History(Page 2)

Profiles, explainers, and other stories that dig into military history.

Latest in History

1st Battalion, 4th Marines
News

Storied Marine infantry battalion to be transformed into Littoral Combat Team

By Jeff Schogol

Updated on Jan 8, 2025

Nick Sanza was a tunnel rat during the Vietnam War
History

A day in the life of a Vietnam ‘tunnel rat’

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

The Navy will name a guided-missile destroyer for Senator Robert Kerrey, the first Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam.
News

Navy names new destroyer for Senator who was first SEAL awarded Medal of Honor

By Matt White

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

The first two Distinguished Service Cross recipients were two female Army nurses.
History

The first Americans to earn the Distinguished Service Cross were two Army nurses

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

A composite of two men in military uniform. Both are wearing hats.
News

These 2 soldiers will receive the Medal of Honor for their heroism in Vietnam

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

A composite of five men in military uniform. One is in color the rest are black and white photographs.
News

Five Korean War vets to receive Medal of Honor including Fort Cavazos namesake

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

jetpack light mobility system
History

The Army once hoped jetpacks could give soldiers the edge in combat

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jan 1, 2025

Black and white photo showing several American soldiers in the snow, a church behind them.
History

When Americans spent Christmas and New Year’s freezing in Russia

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

President Jimmy Carter, in a dark suit, with an American flag behind him
News

President Jimmy Carter, Navy veteran and humanitarian, dies at 100

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 29, 2024

William Anders' "Earthrise." (photo courtesy NASA)
History

The Air Force once proposed bombing Earth from the Moon

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 29, 2024

An older man shakes hands with a man in military uniform.
History

Pearl Harbor survivor and last living crewmember of the USS Utah dies at 105

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

OSS crossbows were built for commandos and spies in World War II.
History

This tiny crossbow is the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite World War II Spy

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 25, 2024

Dr. Lytle S. Adams, a dental surgeon, concoted a weapon to compete with the atomic bomb.
History

That time the US military burned down one of its own bases with a ‘bat bomb’

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Capt. Rick Woolard, a Navy SEAL commander, used V40 mini-grenades during his three deployments to Vietnam.
History

These tiny, Vietnam-era mini-grenades were known as ‘Hooch Poppers’

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Lt. Col. Craig Andrle, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, taxis after a combat sortie March 20, 2017 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The 79th EFS provides counterterrorism to support a successful train, advise, assist mission in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katherine Spessa)
History

To save a team of Rangers under fire, this pilot dropped every bomb from two different F-16s

By Matt White

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

A World War II reenactor marches through the Ardennes Forest on Dec. 14, 2024.
History

Soldiers, reenactors, mark 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 15, 2024

Eleven officers from the Naval Academy and Military Academy, West Point have played football for their respective teams and earned the Medal of Honor.
History

Here are the Army-Navy football game players who later earned the Medal of Honor

By Joshua Skovlund

Updated on Dec 11, 2024

Sgt. Joseph Peter LaJennessee and Pfc. Amado Garcia, both WWI Native American soldiers who were denied Medal of Honors because of their race and ethnicity.
History

World War I Native American soldiers could be in line for Medals of Honor

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Men stand on the damaged wreck of a warship.
History

Sailor killed at Pearl Harbor identified, laid to rest

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 7, 2024

WWII Medal of Honor recipients John Finn and Melvin Mayfield.
History

The first and last Medals of Honor of World War II

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Hawthorne Gray suiting up for a balloon flight, a crew helping him get into his gear.
History

Before the space race, the US military raced balloons to the stratosphere

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

Pvt. Hector Cafferata, a Medal of Honor recipient.
History

This Marine batted away a dozen grenades with an E-tool in Korean War battle

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Nov 29, 2024

Archaeologists use measuring tapes and underwater cameras to record and document a WWII aircraft site in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Project Recover — Project Recover is a collaborative effort to enlist 21st-century science and technology in a quest to find and repatriate World War II MIAs to bring recognition to the service member, closure for their families, and to help a grateful Nation keep its sacred promise to bring our MIAs home. As a result of Project Recover’s missions, there are 84 MIAs awaiting recovery at this time (January 2020). Since 1993, Project Recover (formerly The BentProp Project) has located 30+ downed World War II US aircraft associated with scores of MIA service members.
History

Meet the team helping recover missing U.S. troops from deep underwater

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

The Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex in North Dakota.
Culture

The Army built a giant concrete pyramid in North Dakota and only used it for six months

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

The USS Edsall floating on the water off of California.
History

World War II destroyer USS Edsall found after 82 years

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Nov 17, 2024

William Anders' "Earthrise." (photo courtesy NASA)
History

The Air Force once almost nuked the Moon

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Nov 10, 2024

The destroyer the USS John Basilone sails through the waters around New York, wit the Statue of Liberty behind it.
News

Navy destroyer commissioned in honor of legendary Marine John Basilone

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Nov 9, 2024

Capt. William Swenson loading his wounded teammate on Sept. 8, 2009. Swenson later receiving the Medal of honor on Oct. 16, 2013.
History

An enemy commander told him to surrender. This Army captain threw a grenade instead.

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Nov 4, 2024

An American medical evacuation 'dustoff' helicopter takes aboard a casualty during operations in the jungle.
History

Forefathers of modern MEDEVAC crews flew through hell for their soldiers in Vietnam

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Nov 1, 2024

National Museum of the Marine Corps
News

Garbage, PowerPoint, combat: Father and son revisit their wars at Marine Corps museum

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

Concept art showing an L-shaped tubular base on the Moon mid-construction.
History

The Army once planned for an armed base on the Moon

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 28, 2024

Joseph Spotswood fighting Coulson during his smoker event with President Truman in attendance.
History

How an underdog won a boxing match on a warship in front of President Truman

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Oct 23, 2024

John Kinsel sits in a chair, wearing a red Navajo code talkers hat, next to someone wearing a wide brimmed hat.
History

John Kinsel Sr., one of the last Navajo code talkers, dies at 107

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 20, 2024

U.S. Marines with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, receive their Eagle, Globe and Anchor on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Oct. 21, 2022. The EGA is the official emblem and insignia of the Marine Corps. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Arturo Ponce Alavez Jr.
Culture

The evolution of the Marine Corps’ Eagle, Globe and Anchor

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Oct 3, 2024

UH-60 crews rehearsed emergency patient movements in Germany from Feb. 22-25 in preparation for Defender Europe 21. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham.
News

With a drop of blood, an Army device can detect traumatic brain injuries in 15 minutes

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Oct 2, 2024

The Vietnam Hueys that flew with rocket launchers painted as beer cans
History

The Vietnam Hueys that flew with rocket launchers painted as beer cans

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Sep 26, 2024

Army’s new ‘female’ medical simulators teach medics not to ‘hesitate’
History

Army’s new ‘female’ medical simulators teach medics not to ‘hesitate’

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

Waverly Woodson, Jr.
News

Black Army medic who saved hundreds on D-Day awarded Distinguished Service Cross

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

Female Marines perform their duties as traffic controllers during the Korean War. During the war, women were encouraged to take on more roles in different military occupations than before to free up more men for combat.
News

Women kicked out of military for pregnancy could get $25,000, VA health care under bill

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

A black and white photo of two U.S. Navy F-11 Tigers flying together.
History

That time a Navy fighter jet shot itself down

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 22, 2024

Several paratroopers jump out of an Air Force C-130H over Arnhem, the Netherlands.
History

US troops, NATO allies jump over the Netherlands for 80th anniversary of Market Garden

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 21, 2024

U.S. Army Lt. Briana Harvey, team lead for CPT 169 during CYBER FLAG 22, assists another soldier with a computer issue at the Laurel Readiness Center, Laurel, MD during CYBER FLAG 22 on Jul. 25, 2022. Cyber Flag 22 is an annual U.S. Cyber Command training event that is designed to strengthen partnerships, improve the defensive skills, and enhance the readiness and collaboration of the participating cyber operators. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tom Lamb)
News

Army to close active information operations command as it moves those ops to smaller specialized units

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 20, 2024

The US Army once used ‘battle sleds’ to ferry soldiers in World War II
History

The US Army once used ‘battle sleds’ to ferry soldiers in World War II

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

Bill would honor vets of Bataan and other early WWII battles
History

Bill would honor vets of Bataan and other early WWII battles

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

The 354th Fighter Generation Squadron poses for a group photo for the final time at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 24, 2024. The 354th FGS maintained A-10C aircraft to conduct close air support, forward air control, airborne, and combat search and rescue for theater commanders worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Finn V)
News

The A-10 era is over for this legendary Air Force attack squadron

By Matt White

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

Richard McCool medal of honor recipient during Battle of Okinawa, World War II
News

Navy’s latest ship commission honors actions of MoH recipient

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Sailors cook within the close quarters of a United States Navy cruiser's galley, in the Pacific Theater, World War II. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
History

The Navy’s 1945 cookbook teaches how to feed hundreds of sailors

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 2, 2024

For many Afghanistan vets, chaotic withdrawal overshadows wartime service
News

For many Afghanistan vets, chaotic withdrawal overshadows wartime service

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

Cpl. Daniel Heller after receiving the Navy Cross.
News

Vietnam Marine vet awarded Navy Cross 55 years after saving Marines while wounded

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

A photo of the gym dedication to Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee.
News

USS Iwo Jima dedicates ship gym to Sgt. Nicole Gee

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Aug 28, 2024

One of the Argus rockets sitting on the USS Norton Sound waiting to launch. (AEC/USDE, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
History

The Navy once tried to create a nuclear death cloud

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Aug 27, 2024

Gary Sinise reflects on the legacy of ‘Lt. Dan’ and his work for veterans on 30th anniversary of ‘Forrest Gump’
Culture

Gary Sinise reflects on the legacy of ‘Lt. Dan’ and his work for veterans on 30th anniversary of ‘Forrest Gump’

By Pam Windsor

Posted on Aug 23, 2024

cybertruck b-24 world war II tribute
News

This Cybertruck’s B-24 Liberator wrap honors a WWII bomber pilot

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Paul Bucha, Medal of Honor recipient in fierce jungle battle, dies at 80
History

Paul Bucha, Medal of Honor recipient in fierce jungle battle, dies at 80

Posted on Aug 2, 2024

Florida National Guardsmen of the 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment, fire a round from an M777 Howitzer, May 23, 2021, at Eugen Kvaternik Military Training Area in Slunj, Croatia. DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries. This year, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (By Sgt. Joshua Oh)
History

Artillery, infantry and all enlisted troops face higher risks of suicide

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

William Calley
News

William Calley, dead at 80, still used in Army lessons about preventing war crimes like the My Lai Massacre

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

The christening ceremony for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Patrick Gallagher. (photo courtesy U.S. Navy)
History

Navy christens new destroyer named for Navy Cross recipient

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 28, 2024

Wind flutters around the peace offerings of tobacco ties that line the fence at the Wounded Knee Memorial on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, on Monday, October 20, 2014. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
History

Pentagon orders review of Medals of Honor given for Wounded Knee Massacre

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 28, 2024

103-year-old WWII veteran finally gets VA benefits 78 years later
History

103-year-old WWII veteran finally gets VA benefits 78 years later

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, photographed by fellow Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong. (photo courtesy NASA)
Historical Figures

55 years ago, the military pilots of Apollo 11 landed on the Moon

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 20, 2024

Navy exonerates 256 Black sailors from deadly World War II ammo explosion
History

Navy exonerates 256 Black sailors from deadly World War II ammo explosion

By Matt White

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

Virginia native Gillie Jenkins monitored nuclear tests in the Bikini Atoll. Courtesy photo.
History

America’s Atomic Veterans, hidden by secrets, were forgotten for 50 years

By Abigail Spanberger

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

vance trump US Marine
History

J.D. Vance is first veteran on Presidential ticket since John McCain

By Matt White

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
News

‘Why?’ Presidential assassins rarely have ‘political’ motives

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 14, 2024