US War History

The United States has engaged in 10 "significant" wars since the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). 

Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812 after watching the British attack of Fort McHenry in 1814. 

The United States paid Mexico $15 million following the Mexican War for the Rio Grande area, New Mexico and California.  The U.S. gained more than 525,000 square miles of what is the U.S. today. 

President to-be Lt. Col. Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt won national fame and recognition for leading The Rough Rider Regiment charge up Kettle Hill in Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, helping to win the Battle of San Juan Hill. 

The first American ace was Captain Eddie Rickenbacker who shot down 22 planes and 4 balloons in only 6 months during World War I. 

The top American ace in World War II was Major Richard I. Bong with 40 kills.  The top ace of the Korean War was Captain Joseph McConnell, Jr. with 16 kills.