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Ed Freeman and Bruce Crandall Flew Unarmed Helicopters Under Fire in Vietnam

Ed Freeman was close to retirement when war broke out in Vietnam. He was an experienced pilot by then and assigned to the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, which was sent to deliver troops to what became known as the Battle of Ia Drang, the first major battle between the United …

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Cold War Navy SEAL James Hawes Talks About Che Guevara, War in the Congo, and More

  Sometime in 1965, Navy SEAL James Hawes landed in the Congo with cash stuffed in his socks, morphine in his bag, and a basic understanding of his mission. He would recruit a mercenary navy and suppress the Soviet and Chinese-backed rebels engaged in guerrilla movements against a pro-Western government. …

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Soldier of Fortune Sits Down with Dutch Badass Marco Kroon

by Heath HansenIt’s a gray, cold, and windy autumn day as I arrive and step out of my vehicle. The snow is beginning to stick to the North Brabant earth under my feet as I approach the house. A man opens the door, shakes my hand, and welcomes me into …

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The Flying Legend, ‘Black Sheep’ Col. Pappy Boyington

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. …

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Marine Corps Birthday Video: ‘If I Was Gonna Die, I Would Die With My Boots On’

“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: …

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Wounded and Outgunned, ‘Misfit’ B-17 Crew Flew Disabled Aircraft to Accomplish Vital Mission

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 …

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The Nurses of Normandy: Young Women Who Answered the Call

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.

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