The USS Alaska was an impressive vessel but had a minimal role in World War II when it became clear that aircraft carriers were the more strategic option
Right from the start, USS Alaska (CB-1) stood out for her sheer scale and unique design. Although the Navy classified her as a large cruiser,…
Jock McLaren was trained as a veterinarian, but while serving during WWII, he had to rely on his medical training to survive when he became seriously ill behind enemy lines
Throughout World War I and II, soldiers came from all backgrounds. Robert Kerr “Jock” McLaren was a veterinarian by trade, but during his service with…
The Northrop F-5 was designed to be lightweight, cost-effective, and low maintenance, but failed to impress the U.S. Air Force
In the realm of fighter aircraft, designers have long pursued the ideal blend of high speed, affordability, and reliable combat capability. Northrop Corporation believed the…
Then and Now: Famous battlefields throughout history and what they look like today
Battles often leave lasting marks on the terrain, with traces that serve as valuable clues to the past. This article takes a look at how…
Gerhard Barkhorn flew for the Luftwaffe, but after WWII, he joined the Western German air force, collaborating with the very forces he once fought against
Gerhard Barkhorn’s legacy remains a subject of both respect and debate. As a Luftwaffe ace in World War II, his remarkable number of confirmed kills…
After being hit by enemy fire, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress crashed down in flames, but Eugene Paul Moran who was manning the tail gun kept fighting – and survived
On November 29, 1943, Eugene Paul Moran was manning the tail gun of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress during a bombing mission over Germany when…
The last ever U.S. cavalry charge into combat took place during WWII to delay the Japanese advance in the Philippines
World War II is often remembered for its aerial dogfights, roaring tanks, and mechanized infantry sweeping across battlefields. But in a rare and dramatic moment,…
The U.S. Military attempted to create artificial radiation belts to interfere with Soviet surveillance systems during the Cold War
In 1958, the United States Navy took part in Operation Argus, a Cold War experiment aimed at exploring whether detonating nuclear devices in the upper…
With 40 pieces of shrapnel lodged in his back and legs, John Levitow managed to save his crew when they were hit by a North Vietnamese mortar shell
John Levitow’s story is a powerful reminder that true heroism comes not from rank or status, but from bravery and selfless action when it matters…
Operation Ranch Hand used herbicides to destroy the natural coverage enemies in Vietnam relied on, but it led to toxic consequences
Between 1962 and 1971, under President John F. Kennedy’s directive, the U.S. military carried out Operation Ranch Hand—a vast chemical warfare initiative aimed at denying…
Attack of the Dead Men: How a massive chlorine gas attack at Osowiec Fortress became one of the most haunting battles of WWI
On August 6, 1915, during the brutal fighting at Osowiec Fortress, German forces launched a massive chlorine gas attack, confident it would wipe out the…
Was Ulysses S. Grant was drunk during the Battle of Shiloh? Examining persistent myths about the American Civil War
The American Civil War stands as one of the most defining chapters in the nation’s past, leaving lasting marks on politics, society, and culture. Yet,…