The Letter That Forced America Into WWI
When the war in Europe was declared, America was determined to stay neutral until a letter forced its hand. It was rather complicated, but Japan,…
Robert Howard McCard dismantled a machine gun and again engaged the enemy mowing down 16 Japanese soldiers to ensure the safety of his crew
Most people have heard of the D-Day Landings in France, but few know there was (almost simultaneously) another set of landings in the Pacific. As…
The Third Man to Receive a Victoria Cross for the War in Afghanistan – Leakey tended to the wounded American who was a US Marine Corps captain
The Victoria Cross (VC) is Britain’s highest military award for valor. During the War in Afghanistan, they were awarded posthumously until one man bucked the…
Sergeant First Class Robert Howard: Refused Two Medals of Honor
He earned three nominations for a Medal of Honor but received only one. Not because he did not deserve all three, but because some of his…
The One-Armed Warrior Who Was Awarded The Victoria Cross
Some soldiers are so pig-headedly persistent that they go down in legend; including one who did so with only one arm. George Albert Cairns was…
The “Glowing Angels” Who Saved Civil War Soldiers Turned Out To Be Luminous Parasitic Bacteria
The Battle of Shiloh was one of the bloodiest skirmishes in an already vicious American Civil War. In its aftermath, came strange tales of an…
This Highly-Decorated American Hero Was Nearly Awarded A Third Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is America’s greatest military award for acts of valor. Nineteen people have received it twice. However, one man was about to…
Alvin Cullum York: the Most Decorated Pacifist of the First World War
He was a deeply religious man who abhorred violence and warfare. Despite that, he went on to become the most decorated veteran of WWI. Alvin…
Jack Lucas: He Fought the US Marines to Get at the Japanese
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, many Americans were understandably enraged. One person was so enraged, in fact, he fought the US military for the right…
Last Man Standing – The Lone German Soldier Who Held Off A Whole Wave Of Russian Infantry and Tanks
Part of Hitler’s appeal to the German people was his ability to flatter them. According to him, Germans were Ubermensch (superhuman) and therefore had the right…
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty – The Priest who Converted an SS Commander
He was a man of many faces who used his talent at disguise to help thousands of people escape from the Nazis. Hunted by them,…
Ivan Pavlovich Sereda: the USSR’s Heroic Cook in World War Two
Militaries are hierarchical and, despite their low status, cooks play a vital role. Besides feeding troops, they also maintain morale which has a significant impact…