A monthly look at the battles, birthdays, and breakthroughs that shaped our armed forces.
April 1, 1945: Operation IcebergThe invasion of Okinawa begins. It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of WWII, involving over 500,000 personnel from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.
April 4, 1949: NATO is BornThe North Atlantic Treaty is signed in Washington, D.C., creating a powerful alliance for collective defense that remains the cornerstone of Western security today.
April 9, 1942: Bataan SurrendersMajor General Edward P. King Jr. surrenders the Bataan Peninsula. This led to the Bataan Death March, where thousands of American and Filipino POWs endured unthinkable hardship. We honor their resilience on this day.
April 14, 1948: AF Reserve BirthdayThe Air Force Reserve is established as a separate component, ensuring that "Citizen Airmen" are ready to project power anywhere in the world.
April 18, 1942: The Doolittle RaidJust four months after Pearl Harbor, Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle led 16 B-25 bombers off the deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8) to strike Tokyo, proving that the Japanese mainland was vulnerable.
April 23, 1908: Army Reserve BirthdayThe Medical Reserve Corps is formed, marking the official birth of the Army Reserve. For 118 years, these soldiers have balanced civilian careers with the call to serve.
April 27, 1805: "To the Shores of Tripoli"U.S. Marines and mercenaries capture the city of Derne, Tripoli. This was the first time the Stars and Stripes were raised in victory on foreign soil, immortalizing the battle in the Marines' Hymn.