We feature some loyal companions, adopted friends, and loved animals by WWII servicemen and women in honor of National Pet Day.

We look back at some of the best author events at The National WWII Museum.

Dancer Patty Thomas was often showcased by her boss and troupe leader Bob Hope as a living embodiment of what American troops were fighting for. Thomas brought levity and youthful femininity to the staging areas of the harshest fighting in the Pacific.

Take a look at some beer-related items from the Museum.

Just in time for WrestleMania, the contributions of professional wrestlers during World War II ranged from performing at bond drives to giving the military tips on hand-to-hand combat, while some wrestlers actually served and fought on the front lines. 

How one Marine's final heroic act on Peleliu led to another on Okinawa.

In the bloodiest  battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

As the American advance pushed further south, it ran headlong into fortified Japanese positions and heavily defended caves near Kakazu Ridge, the first defensive perimeter in what would be called the Shuri Line. The rapid advance and relatively light American casualties sustained so far on Okinawa ended.

During the battle for Okinawa, the crew of the USS Texas spent over 50 days confined to battle stations in gun turrets and compartments deep within the ship. They stayed put, and saved lives.

Many entertainers and future celebrities answered their country's call and donned US Navy and Coast Guard blues, serving at sea during the war.

Mascot became a popular position for many rescued puppies along the way.

Any doubt to her identity was washed away when her name appeared emblazoned across her stern in raised letters: JUNEAU.