The AC-47, called ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ by American troops in Vietnam, was replaced in 1969 by newer, more innovative gunships
During the Vietnam War, U.S. service members gave the 1960s folk tune “Puff, the Magic Dragon” an entirely new association. They adopted the title as a…
The four greatest military snipers in history who took out distant enemies with using precision and sheer resolve
Rising to the level of an elite sniper calls for far more than steady aim. It requires unshakable composure, endurance that borders on the superhuman,…
Two American fighter pilots spent the night partying late and woke up hungover to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor
As time stretches on, the rough details of wartime recollection often blur, making the surviving firsthand stories all the more valuable. Accounts of heavy combat…
Browning Hi-Power: The WWII-era semi-automatic pistol the Canadian Armed Forces used well into the modern age
In 2017, the Canadian Armed Forces arrived at the Armed Forces Skill at Arms (AFSAM) competition with 20 Browning Hi-Power pistols—sidearms dating back to the…
Great military commanders throughout history and their leadership lessons that changed warfare forever
Real leadership goes well beyond a job title or insignia—it’s built on character, direction, and the influence a person brings to their team. Plenty of…
General Austin Miller set the record for the longest-serving U.S. commander in Afghanistan and oversaw the withdrawal of U.S. forces
In 2021, General Austin “Scott” Miller set the record as the longest-serving U.S. commander in Afghanistan, holding the post for 915 days. A seasoned four-star…
Master Sgt. Manuel V. Mendoza single-handedly held off a fierce German counterattack and earned the Medal of Honor
For much of U.S. history, many acts of extraordinary valor went unrecognized, with racial prejudice often preventing deserving soldiers from receiving the Medal of Honor.…
Rheinwiesenlager, or Prisoner of War Temporary Enclosures, which held captured German soldiers at the end of WWII remain a dark and overlooked chapter of history
In the closing phase of World War II, the rules outlined in the Geneva Convention were increasingly set aside. In newly occupied regions of Germany,…
William McRaven: The Four-Star Admiral who oversaw the high-risk raid that took out Osama bin Laden
William McRaven is widely regarded as one of the most important leaders in the history of the Navy SEALs. Over the course of his career,…
Menacing military units throughout history, from the Janissaries to the Caroleans
Throughout history, select military formations have instilled profound fear in their adversaries. Their notoriety stemmed not only from raw power but also from mastery of…
In just two years, the Isonzo Front experienced over one million casualties during the First World War
Although the Western Front dominates most narratives of World War I, the Isonzo Front carried its own brand of relentless misery. Stretched along the unforgiving…
Weather Station Kurt: The top-secret German weather machine that was planted in North America and went unnoticed for decades
Success in World War II depended not only on tanks, aircraft, and infantry, but also on the strategic advantage provided by intelligence. Both the Allies…