Valor | War History

Joyous American Servicemen Celebrating the Japanese Surrender in Paris

American servicemen and Parisians holding up newspapers in celebration of the Japanese surrender

The image above shows a group of American servicemen and women celebrating the Japanese surrender in front of the Red Cross pub in Paris. Many…

The US Navy Considered Arming Frigates with Mk 48 Torpedoes During the Cold War

Two technicians standing around a Mk 48 torpedo + USS Bradley (FF-1041) underway at sea

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

E-boat transiting near port

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

Cessna 172, in-flight, attached to a grounded truck via a fuel hose + Las Vegas, Nevada city-limits sign

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…

Veterans Responsible for Cleanup of 1966 Nuclear Incident Dealt Blow By US Supreme Court

Ship crewmen standing around a hydrogen bomb

A blow has been dealt against the group of veterans behind a class-action suit aimed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The group, led by…

Higgins Boat: The Landing Craft That Helped the Allies Win World War II

American personnel approaching Omaha Beach aboard a Higgins boat

The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) – or Higgins boat – was used by the Allies to conduct amphibious operations during the Second World War.…

‘Star Wars’ Almost Started a Real-Life War… Over a Sandcrawler Model

Ryan McLachlan
Still from 'The Mandalorian'

In 1976, when George Lucas shot Star Wars, filming almost started a real-life war between Tunisia and Libya. Tatooine, Luke Skywalker‘s home planet, was filmed…

BMPT Terminator: Russia’s Supposedly ‘Invincible’ Armored Fighting Vehicle

BMPT Terminator parked outside

The BMPT Terminator is a Russian armored fighting vehicle (AFV) produced by UralVagonZavod. Its mission is to support main battle tanks (MBTs) and other AFVs…

POW Camp 198 Was the Site of the ‘German Great Escape’

Steve McQueen as Capt. Virgil "The Cooler King" Hilts in 'The Great Escape'

Throughout the Second World War, a number of prisoner of war (POW) escape attempts stood out, such as the development of the Colditz Cock and…

Goodyear Once Developed An Inflatable Aircraft Known As The ‘Inflatoplane’

Goodyear 446/XAO-2 Inflatoplane in flight

During the 1950s, Goodyear became more involved with the US military, trying its hand at creating an aircraft that was compact enough to be delivered…

US Navy Pilots Were Afraid to Fly the Vought F7U Cutlass

Vought F7U Cutlass in flight

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a carrier-based aircraft that served with the US Navy between 1951-59. Developed with the use of German research taken by…

100-Year-Old D-Day Veteran Shares His Experiences On Popular TikTok Account

Portrait of Jake Larson

TikTok isn’t just a place for fun dance trends and story times that get a bit too TMI (too much information). It’s since grown into…