World War II 12/13

Dec 24, 20203 min read

This Day in History: A little-known WWII Christmas Eve truce

On this day in 1944, the Battle of the Bulge is interrupted by a little-known truce deep in the Ardennes Forest. Four German soldiers and...

This Day in History: The Charlie Brown & Franz Stigler incident

tara

Dec 20, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The Charlie Brown & Franz Stigler incident

On this day in 1943, a German ace bypasses an opportunity to shoot down a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot. Second Lt. Charles “Charlie” Brown...

This Day in History: Joe Nishimoto, the “one-man Army”

tara

Nov 7, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Joe Nishimoto, the “one-man Army”

On this day in 1944, a Japanese-American soldier puts his life on the line. More than 50 years later, Joe M. Nishimoto would finally be...

This Day in History: Charles Coolidge refuses to surrender

tara

Oct 24, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Charles Coolidge refuses to surrender

On this day in 1944, Charles H. Coolidge begins a four-day ordeal that would ultimately earn him the Medal of Honor. At the time, he...

This Day in History: Van T. Barfoot versus three German tanks

tara

Sep 28, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Van T. Barfoot versus three German tanks

On this day in 1944, a soldier receives the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in Epinal, France. Colonel Van T. Barfoot has been called “[o]ne...

This Day in History: Robert D. Maxwell, conscientious objector turned hero

tara

Sep 7, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Robert D. Maxwell, conscientious objector turned hero

On this day in 1944, a hero throws himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers. Amazingly, Robert D. Maxwell would live to tell the...

This Day in History: Wake Island is returned to American hands

tara

Sep 4, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Wake Island is returned to American hands

On this day in 1945, Wake Island is finally returned to American hands. The Japanese had been in possession of the island since December...

This Day in History: Dirk J. Vlug's one-man attack on enemy tanks

tara

Aug 20, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Dirk J. Vlug's one-man attack on enemy tanks

On this day in 1916, a hero is born. Like so many in his generation, Dirk J. Vlug would be called upon to fight evil half a globe away....

This Day in History: The Purple Heart Battalion of World War II

tara

Aug 7, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The Purple Heart Battalion of World War II

Today is Purple Heart Day! On this day in 1782, General George Washington creates a military award that would be the predecessor for the...

This Day in History: Major Richard Bong, Ace of Aces

tara

Aug 6, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Major Richard Bong, Ace of Aces

On this day in 1945, America’s “Ace of Aces” is killed during a routine test flight in California. Major Richard Bong’s death came just...

This Day in History: Bravery at the Battle of the Philippine Sea

tara

Jun 20, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Bravery at the Battle of the Philippine Sea

On this day in 1944, Americans win a decisive victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy would be crippled,...

This Day in History: Billy Halyburton’s sacrifice at Okinawa

tara

May 10, 20202 min read

This Day in History: Billy Halyburton’s sacrifice at Okinawa

On this day in 1945, a United States Navy hospital corpsman engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. William David...

This Day in History: Sergeant Truman Olson at the Battle of Anzio

tara

Jan 21, 20202 min read

This Day in History: Sergeant Truman Olson at the Battle of Anzio

On this day in 1945, a U.S. army sergeant is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Truman Olson had given his life during the bloody...

This Day in History: The Battle of the Bulge & Sgt. Charles MacGillivary’s Medal of Honor

tara

Jan 1, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The Battle of the Bulge & Sgt. Charles MacGillivary’s Medal of Honor

On this New Years’ Day in 1945, Americans fight the Battle of the Bulge in freezing temperatures. Would you believe the cold saved at...

This Day in History: Eddie Rickenbacker rescued from the ocean

tara

Nov 13, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Eddie Rickenbacker rescued from the ocean

On this day in 1942, a Medal of Honor recipient is rescued. He’d spent more than 20 days floating on a life raft in the Pacific Ocean....

This Day in History: Ernest Evans, the Battle off Samar, & his “fighting ship”

tara

Oct 25, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Ernest Evans, the Battle off Samar, & his “fighting ship”

On this day in 1944, a United States Navy officer makes the ultimate sacrifice in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor....

This Day in History: Captain Everett Pope at the Battle of Peleliu

tara

Sep 19, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Captain Everett Pope at the Battle of Peleliu

On this day in 1944, a United States Marine participates in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Captain Everett Pope was...

This Day in History: Medal of Honor recipients at the Battle of Anzio

tara

May 23, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Medal of Honor recipients at the Battle of Anzio

On this day in 1944, Allied forces begin an effort that would ultimately bring the World War II Battle of Anzio to an end. That battle to...

This Day in History: Heroism at the Battle of the Coral Sea

tara

May 6, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Heroism at the Battle of the Coral Sea

On this day in 1942, the multi-day Battle of the Coral Sea is waged. Four United States Navy officers would receive the Medal of Honor...

This Day in History: A B-17 crew fends off nearly two dozen Japanese fighter planes

tara

Jun 16, 20183 min read

This Day in History: A B-17 crew fends off nearly two dozen Japanese fighter planes

On this day in 1943, a B-17 crew fends off nearly two dozen Japanese fighter planes. Captain Jay Zeamer and Second Lieutenant Joseph...

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