USS Buckley (DE-51): The Destroyer Escort That Took Out a German U-boat With Hand-to-Hand Combat and Grenades
The USS Buckley (DE-51) was a destroyer escort and lead ship of her class that served with the US Navy between 1943-46. During her wartime…
Before Starring Alongside Andy Griffith, Don Knotts Served In the US Army Special Services
Before Don Knotts became a household name for his roles on television and film, he scored some of his first comedy gigs serving in the…
Leonard Matlovich Was the First Serviceman to Out Himself in Protest of the US Military’s Homophobic Regulations
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?
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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…