Why the US Made the Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63)
On September 2, 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies. Ending hostilities, the Japanese agreed to an unconditional surrender by signing the Instrument…
The B-17 Tail Gunner Who Continued to Fight, Even After Being Shot Down
On November 29, 1943, tail gunner Eugene Paul Moran survived what could have been a horrific crash aboard a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. While on…
The USS Triton (SSRN-586) Was the First Vessel to Complete a Submerged Circumnavigation of the World
The Cold War saw the development of nuclear submarines by both the United States and the Soviet Union. One of them was the US Navy’s…
Convair XFY Pogo: The Tail Sitter That Looked Like a Mallard Duck
The Convair XFY Pogo was an American experimental vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter aircraft. Following World War II, the Americans began developing VTOL combat…
USS California (BB-44): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and a Kamikaze Strike
The USS California (BB-64) was the second of two Tennessee-class battleships. The vessel saw service throughout World War II, including being targeted by the Japanese…
Northrop YB-49: The Flying Wing Strategic Bomber That Was Years Ahead of Its Time
The Northrop YB-49 was an American prototype jet-powered strategic bomber. The Northrop Corporation developed it following the Second World War for service with the US…
The Tragic Disappearance and Loss of the Argentine Submarine ARA San Juan (S-42)
In November 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan (S-42) went missing while returning to her home base at Mar del Plata. It took just…
Four Nuns Were Rescued from Behind Enemy Lines By the USS Nautilus (SS-168)
When war erupted in the Pacific, many found their homes situated in areas of conflict. There were also those who were far away from theirs,…
The US Navy Considered Arming Frigates with Mk 48 Torpedoes During the Cold War
On January 17, 1955, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) radioed the historic message, “Underway on nuclear power.” This was the foundation of a new era that…
E-boat: The Effective German Fast Attack Boat of the Second World War
The Schnellboot – or S-Boot – was a German fast attack craft that served with the Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. It was referred…
A WWII Bomber Pilot Flew a Cessna 172 for Over 64 Days As a Publicity Stunt
If you thought the seven-hour New York to London flight was bad, buckle up because two men decided to break the record for the world’s…
Higgins Boat: The Landing Craft That Helped the Allies Win World War II
The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) – or Higgins boat – was used by the Allies to conduct amphibious operations during the Second World War.…