The situation seemed grim when 830 Marines were up against 2,500 Japanese soldiers, but Colonel Merritt Edson was able to inspire his men to hold their ground
After more than a full day of continuous fighting, the 1st Marine Raider Battalion faced yet another harrowing night of combat. Outnumbered nearly three to…
You’ve probably used these words and phrases in your everyday life without realizing they came from the Navy
For generations, life at sea shaped a unique vocabulary among sailors—words and expressions forged through navigating storms, performing shipboard tasks, exploring distant ports, and living…
The Great Emu War: Australia’s 1932 Lesson for Drone-Swarm Warfare
In 1932, Australia aimed machine guns at “swarms” of emus—and learned a truth that modern drone warfare keeps repeating: cheap, fast, scattered targets can make…
Actor Charles Bronson grew up in poverty and found it easy to adapt to military life saying, ‘I never had it so good as when I entered the Army’
Charles Bronson built his reputation as Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy as much from real-life hardship as from his film roles. Raised in a poor coal-mining…
The “Star Wars” Droid of 1915: Why Russia’s Giant Tsar Tank Failed Before It Fought
Modern military power is measured by stealth and precision, but in 1914, Imperial Russia bet its future on a machine that looked like a steampunk…
Actors who had roles in ‘Band of Brothers’ before they got their big break
Band of Brothers redefined what television drama could achieve, assembling a remarkable ensemble to tell one of the most gripping war stories ever shown on…
Leadership lessons from history’s greatest military commanders
Leadership isn’t about rank, titles, or symbols—it comes from personal character, clear guidance, and the ability to positively influence those around you. Many people hold…
Why Did New Orleans Cancel Mardi Gras? The WWII Mardi Gras Story
Mardi Gras has a reputation for being unstoppable. Even people who’ve never set foot in New Orleans know the basics: parades, music, masks, and a…
The captured American crew of the USS Pueblo flipped the bird in North Korean propaganda photos, saying it was a ‘Hawaiian good luck sign’
In early 1968, North Korea’s capture of the USS Pueblo triggered a serious international crisis at a time when U.S. forces were already deeply involved…
Pat Tillman was at the height of his NFL career when he decided to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, losing his life in the process
At the peak of his NFL career, Pat Tillman made a surprising and deeply personal decision after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Driven by a…
The Navy’s Secret WW2 Weapon for Aircraft Carriers Was a ‘Flying Pancake’
During World War II, military engineers weren’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking. While fighters like the F6F Hellcat and P-51 Mustang dominated the skies, another…
‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ was the name of a popular folk tune and a powerful gunship used during the Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers gave new meaning to the 1960s folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by using it as a nickname for…