Valor | War History

Secret Service Snipers and Their History of Protecting the US President

Two Secret Service snipers keeping watch over US President Barack Obama from a rooftop

First established by US President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, the Secret Service has protected American political leaders and their families for over 150 years. Within…

The Plumbing Disaster That Led to the Sinking of U-1206

Toilet onboard the HMS Alliance (P147) + Painting of a U-boat being sunk at sea

During the later years of the Second World War, the German U-boat U-1206 was cruising silently off the coast of Scotland. It was one of…

Robert Duvall Served in the US Army Before Becoming An Oscar-Winning Actor

Portrait of Robert Duvall + Robert Duvall as Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore in 'Apocalypse Now'

Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall has starred in everything from Western movies to The Godfather franchise. He was even the voice behind Apocalypse Now‘s (1979)…

Mike Day: The US Navy SEAL Who Survived 27 Bullet Wounds Against All Odds

Rosemary Giles
Iraqi Army scouts and US Navy SEALs participating in a combat shooting drill

Detailing his service overseas in the book, Perfectly Wounded: A Memoir About What Happened After a Miracle, US Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike…

The Axe Murders of Two US Army Officers Almost Sparked a Second Korean War

Clare Fitzgerald
Memorial to Arthur Bonifas and Mark Barrett

On August 18, 1976, two officers with the US Army were killed while conducting work within the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Korean Demilitarized…

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…