Wild Weasels Undertake the US Air Force’s Most Dangerous Missions
There is nothing we love more than a good motto! The unofficial slogan for the US Air Force’s Wild Weasel crew is “YGBSM” – an…
F-104 Starfighter: The Lightweight Fighter-Bomber Nicknamed ‘The Widow Maker’
Throughout the 20th century, aviation missions grew much safer. That didn’t mean, however, that some aircraft were more safe than others. Following the Korean War,…
R. Lee Ermey: US Marine Corps Sergeant and Respected Hollywood Actor
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…
The Most Important Battleships in American History
In order to remain a prominent world power in the late 1800s, the US had to keep up with the latest military technology. When South…
The M79 Grenade Launcher Had Its Benefits and Drawbacks
The M79 grenade launcher was known by many names, including the “Thumper-Gun” and the “Bloop Tube” – Australians even called it the “Wombat Gun.” Resembling…
Jim Morrison’s Father Played a Role In the Gulf of Tonkin Incident
For hardcore fans of The Doors, it’s relatively well-known that lead singer Jim Morrison‘s father was a flag officer in the US Navy. A lesser-known…
Sidney Shachnow: The Holocaust Survivor Who Became a Green Beret
Sidney Shachnow was a Lithuanian Jew who experienced – and survived – the Holocaust. Imprisoned in the Kovno Ghetto during World War II, he suffered…
John Singlaub: Special Operations Legend and Anti-Communist Crusader
There are few US military generals who have as storied and controversial a career as Major General John Singlaub. He fought in three wars before…
Why Were the Viet Cong’s Tunnels So Deadly and Effective?
Of the nasty, uncomfortable, deadly and outright terrifying jobs carried about by those who served in the Vietnam War, clearing Viet Cong tunnels was one…
The M60 Machine Gun Has Withstood the Test of Time, Here’s Why
The M60 machine gun is as much a symbol of the Vietnam War as the peace sign. This weapon was loved and loathed – it…
The Shotguns of WWII: Model 1897 and Model 1912
Aside from a flame thrower, there are few close-range weapons as deadly as a shotgun. Shotguns are terrifyingly effective at short ranges, as their shot…
The Evolution of Sea Mines and Their Impact on War
Sea mines are some of the most terrifying and destructive weapons at a navy’s disposal. Capable of wreaking havoc on fleets, they’re a staple of…