Armed Forces
Impersonating a Soldier
An early case of "stolen valor?" Or more akin to the transit fanatic Darius McCollum, who keeps trying to drive subway cars?LIFE MAGAZINE has a much more detailed report.
Posted By: Paul - Wed May 22, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Disguises, Impersonations, Mimics and Forgeries, 1960s, Armed Forces
Miss Marine Recruiter
The earliest instance I find is 1952; the latest, 1974.Here's one gal from each decade--with a bonus dog!
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 06, 2023 -
Comments (4)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Propaganda, Thought Control and Brainwashing, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Armed Forces
Happy Memorial Day 2023!
WHAT are you going to do on Decoration day? Where are you going? To the ball game? Fishing? Are you going to play tennis or go on a long excursion to spend the day away from home? Do you want to go to the park and sail your boat on the little lake? Will you tie a flag to your handlebars and take a ride on your bicycle with your friend Tom? Or are you one of the many who understand that the day is set apart in memory of gallant heroes and is a holiday in their honor? Will you take your place with the many on the line of march in respect to the few remaining heroes who will parade before you? Are you one of those who will look to the wants and comforts of the feeble, who need your protection? Help make the day memorial. With a brush or bit of cotton wound on a toothpick and plain water, paint between the lines; the decoration will then appear in appropriate color. EDITOR'S NOTE.—Read the pages of the entire book before painting or making the cut-outs. Rinse the brush often to prevent colors running together.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 29, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Holidays, Armed Forces, Twentieth Century
Another Miss Psy War
I looked through an online newspaper archive to see if I could find out anything about those "Miss Psywar" photos Paul posted two days ago. I didn't. But I did come across another Miss Psywar.Bonnie Halpin was chosen as "Miss Psy War of 1962" by the 349th Psychological Warfare Company.
Arlington Heights Herald - July 12, 1962
Halpin, it turns out, is a minor celebrity. She had the distinction of being the very first Playboy bunny ever. She also appeared on the cover of the Oct 1962 issue of Playboy magazine. Unfortunately she died in 2004 at the relatively young age of 65.
More info about Halpin: FindAGrave.com
Hackensack Record - Apr 30, 2004
Posted By: Alex - Thu Aug 25, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Psychology, 1960s, Armed Forces
Miss Fireworks of 1954
Hula dancing on a bomb.
Leatherneck - Magazine of the Marines - Sep 1954
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 04, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, 1950s, Armed Forces, Weapons
Beware of Female Spies
During World War I, the U.S. Navy created a sign to warn its personnel of the threat posed by "inquisitive women".By World War II, the sign was considered an odd curiosity, but it inspired a number of news photos of women reading the sign with interest.
source: Temple University Library
Shreveport Times - Mar 26, 1939
The Missoulian - Apr 2, 1939
Posted By: Alex - Mon Dec 02, 2019 -
Comments (2)
Category: War, Armed Forces, Spies and Intelligence Services
The Stay-Alert Game
Briefly experimented with in 1969 as a way to motivate U.S. troops in Vietnam to stay alert, fight better, and avoid casualties. The idea was that combat would be turned into a game. Each platoon was awarded points for enemy troops killed, weapons captured, and rice caches discovered. But they lost points if they suffered any battle casualties. The winning platoon would receive two or three days off at a rest center.Troops hated the stay-alert game, so it was quickly mothballed.
Appleton Post-Crescent - May 5, 1969
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 17, 2018 -
Comments (0)
Category: Games, Military, War, Armed Forces, 1960s
Fearless Fagan
The reality:Hollywood version:
Wikipedia article on the film.
The LIFE magazine article.
Posted By: Paul - Sun May 13, 2018 -
Comments (0)
Category: Animals, Eccentrics, Movies, Pets, 1950s, Armed Forces
The Eager Beaver Truck
Article here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jun 21, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Technology, 1950s, Armed Forces, Trucks
Follies of the Madmen #293
Death-dealing war instrument of mass destruction compared to treasured hymn.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 26, 2016 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death, War, Armed Forces, Weapons, Advertising, 1970s
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |