Updated | War History

Maynard Harrison Smith Was Given Two Options: Go to Jail or Join the Army – He Wound Up Receiving the Medal of Honor

Henry L. Stimson placing the Medal of Honor around Maynard Harrison Smith's neck

Often, war brings out traits in people they never quite knew they possessed. The most outwardly confident and confrontational individuals can turn out to be…

Pearl Harbor: The Worst Military Decision In History?

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack

The morning of December 7, 1941, is a date remembered across the world, particularly by American citizens. That morning, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) caught…

John Wayne, Draft Dodger? Why the Duke Never Served In World War II

John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin H. Vandervoort in 'The Longest Day'

John Wayne is undeniably one of the most popular actors in American history. His vast legacy of films set the standards for years to come…

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt: The Most Produced American Fighter of World War II

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in flight

The “Juggernaut,” the “Jug” – whatever you want to call it, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was an absolute beast in the skies over Europe and…

The BBC’s Coded Messages to the French Resistance During World War II

French Resistance member sitting in front of a radio

One of the best-known films about the Second World War is The Longest Day (1962), which centers around D-Day. In a number of scenes, members…

Did German Americans Actually Leave the US to Fight for Germany During WWII?

German soldiers marching together in uniform

In the acclaimed HBO miniseries, Band of Brothers (2001), Tech. Sgt. Donald Malarkey, played by Scott Grimes, asks a German prisoner of war (POW) where…

Facts About the North American P-51 Mustang – The USAAF’s Most Versatile Fighter

North American P-51D Mustang 'Ferocious Frankie' in flight

Considered by many aviation enthusiasts to be one of the greatest fighter aircraft of all time, the North American P-51 Mustang saw extensive service with…

Remembering Easy Company In Photos

Still from 'Band of Brothers'

The accomplishments of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War are perhaps most famously portrayed in…

Easy Company Facts Even Hardcore Fans of ‘Band of Brothers’ Don’t Know

HBO’s 2001 miniseries, Band of Brothers, has continued to gain popularity in the decades since its release. This is partly due to later generations having…

The 82-Day Battle of Okinawa Began With the Largest Amphibious Landing in the Pacific Theater

American vessels, military equipment and servicemen along the coast of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa began just a few weeks before Germany surrendered to the Allies. It was the last major engagement in the Pacific Theater…

WW2 Motorcycles: 9 Military Motorcycles That Were Used in WW2

Harley-Davidson WLA parked outside

Though less powerful and protective than other vehicles used during WW2, motorcycles were widely fielded throughout the conflict. They proved to be useful among messengers…

Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum: The Versatile Air Superiority Fighter That Could Launch Ground Attacks

Mikoyan MiG-29S in flight

The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum is a Soviet air superiority fighter that’s earned the respect of many pilots throughout the world. It entered service in the…