Aboard the USS Missouri 77 years ago, Admiral “Bull” Halsey’s Fleet “Aerologist" (Navy-speak for meteorologist) borrowed a camera and shot the only color footage of the Japanese Surrender in Tokyo Bay. On September 2, 1945, Commander George F. Kosco borrowed a camera from Chief Petty Officer (and Hollywood actor) Leif Erickson. Then, he took a
The Pittsburgh Pirates honored the Veterans Breakfast Club at PNC Park on Monday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. Pirates Charities highlight sthe VBC's work and mission with a pregame ceremony, generous donation, and Jumbotron video. It was a great night. But how do you deposit such a big check? Todd DePastino and
Simple question. Complicated answer. That's often how history works.Victor Jorgensen photo, Times Square, August 14, 1945 (National Archives) August 14 is the anniversary of V-J Day. That's the day in 1945 that Americans learned of the final end of World War II. That is, the end of the second of two wars that made
← BACK TO VBC BLOG Remembering Major League Baseball’s Purple Heart Pitcher, Lou Brissie Shredded by a German artillery shell, Cpl. Lou Brissie refused to allow his leg to be amputated in the crazy dream that he might still play big league baseball. Thanks to grit, determination, and the support of Connie
← BACK TO VBC BLOG When Veterans Stormed the Capital: The March of the Bonus Army of 1932, part 2 On July 28, 1932, General Douglas MacArthur, with Majors George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, drove thousands of protesting World War I veterans out of Washington, DC, by force. The trauma
← BACK TO VBC BLOG This Day in History: The National Personnel Records Center Fire in St. Louis 17 million veterans' files burned up in the devastating St. Louis National Archives fire of July 12-16, 1973, the greatest loss of historical records in history. The Military Personnel Records Center after the July
