Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a content writer with a BA and MA in history, focusing on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history. She has written content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

Articles by Samantha Franco:

6-Star General: Only Three Individuals Have Been Promoted to the Prestigious Rank

Military portrait of Ulysses S. Grant + Military portrait of John J. Pershing + Military portrait of George Washington

The rank of 6-star general is so high in the US military’s hierarchy that it’s only ever been given out three times. One recipient was…

S-Mine: Nicknamed ‘Bouncing Betty,’ It Struck Fear Into Allied Soldiers

Soldier searching for landmines

The S-mine, originally named the Schrapnellmine, was a German bounding mine used extensively by Wehrmacht troops throughout the Second World War. When detonated, it thrust…

The USS Forrestal (CV-59) Disaster Forever Changed the Way US Navy Sailors Learn Damage Control

Firefighters trying to stop a fire on the deck of the USS Forrestal (CV-59)

The USS Forrestal (CV-59) served the US Navy for nearly four decades. During that time, she saw her fair share of combat, but no amount of…

USS Nevada (BB-36): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and An Atomic Bomb

USS Nevada (BB-36) at sea

The USS Nevada (BB-36) was the first of a class of two 27,500-ton battleships launched in 1914, rendering all first-generation vessels obsolete. She had a remarkable…

Al Schmid: The US Marine Who Continued to Man His Machine Gun After Taking a Grenade to the Face

US Marines manning a 75 mm Pack Howitzer M1 + Al Schmid being presented with the Navy Cross

Al Schmid, an apprentice steel burner, enlisted in the US Marine Corps after hearing about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Once on the battlefield,…

Swiss K31 Rifle: This Straight Pull, Bolt Action Rifle From WW2 Is Now a Popular Collector’s Item

Swiss K31 rifles lined up against a wall

The Schmidt-Rubin Karabiner Modell 1931, better known as the Swiss K31 rifle, was the standard-issue firearm for the Swiss Armed Forces for decades. Widely considered…

King Charles III Has An Extensive Military Background – He Was Even A Commando!

King of England wearing full military dress

Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and two great-grandfathers, the current British Monarch served an extensive career in the military. It spanned across…

Mom Left Speechless After Learning Truth About Veteran Son’s Gravesite

Gravestones adorned with the American flag

After their son, US Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Villasenor, died in a car accident, Rachel and Raymond Villasenor were shocked when they noticed something…

The XM204 Top Attack Munition Could Replace Landmines on the Battlefield

American soldier standing beside an XM204 top attack munition unit

The XM204 is a portable anti-tank munition that provides the launch of up to four top-attack munitions. By hitting the enemy from a top-down position,…

Wilbert “Doug” Pearson Is the Only Pilot to Have Scored an Air-to-Space Kill

Military Portrait of Wilbert Pearson + ASM-135 ASAT being launched from the McDonnell Douglas F-15A "Celestial Eagle"

On September 13, 1985, the US Air Force made history. On this day, the first air-to-space missile was launched, successfully destroying an orbiting satellite. Powerful…

Snipers: The Four Greatest Marksmen In Military History

Chris Kyle staring at someone + Simo Häyhä smiling + Chris Hathcock smiling + Vasily Zaytsev holding his sniper rifle

Becoming one of the greatest snipers in history isn’t an easy feat to accomplish. The following four snipers, however, proved themselves worthy of the title…

The Battle of Cantigny Forever Changed the US Military

Soldiers using flamethrowers during the Battle of Cantigny

The Battle of Cantigny was the first great American victory of the First World War. With a military that was under-trained and ill-prepared, a win…