One more fake history breakdown this evening. Here is a case where the scammers took a real photo of a real nurse and then ran it through a "make it move" AI program because (I assume) they thought it would make a nicer pic. Still couldn't bother to get the name right though.

Another example of fake FB history. It purports to honor Drew D. Dix who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Most of the details are simply wrong. The choice to fabricate a "CIA" version of his story may be an effort to inject a conspiratorial angle common to clickbait history.

As a society, we are losing the war against fake history and disinformation of all kinds. I noticed this photo come up on FB/Insta recently. 99% sure it's AI. These "history" groups have many 100K followers and get a gazillion likes and shares. Clicks and feelings over truth. We are losing.

Soldiers from the 44th Inf Div prepare to advance through Struth, France, 28 Nov 1944. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Soldiers from the 25th Inf Div look out for Japanese positions near the Balete Pass, Luzon, P.I., 23 March 1945 US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Soldiers from the 5th Ranger Battalion pictured after a mission near Lauterbach, Germany, 6 Dec 1944. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- See post below for more info--

Back in high school, our family traveled to the UK and visited the Imperial War Museum at Duxford where they have the main IWM aviation exhibit. That day, a flight of Spitfires flew over the viewing area of the museum. The sight, the sound. Words cannot describe how I felt. youtu.be/Rf-SC-dfY0E?...

Engineers from the U.S. First Army await orders to advance while in Duren, Germany, 26 Feb 1945. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

I'm obsessed with TV episodes that break new ground in storytelling or subvert established tropes. The S7 Ep5 show from Magnum P.I. (influenced by Miami Vice) still amazes me. Sadly, not available without rent, but the final scene with music from Genesis "Mama" is brilliant. youtu.be/7lXH0nwirio?...

Lt. Col. James M. Stewart (right), Ops Officer of the 453d Bomb Group, debriefs crewmen from a B-24 after a mission over Germany, May(?) 1944. US Army Signal Corps Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- Yes, THAT Jimmy Stewart. Flew 20 combat missions as a B-24 pilot, received a DSC.

Created my first movie analysis video for "The Thin Red Line" (1998). It's a very rough demo, so bear with me. Still working on optimizing video and audio but I wanted to get something out there so folks will know what I'm trying to do. youtu.be/Z76Q6aSkfdE

Listen to Nemik. youtu.be/aoJILDr94qc?...

Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams, CO 37th Tank Bn, 4th AD, (right) stands in front of his Sherman M4A3(76)W after entering Bastogne, Jan 1945 US Army Air Force photo Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- Btw, NOT the same tank as the M4A3 E2 at the Nat. Museum of fhe U.S. Army--

A B-25J Mitchell conducts a strafing attack on a Japanese corvette, June 1945 US Army Signal Corps Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- I have some deep love for twin-engine attack aircraft like the B-25 gunship models and the Bristol Beaufighter--

Members of the First American Volunteer Group stand in front of a P-40B Warhawk somewhere in China, April 1942. US Army Signal Corps Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- Few military organizations have ever punched so high above their weight in the historical memory--

A pair of FT-17 tanks conduct an exercise at Fort Meade, MD, 24 May 1919. Photo by Sgt. R.E. Warner US Army Signal Corps Digital restoration by Dr. Erik Villard (erikthehistorian) -- All Hail the OG turreted tank :]

A few years ago I did some research for a live history show that covered the liberation of Western Europe 1944-1945. I came across this photo in the Library of Congress that -seems- to show the future author J.D. Salinger, then a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps for the 4th ID.

Later this year I'm going to do a series on significant campaigns/battles from the Vietnam War late 68-69 for my upcoming book. I'm going to tackle Operation Speedy Express, the controversial 9th Inf Div dry season offensive in IV Corps. Digital overlays by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

I think it's time to have a retrospective look at the Battlestar Galactica (2003) series. Such a brilliant commentary on the 9/11 era (esp. the first couple of seasons). Wishing for a nice 4k edition. :]

Found a nice photo of FB Rakkasan, a 101st Abn Div firebase between Hue and the A Shau Valley where Lt. Col. Weldon Honeycutt took command of the 3d Bn, 187th Inf, in Jan 1969, just a few months before Hamburger Hill. Honeycutt is an absolute 'effin legend.

U.S. Army Engineer band, 1910, at Washington Barracks (modern day Fort McNair) Geolocation by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Spending some time tracking down photos for my upcoming book on the Army in Vietnam, Oct 68-Dec 69, and just discovered a trove of pics in the USACE digital archives. Most need a bit of Photoshop love, but some real great ones in there. Here is An Khe, circa 1967-68.

I am still mad that the Army failed to give us such brilliant devices. [Btw, would love to see some of this tech in Fallout ] :]

Civil War forts defending Alexandria VA, NARA map overlaid on Google Earth. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

The number of times I’ve accidentally lit up my own NPC followers in video games because I think they’re the bad guys is an absolute disgrace. Mea culpa.

When you digitally restore photos, you need to look closely at all the the small details. Sometimes you find some remarkable things. I figured out this pic from NARA actually showed the famous "Five of Hearts" FT-17 in the National Museum of the U.S. Army- note the distinctive damage on the hatch.

A battle I'll be exploring with future videos is Hill 937 aka Hamburger Hill. I had the honor to become friends of Frank Boccia, HH vet and author of "The Crouching Beast," before his passing. Also got to meet Honeycutt, an absolute legend. I promised Boccia I would keep the memory of HH alive.

One of the great things about the weekly intel reports from the U.S. corps-level units in Vietnam is the appendix material which analyzes VN/NVA units, HQs, regions, tactics, etc. One of these days I'll try to compile and publish all of those things. Here's a short look at the 9th PLAF Div.

Trying out some new video techniques for my Patreon and YT channel. I think I'll need to invest to some better stuff that can handle 4k. At any rate, enjoy! :]

For my new Patreon channel (which will also appear on my YT site), I'm going to go a Top 10 Myths and Misconceptions of the 1968 Tet Offensive. The sapper attack on the U.S. Embassy is a particular hobby horse of mine. www.patreon.com/c/TheDigital...

The perfect propeller-driven fighter does not exi . . . oh heck. Who am I kidding?

Valley Forge encampment map overlaid on Google Earth. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Amos Burton from #TheExpanse said it best about the year that was.

Soldiers from the 4th Inf Div receive early Christmas packages in the Hurtgen Forest, 14 Nov 1944. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

As a creative person, THIS is what you are always striving to achieve. Making something special that people love deep in their soul. Btw, I'm with these guys on Elise Truow. :] youtu.be/e7w2p_owl4A?...

Soldiers from the 92nd Inf Div shelter by a fire in Italy, 14 Dec 1944. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

“Blue Lights” on BBC is the Belfast counterpart of “The Wire.” So good. youtu.be/C2fifCku6IU?...

I know American soldiers from WWII can show some swagger, but there are some WWI AEF photos out there which are epic. :] Repost of a squad from the 42d Div, Sep 1918. Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

New short trailer for my free Patreon channel! youtu.be/eaMlqxIhEoU

Army Signal Corps Photo Lab workers at Washington Barracks (Fort McNair), D.C., Dec 1920. The original SC photo lab and storage vault were established there in 1918. It handled all WWI pics and films and housed the Matthew Brady Civil War collection. Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Soldiers from the 369th Infantry "Harlem Hellfighters" return home to NYC, 22 March 1919. US Army Signal Corps Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- This story DESERVES a first class movie--

OMG!! Just got permission from Kindrid to use a sample from his monster track "Demise" as the theme song for my Patreon/YouTube channel! PLEASE take a listen- it is epic. :] youtu.be/-VaR4RJLpWA?...

Soldiers undergoing training in photography at Washington Barracks (Fort McNair), D.C., 10 June 1918. US Army Signal Corps via NARA Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- The world owes an incalculable debt to combat photographers--

Proposed 1903 plan for Fort McNair rennovations in the Roosevelt Hall area on south post. All but the hall itself fell victim to budget woes. Would have been pretty sweet! Restoration of digital picture of a painting by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Newly declassified records reveal a secret American project during WWII that was designed to sow terror among the Nazi foe. Dubbed "Operation Pennywise," the War Department eventually concluded that the weapon was too terrible to unleash upon the world. Enjoy your nightmares.

An M48A3 and crew from the 3d Sqd, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment move through undergrowth near Highway 13 during Opn Junction City, South Vietnam, early 1967. Photo from LIFE(?) Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

Another complication of mini tennis ball chasing in the snow . . . slobber acts like glue.

This weekend, I'm going to start publishing short videos on military history and related topics. First up will be a seven-part series on the history of Fort McNair, Washington D.C., where my office is located. Keep an eye out! :] www.patreon.com/posts/videos...

Spent the last few days with Vietnamese officials from the National Steering Committee 515 along with other members of the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative, a DoD led program that will help the Vietnamese account for the 175,000 soldiers they are still missing from the war.

Snow does not improve Raffie’s ball finding skills.