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:

Luck of Kokura: The Japanese City That Avoided Atomic Bombing – Twice

Sketch of Kokura

Kokura is located on the northern tip of Japan’s Kyushu island. Housing one of the country’s largest military arsenals, it was a key target in…

Robert Howard: The Decorated Green Beret Who was Nominated for the MoH Three Times

Robert Howard wearing his Medal of Honor

Robert L. Howard was a dedicated US Army Special Forces soldier who received 14 wounds during his 54 months in Vietnam. His service afforded him…

M270 MLRS: The Incredible Rocket Launch System That Continues to See Combat

M270 MLRS launching a rocket

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is an armored multiple rocket launcher that has been used by the US Army for decades. Jointly developed…

The M320 Grenade Launcher is a Serious Step-Up From the M203

Soldier aiming an M320 grenade launcher

The M320 grenade launcher is one of the newest in the US military’s arsenal. It was created with the intention of having an equally effective…

William Speakman Held Back 6,000 Enemy Troops with Beer Bottles in Korea

William Speakman in uniform

24-year-old William Speakman volunteered to serve in the Korean War in 1951. He’d joined the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), attached to the 1st Battalion…

Veterans Saved the USS Batfish (SS-310) By Moving It to a Soybean Field

USS Batfish (SS-310) in a field

The USS Batfish (SS-310) is a Balao-class submarine that holds the US Navy record for sinking three enemy ships in three days. After serving the military,…

Patrick Fleming: The Flying Ace Who Shot Down 19 Japanese Aircraft In Just Six Sorties

Military portrait of Patrick Fleming + Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in flight

Patrick Dawson Fleming was born an Army “brat” on January 17, 1918. He took an interest in flying at an early age and became the…

Operation Trent: The British Special Air Service’s Astonishing Daylight Mission in Afghanistan

British troops sitting on an armored vehicle in the desert

The British Special Air Service (SAS) is considered one of the most elite forces units in the world. They operate with extreme secrecy, are deadly…

A British Challenger 1 Set the Record for the Longest Tank-on-Tank Kill in 1991

Challenger 1 tank parked

The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 tank had a rocky start. It wasn’t very reliable and had a poor rate of fire. As such, a lot of…

A Brazilian Air Force Pilot Managed to Fly His P-47 Home – With Part of Its Right Wing Missing!

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in flight

While it took a while for Brazil to enter the Second World War, the country’s forces certainly left their mark. The Brazilian Air Force, in…

The First Drone was Invented 16 Years Prior to World War I By Nikola Tesla

Portrait of Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla developed a lot of incredible inventions during his lifetime. One that often goes unnoticed is his rudimentary drone. Prior to the 1900s, Tesla…

Korean War Veteran Reunites with Long-Lost Love After 70 Years

Portraits of Duane Mann and Peggy Yamaguchi

Many American soldiers found love while away at war, but what happened when the fighting came to an end? Many were shipped back to their…