World War 2 | War History

Operation Copperhead Was Almost Compromised By A Drunk Bernard Montgomery Lookalike

Clifton James dressed as Bernard Montgomery + Portrait of Bernard Montgomery

Operation Overlord was, at that point, the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. It was no easy feat to keep something of this…

William Hopper: The Actor Who Played Paul Drake on ‘Perry Mason’ Served in the Navy in WWII

US servicemen watching an explosion in the distance + Portrait of William Hopper

American actor William Hopper is best remembered for his decade-long portrayal of Paul Drake in the original television run of the popular courtroom drama, Perry…

NPS Researchers Explore Underwater Remnants of the Battles of Guam

Diver swimming near a rusty military vehicle

Just a few days after the Japanese launched their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the US military became embroiled in the First Battle of Guam.…

James Stewart Paused His Hollywood Career to Bomb German Strongholds In Europe

Consolidated B-24 Liberators in flight + Military portrait of James Stewart

James “Jimmy” Stewart is among the most recognizable stars from the era of Vintage Hollywood. Starring in the likes of Vertigo (1958), It’s a Wonderful…

The 50-Year Battle to Clear Charles McVay III In the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) at sea + Military portrait of Charles McVay III

The USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser commissioned by the US Navy in 1932. She was the flagship of Scouting Force 1 prior to the…

The USS Lexington Wreck Was Discovered Over 75 Years After the Battle of the Coral Sea

USS Lexington (CV-2) at sea

The sinking of the USS Lexington (CV-2) was one of many to occur during the Second World War, and her wreck has remained on the seafloor…

Esmond Knight: The British Actor Who Was Injured During a Battle with the German Battleship Bismarck

Still from 'Sink the Bismarck!' + Portrait of Esmond Knight

A number of British actors served during the Second World War, but few could claim they came face to face with the German battleship Bismarck…

Operation Long Jump: The Alleged German Plan to Assassinate the ‘Big Three’

Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sitting amongst military officials

A number of plans never came to fruition during the Second World War; one involved the use of bombs guided by pigeons, while another called…

Michael Alexander: The British Commando Who Escaped Death By Faking His Family Tree

Two British Commandos ducking in tall grass with their weapons

Not all those who were captured in combat were taken as prisoners of war (POWs) during the Second World War. Some were shot on-site, particularly…

MoH Recipient Richard O’Kane Was the US Navy’s Most Successful Submarine Commander

USS Tang (SS-306) leaving port + Military portrait of Richard O'Kane

Richard O’Kane is the most successful submarine commander in the history of the US Navy. He served during the Second World War, and sank a…

Henry T Elrod: The Marine Corps Aviator Who Single-Handedly Took Out a Japanese Destroyer

Wrecked Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat in the sand + Military portrait of Henry T Elrod

Maj. Henry T Elrod was better known by his nickname, “Hammerin’ Hank.” The US Marine Corps aviator had always dreamed of taking to the skies,…

The Little-Known Lost Battalions of World War II

Six members of the Lost Battalion in the Pacific Theater sitting together

Everyone is aware of the Lost Battalion of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive; 554 men from the US 77th Division who became trapped by the Germans in…