Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

linkedin.com/in/samantha-v-franco

Articles by Samantha Franco:

Sergeant Reckless: The Artillery Horse That Braved Enemy Fire In Korea

Sergeant Reckless standing outside

During the Korean War, there was one Marine who stood out from the rest. Not only for her skill and bravery, but because she was…

A Naval Academy ‘Assault Team’ Once Stole West Point’s Treasured Mules and Were Awarded for It

US Navy sailors saluting in full uniform + US Military Academy West Point mule mascot holding its arm out

School football rivalries have long existed, and harmless pranks typically accompany them to boost team and school morale. This is true of the rivalry between…

What Is the Real Story Behind WWII’s Famous Crying Child-Soldier Photograph?

Hans-Georg Henke crying in uniform

This photograph of a crying child-soldier, taken in 1945, shows a young German, identified as Hans-Georg Henke. The image has served to illustrate the feelings…

MoH Recipient George Andrew Davis Jr. Made the Ultimate Sacrifice in MiG Alley

Four North American F-86 Sabres in flight + Military portrait of George Andrew Davis Jr.

George Andrew Davis Jr. was a Medal of Honor recipient who valiantly served during World War II and the Korean War. Born on December 1,…

MG 13: The German Second-String Light Machine Gun That Saw Frontline Service In France

MG 13 placed on a red table

The Maschinengewehr 13 (MG 13) was a German light machine gun adapted from an earlier model. Despite having a short service life with both the…

USS Pueblo (AGER-2): The Only Commissioned US Navy Ship Currently Held Captive

USS Pueblo (AGER-2) docked in Pyongyang, North Korea

The USS Pueblo (AGER-2) was captured at a time when the US military was deep in the trenches of the Vietnam War. The United States didn’t…

Mariya Oktyabrskaya: The Red Army Tanker Who Avenged Her Husband

Mariya Oktyabrskaya standing in the hatch of a T-34

Mariya Oktyabrskaya was a telephone operator hellbent on revenge after finding out her husband had been killed in battle against the Germans. Taking matters into…

Kris Kristofferson Served In the US Army Before Chasing His Country Music Dreams

Kris Kristofferson smiling

Country music legend and actor Kris Kristofferson had a long and incredibly successful career that wasn’t without its hardships. Before pursuing a career in Hollywood,…

The Subtle Philosophy Behind Staircases In Medieval Castles

Individual biking away from a medieval castle + View of a spiral staircase in a medieval castle

Castles were a common architectural structure throughout the medieval period, and they were constantly under attack. Just looking at them, one could describe these fortifications…

Military Hacks That’ll Make Everyday Life That Much Easier

Three camouflaged soldiers squatting in bushes

There are many things in life that are tough, and military personnel have figured out the best ways to combat them. While War History Online…

The Second Battle of Fallujah Saw American Forces Fight In the Heaviest Urban Combat They’d Seen Since Vietnam

Four US Marines positioned along a stone wall

The Second Battle of Fallujah took place between November 7 and December 23, 2004, as part of the Iraq War. It’s considered the heaviest urban…

Five of the Boldest Military Plans From History

Red Army soldiers positioned on top of a T-34

Depending on the strategies being implemented, military battles can go either very right or totally wrong. Some have gone down as the most remarkable in…