Historical Military Events

Classic footage of historical military ceremonies, parades, and commemorations, showcasing uniforms and traditions from various military branches over the decades.

Reverend Otto F. Reenstjerna gives the invocation as the commissioning ceremony for the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS GEORGIA (SSBN 729) begins. Base: Naval Submarine Base, Groton State: Connecticut (CT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Reverend Otto F. Reenstjerna gives the invocation as the commissioning ceremony for the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS GEORGIA (SSBN 729) begins. Base: Naval Submarine Base, Groton State: Connecticut (CT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110401-N-GT324-123NAPLES, Italy (April 1, 2011) Senior Chief Legalman Leonette Masters stands by to raise the national ensign during morning colors at Naval Support Activity Naples. Masters and other area chief petty officers formed ranks for colors as part of their celebration of the 118th birthday for chief petty officer rank.

DN-ST-86-04517. Base: Bath State: Maine (ME) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Visit to the Atlantic Fleet: President Kennedy views Marine Corps exercises at Bogue Field and Onslow Beach, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 2:11PM. President John F. Kennedy (center, wearing sunglasses), Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shahanshah of Iran (left of President Kennedy, wearing sunglasses), and other distinguished guests watch a demonstration of United States Navy and Marine Corps amphibious landing operations at Onslow Beach from Riseley Pier, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Shahanshah, in the United States on a state visit, joined the President in North Carolina to inspect the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Seated in the reviewing stand, front row (L-R): the Shahanshah; the President; Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General David M. Shoup; and Congressman Carl Vinson (Georgia). Second row (L-R): Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Aram; Chief of Naval Operations Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr. (facing away); Admiral Robert L. Dennison, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Command

Detail of soldiers with muskets during American Revolutionary War Historical reenactment, Williamsburg, Virginia

DN-ST-04-14309. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Royal Australian Air Force members take their breaks from work to watch the arrival of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during Exercise Sandgroper '82. Subject Operation/Series: SANDGROPER '82 Base: Pearce Royal Australian Afb Country: Australia (AUS)

Police making arrest, Detroit, Michigan

DN-SC-90-00282. Base: Virginia Beach State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air Force Military Training School (Limos) excert with weapon Uzi.

Members of the Tuskegee AIRMAN's Association East Coast Chapter watch as the Base Honor Guard from the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Harrisburg Pennsylvania, prepare to perform a retreat ceremony during a Veteran's Day Observance. Members of the Tuskegee Airman's Association East Coast Chapter watch as the Base Honor Guard from the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Harrisburg Pennsylvania, prepare to perform a retreat ceremony during a Veteran's Day Observance.

(From left to right) NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Bobbie Labonte, Matt Kensith, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Jarrett, were on hand for a load crew competition at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The competition paired the drivers with 1ST Fighter Wing weapons load crews. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Marine One, A VH-3D Sea King helicopter from Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 (HMX-1), approaches for a landing on the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) with President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan aboard. The ship is here for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Statue of Liberty and to participate in the International Naval Review. Base: New York Harbor State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Spanish guardia civil, 70's

GEN Robert E. Huyser and MAJ Dennis A. Guyitt, commander, Detachment 3, 1361st Audiovisual Squadron, leave the detachment's television van. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An Air Force honor guard from Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., performs a precision rifle drill at the Capitol Theater during a ceremony held in honor of US Air Force Medal of Honor recipients. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Changing of Guard, London, England , Military parades & ceremonies, Military personnel, Military bands. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

DN-ST-89-02338. Base: Fort Lauderdale State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Old British troopers, some of whom participated in the earlier events, observe the 36th Annual Remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem. Base: Arnhem State: Gelderland Country: Netherlands / Holland (NLD)

Edward J. Campbell, president, Newport News Shipbuilding, speaks to the audience during the commissioning ceremony for the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS HOUSTON (SSN-713). Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Crew members from the guided missile frigate USS DOYLE (FFG-39) tour the city during exercise BALTOPS '93. For the first time in the 22-year history of BALTOPS, the Eastern European countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia were invited to participate in the non-military phases of the exercise. Subject Operation/Series: BALTOPS '93 Base: Klaipeda Country: Lithuania (LTU)

DN-ST-85-06235. Base: Seattle State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Spanish soldiers, 70's

The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific performs at reorganization ceremonies for the 374th Airlift Wing. The 374th Tactical Airlift Wing and 475th Air Base Wing were combined to form the new unit. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

SEAMAN recruits practice line handling during a class at the Recruit Training Command. Base: Naval Training Center, Orlando State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011014-F-3961R-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

Senior Master Sgt. Christin Foley, Air Force Band of Flight, sings the national anthem during a Memorial Day ceremony, May 30, 2022, at Veterans Memorial Park, Beavercreek, Ohio. Local military and civilian leaders and community members participated in Memorial Day events in the greater Dayton area.

France, Brittany, Coetquidan, Guer on 2021-09-23. Report on the training of the Inter-Arms Military School in Saint-Cyr Coetquidan in Morbihan. The EMIA recruits its students from among active non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned soldiers selected by competition. The cadets follow a two-year training course. At the end of the first year, they are appointed to the rank of second lieutenant, then lieutenant at the end of the second year. Photograph by Martin Bertrand. France, Bretagne, Coetquidan, Guer le 2021-09-23. Reportage sur la formation de l' Ecole militaire interarmes à Saint-Cyr Coetquidan dans le Morbihan. L'EMIA recrute ses eleves parmi les sous-officiers d'active et les militaires du rang selectionnes par concours. Les eleves-officiers suivent une formation de deux ans. A l'issue de la première annee, ils sont nommés au grade de sous-lieutenant, puis de lieutenant a la fin de la seconde annee. Photographie de Martin Bertrand.

During the funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery a USAF Honor Guard member carefully examines the folded American flag, which will be presented to the family of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie. Lieutenant Blassie was killed in action while flying a mission over South Vietnam. Lieutenant Blassie's remains have been returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. Base: Saint Louis State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Trip to Western States: China Lake, California, (Naval Air Facility) NAF. President John F. Kennedy (center, wearing sunglasses) views weapons demonstrations from his seat in the reviewing stand during his visit to Naval Air Facility (NAF) China Lakes Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) in China Lake, California. Seated in reviewing stand (left to right): Undersecretary of the Navy, Paul Red Fay; Senator Clair Engle of California (wearing safari hat); Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Maxwell D. Taylor; Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT), Admiral John H. Sides; Governor of California, Edmund G. Pat Brown (face partially obscured); White House Secret Service agent, Gerald A. Jerry Behn (mostly obscured); President Kennedy; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton (in back); Commander of NOTS, Captain Charles Blenman, Jr.; Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell T. Shepard, Jr.; Secretary of the Navy, Fred Korth; unidentified; Chief o

061023-N-5330L-218. Base: Tivat Country: Montenegro (MNT)

DN-ST-84-00585. Base: Washington Navy Yard State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Visit to the Atlantic Fleet: President Kennedy views Marine Corps exercises at Bogue Field and Onslow Beach, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 2:11PM. President John F. Kennedy (center right, wearing sunglasses), Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shahanshah of Iran (left of President Kennedy, wearing sunglasses), and other distinguished guests watch a demonstration of United States Navy and Marine Corps amphibious landing operations at Onslow Beach from Riseley Pier, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Shahanshah, in the United States on a state visit, joined the President in North Carolina to inspect the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Seated in the reviewing stand, first row (L-R): unidentified; Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara (looking through binoculars); Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (partially hidden, looking through binoculars); the Shahanshah; the President; Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General David M. Shoup (facing away); and Congressman Carl Vinson (Georgia). Those seated

CDR William L. Norris, executive officer, steps down from the speakers platform at the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony for the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS BALTIMORE (SSN-704). Base: Naval Submarine Base, Groton State: Connecticut (CT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

S66-18607 (18 March 1966) --- Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong (center), Gemini-8 command pilot, and David R. Scott, pilot, arrive at Hickam Field, Hawaii on their way from Naha, Okinawa, to Cape Kennedy, Florida. Astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr. is at extreme left.

Gloucester parade , Parades & processions, Flag bearers. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

FRANCO BAHAMONDE, FRANCISCO MILITAR Y POLITICO ESPAÑOL. EL FERROL 1892-1975. JEFE DE ESTADO ESPA¿OL 1937-1975 APERTURA CORTES EN EL A¿O 1967.

Chinese PLA soldier in Beijing, China.

Marching band member at reenactment of Paul Revere's ride, Somerville, Massachusetts , Historical reenactments, Clothing & dress, Holidays, Patriots' Day. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

Soldiers in a row

Members of a color guard stand at attention during the launching of the ocean surveillance ship USNS STALWART (T-AGOS 1). Base: Tacoma State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

USA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colonial drum and bugle corps

Panmunjom, two South Korean soldiers, one North Korean

The Defense of Petrograd by Alexander Deineka, 1928, 1899-1969, Russia, Moscow, Tretyakov Gallery

U.S. Marines from 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division perform a 21-gun salute during a ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery marking the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, May 29, 2022. The Battle of Belleau Wood is remembered for the intensity of the fighting and sustained, as well as for the participation of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments. To this day, Marines assigned to these two regiments wear the French fourragere on the left shoulder of their uniforms as a reminder of their unit's distinguished service during the First World War.

050817-F-6911G-069. Base: Asuncion Country: Paraguay (PRY)

A lieutenant commander and an enlisted man use a drafting machine to plot coordinates on a grid aboard the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) during its transit of the canal. State: Canal Zone Country: Panama (PAN)

DN-ST-86-04518. Base: Bath State: Maine (ME) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030516-M-4547R-049. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD Base: Utapao Air Base Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: CTFE

Reportage: The palace view as Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper meets with Tunisian President Kais Saied, at Carthage Palace, Tunisia, Sept. 30, 2020.

221010-M-VR919-1135 (October 10, 2022) U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion, Task Force San Francisco, run through the Golden Gate Bridge during San Francisco Fleet Week 2022 at San Francisco, California, Oct. 10, 2022. SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience Americas sea services. During fleet week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.

Tattoo on the Parade of the Breda Castle (Royal Military Academy).

Event honoring the 186th birthday of Ulysses S. Grant, at the General Grant National Memorial, New York City, New York, with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne delivering remarks and joining participating dignitaries incluiding U.S. Army Brigadier General Robert Caslen, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy; Adrian Benepe, New York City Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation; Maria Burks, Commissioner of the National Parks of New York Harbor; and Ulysses Grant Dietz, the great-great grandson of General Grant. Also on hand for the event, featuring a wreath-laying ceremony, were members of the U.S. Military Academy Corps of Cadets Honor Guard.

Three African-American Sailors Celebrating Desert Storm Victory Parade, New York City, New York

Flight deck crewmen acting as side boys stand at attention as President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, arrive aboard the amphibious assault ship USS NASSAU (LHA-4). The president and his wife are paying Thanksgiving Day visits to U.S. military personnel deployed to the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

CDR Fugard presents the U.S. flag to Gwendolyn Ruffin during funeral services for her father, LCDR James T. Ruffin at Arlington National Cemetery. Ruffin was listed as missing-in-action after failing to return from flying a mission off the coast of North Vietnam on Feb. 18, 1966. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Sailors man the rails on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the ship pulls in to port in The Bahamas Nassau, June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Bahamian independence, and the opportunity to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner.

Crewmen use the hatch to go below following the commissioning ceremony aboard the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine USS OHIO (SSBN-726). The submarine was built by General Dynamics Corp. Base: Naval Submarine Base, Groton State: Connecticut (CT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) attend an ammunition supply point briefing. Subject Operation/Series: Deployment Exercise Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

USS Gerald R. Fords (CVN 78) rifle detail stand at parade rest prior to a burial at sea ceremony on the ships aircraft elevator 3, July 12, 2022. During the ceremony, the cremains of 30 souls were committed to the sea in the Atlantic Ocean. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting an independent steaming operation.

Expedition 50 crew members ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, left, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos, center, and NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson report to mission managers for their final qualification exams, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia.

Hitler's heroes, the Knight's Cross bearers of the German Wehrmacht, here at a meeting in Kassel in 1970, celebrated their meeting with senior officers of the Bundeswehr and soldiers, Germany, Europe

South Korean business tycoon Chung Ju-yung, founder and honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, waves to the guests and press at Panmunjom, Republic of Korea, Oct. 27, 1998. Mr. Chung donated 501 head of cattle and the 50 vehicles to North Korea. Chung had given the North Koreans 500 head of cattle earlier this year in June. Subject Operation/Series: KOREA CD Base: Panmunjom State: Demilitarized Zone Country: Korea

Elks parade , Parades & processions, Military personnel. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

Unidentified former POW/U.S. Air Force Captain blows a kiss to the public and press there to greet the plane load of former POWs flown in from Clark Air Base. Subject Operation/Series: HOMECOMING Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Metropolitan Police officers at Guards Memorial, London , Police, Monuments & memorials. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

A female Navy officer coordinates the radio communications of two Air Force staff sergeants and an Army specialist during rehearsal for Inauguration Day. Also standing with the group is an Army sergeant major who is talking on the portable radio that he is carrying on his back. Base: Washington State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Image of male pilot. Image of male pilot with airplane at background

The commander of Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) is reunited with his wife and son on the flight line. The fighter and heavy attack squadrons of CVW-1 are returning to Oceana following their deployment to the Persian Gulf region aboard the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV-66) for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORMDESERT SHIELD Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Mrs. Sylvester R. Foley, ship's sponsor, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne over the bow of the amphibious transport dock ASHLAND (LSD 48) during the vessel's christening ceremony. Base: Avondale State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-86-03361. Base: Pascagoula State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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