Past Conflicts

Stories that focus on America's wars, from Iraq and Afghanistan, to Vietnam, Korea, and World War I and II.

Latest in Past Conflicts

Culture

Spike Lee takes on Vietnam and the turmoil of the Trump era in Netflix’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Spike Lee takes on Vietnam and the turmoil of the Trump era in Netflix’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’

By

/ Jun 3 2020

Military Life

VA secretary reverses course on removing Nazi headstones from veteran cemeteries VA secretary reverses course on removing Nazi headstones from veteran cemeteries

/ Jun 2 2020

News

World War II Memorial among several on National Mall vandalized during protests World War II Memorial among several on National Mall vandalized during protests

/ Jun 1 2020

History

Decorated WWII vet, forensics expert who examined Zodiac killer letters, dies at 100 Decorated WWII vet, forensics expert who examined Zodiac killer letters, dies at 100

By

/ May 29 2020

Military Life

VA secretary says removing Nazi headstones from veterans cemeteries would ‘erase’ history VA secretary says removing Nazi headstones from veterans cemeteries would ‘erase’ history

/ May 28 2020

News

Here’s your first look at the official poster for ‘The Outpost’ Here’s your first look at the official poster for ‘The Outpost’

/ May 28 2020

Military Life

House lawmakers join call to get Nazi gravestones out of veterans cemeteries House lawmakers join call to get Nazi gravestones out of veterans cemeteries

By

/ May 26 2020

Military Life

Meet the 80-year-old Vietnam veteran volunteering on the front lines of Seattle’s COVID-19 fight Meet the 80-year-old Vietnam veteran volunteering on the front lines of Seattle’s COVID-19 fight

By

/ May 24 2020

Military Life

Remembering the fallen veterans of the 1918 pandemic Remembering the fallen veterans of the 1918 pandemic

By

/ May 23 2020

News

The Coast Guard’s fight in the Pacific The Coast Guard’s fight in the Pacific

By Task & Purpose

/ May 22 2020

Culture

The trailer just dropped for ‘The Outpost’ — a new movie about one of the bloodiest battles of the Afghan War The trailer just dropped for ‘The Outpost’ — a new movie about one of the bloodiest battles of the Afghan War

/ May 21 2020

History

New trailer for Afghanistan War drama ‘The Outpost’ New trailer for Afghanistan War drama ‘The Outpost’

By Task & Purpose

/ May 21 2020

History

New trailer for Afghanistan War drama ‘The Outpost’ New trailer for Afghanistan War drama ‘The Outpost’

By Task & Purpose

/ May 21 2020

Culture

Netflix’s new war movie ‘Da 5 Bloods’ looks like ‘Three Kings’ set during the Vietnam War Netflix’s new war movie ‘Da 5 Bloods’ looks like ‘Three Kings’ set during the Vietnam War

/ May 19 2020

History

C-130 aircrew receives Combat Action Medal for dodging RPG over Afghanistan C-130 aircrew receives Combat Action Medal for dodging RPG over Afghanistan

/ May 19 2020

Military Life

South Korea to send 10,000 face masks to Navajo veterans to honor their service in the Korean War South Korea to send 10,000 face masks to Navajo veterans to honor their service in the Korean War

By Jared Keller

/ May 19 2020

News

Here’s how one soldier captured 132 enemies in WWI Here’s how one soldier captured 132 enemies in WWI

By Task & Purpose

/ May 18 2020

News

Battleship USS Nevada, a symbol of American ‘resilience and stubbornness,’ rediscovered after 72 years Battleship USS Nevada, a symbol of American ‘resilience and stubbornness,’ rediscovered after 72 years

/ May 12 2020

News

USS Nevada wreckage footage USS Nevada wreckage footage

By Task & Purpose

/ May 12 2020

History

100-year-old WWII vet beats COVID-19 just like he helped beat the Nazis 100-year-old WWII vet beats COVID-19 just like he helped beat the Nazis

By

/ May 11 2020

Military Life

Trump, Esper, and Wilkie didn’t wear masks while meeting with WWII veterans despite COVID-19 threat Trump, Esper, and Wilkie didn’t wear masks while meeting with WWII veterans despite COVID-19 threat

By Jared Keller

/ May 9 2020

History

Here are 10 strange jobs US troops had to do during WWII Here are 10 strange jobs US troops had to do during WWII

By Claudette Roulo, U.S. Department of Defense

/ May 8 2020

History

‘The end of the war is an anti-climax’ — A reporter’s notes on VE-Day, 75 years later ‘The end of the war is an anti-climax’ — A reporter’s notes on VE-Day, 75 years later

By

/ May 8 2020

Military Life

‘You don’t even have to serve in the war to get killed by it’ — Veterans reflect on 50th anniversary of Kent State shooting ‘You don’t even have to serve in the war to get killed by it’ — Veterans reflect on 50th anniversary of Kent State shooting

By

/ May 4 2020

News

78 years ago, the first Navajo Code Talkers joined the Marine Corps 78 years ago, the first Navajo Code Talkers joined the Marine Corps

/ May 4 2020

History

The US military’s silence on Afghanistan is a sign of weakness The US military’s silence on Afghanistan is a sign of weakness

By Jeff Schogol

/ May 2 2020

Culture

A new WWII TV show based on the popular video game ‘Brothers in Arms’ is in the works A new WWII TV show based on the popular video game ‘Brothers in Arms’ is in the works

/ May 1 2020

News

The Battle of Iwo Jima The Battle of Iwo Jima

By Task & Purpose

/ Apr 28 2020

History

WWII Veteran visits Okinawa 72 years later WWII Veteran visits Okinawa 72 years later

By Task & Purpose

/ Apr 28 2020

News

75 years after D-Day, current Army Rangers return to Pointe du Hoc 75 years after D-Day, current Army Rangers return to Pointe du Hoc

By Task & Purpose

/ Apr 28 2020

News

Thousands throw surprise parade to honor Marine Raider killed in Iraq Thousands throw surprise parade to honor Marine Raider killed in Iraq

/ Apr 27 2020

History

Trump and Putin commemorate 75th anniversary of when US and Soviet soldiers overcame differences during World War II Trump and Putin commemorate 75th anniversary of when US and Soviet soldiers overcame differences during World War II

By

/ Apr 25 2020

Military Life

Unbelievable hero finally awarded the Medal of Honor after 34 years. Unbelievable hero finally awarded the Medal of Honor after 34 years.

By Patrick Baker

/ Apr 24 2020

Military Life

Bond set at $2 million for man accused of fatally beating 94-year-old World War II vet Bond set at $2 million for man accused of fatally beating 94-year-old World War II vet

By

/ Apr 21 2020

News

The misappropriation of Pat Tillman’s legacy The misappropriation of Pat Tillman’s legacy

By Meaghan Mobbs

/ Apr 21 2020

Military Life

75 years ago, this ‘stouthearted and indomitable’ Medal of Honor recipient leaped on a grenade to save 2 others 75 years ago, this ‘stouthearted and indomitable’ Medal of Honor recipient leaped on a grenade to save 2 others

/ Apr 20 2020

Military Life

75 years ago today, this Medal of Honor recipient began his 3-day long final stand 75 years ago today, this Medal of Honor recipient began his 3-day long final stand

/ Apr 19 2020

Culture

This WWII vet got a mohawk the night before D-Day. Now he’s doing it again to spread cheer during COVID-19 This WWII vet got a mohawk the night before D-Day. Now he’s doing it again to spread cheer during COVID-19

By

/ Apr 15 2020

News

Top general cites 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima as reason Marines need to get haircuts during a pandemic Top general cites 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima as reason Marines need to get haircuts during a pandemic

By Jeff Schogol

/ Apr 14 2020

History

’Equivalent to pushing down a WWII vet’ — Airfield furious over vandalized WWII-era planes ’Equivalent to pushing down a WWII vet’ — Airfield furious over vandalized WWII-era planes

By

/ Apr 14 2020

Military Life

A 104-year-old World War II veteran had a socially distanced birthday party after recovering from COVID-19 A 104-year-old World War II veteran had a socially distanced birthday party after recovering from COVID-19

By

/ Apr 4 2020

History

This WWII medic treated grunts even after taking shrapnel wounds. Now he’s finally getting a Purple Heart This WWII medic treated grunts even after taking shrapnel wounds. Now he’s finally getting a Purple Heart

By

/ Apr 3 2020

History

This 104-year-old WWII veteran may be the oldest person to beat COVID-19 This 104-year-old WWII veteran may be the oldest person to beat COVID-19

By

/ Apr 1 2020

News

DoD identifies soldier killed in non-combat incident in Iraq DoD identifies soldier killed in non-combat incident in Iraq

By Jeff Schogol

/ Apr 1 2020

News

‘I survived the foxholes of Guam, I can get through this coronavirus bullsht,’ says 95-year-old vet who battled COVID-19 and won ‘I survived the foxholes of Guam, I can get through this coronavirus bullsht,’ says 95-year-old vet who battled COVID-19 and won

/ Mar 31 2020

History

A brick too far: How General Mattis used Legos to plan out the invasion of Iraq A brick too far: How General Mattis used Legos to plan out the invasion of Iraq

/ Mar 19 2020

News

Trump directs Army to award 30th Infantry Division with Presidential Unit Citation for heroism during WWII Trump directs Army to award 30th Infantry Division with Presidential Unit Citation for heroism during WWII

By Haley Britzky

/ Mar 18 2020

News

75 years ago, this Medal of Honor recipient braved a ‘death-sown’ minefield to reach 2 injured soldiers 75 years ago, this Medal of Honor recipient braved a ‘death-sown’ minefield to reach 2 injured soldiers

/ Mar 18 2020

News

That time the 1st Marine Division brought pigeons to the 2003 invasion of Iraq That time the 1st Marine Division brought pigeons to the 2003 invasion of Iraq

/ Mar 17 2020

Military Life

‘Honor and respect’ — Massachusetts police and fire arrange funeral for WWII vet who died with no family ‘Honor and respect’ — Massachusetts police and fire arrange funeral for WWII vet who died with no family

By

/ Mar 12 2020

News

They were among the fiercest American soldiers in WWI. Here’s why they were horribly mistreated when they returned home They were among the fiercest American soldiers in WWI. Here’s why they were horribly mistreated when they returned home

/ Mar 11 2020

Culture

How ‘The Outpost’ tells the true story of a handful of American soldiers heroically fighting back hundreds of Taliban How ‘The Outpost’ tells the true story of a handful of American soldiers heroically fighting back hundreds of Taliban

/ Mar 6 2020

News

Reunion of Iwo Jima veterans canceled over coronavirus fears Reunion of Iwo Jima veterans canceled over coronavirus fears

By Paul Szoldra

/ Mar 6 2020

News

Marines commemorate 75th anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima Marines commemorate 75th anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima

By Task & Purpose

/ Mar 6 2020

Culture

THE OUTPOST – Behind The Scenes Featurette THE OUTPOST – Behind The Scenes Featurette

By Task & Purpose

/ Mar 5 2020

Culture

Tom Hanks is here to ‘bring hell from on high’ in new WWII naval flick ‘Greyhound’ Tom Hanks is here to ‘bring hell from on high’ in new WWII naval flick ‘Greyhound’

/ Mar 5 2020

Culture

GREYHOUND – Official Trailer (HD) GREYHOUND – Official Trailer (HD)

By Task & Purpose

/ Mar 5 2020

History

How the Last Major Cavalry Charge Ended How the Last Major Cavalry Charge Ended

By Task & Purpose

/ Mar 3 2020

News

Air Force crew receives medals for ‘legendary airmanship’ in 9-hour firefight against ISIS stronghold in Afghanistan Air Force crew receives medals for ‘legendary airmanship’ in 9-hour firefight against ISIS stronghold in Afghanistan

/ Mar 3 2020

History

World War I like you’ve never seen it before World War I like you’ve never seen it before

By Task & Purpose

/ Feb 26 2020

News

The Stoner Machinegun: A Navy SEAL Remembers The Stoner Machinegun: A Navy SEAL Remembers

By Task & Purpose

/ Feb 26 2020

News

He raced through incoming fire so he could put himself between an enemy’s rifle and a wounded Marine He raced through incoming fire so he could put himself between an enemy’s rifle and a wounded Marine

/ Feb 23 2020

Military Life

For years he sold the military’s version of the Iraq War. Now he’s on a mission to convey ‘the chaos and absurdity of that experience’ For years he sold the military’s version of the Iraq War. Now he’s on a mission to convey ‘the chaos and absurdity of that experience’

/ Feb 19 2020

History

California to officially apologize for the WWII internment of Japanese Americans California to officially apologize for the WWII internment of Japanese Americans

By

/ Feb 18 2020