World War II

2 days ago3 min read

This Day in History: The "first hero" of WWII

On this day in 1941, a U.S. Army Air Forces Captain takes to the skies. The United States had just been attacked, first at Pearl Harbor,...

This Day in History: Medals of Honor at Guadalcanal

tara

3 days ago3 min read

This Day in History: Medals of Honor at Guadalcanal

On this day in 1942, two heroes receive the Medal of Honor. Rear Admirals Daniel Callaghan and Norman Scott might have been the first to...

This Day in History: Captain Harl Pease's Medal of Honor

tara

Dec 23 min read

This Day in History: Captain Harl Pease's Medal of Honor

On this day in 1942, a United States Army Air Corps captain is awarded a Medal of Honor. Captain Harl Pease’s bravery during an attack on...

This Day in History: Mary Babnik Brown’s unusual WWII contribution

tara

Nov 223 min read

This Day in History: Mary Babnik Brown’s unusual WWII contribution

On this day in 1907, an American heroine is born. Why, exactly, did Mary Babnik Brown become a hero? The details are uncertain, but one...

This Day in History: The “Yorkie Doodle Dandy” of WWII

tara

Nov 113 min read

This Day in History: The “Yorkie Doodle Dandy” of WWII

On this day in 2005, a memorial is dedicated for Smoky, the “Yorkie Doodle Dandy” of World War II. Smoky was a little Yorkshire Terrier...

tara

Nov 103 min read

This Day in History: USMC War Memorial

On this day in 1954, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its birthday—and it dedicates a new War Memorial. That Memorial is easily...

This Day in History: John Basilone's Medal of Honor

tara

Nov 43 min read

This Day in History: John Basilone's Medal of Honor

On this day in 1916, a hero is born. “Manila John” Basilone would go on to become the only Marine to earn both a Navy Cross and a Medal...

This Day in History: Harold H. Moon's Bravery in WWII

tara

Oct 213 min read

This Day in History: Harold H. Moon's Bravery in WWII

On this day in 1944, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Harold H. Moon has been described as a “plucky...

This Day in History: Seaman Second Class John Cullen

tara

Oct 23 min read

This Day in History: Seaman Second Class John Cullen

On this day in 1920, a future U.S. Coast Guardsman is born. John “Jack” Cullen is best known for his role in finding and stopping Nazi...

This Day in History: WWII Heroine Violet Cowden

tara

Oct 13 min read

This Day in History: WWII Heroine Violet Cowden

On this day in 1916, a future aviation heroine is born. Violet (“Vi”) Thurn Cowden is best known for her service in the Women Airforce...

This Day in History: The only Coast Guardsman to receive the Medal of Honor

tara

Sep 273 min read

This Day in History: The only Coast Guardsman to receive the Medal of Honor

On this day in 1942, a United States Coast Guardsman gives his life for a detachment of Marines. Signalman First Class Douglas Munro’s...

This Day in History: Reba Z. Whittle, Army nurse

tara

Sep 273 min read

This Day in History: Reba Z. Whittle, Army nurse

On this day in 1944, a flight nurse is shot down and taken prisoner. Reba Z. Whittle was the only U.S. Army flight nurse to be held as a...

This Day in History: Bazooka Charlie, Tank Ace

tara

Sep 203 min read

This Day in History: Bazooka Charlie, Tank Ace

On this day in 1944, the Battle of Arracourt is waged in France. During the course of that battle, Charles “Bazooka Charlie” Carpenter...

This Day in History: Oscar G. Johnson's Bravery in Italy

tara

Sep 163 min read

This Day in History: Oscar G. Johnson's Bravery in Italy

On this day in 1944, a hero begins a multi-day action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Oscar Godfrey Johnson, Jr. singlehandedly...

This Day in History: John Joseph Tominac's Medal of Honor

tara

Sep 123 min read

This Day in History: John Joseph Tominac's Medal of Honor

On this day in 1944, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. John Joseph Tominac’s Medal citation reads like...

This Day in History: Battle of Crucifix Hill

tara

Sep 23 min read

This Day in History: Battle of Crucifix Hill

On this day in 1903, a hero is born. Bobbie E. Brown, Jr. would go on to play a critical role in an Allied effort to seize Aachen,...

This Day in History: Mitchell Paige & the Battle of Guadalcanal

tara

Aug 313 min read

This Day in History: Mitchell Paige & the Battle of Guadalcanal

On this day in 1918, a hero is born. Mitchell Paige would volunteer for the Marines on his 18th birthday—and he even walked 200 miles to...

This Day in History: WWII hero Silvestre S. Herrera

tara

Aug 233 min read

This Day in History: WWII hero Silvestre S. Herrera

On this day in 1945, a hero receives the Medal of Honor from President Harry S Truman. Silvestre Santana Herrera was perhaps an unlikely...

This Day in History: Emma Didlake, WWII veteran

tara

Aug 163 min read

This Day in History: Emma Didlake, WWII veteran

On this day in 2015, a heroine passes away. At the time of her passing, Emma “Big Mama” Didlake was believed to be the oldest female...

tara

Aug 93 min read

This Day in History: The Battle of Guam

On this day in 1944, the Battle of Guam nears its end. By August 11, the island would finally be back in American hands. The Japanese...

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from Tara Ross