CONTENT WARNING: This article mentions intense violence and death. Reader discretion is advised. In war, violence unfortunately must often take place to reach a resolution. Of course, then, there are actions so vile that, even in a place of warfare and destruction, they remain exceptionally appalling. The Malmedy Massacre falls into this category. The sad truth is that … [Read more...]
How Did Mary Walker Become the Only Woman To Win the Medal of Honor?
The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award that can be given to U.S. troops. It began during the Civil War era and is awarded to service members who have displayed exemplary amounts of bravery and courage during battle. There are more than 3,500 Medals of Honor recipients. But out of that number, are there any female Medal of Honor recipients? So far, there has only been … [Read more...]
The Military’s Guard Geese May Have Saved Countless Lives; Here’s How
With all espionage missions (or at least the ones in the movies), there’s always some sort of plan to get past the guards in order to complete the mission. But what if the guards weren’t human? What if they were guard geese? The U.S. military used guard geese for a period during the Cold War because of their natural skills in guarding. So, why are geese so effective at … [Read more...]
Wait, the Battle of Fallujah Was Actually Two Conflicts?
Even as eras change, there are plenty of common themes found in war, but it’s also remarkable how much changes. The aftermath of 9/11 and the conflicts thereafter in the Middle East came at a time when technology was beginning to undergo serious transformations in how, when, and where people accessed information and media. The Battle of Fallujah isn’t just one battle but … [Read more...]
How Troops on Both Sides Spent the Christmas Truce of WWI
Just under five months of fighting had gone by before the Christmas Truce of World War I. WWI would become known as the Great War, or "the war to end all wars." But, it was Christmas time, and no matter what your creed, religion, or affiliation, there were several holidays to be celebrated during the end of the year. Holiday celebrations are notoriously difficult when you’re … [Read more...]
The Battle of the Bulge Changed the Trajectory of World War II
It’s impossible to talk about World War II (WWII) and not find a unique, significant battle everywhere you look. The Battle of the Bulge, however, is still one of the conflicts that we continue to look back at to understand the ramifications it would bring to the future of the war. Nazi Germany had shown cracks prior to the Battle of the Bulge, but this conflict was the point … [Read more...]