MSN Slideshow | War History

Leonard Matlovich Was the First Serviceman to Out Himself in Protest of the US Military’s Homophobic Regulations

Portrait of Leonard Matlovich

Outside of his service during the Vietnam War, US Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leonard Matlovich fought a very different kind of battle, one against the…

Japan’s Secret Weapon for the Invasion of British Malaya Was… Bicycles?

Man riding a bicycle while holding an umbrella

During World War II, Japan employed a seemingly innocuous ally: the bicycle. As the empire faced logistical challenges and scarce resources, these manually-driven vehicles played…

Comedian Rob Riggle Continued to Serve In the US Marine Corps, Even After Making It In Hollywood

Rosemary Giles
Rob Riggle speaking into a microphone on stage

Rob Riggle isn’t just a familiar face in the entertainment industry – he’s also a decorated military veteran. Prior to gracing our screens with his…

Facts About ‘Top Gun’ and Its Award-Winning Sequel

Ryan McLachlan
Tom Cruise as Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun' + Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Top Gun is a 1986 American action flick directed by Tony Scott. It follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and his co-pilot Nick “Goose” Bradshaw…

Alan Turing’s Efforts to Decode German Enigma During World War II

Alan Turing sitting in a chair outside

Alan Turing was a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who worked tirelessly with a team of codebreakers during the Second World War. Together, they cracked encrypted…

SOE Operative Nancy Wake’s Only Regret Was Not Taking Out More Enemy Soldiers During World War II

Portrait of Nancy Wake + Nancy Wake smiling

Amid the chaos and perilous landscapes of German-occupied France, one remarkable woman emerged as a symbol of unwavering courage and indomitable spirit during World War…

Desmond Doss Was the Only Conscientious Objector to Receive the Medal of Honor in World War II

Harry S. Truman placing the Medal of Honor around Desmond Doss' neck

US Army Medic Cpl. Desmond Doss was an extraordinary figure in the annals of military history who defied conventional norms and exemplified unwavering courage in…

Mont-Saint-Michel Was ‘Liberated’ By One Soldier and Two Reporters In World War II

View of Mont-Saint-Michel

During the Second World War, Mont-Saint-Michel was occupied by German soldiers, making it a highly-visited destination for the enemy. For four years, the French were…

USS California (BB-44): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and a Kamikaze Strike

USS California (BB-44) at sea

The USS California (BB-64) was the second of two Tennessee-class battleships. The vessel saw service throughout World War II, including being targeted by the Japanese…

The Sinking of U-559 and the Ultimate Sacrifice Made By Three Royal Navy Sailors

Submarine surfacing in rough seas

In the midst of World War II, the demise of German U-boat U-559 became a pivotal event in the relentless battle for supremacy beneath the…

Northrop YB-49: The Flying Wing Strategic Bomber That Was Years Ahead of Its Time

Northrop YB-49 taking off

The Northrop YB-49 was an American prototype jet-powered strategic bomber. The Northrop Corporation developed it following the Second World War for service with the US…

The Tragic Disappearance and Loss of the Argentine Submarine ARA San Juan (S-42)

Sailors standing aboard the ARA San Juan (S-42)

In November 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan (S-42) went missing while returning to her home base at Mar del Plata. It took just…