I depictions of the oozlefinch would even begin to be found on unit crests.

However, World War II would see the greatest numbers of depictions of the oozlefinch as air defenders spread across the globe to provide air defense against the German Luftwaffe and the aircraft of the Imperial Japanese. World War II would bring one of the greatest innovations of Air Defense which is the development of the radar. Of course the advancement of the radar would be added to depiction of the oozlefinch as its eyes became larger and in some cases radar shaped:

The end World War II would bring another great innovation to Air Defense which is the development of missiles. Like with other advancements in the field soon depictions of the oozlefinch would also include missiles as well in particular the NIKE Hercules:

The home of Air Defense located at Ft. Monroe would also eventually end up moving after World War II to Ft. Bliss, Texas where of course depictions of the oozlefinch would also go on to represent Air Defense’s new home:

Modern History of the Oozlefinch

Air Defenders would later go on to fight in communist hot spots such as Korea and Vietnam and like in conflicts before the oozlefinch would go right along with them to war.  Following these two wars the oozlefinch would remain to inspire air defenders who deterred communist aggression along the Korean Demilitarized Zone and the border between East and West Germany.

Following these long decades of deterrence, air defenders would once again find themselves in a shooting war with the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi Army.  The Air Defense Artillery’s PATRIOT missile batteries would see their first war time action by engaging Saddam’s SCUD missiles.  These PATRIOT missiles would remain for many years in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia watching the skies:

Air Defenders would see action again against Saddam’s forces in 2003 with the launch of Iraqi Freedom that would dispose of the dictator.  Following the war the oozlefinch would continue to inspire air defenders serving in both the Middle East as well as on the Korean peninsula.

Where the oozlefinch will next go to inspire Air Defenders is anyones guess.

Further Reading:
Return of the Oozlefinch
Wikipedia
History of the Oozlefinch