Martha Gellhorn was a daring journalist who even managed to sneak her way into the D-Day invasion.
Room 4714: The haunted history of West Point
HistoryIn 1972, cadets at West Point reported a flurry of ghost sightings, prompting many to believe that the famous military academy is haunted.
That time the U.S. Army went ghost hunting in Germany
HistoryWhen a hotel in Germany had a ghost problem, they looked to the U.S. Army for help, and they responded with what they know best: explosives!
Breaking down Quint’s iconic speech in ‘Jaws’ about the USS Indianapolis
HistoryCaptain Quint’s speech in “Jaws” about the fate of USS Indianapolis is one of the movie’s most intense scenes. However, it isn’t very accurate.
The real military history on display in the ‘Star Wars’ saga
Off DutyAs an ardent Star Wars fan, I know what can come of voluntarily walking into the lion’s den of this fandom to offer any sort of commentary. Rest assured, I’m not going to challenge any well known canon (or dare mention the word midi-chlorian), but instead offer up some of the most interesting bits of […]
How WWII aviation inspired sights and sounds of ‘Star Wars’
Off DutyWhile much of the “Star Wars” universe is an otherworldly, fantastical interpretation of the recognizable trope of good versus evil, an abundance of inspiration came from real-world, World War II visuals. Having been born just one year before the end of the war, and growing up during the 1950’s wave of war movies that followed, […]
4 civilians who earned the title of Honorary Marines
Off DutyOnce a Marine, always a Marine. It’s a title worn with pride, and a hard fought one at that. While it may be distinctly different, the title of Honorary Marine is given to those civilians who have demonstrated their own unique kind of grit. Since 1992, the Marine Corps has awarded the title of Honorary […]
Night Witches: The female pilots who struck fear into the Nazis
HistoryWith what is arguably one of the most badass names in military history, the story of the female aviators nicknamed Nachthexen, or “Night Witches” by German soldiers, tends to fly under a lot of people’s radar (bad pun intended). Flying no-frills wooden planes with ill-fitting uniforms and no parachutes, these Soviet pilots not only faced […]
How Toys for Tots donations make their way under the tree
Off DutyThe great debate of whether or not it’s too early to start putting up lights and playing Mariah Carey has been underway for the past few weeks, but for some, the holidays bring added stress and worry about being able to provide toys for their children. Thankfully, there are programs out there whose number one […]
How the Christmas Truce of 1914 put a global conflict on pause
HistoryIn late December of 1914, amid the fierce fighting of World War I, a series of unprecedented and unofficial truces occurred between opposing forces, in recognition of Christmas. There has never been anything quite like it since, and to this day, it is seen as an unconventional example of humanity in unexpected places. Christmas that […]
