World War II 8/13

Apr 20, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Baseball's WWII sacrifice

On this day in 1944, a United States Army Air Forces pilot participates in a mission over the skies of France—but Elmer Gedeon wasn’t...

This Day in History: Lt. James Swett's Medal of Honor

tara

Apr 7, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Lt. James Swett's Medal of Honor

On this day in 1943, a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot participates in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The...

This Day in History: The first Navy flight nurse

tara

Apr 7, 20223 min read

This Day in History: The first Navy flight nurse

On this day in 1945, a flight nurse lands at Okinawa. Jane Louise “Candy” Kendeigh had already made history just one month earlier when...

tara

Mar 25, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Operation Varsity

On this day in 1945, Allied forces determine that “organized resistance has now ceased” in western Germany. Just one day earlier, Allied...

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew is finally rescued (Part 3)

tara

Mar 20, 20223 min read

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew is finally rescued (Part 3)

On this day in 1943, the last surviving members of a B-17 crew prepare to leave the Greenland Ice Cap. They’d been stranded on an icy...

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew, rescued (Part 2)

tara

Mar 19, 20223 min read

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew, rescued (Part 2)

On this day in 1943, three members of a stranded B-17 crew finally leave their crumpled plane. It had been their home on the Greenland...

This Day in History: Father Joe & His Medal of Honor

tara

Mar 18, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Father Joe & His Medal of Honor

On this day in 1945, a Navy chaplain engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Father Joseph T. O'Callahan was then...

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew is finally rescued

tara

Mar 18, 20223 min read

This Day in History: A long-stranded B-17 crew is finally rescued

On this day in 1943, three members of a long-stranded B-17 crew are finally rescued from the Greenland Ice Cap. They’d spent 129 days in...

This Day in History: Butch O’Hare, the Navy’s first flying ace during WWII

tara

Mar 13, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Butch O’Hare, the Navy’s first flying ace during WWII

On this day in 1914, Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare is born. Perhaps you recognize his last name? A big airport in Chicago is named after...

This Day in History: The survivors of USS Leopold

tara

Mar 11, 20223 min read

This Day in History: The survivors of USS Leopold

On this day in 1944, survivors of USS Leopold arrive in Ireland. Their ship had been torpedoed late on March 9, and they’d been left in...

This Day in History: USS Leopold's forgotten struggle in the Atlantic

tara

Mar 10, 20223 min read

This Day in History: USS Leopold's forgotten struggle in the Atlantic

On this day in 1944, the last survivor of USS Leopold is pulled from a frigid Atlantic Ocean. Amazingly, 28 men had survived—for hours—in...

tara

Mar 9, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Air raid on Tokyo

On this day in 1945, the United States Army Air Forces launches an unprecedented air raid on Tokyo, Japan. To date, it remains the single...

This Day in History: Ann Bernatitus, Navy Nurse

tara

Mar 3, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Ann Bernatitus, Navy Nurse

On this day in 2003, Ann Agnes Bernatitus passes away. She is remembered for being the first person in the United States Navy to receive...

This Day in History: The lost story of Lady Be Good

tara

Feb 11, 20223 min read

This Day in History: The lost story of Lady Be Good

On this day in 1960, a British oil exploration team makes an unexpected discovery, helping to solve an old World War II mystery. What...

This Day in History: Louis Curdes's unusual Air Medal

tara

Feb 10, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Louis Curdes's unusual Air Medal

On this day in 1945, USAAF Captain Louis E. Curdes shoots down an American C-47, forcing it to crash land in the ocean. Legend has it...

This Day in History: Desmond Doss, Hacksaw Ridge & the Medal of Honor

tara

Feb 7, 20224 min read

This Day in History: Desmond Doss, Hacksaw Ridge & the Medal of Honor

On this day in 1919, an American hero is born. Desmond Doss was a Seventh-Day Adventist who would serve in the U.S. Army for years...

This Day in History: WWII Heroine Cornelia Fort

tara

Feb 5, 20223 min read

This Day in History: WWII Heroine Cornelia Fort

On this day in 1919, Cornelia Fort is born. She would become one of the most accomplished female pilots to serve during World War II. Did...

This Day in History: Forrest E. Peden's selfless heroism in WWII

tara

Feb 3, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Forrest E. Peden's selfless heroism in WWII

On this day in 1945, a soldier engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Technician Fifth Grade Forrest “Frosty” Peden...

tara

Feb 3, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Four Chaplains Day

On this day in 1943, four military chaplains sacrifice their lives when their troop transport ship is struck by a German torpedo. “[A]s I...

tara

Jan 30, 20223 min read

This Day in History: Raid at Cabanatuan

On this day in 1945, more than 500 American and Allied POWs are liberated from a camp in the Philippines. They’d been held by the...

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