Category Archives: World War II

Neutral Ground: FDR’s Man in Ireland During WWII

In February 1940, as war engulfed Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent an unlikely diplomat to Ireland – his wife’s 70-year-old uncle who had never held a diplomatic position. David Gray’s mission would become one of the most challenging diplomatic … Continue reading

Posted in Diplomatic history, Irish history, U.S.-Ireland Relations, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Culture Beyond Combat: A World War II Chronicle from North Africa

“M. Mory, my Fascist friend, had his wife roast up a beautiful rabbit for us. Worthy of a poetess – in a huge Dutch oven with a ring of brown roast potatoes and more than a hint of garlic.” So … Continue reading

Posted in Archival collections, Journalism, military history, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gale Cleven and George Niethammer: The Wyoming Connection in “Masters of the Air”

If you are interested in the history of the Second World War, or interested in aviation, you may have been watching Masters of the Air, a new television series on Apple TV+. A companion to Band of Brothers and The … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Adaptations, American history, aviation, Biography and profiles, military history, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, World War II, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Richard Tregaskis: Capturing War’s Grit and Humanity Through Journalism

For the American public at home in 1942, the war raging thousands of miles across oceans could seem remote and opaque. Richard Tregaskis’ Guadalcanal Diary brought the stories of the American forces engaged in brutal fighting to the homefront in … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Authors and literature, Guadalcanal Campaign, Journalism, military history, Uncategorized, War correspondents, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lucile Wright: Commercial Pilot and All-Around-Go-Getter

Lucile Wright was a “Lady of Firsts,” as one biographer called her, and acquired a long list of accomplishments in her lifetime. Described as being “nearer pint sized than quart,” her petite frame nonetheless housed a voraciously curious mind and … Continue reading

Posted in aviation, Biography and profiles, Uncategorized, women's history, World War I, World War II | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

An Infamous Day

On December 8th, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the Congress of the United States with the following declaration: “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941– a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately … Continue reading

Posted in American history, military history, Pearl Harbor Attack, Political history, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Female Fire Finders of the American Forests

Standing guard atop a lookout tower dozens of feet above the forest floor, female fire finders, sometimes called “lady lookouts” have been helping to protect American forests since before World War I. Hallie Morse Daggett was the first female lookout … Continue reading

Posted in conservation, Environment, Forests, U.S. Forest Service, Uncategorized, Wildfire, women's history, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nisei Soldiers of World War II: Overcoming Prejudice, Upholding Patriotism

As we honor the fallen for Memorial Day, the American Heritage Center would like to shine a spotlight on a small but mighty group, the Japanese American soldiers of World War II. Known collectively as Nisei, a term originating in … Continue reading

Posted in Asian American history, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Japanese American history, Japanese internment, Racial bias, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May is a time to celebrate the history, traditions, cultures, and contributions of all Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants and citizens in the United States. This month was chosen because it commemorates the immigration of the … Continue reading

Posted in Asian American history, Immigration, Japanese internment, Racism, Uncategorized, Western history, World War II, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mary Hayden Burgess: “Doughnut Dolly” of the American Red Cross

March is Red Cross month, proclaimed by its honorary chairman, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in March 1943. The American Red Cross has been supporting the troops since the 1890s.  Its operations, since the attack on Pearl Harbor, expanded in more … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, women's history, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments