James Risner Chased an Enemy MiG Into China to Shoot It Down, Then Survived the Hanoi Hilton
James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was a skilled US military pilot, a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, and a hero of both the Korean…
Manuel V. Mendoza Really Was a One-Man Army – The Germans in His Way Didn’t Survive Long
Countless heroic tales have gone unrecognized from periods of warfare that have formed parts of American history. For several years, many heroes were overlooked during…
George Ray Tweed: The Man Who Evaded the Japanese on Guam for Over Two Years
In times of war, it’s almost a given that humans will push themselves beyond their limits to commit feats of extraordinary courage and valor. Those…
Jacklyn Lucas: The 17-Year-Old MoH Recipient Who Threw Himself on Two Grenades to Save His Comrades on Iwo Jima
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many Americans were understandably enraged. One person was so incensed, in fact, that he fought the…
Vietnam Veteran and Second-Longest Held POW in American History to Receive Congressional Gold Medal
Hundreds of US service members were taken by the North Vietnamese (NVA) and held prisoner during the Vietnam War. What makes Everett Alvarez, Jr. unique…
Operation Catechism: Demise of the German Battleship Tirpitz
When asked about Germany’s best warships during the Second World War, odds are Bismarck and Tirpitz come to mind. These behemoths, with their over 50,000-ton…
Descendant of Alaskan Native Leader Calls for Japan to Pay Reparations for 1942 Aleutian Islands Invasion
The Aleutian Islands Campaign of World War II is often overlooked when discussions of the conflict occur. The Japanese invasion and occupation, which ran from…
USS Mason (DE-529): ‘Eleanor’s Folly’ Helped Break Racial Barriers in the US Navy
When you think of history-defining naval vessels, odds are the USS Mason (DE-529) comes to mind. The Evarts-class destroyer escort served valiantly in the final…
After Pearl Harbor, a Japanese Pilot Landed His Damaged Zero on a Tiny Hawaiian Island and Terrorized Its Residents
December 7, 1941, is remembered as the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, but it’s also the day the Ni’ihau Incident began. The incident, involving Shigenori…
December 7, 1941: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
On December 7, 1941, Japanese launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The assault shocked the United States and…
HMS Glowworm (H92) vs Admiral Hipper: A Daring Battle in the North Sea
The HMS Glowworm (H92) may have been lost early in the Second World War, but that doesn’t mean the British destroyer didn’t play an important…
Japan to Exhume Over 1,000 War Dead on Peleliu
Eighty years after the bloody Battle of Peleliu, the Japanese government plans to exhume over 1,000 war dead from the Pacific island. The country’s Health,…
Husband E. Kimmel: The Scapegoat for Pearl Harbor
There are few US military disasters that could rival what took place on December 7, 1941. The United States saw over 2,400 killed, hundreds of…
BBC Acquires Jacob Elordi-Led World War II Miniseries ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’
Jacob Elordi has been announced as leading the small screen adaptation of The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The Euphoria (2019-present) and Saltburn (2023)…
Operation K: The Lesser-Known Japanese Attack Against the US Pacific Fleet
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has been the subject of many books and movies. It occurred with little advanced warning and…
Documentary Inspired By ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Coming to Sky HISTORY
Following the release of the miniseries The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024), Sky HISTORY has announced a documentary centered around the protagonists’ son, Gary Sokolov. The…
Russian Recruits Have a Life Expectancy of Just One Month After Enlisting to Serve in Ukraine
With the Russo-Ukrainian War having entered its 33rd month, conditions of each side of the frontline have continued to worsen. Both Russia and Ukraine are…
NASA Accidentally Rediscovers Cold War-Era Military Base Beneath Greenland’s Ice Sheet
Those with in-depth knowledge of Cold War-era military history likely know about Camp Century, a secret American base that was constructed beneath Greenland’s ice sheet.…
The Bravery and Sacrifice of Sophie Scholl: The 21-Year-Old Who Gave Her Life for the Resistance
When you think of famous World War II-era Resistance fighters, odds are Sophie Scholl doesn’t immediately come to mind – but she should. The 21-year-old…
‘Fat Man’ Decimated Nagasaki and Became the Last Nuclear Weapon Deployed in Warfare
Fat Man was the codename given to the plutonium core nuclear weapon that was developed as part of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos National…
Two American Fighter Pilots Took on the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor – Hungover
The nuances of military history are often lost to the passage of time and with the men who could provide firsthand accounts. As much as…
Debunking Myths About the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
A lot’s known about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but how much is true and what’s become twisted over the decades? The American entry…
A World War II-Era German Defensive Line Has Become Europe’s Largest Man-Made Bat Reserve
In the quiet, unassuming Polish countryside are the World War II-era Ostwall Fortifications. Once a formidable underground stronghold constructed and used by the German forces…
The Touching Ceremonies That Allowed USS Arizona (BB-39) Survivors to Reunite With Their Fallen Shipmates
The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for and by the US Navy in the mid-1910s. She was named for the 48th state,…
Tuskegee Airmen: The African-American Pilots Who Broke Barriers in World War II
In the early 20th century, the notion of African Americans serving as pilots in the US military was unthinkable to many in power. However, as…
The US Military Once Built a Japanese Warship in the Middle of the California Desert
Did you know the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) constructed a Japanese warship in the middle of the California desert during the Second World War?…
Why Did John F. Kennedy Keep a Coconut in the Oval Office?
Before John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, he was a lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II. During…
Upcoming Film ‘Never Alone’ Looks at Finland’s Deportation of Jewish Refugees in World War II
Few movies are made about Finland’s role in World War II, especially when it comes to the country’s part in the Holocaust. While many are…
Shizuya Hayashi: The Japanese-American Soldier Who Showed Astounding Bravery on His First Day of Combat
During the Italian Campaign in World War II, German soldiers faced a sight they’d never expected: Japanese-American soldiers. These men were members of the 100th…
No legs, No Problem: The Incredible Story of RAF Ace Douglas Bader
It made sense that most Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots would be superstitious when one considers how much could go wrong, but if Wing Commander…
Charles Lightoller: The Titanic Second Officer Who Helped Evacuate Over 120 Men at Dunkirk
The sinking of the RMS Titanic is an infamous event in history. Most people know about the iceberg and the fact there were too few…
British Man Builds World War II-Era Anderson Shelter in His Back Garden
A World War II enthusiast has created a historical man cave by building a sunken Anderson Shelter in his back garden in Dorset, United Kingdom.…
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is Named for the US Navy’s First Air Ace of World War II
Few pilots have the innate skill in the cockpit that Edward “Butch” O’Hare did. The US naval aviator was a natural, and over the course…
The Last Soldier to Lose His Life in World War I Died One Minute Before the Armistice Went Into Effect
World War I bore witness to the deaths of some 15 million soldiers and civilians over the four and a half years it raged. Few…
Edward VIII: The Duke of Windsor’s Relationship With Germany Caused Major Issues in World War II
When thinking of controversial figures in the British Royal Family, odds are Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, comes to mind. A former king who…
Over 80 Years After Being Sunk By the Japanese, the ‘Dancing Mouse’ Has Been Found
The wreck of the US Navy destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219), better known as the “Dancing Mouse,” has been identified off the coast of Australia. The…
Ukrainian Officials Detail First Engagement Against North Korean Troops, Anticipate Larger Assault in Near Future
Ukrainian officials confirmed last week that the nation’s military engaged North Korean troops for the first time, firing artillery at them along the Kursk border.…
Vietnam-Era Helmet Found in Guernsey Charity Shop Returned to Family in the United States
An American Vietnam-era helmet that was discovered at a charity shop on Guernsey, in the United Kingdom, has been returned to the deceased man’s family…
Facts About the Armistice That Put an End to World War I
At 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918, the Armistice that put an end to the fighting of World War I came into effect. After over…
Kristallnacht: The ‘Night of Broken Glass’ That Served as a Precursor to the Holocaust
Kristallnacht was one of the darkest events to occur in the lead up to the Holocaust and World War II. Occurring on the night of…
Laurence Fishburne Saved Emilio Estevez’s Life on the Set of ‘Apocalypse Now’
The iconic Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now (1979) captures daring feats and fearless acts onscreen, but, behind the scenes, the adventure was just as intense.…
The Tank Museum Receives ‘Splatter’ Mask Donation
The Tank Museum has welcomed a new historical artifact to its collection. A tank crew “Splatter” mask, once worn by Cpl. Walter H. Stickler, was…
Chris Kyle: The Deadliest Sniper In US Military History
Chris Kyle became a US military legend for his extraordinary sniper skills and dedication to his fellow service members. Known as the “American Sniper,” his…
King George VI’s Service in the Great War Majorly Influenced His Actions During World War II
The future King George VI – then known as Prince Albert – served in the First World War, an experience that would later influence his…
Famous POWs: Celebrities Who Were Held Captive By the Enemy During World War II
We’re all aware that many famous individuals served in various capacities throughout the Second World War. Some were ground troops, fighting on the battlefield, while…
Leonard T. Schroeder: The First Allied Soldier to Land on Normandy on D-Day
Leonard T. Schroeder Jr. holds a unique place in history as the first Allied soldier to set foot on Normandy during D-Day. Leading Infantry Rifle…
Official Trailer Released for Upcoming Film About William Tell
The exploits of one of histories greatest folk heroes, William Tell, are making their way to the big screen, and we finally have a sense…
Trent Park: The Lavish British Estate That Held (and Spied on) High-Ranking German POWs
Nestled in north London, Trent Park is an impressive mansion with a history dating back to the late 18th century. Once owned by Sir Philip…
Trails of Hope: Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Poles During World War II
In 1939, as the Führer and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin divided Poland between themselves, but they never broke the nation’s free spirit. In the years…
Clive Owen to Star in Historical Thriller ‘Kristallnacht’
British actor Clive Owen has starred in many big-name productions, notably King Arthur (2004), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2006) and Valerian and the City of…
How Did Benito Mussolini Die? The Demise of Italy’s Fascist Dictator
Benito Mussolini was one of the world’s major leaders at the onset of the Second World War. Becoming Italy’s prime minister in 1922, he’d sought…
After Renouncing Her German Citizenship, Marlene Dietrich Dedicated Herself to the American War Effort
German actor Marlene Dietrich was one of the most famous faces of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Moving to the United States after her breakthrough role in…
Would You Want to Live in a Former German Bunker? Now’s Your Chance!
A former German personnel bunker has been converted into a three-bedroom luxury home on the tiny island of Guernsey. Built in 1942 by the German…
Actors You May Not Have Realized Served in World War II
Several big-name actors served in World War II – Clark Gable, James “Jimmy” Stewart, David Niven, Henry Fonda, etc. – risking their lives in Europe…
One of the Last Surviving Navajo Code Talkers Has Died at 107
One of the last surviving Navajo code talkers has died. The passing of 107-year-old John Kinsel, Sr. on October 19, 2024, was announced in a…
Chiune Sugihara: The Japanese ‘Schindler’ Who Saved Thousands of Lithuanian Jewish Refugees
Oskar Schindler’s story is known across the world, primarily due to Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film Schindler’s List (1993), which depicts the German industrialist’s efforts…
Did You Know the Last Ever US Cavalry Charge Into Combat Occurred in World War II?
When you think of World War II, you likely picture aircraft whizzing through the air, tanks firing their massive guns and troops using vehicles to…
British Submarine Found 81 Years After Disappearing Without a Trace
A Royal Navy submarine that seemingly vanished without a trace during the Second World War has finally been located off the coast of Greece. HMS…
What Role Did Naval Warfare Play In the Early Stages of Germany’s Invasion of Poland?
While many focus on the ground invasion when it comes to Germany’s offensive against Poland in September 1939, it’s important to take note of what…
National WWI Museum and Memorial Opens Century-Old Time Capsule
Update – 10/16/2024: The National WWI Museum and Memorial has unveiled the contents of the time capsule that had been placed in the cornerstone of…
One of the Gulf War’s Most Controversial Attacks Occurred Along the ‘Highway of Death’
The Gulf War was a 20th-century conflict that saw a Coalition force, headed by the United States, fight the Iraqi military following a devastating invasion…
Operation Deep Freeze: The Cold War-Era Antarctic Expedition That Kickstarted Decades of Research
In the midst of the Cold War, the United States came together with countries around the world to research one of the most remote areas…
‘Ghost Ship of the Pacific’ Discovered Off the Coast of California
Over 78 years after she was sunk by the US Navy off the coast of San Francisco, California, the wreck of the USS Stewart (DD-224)…
Masamitsu Yoshioka, Last Surviving Pearl Harbor Bombardier, Dead at 106
The last surviving Japanese bombardier who attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has passed away. Masamitsu Yoshioka, whose death was announced on Japanese social…
The P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot Who Was Escorted to Safety By Two Luftwaffe Fighters
The Battle of the Bulge, which took place between December 1944 and January ’45, was a turning point in the Allies’ fight against the Germans…
World War II-Era Bomb Explodes at Japanese Airport
It’s not an uncommon occurrence for World War II-era munitions to be found throughout Japan, but locating one at an airport is definitely unexpected –…
World War II Film ‘White Bird’ Starring Helen Mirren Slated for North American Release
After years of delays, White Bird will finally be debuting in North American theaters. The World War II-era film, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson,…
Who Was Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller? The True Story Behind the Kate Winslet-Led Movie
Of the correspondents to cover the Second World War, one of the most famous was Lee Miller. Working for Vogue and traveling with the US…
The Controversial Film ‘Defiance’ Brought the Resistance Work of the Bielski Partisans to the Big Screen
As the Axis Powers increased their sphere of influence across Europe during the Second World War, various Resistance groups popped up. With a desire to…
The Vietnam War’s Heroic ‘Dustoff’ MEDEVAC Crews to Receive Congressional Gold Medal
Whenever troops are severely injured in battle, they’re extracted and airlifted to the nearest medical facility by MEDEVAC teams. These units, conducting “Dustoff” flights, as…
Aaron Bank: The ‘Father of the Green Berets’ Who Revolutionized Special Warfare
The US Army’s Special Forces are among the most elite military groups in the entire world. Famous for their clandestine warfare capabilities, they regularly strike…
Dudley Clarke: The British Army’s Master of Deception Tricked the ‘Desert Fox’ in North Africa
Everyone is familiar with the US military’s Ghost Army, artists and architects whose sole job was to deceive the Germans during the Second World War.…
We Can’t Get Over These Historical Inaccuracies in ‘Braveheart’
Braveheart (1995) is a historical epic directed by and starring Mel Gibson. Set in late 13th-century Scotland, the film covers the life of William Wallace…
Operation Argus: The US Military’s Attempt to Block Soviet Attacks With Artificial Radiation Belts
In 1958, the US Navy participated in Operation Argus, a Cold War-era project designed to test a theory that involved both nuclear weapons and the…
USS Tang (SS-306): The Decorated US Submarine That Was Sunk By Her Own Torpedo
The USS Tang (SS-306) was one of the most effective submarines to serve in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Over the course…
Germany Once Planned to Assassinate Winston Churchill… With Exploding Chocolate
Throughout the Second World War, prominent politicians were the subject of assassination plots. While often unsuccessful, they were a way for everyday civilians, Resistance fighters,…
James Cameron to Bring Film Adaptation of ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ to the Big Screen
Academy Award-winning director James Cameron has obtained the film rights for Charles Pellegrino’s forthcoming book, Ghosts of Hiroshima. The nonfiction release, which draws upon accounts…
Australian Military Commanders Stripped of Medals Over Alleged War Crimes
Several retired and active-duty Australian military commanders have been stripped of medals over alleged war crimes committed during the War in Afghanistan. Defence Minister Richard…
MoH Recipient Richard M. McCool, Jr. Ignored His Own Injuries to Rally His Men After a Kamikaze Attack
Throughout the Second World War, there were countless examples of bravery and heroism that went well beyond the call of duty. Among those to exemplify…
American Politicians Pushing to Award Bataan, Attu Veterans the Congressional Gold Medal
Two American politicians, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM 3rd District), have introduced a renewed push to award veterans of the…
World War II-Era Shipwrecks Re-Emerge From the Depths of Danube River
World War II-era vessels once operated by the Kriegsmarine have “risen” from the depths of the Danube, in Serbia. The wrecks, which belonged to Germany’s…
‘Area 52’ Veterans Call Out US Government for Refusing to Acknowledge Health Issues Caused By Radiation Exposure
The United States is home to one of the most controversial military bases in the world – and it’s probable you’ve never heard of it.…
24 Rare Photos That Give Us Another View of World War I
World War I was an international conflict that saw millions of troops come face-to-face across Europe and other regions. We’ve all seen images that were…
The True Story Behind the Cold War’s Most Iconic Photograph
When asked about the most iconic photograph of the Cold War, odds are the one that comes to mind is of an East German officer…
North American Release Date Revealed for Pierce Brosnan WWII Movie ‘The Last Rifleman’
Nearly a year after it premiered on the British streaming service Sky Cinema, The Last Rifleman (2023) will finally debut in North America. The World…
Netflix Releases Trailer for ‘The Six Triple Eight’
Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming film about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only unit of color with the…
Second Sino-Japanese War: The ‘Asian Holocaust’ That Witnessed Some of History’s Most Horrific War Crimes
The Second Sino-Japanese War was the result of escalating tensions and conflict between China and Japan that had been brewing for decades. When fighting broke…
What Was Happening in Rhodesia Prior to the Outbreak of the Bush War?
Among military enthusiasts and historians, the Rhodesian Bush War is a relatively vague and understudied conflict. There are many misconceptions that exist and, sadly, even…
The B-29 Superfortress ‘Enola Gay’ Forever Changed Warfare When It Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
For many, the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a turning point of the Second World War. Hitting the skies in mid-1944, the bomber…
Mystery WWI Letter Catches the Attention of Online Sleuths – Who Is the Owner?
A mystery letter from 1918 has been discovered at Tyne Cot Cemetery, near West Flanders, Belgium. It’s subsequently become a social media sensation, with efforts…
The Devastating Invasion That Kicked Off the Second World War
September 1, 2024, marks the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland – and the beginning of the Second World War. Beginning with assaults…
EXCERPT: ‘Witty Manny’ – From Prisoner of War to an East German Hospital in Just 11 Months
Here, we continue our eventful World War II story of Emanuel von König, when he arrives in the western suburbs of Berlin on April 20,…
‘Blighty or Bust’ Tells the Story of a Young Soldier’s 2,000-Mile Escape to Freedom in World War II
An English author has unearthed an amazing World War II escape story in a cardboard box of papers and cuttings he bought via an online…
The Touching Story of the Letter Jimmy Stewart Read Before Every Bombing Mission
Famous for his memorable performances in classic films like The Philadelphia Story (1940), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959), James…
US Navy SEAL? Deadly Sniper? Debunking the Rumors About Mister Rogers’ Military Service
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968-2001) was one of the most iconic children’s shows in North America. On-air for 31 seasons, it was lauded for its thoughtful…
Famed Fletcher-Class Destroyers to Undergo Major Restoration Work
It appears two World War II-era warships will live to see another day, thanks to two separate efforts to preserve the vessels. The USS The…
Decommissioned Soviet Aircraft Carrier Catches Fire in Chinese River
One of the many Soviet aircraft carriers to wind up in China in the years since the bloc’s collapse has been heavily damaged in a…
Over 400 Homes Evacuated in Northern Ireland After Discovery of World War II-Era Bomb
Hundreds of homes were evacuated in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, after a suspected World War II-era bomb was discovered. The “suspected historic piece of…
Wreck of Royal Navy Warship Torpedoed During WWI Found in ‘Remarkable’ Condition
The long-lost wreck of a British warship lost in the North Sea during the First World War has been discovered off Scotland’s coast. HMS Hawke,…
The Führer Personally Intervened to Ensure Mildred Fish-Harnack Was Punished for Her Resistance Work
Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, and even before, Resistance groups began popping up across Europe. Determined to fight for freedom and to…