Todd Neikirk

Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history.

When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally.

Articles by Todd Neikirk:

The Sinking of the USS Housatonic was a Turning Point in Naval Warfare

A print showing the sinking of the USS Housatonic

The US Navy has existed longer than the country itself. The branch was established in August 1775 and re-established in 1794 during the French Revolution.…

Facts Most People Don’t Know About the US Marshal Service

Portrait of Marshals during the Wild West era

The US Marshal Service is almost as old as the United States itself. Though the duties and methods of the service have changed during its…

NFL Players Who Lost Their Lives Serving in the US Military

Military portrait of Jack Lummus + Al Blozis dressed in his football uniform + Military portrait of Pat Tillman

When it first came about, it was common for National Football League (NFL) players to serve in the US military. While it’s since become far…

Jimmy Carter Once Saved Canada From Nuclear Disaster

Jimmy Carter at a press conference

Jimmy Carter was a one-term president, but he has long been lauded for his character and empathy. The 39th president of the United States, he…

Kurt Vonnegut’s Time as a Soldier During WWII Inspired His Popular Anti-War Novel, ‘Slaughterhouse-Five’

Kurt Vonnegut portrait.

Written by Todd Neikirk and Clare Fitzgerald Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most beloved and influential authors of the 20th century. While he was…

The Molotov Cocktail: A Quick History Of The Surprisingly Effective Weapon

A protester throws a Molotov cocktail in Kiev, Ukraine in 2014

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24th of 2022. Ukrainian soldiers are taking on the Russian troops, but so are a number of Ukrainian civilians.…

Tom Lehrer Invented Jello Shots to Skirt The Military’s No Alcohol in Bases Policy

Tom Lehrer being interviewed

Tom Lehrer is one of the more interesting people of the last 100 years. He is a man of many gifts, though he has sometimes…

Why Was Jimi Hendrix Discharged from the US Army?

Jimi Hendrix performing on stage

Jimi Hendrix died in September 1970, at the young age of 27. He packed quite a legacy into those 27 years, becoming perhaps the greatest…

Did the Term ‘Grunt’ Originate in Vietnam or During WWII?

Infantrymen walking through a creek

For decades, infantry soldiers in the US Army and Marine Corps have been called “grunts,” wearing the moniker like a badge of honor. Grunts are…

Popular Movies That Were Written By Military Veterans

Cast Away + Citizen Kane + Born on the Fourth of July

Movies about war are a huge business and have represented some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood history. It’s a big advantage for those people…

Smedley Butler Had an Incredible Career in the US Marine Corps

Smedley Butler sitting in a chair

Smedley Butler was born into privilege, but decided to fight for his country when he was just a teen. He became one of America’s most…

William McRaven: One of the Most Famous Navy SEALs in American History

Admiral McRaven speaking at a podium

William McRaven is one of the most famous Navy SEALs in American history. A four-star admiral, he was in command and helped organize the operation…