This Friday, we are talking about the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Liberation Medals that were awarded to coalition force members who served during Operation Desert Storm. A service member is eligible for this award if they served in direct support of Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Arabian Sea, or Gulf of Aden. Service members could also be considered if they served on the landmasses of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and the Unite

Women have been an overlooked part of military history for as long as there has been military history. Women have served in many honorable positions that have often been overlooked that women's history month allows us to commemorate. In honor of the first week of this special month, we are talking about Melva H. King and the Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). Melva H. King was born in Propherton, Illinois, and World War II was in full swing when she was

This week, we talk about crush caps, which were popular in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Crush caps, also known as the 50 mission crush, were a signifier of not just service but of experience. The crush cap came into existence from the need for modifications to the standard rigid officers' hat. With bomber pilots and aircrews using headsets, many difficulties arose with the rigid hat, and the stiffeners had to be removed to create a more crushed, floppy look for h

Morse code is a long taught language throughout the US military. It was crucial during times of hidden communication behind enemy lines, tenuous moments, and even through cameras. A blinker light trainer from World War II, also known as a code pocket trainer, was a lightweight Morse code trainer. Here in our collection, this Morse code pocket trainer was a small, lightweight, cardboard Morse code trainer that was portable and made learning Morse code easier for U.S. Navy pers

Valentine's Day mementos!

This month we celebrate February as black history month and commemorate black veterans and current servicemen and women for their service and dedication to this country. Not only do we celebrate their service but the barriers that they broke and the progress they brought about into making this country a more tolerant and respectful place. This week we will be looking at commemorative artwork and patches dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen and Clarence D. “Lucky” Lester. The artw

War Crimes are generally defined by how much unnecessary suffering an action causes, as we’ve discussed in the past. Today we are addressing a war crime that results from a lack of action, shooting parachutes. Parachutes were invented in 1783 France, long before the first airplane. Since their inception, parachutes have been used for dropping people and things onto places and targets. As a result, this purpose has changed very little throughout history.              The tacti

A good meal can put us all in a better mood and give us the energy we need to get through our day. What we eat is important to all of us and can dictate how we feel, act, and live our lives. This week's Artifact Friday is dedicated to the MRE (meal ready to eat) that we have displayed showing the different eras and types of MRE’s in our collection. Before the MRE there were canned rations, AKA C-rations. In the 1960s the Department of Defense started trying to improve to some

With ice, snow, and inclement weather warnings on the way this weekend there are lots of things to be cautious and safe about. With all the tips, tricks, and hacks to stay warm and be prepared for the cold weather, there are also some vintage tips and tricks that can help as well. In a 1957 military order of "Things to Do Under Atomic, Biological, or Chemical Attack", there is an interesting guide on how to survive a nuclear attack in the age of nuclear anxiety. This pamphle

Today’s War Crime Wednesday is another common myth. This time, regarding bayonets. The idea is that bayonets that are serrated or triangular are a war crime. The truth is, neither of these are war crimes at all. Serrated bayonets were originally utilized by German combat engineers in World War One. Allied propaganda used these serrated edges to paint the Germans as savage monsters who only want to cause suffering. In reality, the serrated edge was primarily for cutting barbed

Habits can be hard to quit and with new year resolutions in full swing most of us have picked something to kick or a new goal to achieve. One of the most addicting habits, smoking, has had a significant history within the military. Today we focus on a package of Camel Turkish and Domestic Blend Cigarettes from World War II. This pack of cigarettes indicates a lot for the time period they came from. During World War I, cigarettes became a standard issue for soldiers on the fro

At some point, you may have heard that swords are classified as a war crime. This is a myth that often gets floated around but is just that, a myth. Swords have been used in war for about 5,000 years, starting in the Bronze Age and persisting through the Second World War. The idea that swords are a war crime likely stems from the Imperial Japanese military who have a well-documented history of abusing prisoners and civilians, which is a war crime. Swords just so happened to b