Valor | War History

HMS Victory: The World’s Oldest Warship Still In Commission

Illustration of the HMS Victory at sea

At well over 200 years old, the HMS Victory is undeniably one of the most famous ships in the world. Serving as the flagship for Lord…

Ronald J Shurer: The US Army Medic Who Braved Enemy Fire to Rescue His Fellow Green Berets

Clare Fitzgerald
Three members of the 3rd Special Forces Group standing in Shok Valley + Military portrait of Staff Sgt. Ronald J Shurer II

Many brave men and women risked their lives for their country during the War In Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Ronald J Shurer II was one of…

Pave Low: Converting Search and Rescue Helicopters for Use In Special Ops

Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low in flight

Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Lows had the ability to perform both search and rescue and special operations missions. “Pave” stands for “Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment,” the…

Edgar Allan Poe: From West Point Cadet to One of America’s Most Prolific Poets

US Military Academy West Point cadets standing together in uniform + Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most prolific American poets of all time. His dark, macabre stories and gothic poetry have defined his legacy,…

F16 vs F18: Comparing the F-16 & F-18 Top Speed, Firepower & Designs

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet in flight

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon vs McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet – which one would win in an aerial battle? These two aircraft are among the…

Pardo’s Push Saved the Lives of Two Men, But Wasn’t Recognized for Decades

John "Bob" Pardo standing with his arms crossed + McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in flight

Capt. John R. “Bob” Pardo was assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, which attacked an integral North Vietnamese steel mill.…

MoH Recipient Robert Simanek Dove On a Live Grenade to Save His Comrades In Korea

Rosemary Giles
Two US Marines positioned on a ridge + Portrait of Robert Simanek

Between 1950-53, only a few years after the end of the Second World War, the United States entered another conflict: the Korean War. As part…

WWII Plans That Never Happened – There’s a Reason These Were Shelved

British Royal Marines running through heavy fog

There were many clever plans created by both the Allies and Axis during the Second World War, such as Operations Mincemeat and Overlord. However, there…

The Last Defenders of the Führerbunker Were French SS Troops

Légion des volontaires français contre le bolchevisme leaning out of the windows of a departing train

Typically, the Schutzstaffel (SS) is viewed as an all-German organization that filled its ranks with those who deeply resonated with the Führer’s message and goals.…

Dwight D. Eisenhower Took Extra Measures to Ensure the Holocaust Was Never Forgotten

Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton standing with other US military officials + Exterior of Ohrdruf concentration camp

Dwight D. Eisenhower viewed firsthand the crimes that were committed by the Germans at concentration camps when he visited the newly-liberated Ohrdruf during the Second…

Famous Navy SEALs: Who Are the Most Famous Navy Seals in History?

Rosemary Giles
NASA portrait of Jonny Kim + Military portrait of William McRaven + Marcus Luttrell standing on stage

US Navy SEALs are among the finest Special Operations forces in the United States. Their training is extensive and gruelling, to ensure they’re some of…

‘Saving Private Ryan’ Facts Every Movie Fan Should Know

Behind-the-scenes image from the filming of 'Saving Private Ryan'

The 1998 epic film Saving Private Ryan is one of the greatest, most accurate film representations of the Second World War. Directed by Steven Spielberg,…