Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

linkedin.com/in/samantha-v-franco

Articles by Samantha Franco:

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…

The Iron Maiden Device Has a Questionable (and Possibly Fake) History

Woman standing in an iron maiden device

The iron maiden device is an invention that fuels nightmares. Forced inside its coffin-like shape, victims were greeted with sharpened spikes that, once the doors…

Abu Tahsin al-Salhi: The “Sheikh of Snipers” Who Killed 384 ISIS Fighters

Abu Tahsin al-Salhi resting his rifle on his shoulder

There was once an Iraqi soldier who was an inspiration to his comrades for his endurance and dedication to defending his country. He killed a…

Northrop F-89 Scorpions Once Carried Nuclear Weapons to Combat Soviet Bombers

Three Northrop F-89D Scorpions in flight

During the Cold War, the US Air Force was in need of a new interceptor aircraft to combat Soviet bombers. The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was…

The Remarkable North American P-82 Twin Mustang Was Two Aircraft In One

North American P-82C Twin Mustang in flight

The North American P-82 Twin Mustang may be one of the strangest and most remarkable piston-engine aircraft ever produced. Its connected wing and double fuselages…

Downing of Extortion 17: The Single Deadliest Incident of the US War in Afghanistan

Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in flight

On August 6, 2011, the final flight of Extortion 17 resulted in the single deadliest incident for the US military during the War in Afghanistan.…

The F-117 Nighthawk Had a Relatively Short Service Life with the US Air Force

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk parked on a runway

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the first ever operational US Air Force stealth aircraft. It proved to be highly successful and effective, operating in a…