Operation Ranch Hand: The toxic defoliation campaign that caused cancers and birth defects in both Vietnamese civilians and U.S. soldiers
Between 1962 and 1971, the U.S. military conducted Operation Ranch Hand under President John F. Kennedy’s orders—a sweeping defoliation campaign designed to strip enemy forces…
The Saab J35 Draken was the first aircraft to unintentionally perform the ‘Cobra Maneuver’, way before it became a deliberate display of aerodynamic mastery
In the years following World War II, global competition to produce faster and more advanced jet fighters reached new heights. In the midst of this…
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto gained firsthand insight into American society when he spent time in the U.S., using the information to devise the attack on Pearl Harbor
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto of the Imperial Japanese Navy held a perspective that set him apart from many of Japan’s top military leaders. Having spent time…
The USS Pueblo (AGER-2): The only commissioned U.S. Navy vessel that is currently held captive by a foreign country
In 1968, North Korea’s capture of the USS Pueblo ignited a tense standoff during the Vietnam War. The U.S. considered the vessel’s intelligence-gathering operations to…
After the USS R-14’s engines failed and the radio died, the crew had to come up with an unconventional solution: Using improvised sails to get the submarine back to land
By today’s standards, a World War I–era submarine would seem outdated—and even a century ago, the idea of one moving under sail would have sounded…
Director John Ford was critical of John Wayne for not enlisting in WWII and embarrassed him on the set of ‘They Were Expendable’
John Wayne stands as one of the most recognizable figures in American film history. Throughout his long and prolific career, he appeared in countless classics…
When President Lincoln was unexpectedly assassinated, experts carefully examined the items he carried with him that fateful night to learn more about his character
On the night of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor with Confederate sympathies, while watching a performance…
What makes a true leader? Take some lessons from history’s greatest military commanders
True leadership goes far beyond holding a title or position of authority. While anyone can occupy a role, effective leaders distinguish themselves through vision, resilience,…
Inspired to enlist following the events of 9/11, Pat Tillman left the NFL behind and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, sacrificing his life for his country
At the height of a successful NFL career, Pat Tillman made a life-altering choice in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Motivated by…
An invasion similar to D-Day was planned for Japan to end the war in the Pacific, but Allied forces never had to implement it
As World War II neared its end, the United States formulated a bold initiative called Operation Downfall—a massive, two-part invasion intended to force Japan into…
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the Vietnam War’s exact start date, fallen soldiers like Richard Fitzgibbon Jr. weren’t recognized as official war fatalities
Historians continue to debate the precise beginning of the Vietnam War. Some point to 1887, when Vietnam became part of French Indochina, while others mark…
NFL players who left football behind and tragically died in the line of duty
Throughout history, several NFL players have traded their team jerseys for military uniforms, answering a call far different from the roar of stadium crowds. These…