Michael Lane Smith, Author at Task & Purpose

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 22, 2015

History

How Chesty Puller Earned His 5 Navy Crosses

Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, born in the 19th century, fought in the heaviest fighting of the 20th century, and is … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 17, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Soldier Who Rode A John Deere ATV Into Battle

On Nov. 1, 2010, a young Afghan approached Sgt. Felipe Pereira and his team on a shiny motorcycle near the … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 14, 2015

Family & Relationships

5 Crucial Lessons Military Brats Learn Early In Life

Military brats live in an ambiguous subculture that blends the lifestyle of a service member and a civilian. It includes … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 10, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Staff Sergeant Who Prevented The Taliban From Overrunning His Outpost

On Aug. 22, 2007, Staff Sgt. Erich R. Phillips was asleep in a remote outpost in the mountains of Afghanistan … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 10, 2015

History

The United States Was Called The United Colonies Until Sept. 9, 1776

On Sept. 9, 1776, the Continental Congress formally changed the name of their new nation to the “United States of … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 3, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Green Beret Who Crawled 90 Yards Under Heavy Fire To Save His Men

During a battle in Afghanistan that would last more than 17 hours, Sgt. 1st Class Brendan O’Connor crawled through a … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 3, 2015

Humor

5 Times Service Members Made The News For Doing Something Hilariously Stupid

For anyone who has worn the uniform, there’s a fundamental truth of service that never makes it into the commercials … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 2, 2015

History

72 Years Ago, Former President George H.W. Bush Almost Died In World War II

On Sept. 2, 1944, 20-year-old Navy pilot, Lt. j.g. George Herbert Walker Bush, was flying his 50th mission of World … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 27, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The 3 Americans Who Stopped An Armed Gunman On A Train In France

On Aug. 21, 2015, a man boarded a Paris-bound train in Belgium with an AK-47 assault rifle, nine rifle magazines, … Continued

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 26, 2015

Leadership

6 Women Who Fought In Direct Combat In Iraq And Afghanistan

The 2016 deadline set by the Pentagon for top military leaders to review gender restrictions on combat roles is quickly … Continued

Michael Lane Smith

News

Featured by Michael Lane Smith

How Chesty Puller Earned His 5 Navy Crosses

UNSUNG HEROES: The Soldier Who Rode A John Deere ATV Into Battle

5 Crucial Lessons Military Brats Learn Early In Life

UNSUNG HEROES: The Staff Sergeant Who Prevented The Taliban From Overrunning His Outpost

The United States Was Called The United Colonies Until Sept. 9, 1776

UNSUNG HEROES: The Green Beret Who Crawled 90 Yards Under Heavy Fire To Save His Men

5 Times Service Members Made The News For Doing Something Hilariously Stupid

72 Years Ago, Former President George H.W. Bush Almost Died In World War II

UNSUNG HEROES: The 3 Americans Who Stopped An Armed Gunman On A Train In France

6 Women Who Fought In Direct Combat In Iraq And Afghanistan