Vietnam war | War History

F-104 Starfighter: The Lightweight Fighter-Bomber Nicknamed ‘The Widow Maker’

F-104 Starfighter in flight

Throughout the 20th century, aviation missions grew much safer. That didn’t mean, however, that some aircraft were more safe than others. Following the Korean War,…

R. Lee Ermey: US Marine Corps Sergeant and Respected Hollywood Actor

R. Lee Ermey speaking into a handheld microphone

R. Lee Ermey may best be known for playing Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, but he was also a real-life Marine…

The Most Important Battleships in American History

USS Missouri firing during an operation

In order to remain a prominent world power in the late 1800s, the US had to keep up with the latest military technology. When South…

16th Combat Aviation Brigade Recreating Army Photos for Black History Month

Clare Fitzgerald
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cheddie Wilson Jr. recreates a photo of Warrant Officer Clyde Romero

The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade is using Black History Month to raise awareness about the accomplishments of the African-American service members who fought before them.…

The M79 Grenade Launcher Had Its Benefits and Drawbacks

Pvt. Marvin Jordan crouching in the grass while holding an M79 grenade launcher + SSG Alvin J. Rouly supervising trainees firing M79 grenade launchers

The M79 grenade launcher was known by many names, including the “Thumper-Gun” and the “Bloop Tube” – Australians even called it the “Wombat Gun.” Resembling…

Bob Hope Dedicated Half a Century to Entertaining Troops With the USO

Bob Hope performing on stage, with a USO flag hanging behind him

Being away from home for long periods of time can be demoralizing for troops. With the Second World War continuing to rage in both Europe…

The 5 Deadliest Aircraft Carrier Fighters of All Time

Grumman F9F-2 Panther in flight + F-4B Phantom II in flight

The Italo-Turkish War in 1911-12 was the first to feature aerial bombardments. World War I, which began a few years later, also featured a fair…

Jim Morrison’s Father Played a Role In the Gulf of Tonkin Incident

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) at sea + Military portrait of George Stephen Morrison

For hardcore fans of The Doors, it’s relatively well-known that lead singer Jim Morrison‘s father was a flag officer in the US Navy.  A lesser-known…

Sidney Shachnow: The Holocaust Survivor Who Became a Green Beret

Prisoners making saddles + Military portrait of Sidney Shachnow

Sidney Shachnow was a Lithuanian Jew who experienced – and survived – the Holocaust. Imprisoned in the Kovno Ghetto during World War II, he suffered…

John Singlaub: Special Operations Legend and Anti-Communist Crusader

There are few US military generals who have as storied and controversial a career as Major General John Singlaub. He fought in three wars before…

Why Were the Viet Cong’s Tunnels So Deadly and Effective?

American soldiers lifting a comrade out of a Viet Cong tunnel

Of the nasty, uncomfortable, deadly and outright terrifying jobs carried about by those who served in the Vietnam War, clearing Viet Cong tunnels was one…

US Marine Corps Deactivating Island Warriors Battalion

Island Warriors running through the jungle

The US Marine Corps has announced it will be deactivating its famed 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment – better known as the Island Warriors battalion…