Guadalcanal is located in the Solomon Islands. It was unknown to American planners until air reconnaissance discovered the Japanese were building an air field on it. The air base would be a threat to the supply line to Australia. Adm. Ernest King, the head of the Navy, decided the island Read more…
American submarines have been overshadowed by German u-boats in the history of submarines in WWII, but America’s “silent service” had a devastating effect on Japanese shipping. This was despite the embarrassing performance of American torpedoes for a long period of time. By 1944, this problem had been mostly corrected Read more…
When the Philippines fell to the Japanese, thousands of American prisoners made the Bataan Death March to prison camps. Many died along the way due to mistreatment. Arrival at the camps did not improve things much. They faced hardships like diseases, malnutrition, and brutal treatment by the guards. Chances Read more…
Joe Foss was born in rural South Dakota on April 17, 1915. He grew up in a farmhouse that had no electricity. At age 12, he met Charles Lindbergh on his tour with the Spirit of St. Louis. At age 16, he paid $1.50 for his first plane ride Read more…
Smoky was probably born in 1943. The tiny Yorkshire Terrier was found by American soldiers in an abandoned fox hole on the island of New Guinea. He weighed about 4 pounds and was 7 inches tall. He was soon sold to Corporal William Wynne for $6. They became fast Read more…
There have been 3,515 Medals of Honor awarded since its inception in the Civil War. All of the recipients were brave men (and one woman). If we were to rank their acts, William Deane Hawkins would be in the top 10%. Hawkins was born on April 9, 1919. At Read more…
Movies based on historical events can be educational for students. The problem is that it seems the more entertaining they are, the more inaccurate they are. I used to show some movies in my American History class and I always looked for a blend of entertainment and education. There are Read more…