Jesse Beckett

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

Articles by Jesse Beckett:

Did A Tornado Spare Washington, DC During the War of 1812?

The White House Burned Down

Usually the British are used to unexpected changes in the weather, but during the War of 1812, the British were caught out by a sudden…

The M42 Duster Played A Crucial Role in Vietnam

M42 Duster

From 1966 until the end of the Vietnam War, the relatively small yet extremely deadly M42 Duster was brought out of retirement and used against…

The USS Scorpion Was Lost At Sea And Some Mysteries Still Remain About The Nuclear Submarine

USS Scorpion Submarine

In 1968 a US nuclear submarine suddenly disappeared in the Atlantic ocean, one of only two nuclear submarines to have been lost by the US.…

The BV 238 was the Heaviest Plane of WWII and an Example of Extreme German Engineering

For the first few decades after humanity conquered flight, flying boats consistently ranked among the largest aircraft in the world. In fact, the H-4 Hercules,…

The CIA Stole a Soviet Satellite During the Space Race

AI rendering of three CIA agents standing around a stolen Soviet satellite in a wooden crate

The Space Race was an amazing display of technological excellence, but it also doubled as a direct metric for the United States and Soviet Union’s…

Last Ditch Effort: German Tanks Were Disguised To Look Like American Tanks For The Battle of the Bulge

Operation Greif and the man who led it

Deception is a useful and commonly used military tactic. It can be used to confuse your enemy, feed them wrong information so they draw up…

This Multiple Purple Heart Recipient is the Most Decorated Native American Soldier in US History

American soldiers during the Vietnam War

Pascal Cleatus Poolaw was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, receiving the Purple Heart in each. Over his military career,…

The Absurd Rules-of-Engagement GIs Had to Follow During the Vietnam War

Michelin Tire Company and Vietnam War rubber trees plantation

The United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam is viewed as one of the most humiliating moments for the mighty nation. The most powerful military on earth,…

This RAF Tail Gunner Jumped From A Burning Plane Without A Parachute And Only Twisted His Knee

Lancaster PA474

On a cold March night in 1944, a British airman jumped out of a Lancaster bomber at an altitude of 18,000 feet. His aircraft was…

Carl Gamble: The Vietnam Vet and Airline Pilot Who Saved His Passengers from a Hijacker

Captain Carl Gamble

On March 27, 1984, a passenger aboard Piedmont flight 451 told a flight attendant that the aircraft was laden with explosives, and demanded a new…

The Most Puzzling Unsolved Mysteries from World War II

Anne Frank sitting at a desk + Soviet military officials standing beside the Columbus Globe for State and Industry Leaders

Written by Jesse Beckett and Clare Fitzgerald We all love a good unsolved mystery and World War II provided plenty. The scale of the conflict…

The Incredible Life Of War Hero Eddie Rickenbacker: War Hero, Pioneer, And So Much More

Eddie Rickenbacker The War Hero

Eddie Rickenbacker is an American who seemingly lived ten lifetimes in one. He was a successful mechanic, automotive designer, race car driver, businessman, government consultant,…