Close call in North Africa for these American heroes. 🇺🇸

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In July of 1944, Marine Private Thomas Underwood of the 4th Marine Division takes a well deserved sip of water from his canteen after extended fighting on the Island of Saipan. 🪖

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“I felt it an honor to serve my country, God and country, same as the rest of them.”

-Cpl. Desmond Doss 🇺🇸

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On this day in 1770, a Russian fleet smashes the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Chesma. The Turks lose 16 ships-of-the-line, six frigates and more than 40 smaller vessels. One Russian ship-of-the-line is destroyed.

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250 years of Marine Corps service rifles…can you name them all? 🤔

Yes = 👍

No = 👎

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Shifty never misses his mark 🎯

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84 years ago today, two wounded American Infantrymen help each other out of the dense jungles of New Georgia. 🪖

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After receiving care for a scalp wound, a baby is cared for by men a medical unit of the 27th Infantry Division. 🪖

The baby was discovered by a tank crew, still cradled in her deceased mother’s arms, during the fighting below Mt. Tapotchau on Saipan in July of 1944. 🗻

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In 1943, German pilot Franz Stigler came across Charles Brown’s crippled B-17 trying to make it home after a bomb run. Instead of shooting it down, he escorted it home.✈️

The pilots met up 50 years later and became friends, and both died within a few months of each other. 🇺🇸🇩🇪

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In 1944, a Marine with his M1 Garand during the fighting on Saipan. 🪖

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During the Sicily advance, General Patton was always puffing his signature cigar. 🚬

Stopping in a newly liberated town, he stepped out of his vehicle, ivory-handled pistols on his hips, & casually smoked while surveying the scene. 🪖

When a subordinate suggested rest, Patton growled: “Rest? Hell, we’re beating Monty to Messina before he even gets his tea!” 🇺🇸

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82 years ago today, Marines take cover behind an M4 Sherman tank while clearing Japanese forces in northern Saipan. 🪖

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85 years ago, General George S. Patton makes the cover of Life Magazine…the whole war is ahead of him here 🪖

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“First & foremost, a leader should strive to be an individual of flawless character, technical competence, and moral courage.”

- Major Dick Winters 🪂

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Soldiers of the 37th Infantry Division take a break on a fallen palm tree during operations against the Japanese on Bougainville. 🪖

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101st Airborne paratroopers receiving medals for their heroism in Normandy at the Place De La République, Carentan, France. 🇺🇸

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82 years ago today, soldiers of the 79th Infantry Division scatter during an attack by a German unit in Normandy. 🪖

During World War II, the 79th Infantry Division slugged its way through one Nazi stronghold after another. 🥊

Their journey began in mid June of 1944 as they landed on Utah Beach & entered combat on the 19th, just south of Cherbourg, & concluded across the Rhine & into the heart of Germany. 🇫🇷🇩🇪

In 248 days of combat, the division suffered 15,000 casualties with nearly 2,500 men killed in action. 🇺🇸

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83 years ago this evening, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division make their first combat jump on the island of Sicily for Operation Husky. 🪂

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In July of 1944, a Navy Corpsman gives a drink to a wounded Marine during the fighting on Guam. 🪖

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In July of 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley share a laugh as they leave General Ira Wyche’s 79th Infantry Division headquarters in Huanville, France. 🪖

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82 years ago today, Pfc. William Jackson and T4 Joseph King of the 1st Infantry Division ride through a French town atop a donkey. 🪖

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