Vietnam war | War History

The Real-Life Battle Behind the Brutal Vietnam War Movie, ‘Hamburger Hill’

Still from 'Hamburger Hill'

Some of the best war movies are based on real-life events – stories that are so fantastical that they’re almost unbelievable, such as Hacksaw Ridge…

The Personal Experiences That Influenced Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War Trilogy

Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic in 'Born on the Fourth of July' + Tom Berenger as Staff Sgt. Bob Barnes in 'Platoon' + Portrait of Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone is arguably one of the best directors and screenwriters in Hollywood, known for his ability to bring blockbuster and award-winning stories to the…

George Patton Called Creighton Abrams a ‘World Champion’ Tank Commander

Creighton Abrams speaking at a table lined with microphones

There are some military commanders who stand out among the rest, and Creighton Abrams is one of them. Serving during the Second World War, as…

The Owen Gun Was Favored By Australian Troops for Its Reliability In the Pacific Theater

Leon Ravet and Bernard Kentwell carrying Owen guns through the jungle

If there’s one thing Australia isn’t known for, it’s weapons development. That’s not to say some ingenious firearms haven’t come out of the country. During…

The Ending of the Battle of Ia Drang Was Different Than How It’s Depicted In ‘We Were Soldiers’

Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott as Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley in 'We Were Soldiers'

We Were Soldiers (2002) is considered by many to be one of the best Vietnam War films ever made. This praise is largely due to…

Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Pilots In Vietnam

Hughes OH-6 Cayuse parked in a field

The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the…

Playboy’s Surprising Impact On the Vietnam War

US soldier reading a magazine while sitting in a river

For those fighting overseas during the Vietnam War, there was nothing like the comforts of home. From Adrian Cronauer‘s radio show on the American Forces…

17 Powerful Images That Show the Human Side of War

Soldiers making a human pyramid + Soldiers lifting a woman up to kiss their comrade in the back of a truck

Since the First World War, every conflict has been well-documented. There are millions of photos showing soldiers, aircraft, tanks and battlefields, and behind them are…

PBRs: The US Navy’s Small and Nimble Watercraft In Vietnam

Still from 'Apocalypse Now'

The Patrol Boat, River – commonly known as PBR – was a nimble, speedy riverboat commissioned by the US Navy, for use during the Vietnam…

Pardo’s Push Saved the Lives of Two Men, But Wasn’t Recognized for Decades

John "Bob" Pardo standing with his arms crossed + McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in flight

Capt. John R. “Bob” Pardo was assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, which attacked an integral North Vietnamese steel mill.…

Gary Wetzel: The MoH Recipient Who Rescued His Commander, Despite Losing His Arm to Enemy Action

Gary Wetzel, Sammy L. Davis, Dwight H. Johnson, Angelo Liteky and James Allen Taylor standing together

Medal of Honor recipients are built differently than your average soldier, and there’s no one who proves this more than Sp4c. Gary Wetzel. The Vietnam…

Roy Benavidez Survived ‘Six Hours of Hell’ to Save His Comrades

Ronald Reagan presenting Roy Benavidez with the Medal of Honor

Roy Benavidez served during the Korean War and in Vietnam, although it’s his actions in the latter that he’s best known for. In an incredible…