Historical Spotlights focus on key battles from World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Each includes a brief overview of the battle, the story of a hero who fought in it, and a look at a military technology that played a role. Organized by battle, these features offer an engaging way to explore the moments, people, and innovations that shaped history.
The Allied Invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, significantly weakened the Axis powers, resulting in about 165,000 total casualties. The Allies sustained about 23,000 casualties. The success of the invasion prompted Italian leaders to seek peace with the Allies, leading to the collapse of Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime and the beginning of negotiations for Italy’s surrender.
In the face of heavy enemy fire during World War II, Sgt. Harmon, acting as a squad leader, bravely led his men to rescue a beleaguered platoon pinned down by German machine-gun positions. He launched a one-man assault, utilizing white phosphorus grenades and a submachine gun to neutralize the enemy positions. Despite being wounded multiple times, Sgt. Harmon pressed on, destroying two machine-gun emplacements before ultimately sacrificing himself to eliminate the third, saving the platoon from annihilation.
The Douglas C-47, a versatile transport aircraft, was used extensively during World War II and beyond. Serving in all theaters of the war, it was used for cargo transport, troop transport, paratroop drops, glider towing, and medical evacuation. The C-47 played a crucial role in numerous operations, including Operation Husky and the D-Day invasion. Its rugged construction and ease of maintenance made it a favored choice among aircrews and contributed to its status as one of the most important transport aircraft of the war.
The primary invasion at Salerno (Operation Avalanche) aimed to weaken German defenses ahead of the Normandy landings. Despite intense obstacles, such as mine clearance and heavy German defenses, the Allies eventually secured a foothold. Naval gunfire played a crucial role, and new German weapons inflicted significant damage on Allied ships. The battle saw high casualties, but the successful invasion marked a key step in the Italian Campaign, demonstrating the value of coordinated Navy-Army operations.
S/Sgt. Keathley showed exceptional bravery on the western ridge of Mount Altuzzo, Italy, when his company was halted by intense enemy fire. After all the officers were wounded or killed in action, he took command of two platoons. Crawling under fire, he collected ammunition from fallen soldiers, gave first aid, and encouraged his men. Keathley was wounded by a grenade. He continued to fight and lead for 15 minutes, inspiring his men to hold their ground, and died shortly after. Keathley was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He is buried at the Florence American Cemetery.
The American-made 5″/38 caliber naval gun was used on nearly every major U.S. warship from 1934 to 1948. It played a key role in operations like the Salerno landings, providing crucial naval gunfire support. This gun could fire up to 15.9 km (9.8 miles)—53 times the length of the Eiffel Tower. The gun was loaded by hand but used a power-assisted mechanism to push the shells into place, which allowed it to fire quickly. It could also be loaded no matter how high or low it was aimed, making it very effective against both aircraft and surface targets.
Operation OVERLORD, launched on June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious landing in military history, with more than 156,000 Allied troops attacking the enemy lines from both sea and air. U.S., British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches in Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of northern France. Deception played a crucial role in the campaign. Through fake radio signals, misleading bombings, and codebreaking, the Allies convinced Germany that the invasion would occur in the north of France at Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy. Airborne troops from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Divisions and the British 6th Division landed overnight to secure key positions. By morning, seaborne landings began. Most beaches were secured with relatively light resistance, but Omaha Beach saw heavy fighting with more than 2,000 American casualties before troops successfully moved inland. Operation OVERLORD played a major part in the liberation of Europe and eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. At the Normandy American Cemetery in France, 9,389 Americans are buried and another 1,557 memorialized, most of whom gave their lives in the Normandy invasion.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. served in World War I and later volunteered for World War II. After leading troops in North Africa and Sicily, he was reassigned to help plan the D-Day invasion but repeatedly requested to join the front lines. Though initially denied due to his health and his age (he was 56 y.o.), his superiors ultimately approved. On June 6, 1944, Roosevelt became the only general and oldest soldier to land with the first wave at Normandy. He went ashore at Utah Beach with a pistol and a cane, needed due to lingering injuries from World War I. When troops landed about a mile off-course, Roosevelt calmly adjusted the plan on the spot and led soldiers inland. He was also the only father to serve alongside his son on D-Day; his son, Capt. Quentin Roosevelt II, named after Roosevelt’s brother who was killed in World War I, landed at Omaha Beach. A month later, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. died of a heart attack during the Allied advance across France. He was buried at the ABMC Normandy American Cemetery beside his brother, Quentin Roosevelt, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
During the D-Day invasion, how could men landing in fog and darkness, scattered by wind and navigation, identify each other? Gen. Maxwell Taylor, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, came up with a clever solution: small clickers that made a cricket sound. One click asked if someone was friend or foe; two clicks in response signaled a friend. Paratroopers of the 101st were issued these clickers as a critical means of communication while landing behind German lines in Normandy. These clickers were used only on the first day of the invasion to prevent the Nazis from capturing and replicating them.
The German Army launched its last major offensive of WWII, often called the Battle of the Bulge, with 200,000 troops and 1,000 tanks along a 75-mile stretch of the front in the Ardennes, covering parts of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. Isolated American units stood their ground heroically, and ultimately, with reinforcements and counterattacks, the Allies took control. It was the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the U.S. in WWII. The ABMC Battle of the Bulge Monument in Bastogne, Belgium keeps alive the memory of the 76,980 American soldiers who gave their life or were seriously injured or missing during this six-week battle for the liberation of Belgium.
On December 19, 1944, Technician Fourth Grade Kimbro led a mission to mine a vital crossroads near Rocherath, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. After discovering it was occupied by an enemy tank and infantry, he made two failed attempts under heavy fire. T/4 Kimbro left his squad in safety and crawled alone with mines toward the objective. His body was riddled with rifle and machine-gun fire, but he pressed on, laying the mines before being fatally struck by enemy fire. His heroic actions delayed the enemy, protecting withdrawing American forces. T/4 Kimbro was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He is laid to rest at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.
This portable stove was a crucial technology for heating inside tents or small enclosed spaces. Made of steel, it burned wood or coal and was used for both warmth and limited cooking when soldiers were not in active combat zones. It was first introduced in early 1942 and became widely used by American troops during WWII.
By early May 1945, Nazi Germany was collapsing, but American troops were still fighting. As the U.S. Third Army continued its eastward advance into western Czechoslovakia, they liberated towns like Cheb, Domazlice, and Pilsen, often greeted by cheering civilians waving Czech and American flags. On May 6, the city of Pilsen was liberated by the U.S. 16th Armored Division, marking one of the last major advances by American forces in Europe.
Born in Nebraska to Czech immigrants, Pfc. Charley Havlat found himself in his parents’ homeland in May 1945. On the morning of May 7, Havlat’s reconnaissance platoon was ambushed by German forces just 12 kilometers into Czechoslovakia. Pfc. Havlat was fatally shot in this skirmish. Havlat’s death came just six hours before Germany’s unconditional surrender, making him the last American combat casualty in the European Theater of World War II. He is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery in France.
Formally known as the 90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36, this tank destroyer was armed with a powerful 90mm gun, capable of taking out German tanks at long range. In at least two recorded instances, M36 crews destroyed enemy tanks from more than two miles away. The Jackson was a major leap forward in U.S. anti-tank warfare. In May 1945, the Jackson was used with the purpose of escorting infantry, clearing paths, and helping to liberate communities in the final days of World War II.
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, striking battleships, airfields, and military installations in an effort to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet and secure Japan’s expansion in Asia. The assault lasted under two hours and left 2,403 Americans dead and more than a thousand wounded, with numerous ships sunk or damaged and nearly 200 aircraft destroyed. Though devastating, the attack failed to eliminate key U.S. carriers and repair facilities. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan, bringing America fully into World War II.
Doris “Dorie” Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor who became the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross for his heroism at Pearl Harbor. When the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941, he had been doing laundry below deck on the USS West Virginia. He rushed to help, carried wounded shipmates including the mortally wounded Captain Mervyn Bennion to safety, then took position at a .50 calibre anti-aircraft gun he was not trained to use and fired at the attacking aircraft until the ammunition ran out. Miller continued to serve in the Pacific and was killed at the age of 24 when the escort carrier Liscome Bay was sunk by a torpedo in November 1943.
In the 1930s, the SCR-270 was a new early-warning radar made by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, with major parts built by Westinghouse and RCA. The system used radio waves to spot aircraft more than 100 miles away, and although it required several trucks to operate, it was considered state-of-the-art for its time. What made the SCR-270 special was its ability to see large groups of planes long before they could be spotted by eye – something few nations could do then.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, two U.S. soldiers operating this radar at Opana Point, Oahu, Hawaii, detected the massive formation of Japanese aircraft heading toward Pearl Harbor. Their warning was misunderstood and dismissed, so no action was taken. In spite of this, the SCR-270 became famous for showing radar efficiency and this technology played a major role in World War II.
Japan set its sights on Midway. If they captured it, they could cripple U.S. defenses in the Pacific Theater of World War II. To confirm Midway was Japan’s target, U.S. cryptographers planted a false message about a fresh water shortage on the island. When Japan mentioned it in their encrypted transmissions, the trap was set. When Japan launched its attack, American forces were ready. Bombers struck back with force, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers. Japan was forced to retreat: this was a major turning point in the Pacific Theater.
ACRM Adams was serving with Patrol Squadron 44 during the Battle of Midway. On June 4, 1942, his PBY-5A Catalina aircraft was on a reconnaissance mission when it was attacked by Japanese floatplanes. The aircraft was hit, caught fire, and crash-landed in the ocean. While the plane was burning and under enemy fire, ACRM Adams remained at his radio station, continuing to transmit vital information rather than focusing on escape. His transmissions played a key role in the later rescue of surviving crew members. After the crash, Adams made it out of the aircraft, but he became separated from the others in the open ocean. He was never found. He is remembered at the ABMC Honolulu Memorial.
The PBY-5A Catalina was a versatile patrol aircraft used during World War II. It was designed to take off and land on both water and the ground, thanks to its amphibious design with retractable landing gear. It was large and built for long missions. The Catalina could fly more than 2,500 miles without refueling. It was armed with bombs or torpedoes under the wings, as well as multiple machine guns for defense. In the Battle of Midway, the Catalina was used for spotting enemy ships and search and rescue missions.
Following a significant American victory at the Battle of Midway, the U.S. 1st Marine Division conducted an amphibious landing on Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Florida islands. The U.S. Navy destroyed a large portion of Japan’s attempt to reinforce Guadalcanal. By 8 February, the push to destroy the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal culminated with a retreat of about 13,000 Japanese troops. This victory set the stage for the U.S. to launch more successful offensives throughout the Pacific Theatre.
On August 1, 1943, Maj. John Jerstad volunteered to lead his group in a dangerous mission, flying close to the ground to strike enemy oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania. He bravely led the formation into the attack while facing intense anti-aircraft fire. Three miles from the target, his aircraft was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Foregoing the opportunity for a forced landing, he pressed on, ensuring his bombs hit the target. The fire in his plane became too severe, leading to a crash in the target area. His sacrifice was recognized with the Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
The B-24 Liberator was produced in massive numbers—more than 18,000 by the end of World War II. It saw action in every theater and was in combat even before the U.S. officially joined the fight, thanks to Lend-Lease with Great Britain. The Liberator outperformed the older B-17, with its greater speed, higher altitude, and longer range, made possible by its larger fuel capacity and streamlined, low-drag wing design. It was the same aircraft flown by Maj. John Jerstad during the raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania.
This naval battle ended Japan’s ability to wage large-scale naval operations. Japan’s Imperial Navy launched a major offensive, Operation Shō, to stop U.S. forces from liberating the Philippines. Despite some initial breakthroughs, Japan suffered significant losses in key engagements, including the Battle of Samar, where a smaller U.S. force held off a stronger Japanese fleet. By October 26, the Japanese fleet was in full retreat, securing the U.S. foothold in the Philippines.
In October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Commander Ernest E. Evans led the USS Johnston in a fight against Japanese forces. Despite being heavily outgunned, Evans laid a smoke screen and launched a torpedo attack, drawing fire away from vulnerable carriers. Though the USS Johnston was severely damaged and losing power, Evans continued to lead, manually steering the ship and fighting for three hours before it was sunk. Evans was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a technology that uses radio waves to detect objects, measure their distance, and track their movement. Radar played a crucial role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, significantly improving the U.S. Navy’s ability to detect and track enemy ships and aircraft, particularly during nighttime and poor visibility. Radar-assisted gunnery helped the U.S. forces achieve success in key engagements such as the Battle of Surigao Strait, where they destroyed a large portion of Japanese battleships.
On this day in 1945, the U.S. forces launched the invasion of Luzon island to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Manila, the capital city, is on Luzon – a major hub of the Pacific supply route. Control of this strategic location was critical for Allied success in the Pacific Theater.
More than 175,000 U.S. soldiers, supported by naval and air forces, landed at Lingayen Gulf. Filipino resistance fighters and Mexican and Australian units joined Americans to free Luzon.
The U.S. forces advanced south across Luzon, fighting through entrenched Japanese defenses. They entered Manila in early February, where they endured weeks of intense urban combat. At the same time, the Japanese continued resistance in Luzon’s mountains and jungles.
The campaign to liberate the Philippines became the largest in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It continued until Japan’s surrender in August 1945. The cost was immense: approximately 230,000 Japanese were killed and more than 46,000 American casualties were killed or wounded. The U.S. victory broke Japanese control of the Philippines, crippled their air power, and helped bring World War II closer to its end.
Today, Filipinos remember the Americans who helped the Philippines restore their independence. We invite you to watch a montage from the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Manila, made possible through the generosity of ABMF donors: youtube
Please donate to ABMF to help fund commemorative events at the Manila American Cemetery and other ABMC hallowed sites: abmf.org
Rear Admiral Chandler served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and commanded cruiser divisions in the Pacific. In 1945, he took part in Allied operations supporting the liberation of the Philippines. During the invasion of Luzon, he served aboard his flagship, USS Louisville, at Lingayen Gulf.
His ship was struck by two Japanese kamikaze aircraft on consecutive days. The first attack occurred on January 5, 1945, killing one crewman and injuring a dozen others. Yet, it failed to sink the ship. On January 6, 1945, a second kamikaze struck, causing severe fire. Rear Admiral Chandler remained at his post directing firefighting and damage control during the aftermath of the attacks and was mortally wounded. He died from those wounds on January 7, 1945.
Rear Admiral Chandler is remembered as an example of courageous and selfless leadership. In honor of his service, the U.S. Navy later named two ships after him: the destroyer USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Chandler (DDG-996).
Landing Ship, Tank (LST)
British idea, American execution During World War II, the British identified the need for a ship that could deliver tanks and heavy equipment onto beaches. Regular ships could only unload troops and heavy equipment in ports using large cranes. But when invading enemy territory, ports were often unavailable or destroyed.
Britain tried to address this limitation. Their early prototypes were not good enough for full wartime use, but they proved the concept. Then, Winston Churchill asked the United States to help improve the design and produce this ship. A talented American naval architect, John C. Niedermair, succeeded in creating the final design, and U.S. shipyards built the vessels in large numbers.
The LST’s key innovation was a ballast system that allowed water to pour into the ship so that it would sit deeper in the ocean and remain more stable in the waves, and then removed that water near shore so the ship could come right up to a beach. This technology made it possible to unload tanks from the ship directly onto land.
When the ship reached soil, large doors at the front opened and built-in ramps unfolded. Tanks, vehicles, and troops could then drive or walk straight from the ship onto land. This gave the Allies the ability to conduct surprise amphibious invasions.
Because of this design, LSTs became essential in the invasions of North Africa in 1942, and later Sicily, Italy, Normandy, southern France, the Pacific islands, and the Philippines in 1945.
During World War II, the Philippines were under Japanese occupation. In October 1944, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led Allied forces in a campaign to liberate the islands from Japanese control. After landing in Leyte on October 20, 1944, American forces, with the help of Filipino guerrillas, launched a major offensive to retake the Philippines. By January 9, 1945, they landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan, securing a foothold in northern Luzon, the country’s largest island. Their next objective was the liberation of Manila, the capital, which had been under Japanese occupation since 1942. On February 3, 1945, American troops began their attack. Fierce street fighting and artillery shelling destroyed much of the city. The battle ended on March 3, 1945, with Manila freed but in ruins. Nearly 17,000 U.S. service members, most of whom perished in operations across New Guinea and the Philippines, rest at the ABMC Manila American Cemetery.
Born in Spencer, West Virginia, she entered the Army Nurse Corps in 1934 and served as a surgical nurse at Walter Reed General Hospital before deploying to the Philippines in 1940. In December 1941, weeks after Pearl Harbor, Bradley was captured by the Japanese forces and spent 1,133 days as a prisoner of war. While held at Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila, she secretly smuggled medical supplies, assisted in more than 230 major surgeries, and helped deliver 13 babies under brutal conditions. Fellow prisoners called her and the other nurses the “Angels in Fatigues.” Liberated on February 3, 1945, during the Battle of Manila, she continued her Army career, and later served as chief nurse for the Eighth Army, supervising more than 500 nurses throughout Korea. Promoted to colonel in 1958, Bradley retired in 1963 after nearly three decades of service. She received 34 medals and citations, including two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, and the Florence Nightingale Medal.
Surgical sutures
Surgical sutures are materials used to close wounds and tie off blood vessels until healing occurs. Their use dates back to 3000 B.C., with sutures found on Egyptian mummies from 1100 B.C. In World War II, both natural materials like silk and catgut and newer synthetic sutures were used in field hospitals and military facilities, allowing surgeons and nurses to close wounds quickly and prevent deadly blood loss and infection. Ruby Bradley, a WWII prisoner of war in Manila, smuggled in supplies, including sutures, for the more than 230 surgeries she performed while in captivity.
The assault on Iwo Jima, codenamed Operation DETACHMENT, was planned in 1944 to support U.S. air operations against Japan during World War II. The island was believed to host a critical radar station and airfields useful for emergency landings and fighter escorts.
On February 19, 1945, 60,000 U.S. troops landed under heavy fire, struggling through soft volcanic sand that made movement difficult. The Japanese, under General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, had prepared extensive underground defenses. By February 23, the Marines captured Mount Suribachi, raising the U.S. flag in an iconic moment, though fighting across the island continued. After more than a month of intense combat, Iwo Jima was declared secure on March 26, 1945, though scattered resistance persisted.
The battle resulted in 6,871 Americans killed and 19,217 wounded. Nearly all 21,000 Japanese troops were killed. The bravery of those who fought at Iwo Jima was notable, with 27 Medals of Honor awarded.
On February 19, 1945, during the assault on Iwo Jima, Sgt. Darrell Cole led his machine-gun section through heavy enemy fire toward Airfield No. 1. As they advanced, he took out two enemy positions with grenades, clearing the way for his men.
When three Japanese pillboxes halted their advance, Sgt. Cole fired his last machine gun until it jammed. With only a pistol and one grenade, he charged the enemy alone, throwing his grenade before running back for more. He did this three times, completely destroying the enemy stronghold.
As he returned to his squad, an enemy grenade took his life, but his fearless actions allowed his company to push forward and take their objective.
Sgt. Cole’s bravery and sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor. He remains an inspiration to all who serve.
P-38 Can Opener
A 1.5-inch piece of stamped metal doesn’t sound like much, but for WWII troops, the P-38 can opener was essential. Originally designed to open C-Rations (combat rations), it quickly became a Jack-of-all-trades used to strip wires, tighten screws, clean gear, and even mark measurements.
This little tool stuck around for more than 40 years in the U.S. military, proving that the simplest designs are often the most reliable.
Picture credit: Warfare History Network
