Shinzo Abe Speaks on Battle of Okinawa’s Anniversary
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is often the subject of some debate when it comes to his speeches. He has a tendency to glorify Japan’s…
Battle of Iwo Jima: One of the Bloodiest Battles in US Marine Corps History
As dawn broke on February 19, 1945, a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean became the stage for one of World War II’s most…
USS California (BB-44): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and a Kamikaze Strike
The USS California (BB-64) was the second of two Tennessee-class battleships. The vessel saw service throughout World War II, including being targeted by the Japanese…
Clergyman Prays for Fallen GIs During the Battle of Ie-Shima
The Battle of Ie-Shima from April 16-21, 1945 was a crucial engagement in the Pacific Theater during the latter stages of World War II. Fought…
USS Wisconsin (‘Temper, Temper’): How the BB-64 Battleship ‘Lost Her Temper’ in Korea
The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was an Iowa-class vessel that served with the US Navy on and off from 1944-91. She was the second-last of her…
The Epic History of the USS Iowa (BB-61): Leader of All Iowa-Class Battleships
The USS Iowa (BB-61) wasn’t just an elite battleship – she was also the leader of all Iowa-class vessels. Designed with speed in mind, her construction…
Battleship Row: The Nine American Vessels Targeted During the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, nine American ships were moored off of Ford Island, to deter Japan from its imperialistic ambitions. Known as…
USS Missouri (BB-63): American Battleship and Site of the Japanese Surrender
The USS Missouri (BB-63) was a bit late to the party. Completed in January 1944, she was the last US battleship to enter the action…
USS Nevada (BB-36): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and An Atomic Bomb
The USS Nevada (BB-36) was the first of a class of two 27,500-ton battleships launched in 1914, rendering all first-generation vessels obsolete. She had a remarkable…
Frogmen: Before Navy SEALs, Underwater Demolition Teams Were Making a Splash on the Battlefield
The Navy SEALs are among the most highly-regarded Special Operations forces in the United States, only made more illusive by stories of their various units,…
The Night Vision Scope Gave the Americans a Much-Needed Edge on Okinawa
The Second World War saw the involvement of many superpowers, and the prolonged fighting forced the majority to make much-needed advancements to their weaponry and…
Peleliu Was One of the Bloodiest Battles in Marine Corps History
The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were known for their rigidity and resistance to change. Owing to the terrain of the land, however, their service…