Vietnam war | War History

Did the US Try to Give France Nuclear Weapons to Use in Vietnam?

Soldiers holding up a flag + Mushroom cloud

Vietnam has been a desirable target for many of the world’s most powerful countries since the French conquest in 1858. China, Japan and the United…

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk: The US Military’s Beast in the Sky

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk in flight

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk has a long and impressive history that spans over more than half a century. Developed for the US Navy and Marine…

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63): The Decorated Aircraft Carrier That was Sold to Scrap Dealers for One Cent

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) at sea

In May 2022, the decommissioned supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) arrived in Brownsville, Texas for scrapping. The iconic vessel served the US Navy for nearly…

The Ace of Spades Was Used By the 101st Airborne Before It Became the ‘Death Card’

Soldiers playing cards

Symbols during wartime are important and, more than that, they are powerful. Winston Churchill famously used the “V for Victory” symbol during World War II,…

MoH Recipient William H. Pitsenbarger Gave His Life Trying to Rescue His Injured Comrades

Military portrait of William H. Pitsenbarger

Servicemen are presented with the Medal of Honor when they showcase incredible acts of valor. The highest and most prestigious award in the US military,…

Vietnam War Traps: 9 Viet Cong Booby Traps That Defined the Vietnam War

American soldiers walking along a rice field

The Vietnam War was infamous for the guerrilla warfare the American forces were largely unprepared for. The Viet Cong were on home turf and used…

The Real-Life Inspiration for Top Gun’s ‘Viper’ Made a Cameo in the Movie

Todd Neikirk
Tom Skerritt as Mike "Viper" Metcalf in 'Top Gun'

Top Gun debuted in theaters in May 1986, and moviegoers had never seen anything like it. The film was sleek and cool, and portrayed the…

The History of Fragging in the US Military

US soldiers crossing a stream

Leading a group of soldiers during wartime is a massive responsibility, and the decisions made can often mean the difference between life and death for…

Lt. Gen. Larry Jordan on His Military Career and the Service of African-Americans in WWI

Military portrait of Lt. Gen. Larry Jordan

The US military has a long and complicated history when it comes to the treatment of minorities within its ranks. While things have certainly improved,…

Anti-War Resistance in the US Military During the Vietnam War

Todd Neikirk
Newspaper clippings about resistance to the Vietnam War

Following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II, many American civilians were eager to go off to war. It was a much…

Lockheed AC-130: The Gunship That Provided Much-Needed Support in Vietnam

Lockheed AC-130 in flight

The Lockheed AC-130 is a special operations gunship that can trace its history back to the Douglas C-47 Skytrain. Over its nearly 60 years of…

The USS Midway’s Aircraft Were Credited with the First MiG Kills in Vietnam

Vought F4U Cosairs taking off from the USS Midway (CVA-41)

Air battles became very common during World War II. As a result, the leading powers in the world had to build more aircraft carriers. The…