Viper in ‘Top Gun’ was based on the film’s technical advisor, Pete Pettigrew, who served on the USS Kitty Hawk in Vietnam
Released in May 1986, Top Gun quickly became a cultural phenomenon, captivating viewers with its thrilling dogfights and intense look at life in naval aviation.…
PBRs (Patrol Boat, River) were small and lightweight to navigate shallow rivers in Vietnam, but were also heavily armed
The Patrol Boat, River—commonly known as the PBR—was a swift and maneuverable craft employed by the US Navy during the Vietnam War. Built to operate…
Rare photos from the Battle of the Bulge, Germany’s last major push on the Western Front
Germany’s last major push on the Western Front came in the form of the Ardennes Offensive, more commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge.…
Before takeoff, airmen had trouble securing a Mk 6 nuclear bomb inside a bomb bay, and eventually it landed in a family’s backyard in Mars Bluff, SC
From the late 1940s through the peak of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a fierce competition for…
Simo Häyhä, one of history’s deadliest snipers, killed over 500 enemy soldiers and earned the name ‘The White Death’
The Winter War of 1939–1940 tested the Finnish Army against the overwhelming might of the Soviet Red Army. Despite ultimately ceding some border regions, Finnish…
8 Movies about D-Day that capture what really happened during the invasion that changed World War II
June 6, 1944—D-Day—remains one of the defining moments of World War II, marking the massive Allied invasion of Normandy. The scale of the operation and…
Paul Newman witnessed his best friend get killed by an aircraft propeller while serving in the Navy during WWII
Among the legendary personalities of Vintage Hollywood, Paul Newman stands out as an unforgettable presence. Renowned not only for his acting career but also for…
The Japanese Nambu Pistol was developed for combat during WWII and is still a sought-after collector’s item in America today
At the start of the 20th century, Japan focused on strengthening its military in pursuit of becoming a global power. Leaders recognized that modernizing their…
U.S. Marine Sgt. Mitchell Paige successfully led his platoon of 33 men against nearly 3,000 Japanese soldiers during the Battle for Henderson Field
World War II produced courage that surpassed everyday heroism, with 473 American service members receiving the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary deeds in battle.…
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly was designed for counterinsurgency and was used extensively by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly is a light attack aircraft developed in the United States and adapted from the T-37 Tweet trainer, which earned it the…
7 military weapons that inflicted so much damage, they were banned from warfare
At first glance, the notion of outlawing specific tools of warfare might appear unusual. After all, aren’t weapons intended to inflict damage on the enemy?…
Tom Selleck, Pat Sajak, and 12 other famous figures who served their country during the Vietnam War
Long before becoming household names, many actors chose to serve their country, often juggling military duties alongside their burgeoning film careers. This was especially evident…