A Timeline of American Conflict
From the first shots at Lexington to the watch kept in orbit today — this is the story of where and when each branch of the United States Armed Forces served.
Where Each Branch Served
The colored markers show which branches fought in each conflict. Together, they trace the growth of our military from three services to six.
- 1775–1783
The Revolutionary War
The birth of a nation — and of its oldest services. The Continental Army and Continental Navy (and the Marines, born in a tavern in 1775) fought for independence from the British Crown.
ArmyMarine CorpsNavy - 1812–1815
The War of 1812
The young Navy proved itself against the world's greatest fleet, and 'Old Ironsides' became legend. The burning of Washington and the defense of Fort McHenry gave us the Star-Spangled Banner.
ArmyNavyMarine Corps - 1846–1848
The Mexican–American War
The Army and Navy expanded U.S. territory to the Pacific. Future Civil War leaders — Grant, Lee, Sherman — first learned war here.
ArmyNavyMarine Corps - 1861–1865
The Civil War
America's bloodiest conflict. The Army and Navy fought to preserve the Union and end slavery. The Medal of Honor was created in 1861 to recognize extraordinary valor.
ArmyNavyMarine Corps - 1898
Spanish–American War
A brief conflict that made the United States a global power. The Navy's victory at Manila Bay and the Rough Riders' charge at San Juan Hill captured the nation's imagination.
ArmyNavyMarine Corps - 1917–1918
World War I
The first time American forces fought 'Over There.' The Army's doughboys and the Marine Corps at Belleau Wood helped break the stalemate on the Western Front.
ArmyNavyMarine Corps - 1941–1945
World War II
The largest conflict in history, fought across the globe. The Army and Army Air Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy; the Navy held the Pacific; the Marines raised the flag on Iwo Jima; the Coast Guard landed troops at every major amphibious assault.
ArmyNavyMarine CorpsCoast Guard - 1947
The Air Force is Born
The National Security Act of 1947 created the United States Air Force as an independent service, separating it from the Army. The Air Force's motto — 'Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win' — was born of a new domain of warfare.
Air Force - 1950–1953
The Korean War
The 'Forgotten War' tested the newly independent Air Force and the Navy's first jet combat. The Marines' fighting withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir became the stuff of legend.
ArmyNavyMarine CorpsAir ForceCoast Guard - 1959–1975
The Vietnam War
A long, divisive conflict fought in jungle and sky. The Air Force dominated the air; the Army and Marines fought on the ground; the Navy patrolled the coast and rivers. The POW/MIA flag was born of this war.
ArmyNavyMarine CorpsAir ForceCoast Guard - 1990–1991
The Gulf War
A swift, high-tech campaign to liberate Kuwait. The Air Force led a 38-day air campaign; the Army and Marines swept across the desert in 100 hours of ground war.
ArmyNavyMarine CorpsAir ForceCoast Guard - 2001–2021
The Global War on Terror
After 9/11, American forces fought in Afghanistan for 20 years and in Iraq for nearly as long — the longest conflicts in U.S. history. Every branch served, and the Coast Guard deployed overseas for the first time since WWII.
ArmyNavyMarine CorpsAir ForceCoast Guard - 2019
The Space Force is Born
The first new branch in 72 years. The United States Space Force was established to organize, train, and equip forces for the high frontier — protecting satellites and space-based assets on which every other branch depends.
Space Force - Today
The Watch Continues
Across six branches and every domain — land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace — the men and women of the United States Armed Forces stand the watch, at home and in more than 70 countries, ready to answer the call.
ArmyMarine CorpsNavyAir ForceSpace ForceCoast Guard
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war… shall be their own choice. But once that call is answered, they deserve a grateful nation.”
— George Washington