History (Page 3)

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

Latest in History

Air Force cuts Tuskegee Airmen, WASP history class from boot camp on Trump order
History

Air Force cuts Tuskegee Airmen, WASP history class from boot camp on Trump order

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jan 25, 2025

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Little an electrician with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, applies a tourniquet to a simulated casualty during a combat lifesaver course at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, August 4, 2016. During the four-day course, Marines learned to recognize injuries, perform the appropriate procedures and control the patient to prolong survivability until help arrives. U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa Command support operations, contingencies and security cooperation in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell)
Afghanistan War

This Navy SEAL doctor is a big reason US troops carry tourniquets in combat today

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A WW-II tanker used a teaspoon ruse to take 24 POWs after becoming one himself.
World War II

This WWII Tanker took more than 20 prisoners while armed only with a spoon

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

1st Battalion, 4th Marines
World War I

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.
Vietnam War

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.
Vietnam War

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.
Korean War

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.
World War I

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
Historical Figures

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.
World War II

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)
Afghanistan War

This pilot dropped every bomb on two different F-16s in one mission

By Matt White

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

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

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.
World War II

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.
World War II

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.
World War II

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.
History

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.
World War II

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.
World War II

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.
Afghanistan War

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.
Vietnam War

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
Afghanistan War

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.
World War II

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.
World War II

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.
History

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.
Afghanistan War

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’
Afghanistan War

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

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

Waverly Woodson, Jr.
World War II

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.
Korean War

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.
World War II

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)
Past Conflicts

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
World War II

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
World War II

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)
Afghanistan War

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
World War II

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)
World War II

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
Afghanistan War

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.
Vietnam War

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.
Afghanistan War

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)
Past Conflicts

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’
Historical Figures

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
World War II

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
Vietnam War

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

By Team T&P

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)
Afghanistan War

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

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

William Calley
Vietnam War

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)
Vietnam War

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
World War II

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
World War II

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

By Matt White

Posted on Jul 17, 2024