The USS West Virginia was raised and repaired after Pearl Harbor, then fought at Iwo Jima and Okinawa
The USS West Virginia (BB-48) was a formidable battleship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II. Devastated and sunk during the Japanese attack…
Besides being a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, James Risner survived seven years as a POW during his military career
James Robinson Risner, known as “Robbie,” forged a remarkable legacy as a U.S. Air Force aviator. He was a double recipient of the Air Force…
The Tank That Flew (Once): The Audacious Failure of the Soviet Antonov A-40
Modern military logistics rely on massive cargo planes like the C-17 to transport armor, but in 1942, the Soviet Union attempted something far more daring.…
The situation seemed grim when 830 Marines were up against 2,500 Japanese soldiers, but Colonel Merritt Edson was able to inspire his men to hold their ground
After more than a full day of continuous fighting, the 1st Marine Raider Battalion faced yet another harrowing night of combat. Outnumbered nearly three to…
You’ve probably used these words and phrases in your everyday life without realizing they came from the Navy
For generations, life at sea shaped a unique vocabulary among sailors—words and expressions forged through navigating storms, performing shipboard tasks, exploring distant ports, and living…
The Great Emu War: Australia’s 1932 Lesson for Drone-Swarm Warfare
In 1932, Australia aimed machine guns at “swarms” of emus—and learned a truth that modern drone warfare keeps repeating: cheap, fast, scattered targets can make…
Actor Charles Bronson grew up in poverty and found it easy to adapt to military life saying, ‘I never had it so good as when I entered the Army’
Charles Bronson built his reputation as Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy as much from real-life hardship as from his film roles. Raised in a poor coal-mining…
The “Star Wars” Droid of 1915: Why Russia’s Giant Tsar Tank Failed Before It Fought
Modern military power is measured by stealth and precision, but in 1914, Imperial Russia bet its future on a machine that looked like a steampunk…
Actors who had roles in ‘Band of Brothers’ before they got their big break
Band of Brothers redefined what television drama could achieve, assembling a remarkable ensemble to tell one of the most gripping war stories ever shown on…
Leadership lessons from history’s greatest military commanders
Leadership isn’t about rank, titles, or symbols—it comes from personal character, clear guidance, and the ability to positively influence those around you. Many people hold…
Why Did New Orleans Cancel Mardi Gras? The WWII Mardi Gras Story
Mardi Gras has a reputation for being unstoppable. Even people who’ve never set foot in New Orleans know the basics: parades, music, masks, and a…
The captured American crew of the USS Pueblo flipped the bird in North Korean propaganda photos, saying it was a ‘Hawaiian good luck sign’
In early 1968, North Korea’s capture of the USS Pueblo triggered a serious international crisis at a time when U.S. forces were already deeply involved…