National Military Archives

08/08/2025

We are saddened to learn of the death of astronaut and naval aviator Jim Lovell. He was 97.

Lovell served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1973, including during his time with NASA. He took part in Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and commanded the historic Apollo 13 lunar mission, which was forced to loop around the moon and return to Earth after a serious explosion of an oxygen tank. Lovell’s leadership, skill, and coolness under pressure exemplified the very best of military aviation and space exploration.

08/04/2025

In recognition of the 235th birthday of the United States Coast Guard, we would like to share the only item in our collection to a Coast Guardsman—the World War II visor hat of boxer Jack Dempsey.

Jack Dempsey remains one of the most famous boxers of all time, reigning as the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. He held a record of 68 wins and 6 losses, with one of his matches being the first million-dollar game in boxing history. When WWII began, Dempsey was long into his retirement and 46 years old, but accepted a commission in the Coast Guard Reserve. In June 1942, he was named Director of Physical Education and made numerous appearances at fights, camps, hospitals, and war bond drives. In 1945, he was assigned to the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton during the Invasion of Okinawa and remained in the reserves until 1952.

Learn more about our collection and displays at nationalmilitaryarchives.org.

07/27/2025

Today is the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War armistice that put an end to active combat operations. The war began in 1950 and involved roughly 1.7 million Americans.

One of those Americans was Marine Sergeant Al De Vito who generously donated his uniforms, medals, helmet, and other gear to us.

Al De Vito enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1949. After serving as a guard for President Harry Truman’s “Little White House” in Key West, Florida, De Vito was sent to Korea as a company sniper and messenger with the First Marine Regiment. In a little under seven months, De Vito participated in the Inchon Invasion, Battle of Seoul, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and the Chinese Counter Offensive.

While at Chosin, De Vito suffered from frostbite and severe ear injuries from two concussion grenades. Despite his injuries, he packed cotton in his ears and continued fighting. Over 50 years later, during a meeting with an audiologist, De Vito was informed that he was entitled to the Purple Heart. In 2006, he received his long overdue medal at Camp Pendleton, where the temperature was about 112 degrees warmer than his winter at the Chosin Reservoir.

In the first picture, De Vito can be seen with his dress blue uniform during one of our displays at the in California. Palm Springs Air Museum

07/25/2025

From our archives:
The Waltham FSSC-88-W-800 watch worn by Vice Admiral Gerald Bogan during his service in WWII. These watches were specifically designed for naval aviators with luminous hands and dial for visibility in a dark cockpit. We are also fortunate to preserve Bogan’s deck cap, flight logs, pilot’s license, ribbons, and other items.

Vice Admiral Gerald Bogan was born nearly 131 years ago on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1916, served on es**rt duty during WWI, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1925. Bogan became a Rear Admiral on December 7, 1942, exeactly one year after the attack on Pearl Habor. As commander of the USS Saratoga, Bogan helped support the invasion of Guadalcanal.

In 1944, as Commander Task Force 38.2, Bogan distinguished himself during perhaps the largest naval battle in history—the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Despite every carrier under his command being damaged by Japanese forces, including two bomb hits on his flagship, Bogan continued to lead and fight. Eight enemy aircraft were shot down by his ship and the remainder were driven away.

Bogan continued to lead combat forces through the end of the war and retired in 1950 with the rank of Vice Admiral. In his later years, he captained a luxury yacht and lived in Southern California. Bogan passed away in 1973 at age 78.

01/15/2025

06/15/2024

On this day in 1946, the United States Navy formed their premier flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels.

In the nearly 80 year history of the team, only one aviator has served as their commanding officer for three separate tours—Captain Greg Wooldridge (1990-1992, 1993, 1996). Wooldridge is an acomplished pilot with over 8,300 flight hours and led the Blue Angels through their groundbreaking joint flight over Moscow, Russia in 1992. He retired in 1997 and recently served as producer for the 2024 documentary on the team.

Wooldridge’s Blue Angel’s flightsuit is in our collection.

Learn more about our collection and displays at nationalmilitaryarchives.org.

06/14/2024

Happy 249th birthday to the United States Army!

In honor of today’s anniversary, we would like to recognize one of the Army’s most storied leaders, General John Wickham Jr.

General Wickham was born on June 25, 1928 in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He attended West Point before joining the 5th Cavalry Regiment in South Korea and serving as executive officer to General Harold Johnson. As commander of 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam, Wickham was seriously wounded by an explosion during an attack on his fire base. While making his way to a foxhole, Wickham was also shot between five and ten times by small arms fire. He continued to command his troops until the North Vietnamese Army called off the attack. By the time Wickham reached an aid station, he had lost ten pints of bloods, but survived and was awarded the Silver Star. Near the end of the war, Wickham negotiated the release of all prisoners of war and kept the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese at the table by communicating with forces that were clearing the harbors of mines. As a general officer, Wickham commanded the 101st Airborne Division, United Nations Command and United Nations Forces in Korea, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Chief of Staff of the Army. He retired in 1987 and passed away on May 11, 2024.

General Wickham’s OG 507 fatigue uniform shirt is in our collection.

Learn more about our collection and displays at nationalmilitaryarchives.org.

04/24/2024

In recognition of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day we would like to pay tribute to the son of one of its survivors.

Between 800,000 to a million Armenians living within the Ottoman Empire were killed between 1915-1916. Many survivors arrived in the United States in search of safety and prosperity, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of Armenian American service members, particularly during the Second World War.

We are honored to preserve items from many veterans who were born to genocide survivors, including Staff Sergeant Victor Harikian of Fresno, California. Harikian served in the dangerous role of ball turret gunner aboard the 100th Bomb Group B-17 nicknamed “Boss Lady” during WWII. He completed 35 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross the day before his 21st birthday from General Jimmy Doolittle.

In our collection are Harikian’s medals, dress uniform, aviator glasses, “Luckye Bastardes Club” certificate, and numerous other artifacts.

Learn more about our collection and displays at nationalmilitaryarchives.org.

11/10/2023

Happy Veterans Day!

This photo, taken in the 1940s, shows four men from Geary, Oklahoma who served in various conflicts.

They are (from top left to bottom right)
-Pearl “Jack” Johnson (WWII)
-Hilyeard “Red” Young (WWI)
-Oscar Ruth (Spanish-American War)
-Andrew Everist Sr. (Civil War)

Learn more about the veterans we honor at nationalmilitaryarchives.org

09/21/2023

In every American conflict since at least the Civil War, Armenian-Americans have fought for their country. This past Tuesday, we set up a display honoring some of these individuals at an Armenian cultural event in Northern California.

The items on display are:

First table (L-R)
-Uniform of Corporal Harry Kizirian (Navy Cross recipient for Okinawa, 1945)
-Silver Star and Purple Heart of Corporal John Negohosian (KIA in Italy, 1943)
-Purple Heart of Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Edward Terjanian (KIA on LST 749 in the Sulu Sea, 1944)
-Uniform and “Luckye Bastardes Club” certificate of Staff Sergeant Victor Harikian (100th Bomb Group B-17 ball turret gunner and DFC recipient)

Second table (L-R)
-N-2A jacket of Lieutenant Colonel David Davidian (Air Corps navigator during WWII)
-Distinguished Service Cross and certificate of Captain John Najarian (received DSC for a daring sea plane rescue mission in North Korean waters)
-Insignia of Colonel John Kizirian (Vietnam DSC recipient and Special Forces soldier who predicted the Tet Offensive)
-Fatigue uniform and boots of First Lieutenant Sib Hashian (intelligence officer and drummer for the rock band Boston)

08/24/2023

We would like to thank General David Goldfein (USAF, ret.) for donating one of his dress blue uniforms and visor hats to our collection. His decades of service to the United States Air Force are among the most historic and transformative in recent history.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Goldfein was leading squadron of fighters over western Serbia in 1999 when his F-16 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. After braving land mines, wildlife, and difficult terrain, he was later rescued by NATO helicopters. His coolness during initial incident, calmly radioing “start finding me boys” just before ejecting, has become legendary in the aviation community. Over the course of his career, Goldfein accumulated more than 4,200 flying hours and led a squadron, wings, and eventually the United States Air Force as its 21st Chief of Staff.

Learn more about our collection and displays at nationalmilitaryarchives.org.