Today in 1797, 1,400 French troops land at Fishguard, Wales. Remembered as the last invasion of Great Britain by a foreign army, the operation grinds to a halt as the rowdy conscripts clash with local militia and then melt away to plunder a local stockpile of imported wine.

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The men from the first flag-raising, 81 years ago today 🇺🇸

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The first and second flag raised on Iwo Jima together at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. 🇺🇸

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"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years." 🇺🇸

- James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy ⚓️

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Moments after the 2nd flag raising on Iwo Jima, 81 years ago today. 🇺🇸

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81 years ago today, Hershel “Woody” Williams of the 3rd Marine Division would earn the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima with his flame thrower. 🪖

He was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II passing away in July of 2022. 🇺🇸

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81 years ago today, Marines celebrate the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. 🇺🇸

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82 years ago today, Americans fire their heavy 81mm mortar at Japanese positions across the Tsinamutu River on Bougainville. 🪖

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In February of 1945, the USS Texas is underway off the Island of Iwo Jima where she would fire 923 rounds from her main battery between Feb. 18 and March 7. ⚓️

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81 years ago today, an M4A3 (76) 'Sherman' of the 771st Tank Battalion after fighting in ruins of the German town of Linnich. 🪖

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1st Sgt. Leonard Funk Jr. of the 82nd Airborne Division…one of the most decorated paratroopers of WW2.

-Medal of Honor 🇺🇸
-Distinguished Service Cross 🪂
-Silver Star 🪖
-Bronze Star 🎖️
-3 Purple Hearts 💜

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81 years ago today, Pfc. Morton Fernberg of the 8th Infantry Division takes shelter from an artillery barrage in Duren, Germany. 🪖

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In Margraten, Netherlands, there is a 65-acre cemetery with 8,301 graves of American soldiers who died liberating the Netherlands.🪖

Each of the American graves is adopted by a local family as their own. Currently, there is a 300-person waiting list to adopt one. 🇳🇱🇺🇸

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81 years ago today, two Marines look out over Iwo Jima from atop Mt. Suribachi, where two days prior, the US flag was raised. 🇺🇸

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There were 8 future Presidents who served during World War II 🇺🇸

George H.W. Bush (Navy)
Ronald Reagan (Army Air Force)
Jimmy Carter (Navy)
Gerald Ford (Navy)
Richard Nixon (Navy)
John F. Kennedy (Navy)
Lyndon B. Johnson (Navy)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (Army)

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Marines quickly haul an ammunition cart onto the beach at Iwo Jima. 🪖

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In February of 1945, two Marines pay their respects at the grave of Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone who was killed on the first day of fighting on Iwo Jima. 🪦

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Today in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from the Mediterranean island of Elba after nine months of exile. Three weeks later, he'll be back on the throne of France. His dramatic return kicks off what's remembered as 'the Hundred Days' leading to his final defeat at Waterloo

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Today in 1933, the U.S. Navy commissions its first purpose-built aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger (CV-4). Capable of carrying up to 86 warplanes, the vessel will go on to take part in the Allied invasion of North Africa as well as operations against German shipping off Norway.

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On this day in 1991, U.S. and Allied warplanes decimate Saddam Hussein's defeated army as it retreats from Kuwait. Hundreds of Iraqis are killed in the air attack and more than 2,000 vehicles are destroyed. The scene of the slaughter becomes known as the "Highway of Death."

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Today in 1991, the Warsaw Pact disbands. Formed in 1955 to counter the perceived threat of NATO, it included seven Eastern Bloc countries plus the USSR. Ironically, the only Pact members ever attacked — Hungary and Czechoslovakia — were invaded by their Soviet "ally."

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