1944: Allied forces, including the U.S. VI Corps under the command of Maj. Gen. John P. Lucas (of Lt. Gen. Mark Clark’s Fifth Army), begin a series of landings along a stretch of western Italian coastline in the Anzio-Nettuno area. Codenamed “Operation Shingle”, the Allies achieve complete surprise against – and encounter little initial resistance from – the Germans, but the landings kick off what will become one of the most grueling campaigns of World War II.

Maj. Gen. John P. Lucas

Landings on western Italian coastline in the Anzio-Nettuno area
1946: Four months after dismantling the Office of Strategic Services, President Harry S. Truman creates the Central Intelligence Group, the predecessor to today’s Central Intelligence Agency. Truman picks Rear Adm. Sidney Souers as the first Directer of Central Intelligence, presenting Souers with a black cloak, black hat, and a wooden dagger as he informs the new DCI of his duties.

Photograph of President Truman in the Oval Office presenting the Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Sidney Souers.
1954: First Lady Mamie Eisenhower breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow of USS Nautilus (SSN-571) in Groton, Connecticut, launching the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The following year, Nautilus sets sail, breaking numerous sea-travel records, and becomes the first “ship” to cross the North Pole.

USS Nautilus with NYC in background

Technical drawing of USS Nautilus (bottom)
1968: (Featured Image) With aerial photographs, ground reconnaissance reports, and a massive array of electronic sensors indicating that some 20,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers surround the Khe Sanh Combat Base, Operation “Niagara”, is underway. The massive air campaign, dubbed “the most concentrated application of aerial firepower in the history of warfare,” will rain down nearly 100,000 tons of bombs – and eight times that amount of artillery shells – on the enemy. Meanwhile, transport planes ferry supplies to the besieged Marines in the largest aerial supply operation since the Berlin Airlift.

F-100 strikes close to the lines, Khe Sanh

Marines rush to unload cargo from a USAF C-130 at Khe Sanh while a forward air controller flies cover in the background. The FAC could quickly call in close air support to keep the enemy from firing mortar rounds at the C-130. Note the hole left in the ramp by a mortar. (U.S. Air Force photo)
1969: Operation “Dewey Canyon”, the Marine Corps’ last major offensive of the Vietnam War, begins. Marines under the command of Col. Robert H. Barrow will spend 56 days clearing out the North Vietnamese Army’s stronghold near the A Shau Valley.

General Robert H. Barrow

Annual wreath laying ceremony for Gen. Robert H. Barrow, the 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Since Barrow’s death in 2008, Marines lay a wreath on his grave every Nov. 10 to honor him and his service.