MSN | War History

Iskander-M: Russia’s Hypersonic Ballistic Missile System

Iskander-M in a snowy field

The Iskander is a Russian mobile short-range hypersonic ballistic missile system that was developed shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Officially entering service…

War Dog That Served in the Pacific Theater Awarded Distinguished Service Medal

Monument dedicated to Smoky and "Dogs of All Wars" + Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medals displayed on a table

Dogs are a semi-common sight on the battlefield, but one you wouldn’t expect to see is a Yorkshire Terrier. Despite the breed’s small size, one…

R. Lee Ermey: US Marine Corps Sergeant and Respected Hollywood Actor

R. Lee Ermey speaking into a handheld microphone

R. Lee Ermey may best be known for playing Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, but he was also a real-life Marine…

Letters of Last Resort: What Happens When the UK Enters Nuclear War?

Trident II (D-5) missile being launched from underwater + HMS Vengeance at sea + Brown envelope

Imagine: the United Kingdom has been hit by a nuclear blast by an enemy nation. Not only is a large portion of the population dead,…

Medal of Honor Recipient Alexander Bonnyman Jr. Dropped Out Of Princeton To Join The Army

Soldiers who fought in World War II came from all walks of life. And because of their varying backgrounds, they brought their own unique skills…

FIM-92 Stinger: The Game Changing and Highly Accurate Surface-to-Air Missile

US Marine firing an FIM-92 Stinger + Soldier holding an FIM-92 Stinger

Many weapons have been considered game changers, but the term has never been more true than when it was applied to the FIM-92 Stinger. The…

The USS Maryland (BB-46) Survived Two Kamikaze Hits During WWII And Stayed In The Fight

Things are busy on the USS Maryland in 1945

The USS Maryland (BB-46) was commissioned in 1921 and saw heavy use in World War II. She was right at the forefront of many important…

Here’s What Happened to the U.S. Marines Who Lifted the Flag at Iwo Jima

The United States Marine Corps Memorial by Felix De Weldon

The Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most renowned in United States history. The five-week battle, fought by the Navy and Marines, captured…

The Myth That Carrots Are Good for Your Eyes Came from a WWII Propaganda Campaign

WWII-era propaganda poster promoting a diet of carrots and other vegetables + Bundle of carrots

When I was younger, my parents always told me that carrots would give me better eyesight. Much to their surprise, even though I ate the…

Bob Ross, Drill Sergeant? How His Military Career Influenced His Painting

Photo of Bob Ross hanging behind easels

When you think of Bob Ross, what comes to mind? “Happy little trees,” his iconic afro and his soft, gentle voice. It’s a stark contrast…

Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller Became the First Black American to be Awarded the Navy Cross

Dorie Miller wearing his Navy Cross

Many African Americans fought for their freedom during the Civil War. The Buffalo Soldiers earned fame during the Indian and Spanish-American Wars. Plenty more African-American…

Finland Loved This Unlikely Fighter Plane: The Brewster Buffalo

A US Navy version of the Brewster Buffalo takes flight

The Finnish Air Force is one of the oldest in the world, predating the British RAF and the Swedish Flygvapnet. And Finnish pilots have long…