Military Campaign Stories

America’s War in Afghanistan

Battlefield Chronicles, Global War on Terror

On Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11th terror attacks, U.S. warplanes bombed targets in Afghanistan in what would be the opening offensive of Operation Enduring Freedom, the effort to drive the Taliban and al-Qaida from the country and install a democratic government. United States Toppled the Taliban-Ruled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan CIA operatives and U.S. Special Forces teamed with the mostly-Tajik Northern Alliance to take Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, and other cities under an air umbrella that was provided primarily by the Navy and used Joint Direct Attack Munitions to devastating effect. Then-Marine Brig. Gen. Jim Mattis led Task Force 58, consisting of the 15th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units, on an air assault that eventually resulted in the taking of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement. By Dec. 9, 2001, the Taliban had collapsed, and leader Mullah Omar had fled to Pakistan. Then, the U.S. focus turned to the invasion of Iraq. On Oct. 7, 2018,...

LtGen Arthur MacArthur Jr., U.S. Army (1861-1909)

Civil War, Profiles in Courage

With no less than 620,000 deaths recorded over four years of intense fighting between Confederate and Union forces, the American Civil War remains the bloodiest conflict in American history. Playing host to battles such as Shiloh, Antietam, Stones River, and Gettysburg, the Civil War holds tales of unprecedented violence, ferocious bravery, and unparalleled heroism. Among these many tales is that of Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur Jr. whose bravery at the most critical moment inspired his regiment during the Battle of Missionary Ridge. Arthur MacArthur Jr.'s Biography MacArthur Jr. was born in the Chicopee Falls area of Springfield, Massachusetts on June 2, 1845. His mother Aurelia was the daughter of Benjamin B. Belcher, a wealthy industrialist. She would die at the age of 45, leaving behind Arthur and his brother, Frank. MacArthur's father, Arthur MacArthur Sr., was a prominent judge and the fourth governor of Wisconsin. With his father's influence, MacArthur enrolled in the...

The Hauntings of Okinawa

Military Myths and Legends, World War II

There are many historical military places where you can experience ghostly specters, cold spells, and reports of things moving around all by themselves. Ghostly cavalry forces still protect F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Houses on Fort Leavenworth feature terrifying child ghosts. Baltimore's Fort McHenry is a veritable who's who of the afterlife, with reports of people seeing Abraham Lincoln, Edgar Allen Poe, and even Chief Black Hawk. Nowhere in the U.S. military, however, is more haunted than Okinawa. This little island packs possibly the most Halloween haunts into 463 square miles and does it all year round. Here are a few reasons why. Building 2283 is One of the Most Haunted Places in Okinawa No single place on earth was more haunted than Kadena Air Base's housing number 2283. Although it's long gone now (they say it was demolished, but it probably imploded like the house in "Poltergeist"), no one could stay there, and those who did ended up dying in a...

Service Reflections of CPL George Wick, U.S. Marine Corps (1965-1969)

Marine Reflections, Vietnam War

The primary influences were Uncle Sam’s draft notice and my older brother Dave. My older brother Dave was serving in the Marine Corps at the time. So, I asked him how the Marines were, and he said, “it is not too bad.” I knew nothing about any of the service branches at the time. Therefore, his opinion meant a lot to me. Thus, the decision to join the Marine Corps came from my older brother Dave and Uncle Sam. I remember many times in boot camp thinking; if this is not too bad, it must be going to get a lot worse.

Lt. Col. Rob Riggle, U.S. Marine Corps (1990-2013)

Celebrities Who Served, Global War on Terror

When we think of Rob Riggle, we might envision his hilarious comedic performances or his charismatic on-screen presence. However, before he became a household name in the entertainment industry, Riggle served his country with distinction in the United States Marine Corps. Rob Riggle born on April 21, 1970, in Louisville, Kentucky, possessed a deep sense of duty and patriotism from a young age. After completing his high school education, Riggle decided to pursue a career in the military and enlisted in the Marine Corps. Famous Veteran: Rob Riggle Rob Riggle quickly proved himself as a dedicated and committed Marine. He joined the Marine Corps in 1990 and underwent rigorous training to become an officer. Riggle excelled in his training and was eventually commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. During his time in the Marines, Riggle held various roles and served in different locations across the globe. His occupational specialty led him to work with several...

Sgt Jack Riley, U.S. Marine Corps (1966-1972)

VA Military Memories Competition, Vietnam War

Of all the military operations you participated in, including combat, humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, which of these made a lasting impact on you and why?:

Why do I jerk back? Why am I startled? Our minds are incredible, aren’t they? How can something so small and lightweight store memories for years and suddenly spark muscles to react without our thinking of doing so? Day after day, I’m fine, so I’m surprised when my brain responds due to events in Vietnam in 1969. For example, I was having dinner with a friend at a restaurant. Suddenly, a fan nearby made a loud noise. I flinched, teeth clinched, my shoulders, neck, and head arching backward. Just as suddenly, the noise was gone. I started to explain, but he kept on talking as if he hadn’t noticed a thing, so I didn’t.