Jesse Beckett

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

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

WWII Spy And War Hero Martin Gelb Dies At 101

Martin Gelb, a WWII spy and one of the Nazi’s most wanted men, has passed away aged 101. Gelb fought the Nazis from the inside,…

The Plutonium Files: The US Government Injected Unsuspecting Citizens With Plutonium

In the mid-1940s the US was leading the world in atomic weapons development and the understanding of radioactive materials. Just ten years after plutonium had…

The Mistake That Led To The Confederate Loss At The Battle Of Antietam During The Civil War

Robert E Lee Statue

It was early September in 1862, and General Robert E. Lee was drafting plans for his Confederate invasion of Maryland. Lee drew up a detailed…

How the Biggest Traitors In Military History Betrayed Their Countries

Robert Hanssen's mughot + Portrait of Wang Jingwei

Military traitors are some of the biggest, most despised figures in history, but they’re also some of the most fascinating. It’s mind-boggling to consider how…

The Japanese-American combat unit that earned 4,000 Bronze Stars and 21 Medals of Honor

442nd Infantry Unit in WWII

The United States’ most decorated WWII unit was made up of people considered ‘enemy aliens’ at the time. When America joined WWII after the attack…

Air Force One Facts That Show It’s More Than Just An Airplane

Air Force One Image

Air Force One has been the famous transport aircraft for US presidents since the late 1980s. It is recognised around the world in its white,…

Really Strange Tanks With Very Specific Uses (That Were Actually Built)

Weird Tanks

Since the creation of the world’s first tank in 1916, known as Little Willie, engineers have continuously strived to make them bigger, better, faster, and…

Teddy Roosevelt, An Avid Athlete, Was Integral In Pushing For Military Physical Readiness Tests

Physical readiness

Teddy Roosevelt, one of the US’ most beloved presidents, was renowned for his legendary engagement in physical activities and challenges. He exercised, led tropical expeditions,…

Army’s Rail Support System Cut From 600 to 180 Soldiers In Latest Blow To Military Support

Army Rail Support System

The General Accountability Office (GAO) has recently conducted a review of the US Army’s rail transportation network and has discovered some startling issues. The network…

Torpedownia: A Torpedo Launch Station Abandoned Off the Polish Coast

Torpedownia Image

An abandoned piece of German construction still stands today off the coast of Poland, near the town of Gdynia. The structure, which sits on the…

The B-24 Liberator: The Most Produced Bomber In History

B-24 Bomber

The B-24 Liberator was one of the US’ primary heavy bombers of WWII. It fought alongside the legendary B-17 but has since been overshadowed by…

The Battle of the Bismarck Sea Made it Mandatory For Japanese Soldiers To Learn How To Swim

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941, the US and its allies in the Pacific were subjected to a series of Japanese victories,…