Badass

by Katie Lange  Editor’s note: SOF publisher Susan Katz Keating knew Col. Pappy Boyington in the 1980’s when he frequented the Nut Tree airport in Vacaville, California. Here is a story of his life in uniform. Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was one of the service’s greatest and most legendary pilots. …

Editor’s note: As the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday, what better way to say cheers than to tell the story of one of their favorite heroes, the legendary Chesty Puller. Lieutenant General Lewis “Chesty” Burwell Puller, colorful veteran of four World War II campaigns, Korea, and expeditionary service in China, …

“Si vis pacem, para bellum.” Thus begins a video marking the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. In Latin, the phrase means, “If you desire peace, prepare for war.” The video proceeds with shots of Marines in action, and goes to a black screen. A voice speaks from the darkness: …

The story is legend among fighter pilots. During the Vietnam War, Major John “Bob” Pardo was flying lead on the way back from a 1,000 mile mission over enemy territory, when they ran into serious trouble. The two F-4C Phantom jets took heavy flak, and considerable damage. Pardo saw that …

History-making missions are often best told in photos, so it’s pretty cool to know that photos were the mission of one of the most highly decorated aircrews in U.S. military history. During World War II, there was a crew with the U.S. Army Air Forces 43rd Bomb Group of the …

“The future is threatened…” This is one of the most badass recruiting ads the Marines have produced. Created in 2022, it still pulls in the views. Watch as the future unfolds before your eyes.

They were young women who answered the call. It was a terrible time, and they went into the fire in order to save lives. These military nurses share their stories of caring for our military men after D-Day in Normandy, France. We cannot thank them enough.

Just another day on the job… Twice the action when an MH-47 Night Stalker crew drops off an ARSOF team at work. Army Special Operations sends.

An American multi-purpose canine (MPC) Belgian Malinois was honored for heroism under fire while serving four tours of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps.  Shimanski was deployed to Jordan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia during his seven-year career and received the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery for his service, an …

Editor’s note: Longtime CIA covert operations officer James Parker Jr. often talked to me about his days in Southeast Asia, including the secret war in Laos. He told stories of another case officer and former Green Beret, George Washington Bacon III, who became a mercenary in Angola. Here is an …