Jesse Beckett

Jesse Beckett is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

Robin Olds: The Pilot Whose Mustache Was As Famous As His Achievements In the Cockpit

Robin Olds in his pilots' gear

Robin Olds was an iconic man known for his exceptional flying skills and equally exceptional mustache, which, as he said, was the “middle finger I…

How “Oorah” Became Part Of U.S. Marines Culture

Korean War Submarine and the US Marines

For civilians, it is seen in war movies and media associated with the Corps, for Marines it is heard daily; “Oorah” has become a symbol…

Here’s Why The P-51 Mustang Saw Combat As A Dive Bomber

P-51 Mustang

The P-51 Mustang is usually near the top of most aviation enthusiasts’ favorite WWII aircraft list, as it combines sleek, muscular looks with excellent performance,…

Jean Moulin Gave His Life for the French Resistance after refusing to give Intel to the “Butcher of Lyon”

French Resistance Fighter

Jean Moulin was a key member of the French Resistance during WWII who helped rally the scattered groups of fighters and served as the first…

This Incredibly Flawed Government Report Sparked Panic During the Cold War

Russian Nuclear Control Room

Anyone who lived through the Cold War knew about the terrifying prospect of thousands of Soviet nuclear missiles raining down upon cities all over the…

The Military’s “Kilroy Was Here” Phrase Has Some Interesting Backstory Theories

Kilroy was Here At WWII Museum

If you found yourself in an area where American soldiers were or had been during WWII, there’s a high chance you will find the “Kilroy…

Obscure Military Ranks That No Longer Exist And What They Meant

As the name implies, military ranks are a means of identifying servicemember’s positions inside a military hierarchy. A rank indicates a person’s authority, position, role,…

Surprising Facts About WWI Uniforms

WWI Uniforms

From spiked German helmets to steampunk-looking body armor, WWI certainly saw its fair share of strange uniform choices. WWI is a fascinating war as it…

The US Navy Maintains A Forest Solely for the USS Constitution

USS Constitution

In another display of the US military’s immense budget, the US Navy manages an entire forest just to use the wood for shipbuilding. The forest…

Legendary Sniper Carlos Hathcock Took Out An Enemy Marksmen In Epic Fashion

US Marine Corps portrait of Carlos Hathcock + Carlos Hathcock holding his sniper rifle

US Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock easily features in the ranks of history’s greatest snipers, alongside such figures as Vasily Zaytsev, Lyudmila Pavlichenko and Simo…

The Jaguar MBT: The Time China and America Collaborated On A Tank

T-59 MBT

Another weird tank to be developed during the Cold War was the Jaguar, a 1980s joint Chinese and American project that was intended to modernize…

Dan Bullock: The Youngest Serviceman Killed In Action During the Vietnam War

Dan Bullock

On June 7 1969 a US Marine by the name of Dan Bullock was killed by the People’s Army of Vietnam. Although he was one…