RSSWWII

Identity of French Resistance photographer discovered

| November 17, 2024 | 16 Comments
Identity of French Resistance photographer discovered

Today’s story comes from NPR. They recount the discovery of a trove of very rare photos; hundreds of clandestine photos taken during Nazi occupation of Paris. Open air photography required a permit, and it was clear from the notes on the backs of the photos that they were not permitted. What follows is a multi-year […]

Continue Reading

Thursday closures

| November 14, 2024 | 12 Comments
Thursday closures

  Closure,  as in resolution. Today we have three: Monday, Captain Ronald Forrester was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery. He was originally listed as missing in action in Vietnam. “When daddy was shot down we were told not to give up hope,” said Karoni Forrester. But after years of waiting, Karoni’s hope was shattered […]

Continue Reading

Valor Friday

| November 1, 2024 | 10 Comments
Valor Friday

As I spent all yesterday going between doctor’s appointments (would you believe I slipped a disc in my back from playing pickleball?) and dealing with trick or treaters, this week’s article will be a repeat. Robert Femoyer’s incredible act of gallantry is worth repeating. There’s even a nexus to Halloween, as yesterday would be his […]

Continue Reading

Valor Friday

| October 25, 2024 | 10 Comments
Valor Friday

This week brought sad news of the death of John Kinsel Sr. He was one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talker. The Code Talkers weren’t all Navajo, but they were the most famous. Some of the languages other than Navajo that were used were Lakota, Meskwaki, Mohawk, Comanche, Tlingit, Hopi, Cree, and Crow. Code […]

Continue Reading

Valor Friday

| October 11, 2024 | 4 Comments
Valor Friday

During last week’s missile attack by Iran on Israel, two US Navy ships were tasked with aiding the intercept of the missiles. They were USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Cole (DDG-67). Here’s some video of Bulkeley in action. Both warships are named for American heroes. USS Cole is best remembered for surviving a suicide bombing […]

Continue Reading

Ghost Ship Found

| October 5, 2024 | 12 Comments
Ghost Ship Found

Maybe you navel naval history types are familiar with this particular ship – I certainly wasn’t. The USS Stewart was deliberately sunk during a US Navy exercise in May 1946 and its final resting place has now been located, according to a statement from the Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc, which were both […]

Continue Reading

Valor Friday

| September 6, 2024 | 3 Comments
Valor Friday

World War II ended on 15 August 1945 with the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Empire (the war in Europe had ended a few months prior in May). The actual signing of the Instrument of Surrender would be a grand occasion that happened some weeks later. This past week we passed the 79th anniversary of […]

Continue Reading

Valor Friday

| August 30, 2024 | 5 Comments
Valor Friday

Sometimes when conducting research for this article I come across a story that’s really unbelievable. I knew the story of Desmond Doss before the Hacksaw Ridge (2016) brought his epic bravery to wider audiences. I highlighted the story of a personal hero of mine a while back; Captain (Doctor) Ben Solomon. Today’s subject is similar […]

Continue Reading