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

News

75 years ago, Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone was killed in battle at Iwo Jima 75 years ago, Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone was killed in battle at Iwo Jima

/ Feb 18 2020

News

One of the last USS Arizona sailors to survive Pearl Harbor has passed away One of the last USS Arizona sailors to survive Pearl Harbor has passed away

/ Feb 17 2020

History

75 years ago, Darrell Cole earned his Medal of Honor with nothing more than grenades, a pistol, and ‘unfaltering courage’ 75 years ago, Darrell Cole earned his Medal of Honor with nothing more than grenades, a pistol, and ‘unfaltering courage’

By Jared Keller

/ Feb 15 2020

History

Philadelphia making sure WWII Medal of Honor recipient is never forgotten Philadelphia making sure WWII Medal of Honor recipient is never forgotten

By

/ Feb 12 2020

History

75 years ago, Edward Dahlgren earned the Medal of Honor for ‘magnificent courage’ in the face of enemy fire 75 years ago, Edward Dahlgren earned the Medal of Honor for ‘magnificent courage’ in the face of enemy fire

/ Feb 10 2020

Military Life

Alaska to pay $550,000 to family of Iraq War vet who died in prison of heart attack Alaska to pay $550,000 to family of Iraq War vet who died in prison of heart attack

By

/ Feb 9 2020

News

A powerful new Air Force video pays tribute to Brig. Gen. Charles McGee and the Tuskegee Airmen A powerful new Air Force video pays tribute to Brig. Gen. Charles McGee and the Tuskegee Airmen

/ Feb 6 2020

Culture

How the US military’s love of boot-shaming gave America the gift of ‘IDK’ How the US military’s love of boot-shaming gave America the gift of ‘IDK’

/ Feb 3 2020

Culture

A ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ version of ‘1917’ exists and it is glorious A ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ version of ‘1917’ exists and it is glorious

/ Jan 31 2020

Culture

‘The Afghanistan Papers’ are being turned into a documentary and a scripted series ‘The Afghanistan Papers’ are being turned into a documentary and a scripted series

By Paul Szoldra

/ Jan 30 2020

History

An Afghanistan peace deal is shimmering above the horizon — just like a desert mirage An Afghanistan peace deal is shimmering above the horizon — just like a desert mirage

By Jeff Schogol

/ Jan 26 2020

News

‘I made promises to the people that I lost’— How the Iraq war forged a Navy SEAL’s path to Harvard Medical School and NASA ‘I made promises to the people that I lost’— How the Iraq war forged a Navy SEAL’s path to Harvard Medical School and NASA

/ Jan 22 2020

History

75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, three survivors tell their stories 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, three survivors tell their stories

By

/ Jan 21 2020

Military Life

‘We constantly have them on our minds’ — A little-known agency searches all over for the remains of MIA service members ‘We constantly have them on our minds’ — A little-known agency searches all over for the remains of MIA service members

By

/ Jan 20 2020

News

It’s 2020 and SFC Alwyn Cashe still hasn’t been awarded the Medal of Honor. Why? It’s 2020 and SFC Alwyn Cashe still hasn’t been awarded the Medal of Honor. Why?

By Adam Linehan

/ Jan 20 2020

History

A Florida woman thought she found a porcelain plate. Turns out it was a WWII land mine. A Florida woman thought she found a porcelain plate. Turns out it was a WWII land mine.

By

/ Jan 10 2020

History

The untold story of how booze soaked the battlefields of World War II The untold story of how booze soaked the battlefields of World War II

By Peter Andreas

/ Jan 8 2020

Culture

7 visceral WWI movies and shows to watch after you experience ‘1917’ 7 visceral WWI movies and shows to watch after you experience ‘1917’

/ Dec 30 2019

History

‘All I remember is thinking if I hit the ground, I’m dead’ — Christmas Day at the Battle of the Bulge ‘All I remember is thinking if I hit the ground, I’m dead’ — Christmas Day at the Battle of the Bulge

By

/ Dec 26 2019

Military Life

Hundreds of strangers attend funeral of Korean War veteran with no known living relatives Hundreds of strangers attend funeral of Korean War veteran with no known living relatives

By

/ Dec 20 2019

Military Life

This Vietnam vet once spent a cold Christmas without heat. Now he just paid off the utility bills of 36 families This Vietnam vet once spent a cold Christmas without heat. Now he just paid off the utility bills of 36 families

By

/ Dec 19 2019

Military Life

Chicken soup and bedsheet camouflage: Battle of the Bulge veteran shares his story of historic fight Chicken soup and bedsheet camouflage: Battle of the Bulge veteran shares his story of historic fight

By Jim Garamone, US Department of Defense

/ Dec 17 2019

News

Army unit remembers the Battle of the Bulge with a photo of a Nazi whose troops killed American prisoners Army unit remembers the Battle of the Bulge with a photo of a Nazi whose troops killed American prisoners

By Jeff Schogol

/ Dec 17 2019

History

The Battle of the Bulge hero who saved his entire battalion The Battle of the Bulge hero who saved his entire battalion

By Chris Capelluto

/ Dec 16 2019

News

2 Air Force special operations medics receive Silver Star for saving dozens in Afghanistan battles 2 Air Force special operations medics receive Silver Star for saving dozens in Afghanistan battles

By Paul Szoldra

/ Dec 15 2019

History

The forgotten nurse who saved hundreds of American lives during the Battle of the Bulge The forgotten nurse who saved hundreds of American lives during the Battle of the Bulge

By Jason Nulton

/ Dec 13 2019

Culture

‘The Hurt Locker’ will be coming out in ‘Digital 4K Ultra HD’ so you can watch every inaccuracy in excruciating detail ‘The Hurt Locker’ will be coming out in ‘Digital 4K Ultra HD’ so you can watch every inaccuracy in excruciating detail

/ Dec 12 2019

Military Life

Pearl Harbor veteran to be interred on his sunken ship Pearl Harbor veteran to be interred on his sunken ship

By

/ Dec 7 2019

Military Life

‘We never would have won World War II if we had this kind of division’ — A Pearl Harbor vet calls on Americans to unite around today’s military ‘We never would have won World War II if we had this kind of division’ — A Pearl Harbor vet calls on Americans to unite around today’s military

By

/ Dec 7 2019

History

Here’s how you can see the new WWI epic ‘1917’ for free Here’s how you can see the new WWI epic ‘1917’ for free

By

/ Dec 5 2019

History

Two A-10 pilots receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing troops under heavy fire in Afghanistan Two A-10 pilots receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing troops under heavy fire in Afghanistan

/ Nov 27 2019

Culture

A new Vietnam War film tells a story of battlefield heroism, and the desperate fight to see it recognized A new Vietnam War film tells a story of battlefield heroism, and the desperate fight to see it recognized

/ Nov 27 2019

History

It looks like we’re getting ‘MASH’ in Afghanistan with ’68 Whiskey’ It looks like we’re getting ‘MASH’ in Afghanistan with ’68 Whiskey’

/ Nov 26 2019

News

801,000 dead, $6.4 trillion spent, and no end in sight: the true costs of the Global War on Terror 801,000 dead, $6.4 trillion spent, and no end in sight: the true costs of the Global War on Terror

/ Nov 25 2019

News

Former Army infantry officer Clint Lorance accuses the Pentagon of throwing him under the bus Former Army infantry officer Clint Lorance accuses the Pentagon of throwing him under the bus

By Jeff Schogol

/ Nov 18 2019

News

Air Force Special Tactics Chief awarded Silver Star for raining hell on the enemy in Afghanistan Air Force Special Tactics Chief awarded Silver Star for raining hell on the enemy in Afghanistan

By Haley Britzky

/ Nov 16 2019

Culture

New trailer for WWI movie ‘The Great War’ looks like an incredible opportunity ruined by campy action and way too much motivation New trailer for WWI movie ‘The Great War’ looks like an incredible opportunity ruined by campy action and way too much motivation

/ Nov 15 2019

News

An Army staff sergeant was finally awarded the Silver Star he earned 75 years ago An Army staff sergeant was finally awarded the Silver Star he earned 75 years ago

By Haley Britzky

/ Nov 13 2019

History

Most veterans believe the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan weren’t worth fighting Most veterans believe the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan weren’t worth fighting

/ Nov 8 2019

History

This WWII training video on ‘How To Behave In Britain’ is a hefty swig of nostalgia — and all that comes with it This WWII training video on ‘How To Behave In Britain’ is a hefty swig of nostalgia — and all that comes with it

/ Nov 7 2019

Military Life

Vietnam veterans need photos of about 400 more fallen service members to complete their virtual memorial Vietnam veterans need photos of about 400 more fallen service members to complete their virtual memorial

By

/ Nov 5 2019

News

Rudy Boesch, legendary Navy SEAL and fan favorite of first ‘Survivor’, dies at 91 Rudy Boesch, legendary Navy SEAL and fan favorite of first ‘Survivor’, dies at 91

By Paul Szoldra

/ Nov 2 2019

History

This Green Beret earned a Medal of Honor by being everywhere at once during a hellacious Afghan battle This Green Beret earned a Medal of Honor by being everywhere at once during a hellacious Afghan battle

By Haley Britzky

/ Oct 29 2019

History

WWI documentary ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ is returning to theaters for 3 days only WWI documentary ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ is returning to theaters for 3 days only

/ Oct 28 2019

Culture

New ‘Battlefield V’ expansion gives us BARs, M1 Garands, flame throwers, Iwo Jima, Wake Island, and more New ‘Battlefield V’ expansion gives us BARs, M1 Garands, flame throwers, Iwo Jima, Wake Island, and more

/ Oct 23 2019

Military Life

Ohio woman gets prison time for fleecing ailing Korean War veteran Ohio woman gets prison time for fleecing ailing Korean War veteran

By

/ Oct 22 2019

History

We salute the 93-year-old WWII veteran who refuses to retire, and opened up a ‘boozy bakery’ instead We salute the 93-year-old WWII veteran who refuses to retire, and opened up a ‘boozy bakery’ instead

/ Oct 21 2019

Military Life

Vietnam veteran in hospice care had a simple request: To reunite with his dog one last time Vietnam veteran in hospice care had a simple request: To reunite with his dog one last time

/ Oct 21 2019

Military Life

A Vietnam vet found covered in ant bites is forcing the Atlanta VA to finally reckon with years of dangerous practices A Vietnam vet found covered in ant bites is forcing the Atlanta VA to finally reckon with years of dangerous practices

By

/ Oct 18 2019

Culture

Good Boyfriend Cory Booker read a WWII novel to Rosario Dawson over the phone and I’m here for it Good Boyfriend Cory Booker read a WWII novel to Rosario Dawson over the phone and I’m here for it

By Haley Britzky

/ Oct 18 2019

News

A Marine in this iconic Iwo Jima photo was misidentified for nearly 75 years — until now A Marine in this iconic Iwo Jima photo was misidentified for nearly 75 years — until now

By Jeff Schogol

/ Oct 17 2019

Military Life

These Afghan and Iraqi interpreters faced ‘life-threatening delays’ to get their US visas. They sued the government and won These Afghan and Iraqi interpreters faced ‘life-threatening delays’ to get their US visas. They sued the government and won

By

/ Oct 15 2019

Culture

The greatest movie about Green Berets in Vietnam is coming to Disney’s new streaming service The greatest movie about Green Berets in Vietnam is coming to Disney’s new streaming service

By Jared Keller

/ Oct 15 2019

News

A new ‘Band of Brothers’ series will highlight the chaotic and deadly missions of Air Force bomber crews in WWII A new ‘Band of Brothers’ series will highlight the chaotic and deadly missions of Air Force bomber crews in WWII

By Paul Szoldra

/ Oct 12 2019

News

He fled his home at the end of the war. Now he’s the first Vietnamese-American to be a US Navy admiral He fled his home at the end of the war. Now he’s the first Vietnamese-American to be a US Navy admiral

By

/ Oct 11 2019

Culture

The heroism of Medal of Honor recipients Audie Murphy and Sal Giunta get the comic book treatment The heroism of Medal of Honor recipients Audie Murphy and Sal Giunta get the comic book treatment

/ Oct 11 2019

History

‘Give it to them, boys!’ — Stunning audio captures the chaos of D-Day as you’ve never heard it before ‘Give it to them, boys!’ — Stunning audio captures the chaos of D-Day as you’ve never heard it before

By Jared Keller

/ Oct 11 2019

History

Trump defends abandoning the Kurds by saying they didn’t help the US in WWII Trump defends abandoning the Kurds by saying they didn’t help the US in WWII

By

/ Oct 9 2019

History

Soldier brought back from Afghanistan deployment to face rape charges Soldier brought back from Afghanistan deployment to face rape charges

By Haley Britzky

/ Oct 9 2019

History

New memorial honors thousands of military dogs who were left behind after the Vietnam War New memorial honors thousands of military dogs who were left behind after the Vietnam War

By

/ Oct 6 2019

Culture

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how ‘1917’ shows World War I combat like never before Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how ‘1917’ shows World War I combat like never before

/ Oct 4 2019

News

10 years ago, a handful of American soldiers held the line as hundreds of Taliban insurgents attacked a tiny US outpost 10 years ago, a handful of American soldiers held the line as hundreds of Taliban insurgents attacked a tiny US outpost

/ Oct 3 2019

Military Life

One special ops deployment resulted in 21 Purple Hearts, 7 Bronze Stars, and 5 Silver Stars for combat heroism One special ops deployment resulted in 21 Purple Hearts, 7 Bronze Stars, and 5 Silver Stars for combat heroism

By Haley Britzky

/ Oct 1 2019

Culture

‘I would be happy to have it stop’ — the creator of Rambo wants ‘Last Blood’ to actually be the last in the series ‘I would be happy to have it stop’ — the creator of Rambo wants ‘Last Blood’ to actually be the last in the series

By

/ Sep 27 2019