Rheinwiesenlager prison camps held thousands of German soldiers who surrendered as World War II came to an end
During the final months of World War II, the standard protections offered to prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention were not always upheld—particularly in…
Two female pilots from the Women Airforce Service Pilots were recruited to demonstrate the Boeing B-29 Superfortress to the men and put their worries at ease
As preparations for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki intensified, Paul Tibbets faced a critical obstacle: many U.S. pilots were reluctant to fly the…
The M240 Maxim machine gun has been a staple in the U.S. Army and Marines since it was introduced in 1884
First introduced in 1884, the Maxim gun revolutionized warfare by becoming the first fully automatic machine gun. In the decades that followed, rapid innovation led…
The USS Missouri (BB-63), nicknamed ‘Mighty Mo’, was the site of Japan’s surrender in WWII
The USS Missouri’s service didn’t end with World War II. She went on to play key roles in both the Korean War and Operation Desert…
The USS Wolverine and Sable were training grounds for over 17,000 pilots during WWII, including President George H.W. Bush
During World War II, the rise of aircraft carriers revolutionized naval combat by enabling planes to launch and land from mobile platforms at sea. Yet…
The Morgenthau Plan sought to turn Germany into a rural farm country after WWII but was deemed too controversial
As the Second World War moved increasingly in favor of the Allies—particularly following the successful landings at Normandy—leaders in both the military and government turned…
American soldiers in Vietnam quickly realized black market AK-47s were more suitable for harsh jungle warfare than their standard issue M16 rifle
The M16 rifle was introduced during the Vietnam War as a modern solution for U.S. troops operating in the challenging terrain of Southeast Asia. Designed…
Five-Star Generals: Meet the nine American military leaders who earned the revered rank
Since General Omar Bradley passed away in 1981, the revered five-star general rank has taken on an almost mythical status. Created as a wartime measure…
During the production of ‘Apocalypse Now’, Laurence Fishburne quickly jumped into action to save Emilio Estevez
The legendary Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now (1979) is famous for its gripping performances and chaotic energy—but the chaos wasn’t limited to the screen. Emilio…
After losing 3,000 men to combat or drowning during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Japan made swimming lessons mandatory for soldiers
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japan rapidly seized territory across the Pacific, dealing a string of early blows to the United…
Two bombers were lost during an air raid over Stendal, Germany, and haunting photographs captured the final moments of the plane known as ‘Wee Willie’
As the Second World War entered its final months, Allied bombing campaigns over Germany grew more relentless, focusing on crippling the Nazi regime’s industrial and…
Pilot Bruce W. Carr was stuck behind enemy lines but took a chance and stole an aircraft while the Germans were preparing for takeoff in a field
During World War II, skilled fighter pilots earned the title of “flying ace” by shooting down multiple enemy aircraft. But Bruce W. Carr distinguished himself…