World War 2 | War History

Here’s What Happened to the U.S. Marines Who Lifted the Flag at Iwo Jima

The United States Marine Corps Memorial by Felix De Weldon

The Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most renowned in United States history. The five-week battle, fought by the Navy and Marines, captured…

The Exploits of Fritz Joubert: South African Turned German War Spy

Fritz Duqesne being interrogated

Fritz Joubert Duquesne was a man originally born in South Africa who spied for the Germans in two World Wars. In between the battles, he…

The Myth That Carrots Are Good for Your Eyes Came from a WWII Propaganda Campaign

WWII-era propaganda poster promoting a diet of carrots and other vegetables + Bundle of carrots

When I was younger, my parents always told me that carrots would give me better eyesight. Much to their surprise, even though I ate the…

These Unsettling Facts About WWII Aren’t Taught In School

WWII-era German aircraft flying over a destroyed city

Volumes have been written about the Second World War. Generations of students have learned about the conflict and, depending on the extent of their education,…

Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller Became the First Black American to be Awarded the Navy Cross

Dorie Miller wearing his Navy Cross

Many African Americans fought for their freedom during the Civil War. The Buffalo Soldiers earned fame during the Indian and Spanish-American Wars. Plenty more African-American…

NOAA Launches Search for B-29 Graveyard in the Pacific Ocean

Joltin' Josie the Pacific Pioneer crew standing around the B-29 Superfortress + Map showing the location NOAA researchers will be searching for the downed World War II-era aircraft

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are conducting a search of the Pacific Ocean for what’s been dubbed the largest graveyard of…

Karl Plagge Saved Jewish Lives Ahead of a Camp Liquidation – and Lived

Military portrait of Karl Plagge

The Second World War saw numerous atrocities committed against a large portion of Europe’s Jewish population. Upon being drafted into the German Army, engineer Karl…

Finland Loved This Unlikely Fighter Plane: The Brewster Buffalo

A US Navy version of the Brewster Buffalo takes flight

The Finnish Air Force is one of the oldest in the world, predating the British RAF and the Swedish Flygvapnet. And Finnish pilots have long…

Here’s How Charles Jackson French Became a Naval Hero During the Battle of Guadalcanal

Charles Jackson French, a hero of World War II

Dorie Miller is the most well-known African American hero of World War II. The United States Navy cook was on board the battleship West Virginia…

Captain America Was Created in Part to Encourage U.S. Involvement in WW2

Captain America

In the late 1930s, comic books had become incredibly popular. In April of 1938, D.C. Comics released Action Comics 1, the first appearance of Superman,…

8 Fierce Historical Military Figures Most People Haven’t Heard About

Portrait of Francis Pegahmagabow + Stanislav Petrov sitting in his apartment + Lyudmila Pavlichenko holding a sniper rifle

History is filled with so many fierce fighters that it’s not surprising some have been largely forgotten following their service. Here are eight of the…

The Often-Misinterpreted Truth About the Military Origins of the Hells Angels Name

Five Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in flight + Member of the Hells Angels wearing a leather vest

The Hells Angels are among the most well-known motorcycle clubs in the world. While the gang is listed as a criminal syndicate in the United…