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…
Destroying Japan’s aircraft carriers became the Allies’ top priority and they were successful during the Battle of Midway
When World War II began, Japan’s armed forces appeared nearly unstoppable. The Imperial Army was famed for its strict discipline and unwavering loyalty, while the…
The USS Missouri was the final American battleship to enter World War II and became the site of Japan’s historic surrender
Commissioned in January 1944, the USS Missouri (BB-63) entered service late in World War II, becoming the final American battleship to join the conflict. Though…
First Special Service Force: The joint Canadian-American project known as the ‘Devil’s Brigade’ that struck fear into the Germans
During World War II, a handful of specialized units helped pioneer tactics that would shape the future of military operations. Among them, few were as…
MACV-SOG: The top-secret force that carried out some of the most dangerous missions during the Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War, MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) operated under an extraordinary level of secrecy, so much so that…