By Ephriam D. Dickson III Deputy Chief, Field Museums Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History Since the Army’s establishment, supply officers have struggled earnestly to find a functional design for Army footwear, one that could withstand the many varying environments into which Soldiers are often sent. “The health and efficiency of the soldier depends …
Not surprisingly, feeding troops has always been a major issue for the U.S. Army. On November 4, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established a standard Army ration, which, on paper, consisted of set amounts of meat or salted fish, bread, peas, milk, spruce beer, and rum. Though this ration was quite generous for the time, …
Who can forget the welcome call to “Take 10; smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!” Or, how about the threatening tone of “Field strip that cigarette butt, Soldier!” Whatever the reasons—and despite the obvious hazards of smoking—cigarettes have been a staple of Army life since before World War I. A magazine ad for Bull Durham …
Waging war is a costly enterprise. Congressional Research Service records indicate that World War I cost the United States over $30 billion, while more than $300 billion—the staggering equivalent of roughly $3.9 trillion in today’s dollars—was spent to fight World War II and to supply our allies. Throughout both of these major 20th century wars, …
Vietnam veterans will surely recall those quirky-colored Military Payment Certificates (MPCs) used to buy Seiko watches, Pentax cameras, stereo gear, and beer and tobacco in U.S. facilities throughout South Vietnam. Meant to help control inflation and deter black market operations and currency manipulation, the MPCs took the place of U.S. dollars as the authorized medium …
MPCs—Trong chi tiêu cua ban là gì? (“What’s in your wallet?”) Read More »
World War II Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall called it “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” War correspondent Ernie Pyle wrote, “It does everything. It goes everywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat.” It wasn’t enough that World War II ally …
The Army Historical Foundation is the designated official fundraising organization for the National Museum of the United States Army. We were established in 1983 as a member-based, charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We seek to educate future Americans to fully appreciate the sacrifices that generations of American Soldiers have made to safeguard the freedoms of this Nation. Our funding helps to acquire and conserve Army historical art and artifacts, support Army history educational programs, research, and publication of historical materials on the American Soldier, and provide support and counsel to private and governmental organizations committed to the same goals.
