During World War II, US demolition crews faced the critical task of dismantling enemy fortifications and obstacles, sometimes under fire. They lacked a dedicated vehicle for this in the US arsenal. Various tools, like dozer blade kits and high-explosive rounds, were employed instead. This gap ...
BRENDAN MCDAID
Commissioned 80 years ago today, she was one of just six carriers earmarked to carry embarked dedicated all-Marine air groups during WWII, then would go on to continue to serve in a much different role into the Vietnam era. TheCommencement Bays Of the 130 U.S./RN escort carriers– mercha...
During the battle for the Philippines, they often struggled to deal with the swarms of Japanese fighter bombers that flew dawn and dusk attack missions. The P-61’s were never designed or intended to defend against such forces, and found them a challenge to bring down. Where in Europe they...
While a large build up of the Air Corps during this period was a financial and political impossibility, it would prove sufficient for exploring aircraft design and development. This environment would exist into the late 1930’s as the political situations in both Europe and Asia destabilized, ...
The Army still used Cavalry and had horses to pull artillery, and ranked 39th in the world for military strength. That low ranking didn't bode well for the ongoing war in Europe. The Cavalry was 50,000 strong in 1939 and the nation was not ready for a war. ...
Invasion of Normandy: (D-Day; June 6, 1944): The landing on the beaches of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault in history. VE Day (May 8, 1945): The official end of WWII in Europe. Battle of Iwo Jima (Feb. 19 to March 26, 1945): The U.S. Navy and Marines take Iwo...
WWII US Army Serial Numbers: Meaning in the First Digits The U.S. Army began issuing serial numbers to help avoid mixing the records of people with the same name. (A genealogist’s dream come true!) When we dig a little deeper into the number itself, we can learn a bit about the pe...
WW2 US Army. 5th Air Forces uniform, dating back to June 9, 1944. The jacket 38R and pants 38Wx29L, indicating a fit for someone. Of standard stature, and have been meticulously dry cleaned. To preserve their originality and integrity. Crafted in the United States during a time of […...