HISTORY DISPATCH

Almanac: The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775)

The first offensive victory for American forces in the War of Independence.

Almanac: U.S. Army Established (June 14, 1775)

The first U.S. Army force was established during the War of Independence as the Continental Army.

Almanac: The Second Confiscation & Militia Act (July 17, 1862)

Intended as a measure to deprive the Confederate States of property & resources, the Act effectively allowed Black Americans to serve in the military for the Union during the Civil War.

Almanac: The Badge of Military Merit / Purple Heart Established (August 7, 1782)

The origins of the Purple Heart can be traced back to the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit.

Almanac: U.S. Air Force Established (September 18, 1947)

The establishment of the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the U.S. military has a history that spans several decades.

Almanac: The Second Battle of Fallujah Begins (November 7-8, 2004)

The incursion into the city of Fallujah in November 2004 was one of the deadliest battles of the Iraq War.

Almanac: The Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)

The Union victory at Missionary Ridge during the Civil War was a turning point in the Chattanooga Campaign in Tennessee.

Marines at War: Stories from Afghanistan & Iraq (Free PDF Book)

This book brings together the short stories of 10 Marines and a sailor who served in either Afghanistan or Iraq, some in both.

A Grave Misfortune: The USS Indianapolis Tragedy (Free PDF Book)

Indianapolis was a decorated World War II warship that is primarily remembered for her worst 15 minutes.

Ringed by Fire: U.S. Marines and the Siege of Khe Sanh - 21 January to 9 July 1968 (Free PDF Booklet)

In early 1968, roughly 6,000 Marines defending the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam were encircled and besieged by three North Vietnamese Army regiments of about 20,000 troops.  

Death in the Imperial City: U.S. Marines in the Battle for Hue - 31 January to 2 March 1968 (Free PDF Booklet)

The battle for Hue City stands as an example of urban warfare and how the U.S. military was able to secure victory in the face of severe odds. 

Among Heroes: A Marine Corps Rifle Company on Peleliu (Free PDF Book)

Few Americans know of the battle of Peleliu during WWII. It became the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history given the number of casualties compared to the number of troops involved.

The Path to War: U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Southeast Asia, 1961 to 1965 (Free PDF Book)

This narrative chronicles the activities of the U.S. Marine Corps in the build up of the Vietnam War.

Bomber: The Formation and Early Years of Strategic Air Command (Free PDF Book)

This book places Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the context of what was then a new global dynamic, later dubbed the Cold War, showing how it faced the continually evolving challenges of its time.

Pathbreakers: U.S. Marine African American Officers in Their Own Words (Free PDF Book)

This oral history anthology presents the personal stories of 21 Marines over a span of 60 years (1942-2012).

The Very Few, The Proud: Women in the Marine Corps 1977-2001 (Free PDF Book)

Many women seek the special challenge offered by the Marine Corps.

Armed Forces Decorations & Awards (Free PDF Booklet)

This booklet provides a brief overview of the history of military awards and decorations, complete with photo images and descriptions of each.

Buffalo Soldiers: 9th & 10th U.S. Cavalry (Free PDF Info Sheet)

This info sheet provides a brief history of the Buffalo Soldiers, including their legacy, honors, lineage and campaigns.

Principles of Football (Free PDF Book)

Famed Coach John Heisman's classic sports book on football.