Valor | War History

Sergei Aleshkov: ‘Seryozha’ Was the Youngest Soldier in WWII at 6 Years Old

Red Army troops firing their guns from the remnants of a building

The stories about children of war are often tragic; the Second World War, for example, claimed the lives of millions. Some were sent to concentration…

The Unstoppable Leader Who Took Out Two Machine Gun Nests, a Sniper and an 88 mm Gun

Two US Army Rangers armed with bazookas + Military portrait of Cecil Bolton

It’s a common theme among Medal of Honor recipients that they have no idea they’re earning one in the middle of their gallant actions. When…

Justin LeHew: US Marine Corps Hero of the Battle of Nasiriyah

US Marines standing around a damaged Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) + Military portrait of Justin LeHew

One wrong turn can be all it takes to turn a regular soldier into a hero. The US Army’s 507th Maintenance Company took that wrong…

Corsair Fleet: The Brave Civilians Who Took On German U-Boats to Protect the US Coastline

German U-boat at sea

While many know the story of the “Little Ships of Dunkirk,” Great Britain wasn’t the only nation to call upon every day citizens to come…

Battle of Trafalgar: The Engagement That Saw the Heroic Death of Vice Adm. Horatio Nelson

Jack Beckett
Painting of the Battle of Trafalgar + Portrait of Horatio Nelson

The Battle of Trafalgar is among the most famous naval battles in history. Facing a joint force made up of French and Spanish vessels, the…

Thomas Norris: The Inspiration for ‘Bat*21’ Who Saved Two Downed Pilots in Vietnam

Nguyễn Văn Kiệt and Thomas Norris standing together

It might come as a surprise, given their reputation as fierce fighters, but only three US Navy SEALs received the Medal of Honor for their…

Vlad the Impaler Once Launched a Night Attack Against the Ottoman Sultan

Guest Author
Painting of the Night Attack at Târgoviște + Portrait of Vlad the Impaler + Portrait of Mehmed II

Written by Barney Higgins. Mehmed II, better known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was one of the greatest military commanders of his day. In the middle…

The Allied Sinking of the Lisbon Maru Resulted In the Deaths of Over 800 British and Canadian Prisoners of War

Lisbon Maru at sea

It’s inevitable that, in war, there will be tragedy, but few match the sheer heartlessness and unnecessary loss of life that occurred with the sinking…

Merritt Edson: The Valiant Colonel Who Led His 800 Men to Victory Against 2,500 Japanese Soldiers

Jeff Edwards
Painting depicting the Battle of Edson's Ridge + Military portrait of Merritt Edson

After more than 24 hours of fending off a ferocious Japanese assault, the men of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion knew they were in for…

Gabrielle Petit: The WWI Spy Who Refused to Crack Under Interrogation and Threat of Death

British troops sitting in a trench + Portrait of Gabrielle Petit

Some individuals get no breaks in life. What’s more, they sometimes have to die before they receive the recognition they deserve. Take the case of…

James Ashworth: The Victoria Cross Recipient Who Gave His Life to Take Out An Enemy Sniper

Grenadier Guardsmen aiming their weapons + Military portrait of James Ashworth

Not all war stories have a happy ending – in fact, one might make the case that most don’t. This is especially true when you…

Bryan Budd Charged Into a Cornfield to Attack Enemy Insurgents – He Was Killed By Friendly Fire

Member of the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment kneeling in the sand

The Victoria Cross is the United Kingdom’s highest military honor and one of the most esteemed recognitions for gallantry in combat. However many recipients are…