Pvt. Eddie Slovik was executed by firing squad for deserting his post during WWII, becoming the first soldier since the Civil War to be killed for the crime
Desertion posed a significant challenge for militaries on every front during World War II. In the U.S. Army, the majority of cases occurred in the…
Essential traits of history’s greatest military leaders and the lessons they imparted on the world
True leadership is about far more than a title or rank—it’s rooted in character, vision, and the impact one has on others. Many people hold…
General Dietrich von Saucken: The high-ranking officer who boldly and openly opposed the Führer near the end of WWII
Children are often taught that the surest way to deal with a bully is to stand up to them. During the 20th century, no individual…
The USS Texas served in both world wars, but its defining moment was during the invasion of Normandy when the ship was intentionally flooded for a better attack position
The USS Texas (BB-35) was among the most formidable battleships in the U.S. fleet, serving with distinction in both World Wars. Known for its powerful…
The practical and symbolic meaning behind the Navy’s iconic 13-button pants
For centuries, seafaring traditions have influenced daily life aboard ships, even though the beginnings of many customs remain unclear. One well-recorded exception in the U.S.…
Richard Fitzgibbon Jr. was killed by a fellow comrade in Vietnam and it took decades for his death to be recognized as an official war casualty
The exact starting point of the Vietnam War remains a topic of ongoing debate among historians. Some trace its origins back to 1887, when Vietnam…
The USS Forrestal disaster, which resulted in over 130 sailors’ deaths and $70 million in damages, changed carrier safety standards in the Navy forever
For nearly four decades, the USS Forrestal (CV-59) served as a cornerstone of U.S. naval power, carrying out missions across the globe. Yet the ship…
When an American submarine was discovered in the Pacific after 75 years, researchers were stunned by what was on board
The USS Grayback (SS-208), lost in the Pacific during World War II, remained hidden beneath the waves for nearly 75 years. For decades, her final…
Standing with Giants Pays Tribute to the Men and Women Who Served
In recent years, towering metal figures have been erected across the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. They primarily take the shape of soldiers who…
Among U.S. troops in Vietnam, the Douglas AC-47 became known as ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ because of its firepower
During the Vietnam War, the 1960s folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” took on an unexpected new meaning among U.S. troops. The nickname was given…
During the Cold War, the U.S. Army created Project Iceworm, a secret initiative to build a network of nuclear missile sites beneath Greenland’s ice
During the height of the Cold War, the U.S. Army launched Project Iceworm, a secret initiative to build a network of nuclear missile sites beneath…
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? Examining one of history’s most consequential attacks
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, remains one of history’s defining moments, thrusting the United States into World War II. The sudden…