The Flying Fortress has a rather distinguished film career. U.S. Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta, 21, was laid to rest in southern California after being killed in action 80 years ago in Germany. U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Ralph H. Bode was a 20-year-old tail gunner aboard a B-24H Liberator when it was shot down over Kassel, Germany, in 1944. Kyle Higashioka’s grandfather served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a Japanese American Army unit awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011. By Patrick Stevens
6 months ago A 103-year-old WWII veteran who’s been paying his medical bills out-of-pocket is finally receiving his veterans benefits after 78 years. The 442nd was key in liberating Italy’s Tuscan region from Nazi-Fascist forces, even while their families were interned at home as enemies of the state. Surviving Black sailors of the Port Chicago explosion had to pick up human remains and clear the blast site while white officers were granted leave. John Galvin became an ace pilot during WWII, but his most prized award may have been his Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia. By Jon Guttman
6 months ago World War II and Korean War veteran Orville Allen lived a lifetime of service, and when he died at age 98 he had one last thing to give: his liver. Kershaw spoke about his newest book, how faith and ego intertwined that winter in 1944, and how the Battle of the Bulge became an American triumph. Load More