History Here and Now

There's a great deal of literature, research articles, scholarly reviews, and popular culture about World War II. It's a staple of our national memory; one that doesn't escape our history. Everyone thinks differently about the generation that came of age during the Great Depression and was hardened by the ferocity of war. To many they are heroes who drew on their service to empower them in achieving their goals....

A Generation That’s Almost Gone: A Review of ‘The Greatest Generation’ by Tom Brokaw There’s a great deal of literature, research articles, scholarly reviews, and popular culture about World War II. It’s a staple of our national memory; one that doesn’t escape our…

I've been churning out the World War II posts lately primarily because I work with WWII military records in my day job. I think a lot about this generation and despite the immense collection of popular culture and mass media that's been built up around the WWII conflict, there is still much that goes overlooked. Much of WWII gets homogenized as specific people, unit, events, and places receive more attention than others....

Jungle Rot with the Horses: The Story of Merrill’s Marauders I’ve been churning out the World War II posts lately primarily because I work with WWII military records in my day job. I think a lot about this generation and despite the immense collection …

The honors and awards system of the United States Armed Forces is a complex plethora of valorous recognition to blanket participation in the service branches. Keen-eyed veterans can distinguish the numerous ribbons, bars, badges, and patches on another veteran's uniform. A handful of veterans carry the distinction of awards for high gallantry, valor, and bravery, i.e. the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross....

End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal The honors and awards system of the United States Armed Forces is a complex plethora of valorous recognition to blanket participation in the service branches. Keen-eyed veterans can distinguish the…

Do you ever have those moments where you suddenly realize what you have? You're holding something in your hand or are looking out the window when a House-like epiphany reveals itself and you run to tell someone about the discovery. That exuberant rush of excitement at the realization you've got something that others would certainly be impressed with. In the history field, that moment occurs more than one would think especially since it's in our nature as historians to find what's been overlooked or connect the missing dots....

Unbreakable Navajo Marines: WWII Code-Talkers Do you ever have those moments where you suddenly realize what you have? You’re holding something in your hand or are looking out the window when a House-like epiphany reveals itself and you …

A science fiction short story by Thomas Richardson The heart monitor beeped in a corner of the dimly lit room. A nearly depleted saline bag hung by the monitor. A wristband labeled ‘934TXS’ quivered on a hairy wrist. 934TXS laid on his back clutching a blanket. The hands, though large and strong, shook violently. Biceps, pectorals, quadriceps, hamstrings and other muscles bulged across his body, but were of no functional use....

‘The Hard Life of Mac Smolley’ A science fiction short story by Thomas Richardson The heart monitor beeped in a corner of the dimly lit room. A nearly depleted saline bag hung by the monitor. A wristband labeled ‘934TXS’ quivere…

People risk their lives for a number of reasons: it's in their job description, they're in a medical crisis, or they're protecting someone or something important. Without those trials, we wouldn't come away with a better understanding of who we are or what we're doing. Bravery sculpts us into stronger people. It also makes us capable of accomplishments we didn't think possible....

Reporting on “Dogfaces”: A Review of ‘Brave Men’ by Ernie Pyle People risk their lives for a number of reasons: it’s in their job description, they’re in a medical crisis, or they’re protecting someone or something important. Without those tr…

In the early 2000s, I was obsessed with the 'Age of Empires' videogame franchise; a historical, real-time strategy game featuring numerous ancient civilizations. Players could choose to fight in a sandbox scenario style or relive various campaigns built around real historical events. In the 'Rise of Rome' expansion pack, there were Punic War missions featuring Hannibal's iconic crossing of the Alps and the Roman triumph in the First Punic War....

Carthago Delenda Est: A Review of ‘Carthage Must Be Destroyed’ by Richard Miles In the early 2000s, I was obsessed with the ‘Age of Empires’ videogame franchise; a historical, real-time strategy game featuring numerous ancient civilizations. Players could choose to…

One of the great perks of my job with the National Personnel Records Center is working with records for those who took part in major historical events. Earlier at the office, I received a request for records on a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. Pretty standard operating procedure for me since they are a routine request. While glancing at the veteran's information, I paused: Date of Death - 12/7/1941....

Entombed, But Never Truly Gone: The USS Oklahoma One of the great perks of my job with the National Personnel Records Center is working with records for those who took part in major historical events. Earlier at the office, I received a request f…

Social studies was not eagerly looked forward to amongst my classmates at Cherokee Middle School. Not because the teacher was boring or the right clique of students were assembled in the same place. The reason was because they found history to not be a stimulating topic of discussion. Every week our teacher (whose name escapes me now, making me feel terrible) would host a 'whiteboard quiz'; we grouped together with a handheld whiteboard and dry-erase markers....

Opinion: What I Learned in 8th Grade Social Studies Social studies was not eagerly looked forward to amongst my classmates at Cherokee Middle School. Not because the teacher was boring or the right clique of students were assembled in the same place…

News reports can sometimes be the most depressing things we see and hear on a daily basis. So much information is pumped out and consumed by the general public. The advent of social media and constant sharing of facts and misinformation has made communication among the people a harsh landscape. Stories and images shape our perception of the world and its people so we must be careful of what we internalize....

Reporting from Vietnam: A Review of ‘The Uncensored War: The Media and Vietnam’ by Daniel Hallin News reports can sometimes be the most depressing things we see and hear on a daily basis. So much information is pumped out and consumed by the general public. The advent of social media and const…

If you've ever had computer classes while attending elementary schools in the mid-1990s, then you've more than likely played the original survival game, The Oregon Trail, on your Apple II computer. You start in Independence, Missouri with your team of oxen, wagon supplies, ammunition, and pray that at least one member of the company makes it to the Willamette Valley. The dangers faced in the game were no less real than in true life; venomous snakes, disease, harsh weather, accidents, and drowning were all endured by those who braved the Oregon Trail....

Westward They Go to God: The Handcart Pioneers If you’ve ever had computer classes while attending elementary schools in the mid-1990s, then you’ve more than likely played the original survival game, The Oregon Trail, on your Apple …

We're barely a month away from the 2021 World Series! Set your smart TVs for Tuesday, October 26th as two yet to-to-be-determined teams face off for the chance at a prestigious title. For baseball fans, this is a period of intense euphoria if your team dominated their league and face their rival league counterparts. New York Yankee fans look forward to stomping all over their opponents (especially if they're the Red Sox Nation)....

The White House Bullpen: Ceremonial First Pitches by U.S. Presidents We’re barely a month away from the 2021 World Series! Set your smart TVs for Tuesday, October 26th as two yet to-to-be-determined teams face off for the chance at a prestigious title. For bas…