Past Conflicts(Page 2)

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

Latest in Past Conflicts

Japes Capers
Vietnam War

A legendary Marine doesn’t have the Medal of Honor. Veterans want to change that.

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Aug 8, 2025

A Combined Action Program Marine and a Navy corpsman using diesel fuel to burn the human waste from Combined Action unit Papa Three's outhouse in Cam Hieu village, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, on September 20, 1967. (Photo by Ed Palm Photo/Getty Images)
Vietnam War

Federal watchdog calls out lack of research on burn pits in Vietnam

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Aug 7, 2025

Marines in Afghanistan
Afghanistan War

Pentagon briefly republished Afghanistan photos pulled after withdrawal

By Jeff Schogol

Updated on Aug 6, 2025

“Atomic Echoes.” Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly.
World War II

‘Atomic Echoes’ interviews survivors of atomic bombings

By Shannon Corbeil

Posted on Jul 28, 2025

Geb Galle
World War II

Pearl Harbor survivor gets letter from top Navy admiral for his 104th birthday

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jul 23, 2025

Comic book art depicting a panel from the book on Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient. In it he is in combat gear holding his rifle.
Afghanistan War

Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha gets new comic book highlighting his actions in Afghanistan

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 20, 2025

Underwater footage showing the anchor from the sunken bow of the USS New Orleans
World War II

Missing bow of World War II cruiser found after 83 years

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Jul 12, 2025

An 8th Air Force B-17 bomber flies over a bombed target in 1943.
World War II

The Army Air Forces tried to use remote-controlled bombers as attack drones in World War II

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

Frank S. Wright
World War II

WWII Marine Raider who fought at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal wants cards for 100th birthday

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jul 1, 2025

Last Battle of the Pacific

‘Frog Fathers’ — the birth of the Navy SEALs and how the Battle of Okinawa shaped them

By Shannon Corbeil

Posted on Jun 24, 2025

A black and white image showing American landing craft reaching the beaches of Okinawa in 1945.
World War II

US, Japan mark 80 years since the end of the Battle of Okinawa

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jun 23, 2025

A photo of a crashed U.S. helicopter from Operation Eagle Claw.
Past Conflicts

Operation Eagle Claw and the genesis of Joint Special Ops

By Kyle Gunn

Posted on Jun 17, 2025

28th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge
World War II

The overlooked Army division that held off the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jun 13, 2025

Operation Titanic: How the SAS and hundreds of fake paratroopers tricked the Nazis on D-Day
World War II

Operation Titanic: How the SAS and hundreds of fake paratroopers tricked the Nazis on D-Day

By Kyle Gunn

Posted on Jun 6, 2025

In June 1969, 74 U.S. sailors died when the USS Frank E. Evans, a Navy destroyer, sunk off the coast of Vietnam. When the Vietnam Memorial Wall was dedicated in 1982, family members and surviving crew were stunned to find the names of the lost sailors were not included.
Vietnam War

Why aren’t the names of these 74 sailors on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall?

By Matt White

Posted on May 26, 2025

A reconstructed image of a submarine against the dark of the ocean floor.
World War I

Expedition captures the first ever images of the wreck of a World War I submarine

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 24, 2025

Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses
Gulf War

Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 16, 2025

A black and white photo showing U.S. soldiers crouched low while a Sherman tank advances up a country road.
World War II

When Americans, Germans and POWs fought the SS from the walls of a castle

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 5, 2025

A black and white photo showing several U.S. Army tanks moving through the rubble of a bombed out German city.
World War II

80 years ago, American soldiers captured the center of Nazi Germany

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Apr 20, 2025

A black and white headshot of a man in an Army uniform smiling.
World War II

Oldest Pearl Harbor survivor dies at 106

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 12, 2025

Teams with a wagon in a black and white photo try to inflate a hot air balloon.
Past Conflicts

How the Union took to the skies in the Civil War

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

Soldiers in vintage uniforms sail on a World War II-era amphibious boat.
World War II

Soldiers sail across the Rhine to mark 80th anniversary of the invasion of Germany

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 23, 2025

Jack Treadwell single handedly defeated six German pillboxes and captured 18 germans during a battle to break through the Siegfried Line near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany.
World War II

This WWII soldier knocked out 6 German pillboxes and took 18 prisoners by himself

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

A black and white photo of U.S. troops walking towards a bridge.
World War II

80 years ago the Allies found their bridge across the Rhine

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 9, 2025

A soldier on skis carries a blue and red flag while on a snowy mountain.
World War II

10th Mountain Division marks 80 years since cliff face victory in World War II

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

United State Marines among the ruins of a house that was levelled by Marines who determined that Communists were taking refuge inside, in Hue, Vietnam, 15th February 1968. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Vietnam War

Marine awarded Navy Cross at Vietnam War’s Battle of Hue remembered as ‘magnificent,’ humble leader

By Matt White

Posted on Feb 23, 2025

A Tuskegee Airman describes an air-to-air dogfight in 'Wings For This Man,' a 1945 Army-produced film on the unit narrated by Ronald Reagan.
World War II

Ronald Reagan narrated a short film in 1945 about the Tuskegee Airmen

By Matt White

Updated on Feb 20, 2025

Contractors with JMJ Construction of New Lisbon, Wis., along with support from Heritage Movers of Blue River, Wis., move a World War II-era building in the 1600 block on the cantonment area Feb. 24, 2023, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The contractors are relocating and repairing four barracks buildings that are currently located in the 1600 block to alternate locations in the 1700 and 1800 blocks, according to the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works. The plan is to relocate the buildings to the new locations before the ground thaws, then lift them onto the new foundations and complete the remaining work by summer 2023. This was the first time in Fort McCoy's history a barracks building was moved like this. (U.S. Army Photo by Greg Mason)
World War II

The Army is moving WWII-era barracks across a base to house visiting troops

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jan 29, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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