Jesse Beckett

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

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

Drew Dix: The First Special Forces Member to Receive the Medal of Honor

Drew Dix holding up his hand

Drew Dix was an American Special Forces member who famously fought in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. Dix successfully fought his way through a city…

Hundreds of WWII-Era Munitions Detonated Off Okinawa

Ordnance Detonated in Japan

After the discovery of hundreds of WWII munitions this year leftover from the Battle of Okinawa, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has begun to destroy…

The Tragic Crash that Took Out the B-24 “Hot Stuff” and Its Crew

B-24 Liberator In Action

Over three months before the B-17 Memphis Belle completed 25 missions, the B-24 Liberator “Hot Stuff” had already returned home from its 25th mission. The…

The Second World War Helped Launch Dick Van Dyke’s Acting Career

Dick Van Dyke as Mr. Dawes Sr. in 'Mary Poppins'

Is the fountain of youth real? A lot of movie fans seem to think it is. Actors like Paul Rudd, Jenifer Aniston and, of course,…

Here’s Why the US Didn’t Attempt To Match Russia’s Titanium Submarines

Alfa Class Submarine

In 1968 the Soviet Union produced a revolutionary new class of submarines; the Alfa-class. These vessels incorporated a number of advanced and innovative features that…

Why Do US Navy Sailors Have 13-Button Pants?

Portrait of a US Navy sailor standing with his arms crossed and wearing 13-button pants

Navies across the world have traditions, some dating back hundreds of years. Many are so old that their origins have long since been forgotten. However,…

4 Military Advances In Weapons and Machines that Helped Britain Win Battles For Hundreds Of Years

Brown Bess and Britain

Great Britain has been involved in scraps all over the world for centuries. In fact, it’s estimated that Britain has used military force against or…

These 4 Weapons Created For Combat Were Cheap But Ingenious Game Changers

Sometimes, no matter how tactically adept a military force may be, if an opponent suddenly shows up with a particularly advanced or capable weapon, it…

Stanley Hollis: The Only British Soldier to Earn the Victoria Cross for his Actions on D-Day

Sergeant Hollis

Since it was introduced only 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded. One of these was to Stanley Hollis, a soldier in the British Army who…

6 of the Most Disgusting Rations that were actually Given to Soldiers

MRE

Military rations have varied significantly over the years and often reflect the era in which they were produced. After a long day of tiring activities,…

Grumman F-11 Tiger: The US Navy’s Second Supersonic Aircraft has a Weird History

F11F-1

The Grumman F-11 Tiger was an interesting fighter from an era that saw rapid and continuous advances in aircraft design. It was the US Navy’s…

5 Of The Most Brutal Tactics in the History of Warfare

Siege of Leningrad inside the city

War is not known for its friendliness, but throughout history, combatants have often abided by unspoken rules that try to limit unnecessary damage or suffering…