World War 2 | War History

George H.W. Bush Flew 58 Combat Missions As One of the US Navy’s Youngest Aviators

Military portrait of George H.W. Bush + George H.W. Bush sitting in the cockpit of a Grumman TBM Avenger

George H.W. Bush had one of the most distinguished military careers of all US presidents. He enlisted in the US Navy at 18 and was…

Humphrey Bogart Used His Real-Life Military Service to Bring Authenticity to His Movie Roles

Robert Francis and Humphrey Bogart as Ensign Willis Seward "Willie" Keith and Lt. Cmdr. Philip Francis Queeg in 'The Caine Mutiny'

While Humphrey Bogart is remembered for being one of the greatest Hollywood actors of all time, we should also acknowledge his efforts in the aftermath…

The Amazing Life of Eugene Bullard: Boxer, Nightclub Owner and Military Pilot

Eugene Bullard wearing his Legionnaire uniform

Eugene Bullard was the first Black American military pilot, flying combat missions for France during the First World War. He left the United States with…

The Seven US Presidents Who Served During WWII

George H.W. Bush sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft + Military portrait of John F. Kennedy + Dwight D. Eisenhower standing with his hands on his hips

Future US Presidents have fought in nearly every conflict in the country’s history, but WWII was different. Seven were members of the military during the…

Facts About the Guadalcanal Campaign That Show It Was a Pivotal Point In the Pacific Theater

US Marines landing ashore on Guadalcanal

The battles of Iwo Jima and Midway are well remembered as two of the most important engagements in the Pacific Theater of the Second World…

Sidney Shachnow: The Holocaust Survivor Who Became a Green Beret

Prisoners making saddles + Military portrait of Sidney Shachnow

Sidney Shachnow was a Lithuanian Jew who experienced – and survived – the Holocaust. Imprisoned in the Kovno Ghetto during World War II, he suffered…

Why Did Flying Boats Experience a Dip in Popularity Following WWII?

Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina patrol bomber taking off on water

Starting from as soon as man conquered flight to the end of the Second World War, flying boats were an extremely popular type of aircraft.…

Charles Bronson: Hollywood Actor and Aerial Gunner

Portrait of Charles Bronson + Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the air

Charles Bronson was known for playing the tough guy on the big screen, but he was also one in real life. Following a life of…

This Greek Priest Saved 27,000 Greek Jews from Deportation

Damaskinos of Athens, Archbishop-Primate of Athens and All Greece, then Regent of the Kingdom of Greece.

Damaskinos Papandreou was the Archbishop of Athens from 1941 to 1949. This position made him the highest-ranking priest in Greece, which was under German occupation…

The Sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff Is The Single Largest Maritime Disaster In History

MV Wilhelm Gustloff

In January 1945 a German transport ship carrying thousands of civilian refugees from northern Europe was sunk in the Baltic Sea. She was torpedoed by…

Jackie Robinson Fought Segregation In the US Army Before Taking On the MLB

Jackie Robinson writing at a desk

Jackie Robinson is remembered as the first African-American baseball player to break the color barrier and play Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.…

The Jewish Red Army Major Who Led the Liberation of Auschwitz

Entrance to Auschwitz + Anatoly Shapiro

The German Army committed unspeakable atrocities against Europe’s Jewish population during World War II, including imprisoning them in concentration camps. They tried to destroy any…