“X” Troop was made up of German and Austrian Jewish commandos who rode bicycles and fought the Germans on D-Day
When most people picture the D-Day landings, they do not usually envision Commandos advancing on bicycles ahead of the main invasion force. Yet that was…
The “father of the American Navy” tried to lead an attack on British soil during the Revolutionary War, but it was a total disaster
When the American Revolutionary War is remembered today, most people associate its battles with events that unfolded in North America. Although the conflict was centered…
The death of Benito Mussolini’s second son during the Second World War had a deep and lasting impact on his father
Bruno Mussolini, the second acknowledged son of Italian leader Benito Mussolini and his wife Rachele, became known for his accomplishments as a military pilot and…
Elvis Presley’s decision to serve as an enlisted soldier in 1957 was shocking at the time
In the middle decades of the 20th century, a number of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities left their careers behind to serve in the U.S. military, among…
“The Great Imposter,” Fred Demara’s greatest con, may have been successfully impersonating a naval surgeon aboard a Canadian warship
Ferdinand “Fred” Waldo Demara Jr. became famous for a series of extraordinary deceptions that earned him the nickname “the Great Impostor.” Over the course of…
An American reporter accidentally leaked a WWII secret… But the enemy never saw it
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the moment the United States seized the strategic initiative in the Pacific, dealing a devastating blow to…
Where did these 9 military superstitions come from, and why do people still believe in them?
Members of the United States Armed Forces are known for their commitment to their missions and their willingness to accept significant risks in support of…
Smoky: The Yorkshire terrier who joined the US Army during World War II and survived over 150 air raids
Dogs have served alongside military forces for centuries, and their contributions are often associated with larger breeds such as German Shepherds. A four-pound Yorkshire Terrier,…
The US Camel Corps was a strange experiment that saw camels imported to America to be used for military operations
On May 10, 1855, Jefferson Davis issued what is often regarded as one of the most bizarre orders in the history of the U.S. Army.…
During World War I, cats held many important roles in trenches, on ships, and everywhere in between
During World War I, cats served a purpose that went well beyond companionship. Found throughout trenches, camps, and supply depots, they were valued for their…
The USS Wake (PR-3) started as a US Navy gunboat, but was used by three different countries during her service life
Though not a large warship, the USS Wake (PR-3) earned a distinctive place in naval history. After entering service in 1927, the gunboat passed through…
Teddy Roosevelt tried to organize and lead a unit of volunteers to fight against German troops during the First World War
Although the United States did not formally enter World War I until April 1917, Theodore Roosevelt had already been urging American participation in the conflict.…