Welcome to WebOps, Armchair General’s weekly recon of links to military history news, articles, websites, and more. This week, we can read about a couple of new museum exhibits, learn how to get hands-on experience in military history by becoming a volunteer, and help me learn about World War Two Navy towers. Clicks away!
Normally, a news piece as incomplete as this one wouldn’t make the cut for WebOps, but I included it because I’m sure our readers know much I don’t: just what is a WWII Navy Tower the story fails to explain about?
The news here is about the "Faces of Arlington" World War II exhibit opening this week at the Fielder House Museum in Arlington, Texas. What might get your attention first, as it did mine, is the pin-up photo of a young Anita Garmon. Has military history ever looked so good?
Many a military historian will tell you they have read Homer’s epics The Iliadand The Odyssey. The fabled city of Troy from those stories was discovered in 1870 to be on the coast of Turkey. Now it seems that the mythical island of Ithaca may also become a reality in our time.
Much of the memorabilia for display in the new South Carolina Military Museum, scheduled to be opened on Feb. 6, was collected and donated by one man: Lt. Col. Ross E. Beard Jr.
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Scott Yost, a 1988 graduate of Auburn University’s history program, now deploys his knowledge and expertise at the new National Museum of the Marine Corps.
"If you love military history and would like a chance to work at a state-of-the-art facility, this may be your chance. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler needs your help and they’re looking for some new volunteers."
"A pivotal Civil War campaign will be the topic of a free "Perspectives in Military History" lecture at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Army Heritage and Education Center."
"China’s People’s Liberation Army is threatening to the United States Armed Forces because it is fighting a "People’s War" (7 million Chinese troops vs. 2.5 million US troops) under "modern conditions" (China’s GDP will exceed America’s by 2011). China also has significant international backing from the UN, ASEAN, SCO, etc. Therefore, these two superpowers are destined to clash in some way."
"Edward S. Bragg is an example of a civilian who made a successful transition to military service during the American Civil War. A pre-war lawyer, Bragg started the war as a captain. During a military career that included Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Grant’s Overland campaign against Richmond and the battle of Petersburg he was repeated promoted, reached the rank of Brigadier General in June 1864. His final command was the "Iron Brigade", the unit that suffered the highest proportion of casualties in the Union army. Bragg was not a political general. He had no pre-war contacts to ease his rise, instead earned each promotion by merit."
"Beaufort, SC was home to a lot of Civil War history. Unfortunately most have disappeared over time. There are some things still around, the remains of a battery, a sign post or two marking important events. There is a building called the Arsenal originally built in 1798 with additions in 1852 and 1930’s. Fortunately when built, it was done to last and although not treated as kindly as other places, it has still survived."
"Students at Vermont’s Norwich University set out last year to interview family members of Vermont servicemen killed in the Iraq war. In the moving documentary they created, family members talk frankly and personally about their loved ones — the lives they led, why they joined the military, and what has happened since their deaths. The following is a 10-minute clip of Vermont Fallen:"
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