Air Force
First Air Force One Christened
On November 24, 1954, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower christened the first plane to be designated Air Force One.
First Flight of the P-51 Mustang
On October 26, 1940, the P-51 Mustang completed its first flight.
First Supersonic Flight
On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier.
Battle of Guam
On July 21, 1944, US troops landed on Guam, initiating a three-week battle to recapture the island. The largest of the Mariana Islands, Guam had been a United States possession since its capture from Spain in 1898. However, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces took the island on December 10, 1941.
U.S. Troops Clear Saipan
On July 9, 1944, American troops claimed victory after a three-week battle on Saipan. Throughout 1944, American troops continued to advance on two fronts in the Pacific Theatre. While MacArthur fought his way across New Guinea toward the Philippines, Admiral Nimitz’s amphibious forces leapfrogged from island to island toward Japan.
The Miracle of Dunkirk
On June 4, 1940, over 338,000 Allied troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk after being cut off and surrounded there for weeks.
Red Baron’s Final Victory
On April 20, 1918, the Red Baron shot down his 80th plane, a record for World War I.
Doolittle Raid
On April 18, 1942, Jimmy Doolittle led a daring raid against the Japanese in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Tet Offensive
On January 30, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a surprise attack on South Vietnam during the Tet (New Year) holiday truce.