Military Medley

Rainy Street Stories by John William Davis

"Rainy Street Stories" isn't a single tale so much as a map of scars. Author John William Davis is a retired U.S. Army counterintelligence officer, a seasoned veteran of the shadow trades. In this book, he takes readers around the world as he threads together short vignettes, essays, and memory-shards about espionage, terrorism, and the people who live between those crosshairs. Rainy Street Stories Beyond the Headlines Unfold If you're expecting a Tom Clancy showstopper with satellite uplinks and a missile budget, stand down. Davis brings something much different: thoughtful reflections that the author clearly wrote at different times in his life. Each chapter displays the depth of Davis' consideration for his subjects. "Rainy Street Stories" isn't a book for learning the ins and outs of the intelligence world, nor is it a manual for spycraft. But readers won't be disappointed to find real thoughts and emotions from someone who works in the counterintelligence world, and...

The Taliban Prison Revolt of Qala-i-Jangi

Global War on Terror, Other Military Articles

In the first chaotic weeks after 9/11, two Americans walked into a 19th-century Afghan fortress with nothing but a translator, a notebook, and the kind of quiet confidence you get from hard jobs and worse timing. Qala-i-Jangi Becomes the Center of a Deadly Encounter The place was Qala-i-Jangi, a sprawling mud-brick stronghold outside Mazar-i-Sharif where hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters had just "surrendered" to the Northern Alliance. And those Americans were CIA officers Johnny "Mike" Spann and David Tyson. What started as a routine sort-and-question session turned into a six-day brawl that set the tone for the next 20 years of war to come. The plan on November 25, 2001, was simple on paper: figure out who mattered among the newly captured fighters. Spann—a former Marine turned CIA paramilitary—worked the courtyard, asking the right questions in the wrong neighborhood. Tyson, a case officer with a linguist's ear and an Uzbek Rolodex, moved through the mass of...

GySgt R. Lee Ermey, USMC (1961-1972)

Celebrities Who Served

Together We Served is among those remembering R. Lee Ermey, aka ‘Gunny’, famous Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant-turned-Hollywood star. Ermey passed away on April 15 2018, at the age of 74, as a result of complications that arose from pneumonia. R. Lee Ermey Turned Rebellion into Marine and Film Success Ermey developed a reputation for being a strict authoritarian and was eventually typecast as the stern authority figure, but as a youth he was anything but. Born in 1944 in Kansas, Ermey and his family moved to Zillah in central Washington. Ermey was actually arrested twice for criminal mischief. The second time, the judge gave 17-year old Ermey the option of jail or joining the military. Ermey joined the Marine Corps in 1961, serving in aviation support before eventually becoming a drill instructor at the Recruit Depot in San Diego between 1965 and 1967. After this, he served in Okinawa, Japan, at Air Station Futenma. In 1968, Ermey was ordered to South Vietnam with MWSG-17. He...

The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Navy

Other Military Articles, Useful Military Information

On October 13, 2025, we commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States Navy. Since its establishment on October 13, 1775, the Navy has played a critical role in safeguarding the United States. For nearly two and a half centuries, the Navy has stood ready to defend our interests and uphold international maritime freedom. The History of the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy was established on October 13, 1775, during the American Revolution, when the Continental Congress authorized a small naval force to disrupt British supply lines and challenge their sea power. Comprised of a modest fleet of ships working alongside privateers, the early Navy engaged in tactical raids using converted frigates and schooners. These operations played a vital role in weakening British forces and protecting American interests at sea, proving the strategic value of naval warfare. After the Revolution, the Navy was disbanded due to financial constraints, but the rise of global trade and foreign threats led...

Lt. Henry Fonda, U.S. Navy (1942-1946)

Celebrities Who Served, World War II

Lt. Henry Fonda, of the US Navy between 1942 and 1946, interrupted a prominent career as a film actor in order to serve his country when it needed him most. Fonda’s commanding screen presence made him a favorite of theatergoers for five decades, culminating in an Oscar for his final performance. Henry Fonda Built His Hollywood Career on Stage and Screen Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1905, Fonda was the son of a printer. Raised in Omaha, he witnessed and was profoundly affected by the horrors of the Omaha race riot of 1919. After high school he attended the University of Minnesota, but did not graduate. At the age of 20 he joined the Omaha Community Playhouse. He grew to be fascinated by the stage and learned many aspects of stagecraft, eventually growing to enjoy acting as taking on a role and speaking someone else’s words gave him respite from his shy personality. In 1928 he moved to Massachusetts and met his future wife Margaret Sullavan while working for the University...

A Fox In Winter by J. Logan Nicholson

Military Book Reviews, Vietnam War

Every now and then, a book slips past any convention of war stories, battlefield memoirs, and action-packed retellings of America's greatest hits and instead says, "Hey, sit down, grab a drink, and think about how you got here." J. Logan Nicholson's A Fox In Winter is one of those books. A Fox In Winter — Beyond the Usual War Stories Don't let the woodland critter on the cover fool you. This isn't a Disney flick. It's a sharp, witty meditation on life's stages, told through the instincts of a fox that's a little too clever to just chase rabbits all day. Nicholson takes the reader through the four seasons of life, literally. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, and each section gives the fox a new mask to wear, a new trick to play. In spring, he's a young kit bounding into the world, paw-first and nose-down. Think boot camp hijinks, where nobody knows anything but everybody's sure they do. The fox in spring is curious, fearless, and dumb in a way that makes him bulletproof — at least...

10 Wild Things You Didn’t Know About the SR-71 Blackbird

Cold War, Other Military Articles

The SR-71 Blackbird is probably the most recognizable American aircraft ever built, even to this day, and despite being retired for more than 30 years. It’s easy to understand, just by looking at one. Nicknamed “Habu” by the locals of Okinawa for the venomous snake it resembles, the Blackbird is one of the coolest-looking aircraft. Even SR-71 aircrews in their pressure suits have an iconic look.

AFN Jamie Farr, U.S. Army (1957–1959)

Celebrities Who Served, Vietnam War

Jamie Farr, best known for his iconic portrayal of Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the classic television series *M*A*S*H*, brought an irreplaceable sense of authenticity to the screen—largely inspired by his real-life service in the United States Army. While millions remember him for his comedic antics and cross-dressing attempts to secure a Section 8 discharge, Farr’s genuine military experiences were far removed from the character he played, rooted instead in duty, discipline, and personal growth. This article delves into Farr’s journey through the U.S. Army, exploring how his military service shaped not only his career, but his very outlook on life. Jamie Farr’s Early Life Born Jameel Joseph Farah on July 1, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, Jamie Farr grew up in a tight-knit Lebanese-American community. His mother was a seamstress. His father was a grocer in north Toledo. He was raised in the Antiochian Orthodox religion. The son of immigrants, Farr’s upbringing instilled in him values of...

AO2 Zachary Bryan, U.S. Navy (2013–2021)

Celebrities Who Served, Global War on Terror, Uncategorized

Zach Bryan is a name synonymous with raw authenticity in the country music world today. But before his rise as a celebrated singer-songwriter, Bryan served an honorable eight-year tenure in the United States Navy. His military service not only shaped his character and worldview but also deeply influenced his music, providing a unique texture and depth that resonates both with civilians and veterans alike. Here, we explore the details of Zach Bryan's military career, his transition to music, and the recognition he has earned as a civilian artist. Zach Bryan’s Early Life and Enlistment Zach Bryan was born into a family with a strong naval tradition. His birthplace was Okinawa, Japan, where his parents were stationed during their military service. He grew up surrounded by the values of duty and service, with his father, grandfather, and even great-grandfather all serving in the Navy. Zach spent the majority of his youth in the rural haven of Oolagh, Oklahoma, with the Grammy-nominee...

Who Brings an Accordion to Vietnam? by V. E. Flango