John Curatola is the Military Historian at the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy. A Marine Corps officer of 22 years, he graduated from the University of Nebraska and is a veteran of Operation Provide Hope in Somalia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the 2005 Indian Ocean tsunami relief effort. He holds masters’ degrees in both American and Military History. With a PhD from the University of Kansas, John’s research focuses upon World War II, airpower, and the early Cold War period. Previously he taught history at the US Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His first book Bigger Bombs for a Brighter Tomorrow addressed the nature of the American atomic monopoly with his latest entitled, Autumn of Our Discontent, assessing US national security policy development in 1950. Additionally, his works are available in compendium books, popular magazines, and academic journals with his many presentations available for viewing on CSPAN and YouTube.
John Curatola, PhD
Military Historian

More from the Contributor
-
Article Type
Clinton M. Hedrick’s Medal of Honor
Born in the Appalachian Mountains on May 1, 1918, in Cherry Grove, West Virginia, T/Sgt. Clinton Hedrick enlisted in the US Army in September 1940 in Columbus, Ohio, before America’s entry into the war.
-
Article Type
Jack W. Mathis’ Medal of Honor
Jack Mathis was born the second of three children in San Angelo, Texas, on September 25, 1921.
-
Article Type
Morris E. Crain’s Medal of Honor
Morris E. Crain was born on October 7, 1924, in Bandana, Kentucky, on the very western edge of the state.
-
Article Type
The Freeman Field Mutiny
Training in twin engine B-25 “Mitchell” bombers, the 477th never actually saw combat overseas, but fought another battle here in the United States. Formed as an all-Black unit, it became famous not for its combat record, but for its fight against the military version of “separate but equal.”
-
Article Type
Guadalcanal: The Joint Fight
While the campaign marked the first offensive victory for the Americans, it provided more than just a morale boost and a checking of Japanese aggression. This campaign illustrated the powerful synergy of American joint operations.
-
-
Article Type
Technician Lewis Hall and Sergeant William Fournier
Technician Fifth Grade Lewis Hall from Obetz, Ohio, was born March 2, 1895, and was 47 years old at the time of his action.
Born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1913, William Fournier was raised in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
-
Article Type
Gallantry against Great Odds: LTC George Marshall and Operation RESERVIST
The campaign in North Africa began with a daring Anglo-American commando raid code-named Operation RESERVIST.
-
Article Type
Prelude to Liberation: Genesis of American Amphibious Assault in the ETO
The Allied victory against the Axis was a long journey—one that actually took much longer than the war itself.