Ending Jan 25, 1945, the Battle of the Bulge was America's costliest fight during WWII. Despite sub-zero weather and 80,000 casualties, American troops held their ground. This resilience changed the course of history, securing victory in Europe by May. f3.social/6y08

In 1967, Sp4c. Donald Evans Jr. ran 100m through heavy fire to save wounded comrades. Despite being hit by a grenade and bleeding out, he refused aid to keep rescuing others. He died while treating a fellow soldier. A true Medal of Honor hero. f3.social/6yc7

Meet Gen. Charles Griffin and staff. Known for his fiery temper, he led the V Corps to block Lee's escape at Appomattox and served as a Surrender Commissioner. He later led Reconstruction in TX before dying of yellow fever: f3.social/6yc8

Are you researching your Revolutionary War ancestors? The Final Payment Vouchers Index may help! These index cards record a veteran's final payment, which might indicate that the pensioner has died. Learn more here: f3.social/6yc9

This WWII photo shows a navigator using a sextant. The sextant was the "GPS" of the time. Navigators looked through an eyepiece and used the sun to create an artificial horizon. This early aerial navigation required a lot of patience and math. f3.social/6yca

The Battle of Manila began 81 years ago today. This month-long battle reclaimed Manila from Japanese control, but also led to more than 100,000 civilian deaths and the loss of historical artifacts like the Intramuros (or ancient walled portion of the city). Learn more on our

This photo of a wrecked German Messerschmitt alongside the German Autobahn was captured during WWII. After their airfields were heavily bombed, Germany used the autobahn as a makeshift runway. f3.social/6ycb

Built for 10k, but holding 110k+. On April 29, 1945, Stalag VII-A (Moosburg) was liberated as Nazi Germany’s largest POW camp. US Air Corps & Ground Forces endured extreme overcrowding before finally awaiting evacuation by the 9th Troop Carrier Command: f3.social/6ycc

This Civil War pension file for John Porter of the 9th US Colored Troops is a real glimpse into history! Porter died of Cholera in Texas in 1866, but his pension file keeps his family's memories alive. It reveals rich family details: f3.social/6ycd

Feb 1945: Retreating German forces weaponized the landscape by blowing the Schwammenauel Dam's valves. The resulting flood turned the Roer Valley into a muddy marsh, stalling the US Ninth Army's advance for two weeks. This aerial photo captured the flood: f3.social/6ycf

In Oberhoffen, France, in 1945, Sgt. Emile Deleau heroically cleared 4 enemy strongpoints solo. Facing heavy fire, he neutralized machine-gun nests and captured 10 soldiers before giving his life to save his battalion. He was posthumously awarded the MOH: f3.social/6ycg

Check out this WWII Draft Registration Card for Victor Valentine Day. He was born on February 14th, and it appears his parents really leaned into the theme. See our entire collection of WWII Draft Registration Cards here: f3.social/6ych

The 92nd Infantry Division, also known as Buffalo Soldiers, was the only Black Infantry division to see combat during WWII. They helped penetrate the Gothic Line in Italy but endured heavy losses. Members of the division are pictured here in the Po Valley: f3.social/6yci

In 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Leonard Harmon used his own body as a shield to save a wounded shipmate. He gave his life at 26 and became the first Black American to have a US warship named in his honor. Learn more on our blog: f3.social/6ycj

Feb 20, 1944: 1st Lt. William Lawley's B-17 was shredded. With a dead co-pilot & blinded by his own blood, he stayed with the plane to save two wounded crewmen who couldn't jump. Despite fainting twice, he crash-landed this wreck. A true Medal of Honor hero.

Construction on the Washington Monument began in 1848. This cool photo, taken in April 1865, shows Officers of the US Treasury Battalion with the monument under construction behind them. The Washington Monument was dedicated on this day in 1885. f3.social/6ycl

Artist James Montgomery Flagg created the famous Uncle Sam recruiting poster in 1917. To avoid the hassle of finding a model, he used his own face. More than a hundred years later, Uncle Sam has become a part of American culture. f3.social/6xw6

On this night in 1942, LA fought a "battle" with an enemy that never appeared. In a post-Pearl Harbor panic, the military fired 1,400+ shells at a mysterious "saucer" caught in searchlights. Weather balloon or UFO? The mystery remains: f3.social/6y9i

Meet the Taylor brothers: Gorham (left, Navy) and Joseph (right, 7th NY Infantry). Both survived the Civil War, though Gorham died in 1868. Is your family history in our archives? Find your military ancestors in our NY State Military Museum collection: f3.social/6ycmhttps://f3…

At Iwo Jima, Navy Corpsman John Harlan Willis was wounded but rushed back to the front to save lives. While giving plasma to a fallen Marine, he threw 8 enemy grenades back before a 9th killed him. Read his Medal of Honor story: f3.social/6ycm