Interesting historical facts about the U.S. Army.

Dec 26, 1776

Continental Army uniforms

The buff and blue uniforms of the officers of the Continental Army were drawn from the uniform pattern of the Virginia militia.

Medal of Honor

Of the 2,402 Medals of Honor awarded to Soldiers, only one was earned by an Army dentist. Capt. Ben L. Salomon, a dentist serving with the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, during the American effort to capture Saipan, was at a battalion aid station when it was attacked by an overwhelming force of Japanese infantry. Salomon killed several enemy soldiers attacking wounded GIs, then manned a machine gun to cover his comrades' withdrawal. When the Americans retook the area, Salomon was found dead, with 98 dead Japanese soldiers around his position.

"The Ballad of Rodger Young"

In July of 1943, wounded as his platoon was forced to withdraw, Pvt. Rodger Young, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division, struck back at the enemy with hand grenades until he was cut down. His actions earned the Medal of Honor and inspired "The Ballad of Rodger Young," a popular "hit parade" song in World War II.

107

The age of the only living American veteran of World War I. Frank Buckles, of Charles Town, W.Va., age 107, was a motorcycle driver who spent much of the war delivering dispatches. He also served as an ambulance driver.

Exploring America

The Army was in charge of exploring and mapping much of America. For example, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was comprised of Army officers and noncommissioned officers. The Army conducted several other expeditions through the American West, as well as Alaska and the Arctic.

Feb. 11, 1984

The first Army astronaut entered space. Lt. Col. Robert L. Stewart was a crew member of the space shuttle Challenger. To date, more than a dozen Army astronauts have orbited the Earth on space shuttle missions.

West Point uniform

The traditional West Point gray cadet uniform was patterned after uniforms worn during the War of 1812.

Jan. 31, 1958

The first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, was launched into orbit aboard an Army Jupiter-C rocket.

First female general officer

Anna Mae Hayes, chief of the Army Nurse Corps, became the first female general officer in Army history when she was promoted to brigadier general on Jun. 11, 1970.

Sept. 17, 1908

First Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge became the Army's first aviation casualty when he crashed while flying with Orville Wright at Fort Myer, Va.

Celebrity Soldiers

A number of celebrities--actors, singers, musicians and sports …