Badly Wounded, Marine Used His Spade To Knock Grenades Back At The Enemy
Hector Cafferatta would describe himself as the world’s worst baseball player, but that didn’t stop him from whacking over a dozen grenades out of the…
Banzai Cliff, The Site of Hundreds of Suicides at the End of the Battle of Saipan
Banzai Cliff, also known as Suicide Cliff, was the site of a massive group suicide which took place during World War II. Located on the north side…
The Only Marine to be Awarded a Medal of Honor for Actions as a POW, Donald Cook Was Truly Unbreakable in the Face of the Enemy
To be clear, there have been multiple Marines who displayed inexplicable gallantry in combat warranting a Medal of Honor before they were subsequently captured. However,…
The End of the Road: Hitler’s Downfall
It takes some serious soul-searching to make the final decision to end your own life – especially when you’re the leader of the Nazi Regime…
Polish Corporal Wojtek – The Non-Human WWII Hero
During WWII, the Polish II Corps recruited a very unusual soldier named Wojtek who worked his way up to the rank of Corporal. Wojtek proved…
Striking Where it Hurts: Luftwaffe Destroy Historic English Towns in the Baedeker Blitz
As the fighting grew between the British and German forces in the midst of WWII, and overnight raids and bombings were getting out of control,…
Para Rescue Jumper Duane Hackney, The Most Decorated Enlisted Man in US Air Force History
An Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses with a Combat V, 2 Purple Hearts, 18 Air Medals, and ok, we have…
The End Of Mussolini, April 28, 1945
On the 28th of April 1945, Benito Mussolini died. The leader of Fascist Italy and longest-ruling of the right-wing dictators who brought destruction to 20th…
Fearing Crash And Detonation On Takeoff, The First Atomic Bomb Had To Be Assembled In Flight
In 1945, the final days of World War II were coming to a close – but not before the world was forever changed. Over the…
“Kiddie Cruise” – Local veteran shares story of service in U.S. Navy during the late 1950s
War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jeremy P. Ämick, who is a military historian and writes on behalf of the Silver Star Families…
As A Mere Lieutenant, Erwin Rommel Earned Germany’s Highest Honor
Erwin Rommel was undoubtedly one of the finest generals of the Second World War, his strategic mind and patient approach led his men to victory…
Mussolini’s Rescue – A Mountaintop Operation Which Was Mostly a Downhill Pull
War History online proudly presents this Guest Piece from Jon M. Brown. Ranked among the more dramatic stories from the Second World War is that…