War is never easy. For as long as soldiers have headed to battle, they've been forced to witness some of humanity's greatest atrocities, staying strong — and doing their best to keep up morale — as they fight on for their cause.
From American troops acclimating to life in the jungle to a soldier heading home with an armful of trophies in tow, here are 24 historical photos and portraits of battle-hardened soldiers.
1
“Swedish Soldier training in the Early 80’s.”
2
“An American and German soldier shaking hands (November 12th, 1918)”
3
“Unidentified American soldier wearing overseas cap, 1910s.”
4
“A soldier from the 'Harlem Hellfighters' returns home to a crowd's welcome during WWI, 1917.”
5
“An American soldier during the Battle of the Bulge [1944/45].”
6
“US soldier ‘enjoying’ C-ration ham slices in Vietnam, 1960s.”
7
“A soldier comforting another soldier during the Korean War. Not sure if this photo was taken during the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter (Summer 1950) or later.”
8
“Veteran of the French resistance and world war one, 1974 Mont Mouchet France.”
9
“Unknown soldier, Vietnam, 1965.”
10
“An American soldier with a can of Coca-Cola. The Vietnam War. 1960s”
11
“A Canadian Tommy soldier covered in mud returning from front lines, ca. 1918.”
12
“A Soviet soldier with the head of a statue of Hitler, Berlin, 1945.”
13
“Handsome soldier 1965. My dad.”
14
“U.S Army soldier carrying his trophies, 1944.”
15
“World War One Tattoed US Soldier in France, 1918.”
16
“British Soldier, Wiltshire Regiment, 1940s.”
17
“This soldier would put pictures of his girlfriend on his helmet during the Vietnam War, May 1968.”
18
“The morning of June 6, 1944. US Soldiers heading to Omaha beach.”
20
“A US soldier holds up a huge Jungle Centipede during the Vietnam War, circa. 1967.”
21
“20 year old First Lieutnenant Audie Murphy (1945) The most decorated US Army soldier of WWII. - - - ‘The crosses grow on Anzio and h—l is 6 feet deep.’”
22
“John R. Fox was an American soldier in WWII, John died when he deliberately called an artillery strike on his own position. Fox realised that the German troops were overrunning his party's position. The strike delayed the enemy long enough for other American units to organise a counter attack. 1940”
