Who was Matt Urban?

Introduction Matt Louis Urban (25 August 1919 to 04 March 1995) was a United States Army lieutenant colonel and one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. Urban performed valiantly in combat on many occasions despite being wounded in action several times. He received over a dozen personal decorations for combat from… Read More

What was the Committee of Imperial Defence?

Introduction The Committee of Imperial Defence was an important ad hoc part of the Government of the United Kingdom and the British Empire from just after the Second Boer War until the start of the Second World War. It was responsible for research, and some co-ordination, on issues of military strategy. Typically, a temporary sub-committee… Read More

What is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission?

Introduction The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves and places of commemoration of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died during World War I and World War II. The commission is also responsible for commemorating… Read More

What is the Winds Code?

Introduction The “Winds Code” is a confused military intelligence episode relating to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour, especially the advance-knowledge debate claiming that the attack was expected. Refer to World War II. Background The Winds Code was an instruction from Tokyo to Japanese legations worldwide that diplomatic relations were in danger of being ruptured.… Read More

Who was George L. Street III?

Introduction George Levick Street III (27 July 1913 to 26 February 2000) was a submariner in the United States Navy. He received the Medal of Honour during World War II. Early Life and Career Street was born in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1931 and was selected for an appointment to the… Read More

Who was Edward Smith?

Introduction Edward Benn (‘Ned’) Smith VC, DCM (10 November 1898 to 12 January 1940) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. World War I He is unusual in having gained both… Read More

A Brief History of the American Legion

Introduction The history of The American Legion, a US war veterans’ organisation headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, began in Paris, France, 15 to 17 March 1919, by a thousand commissioned officers and enlisted men, delegates from all the units of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to an organisation caucus meeting, which adopted a tentative constitution and… Read More