Medal of Honor Archives - Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, July 15

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 14:44:13 +0000

Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Johnson – Several years ago, I had the privilege of researching WWI hero Henry Johnson for the Army in preparation for his posthumous receipt of the Medal of Honor. If you’d like to see what he did to earn this distinction, this just released graphic novel tells his story.

How to make masks that everyone will want to wear: National Geographic contacted engineers, physicists, psychologists, and fashion designers to find out the best tips for building better masks – check out what my niece has been up to!

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga – If you’re looking for some mindless escapism and have Netflix, I suggest you give this a go. Those have any kind of attachment to Iceland will enjoy it even more.

Top Image Credit: Association of the United States Army

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Genealogy Roundup, February 1

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:55:48 +0000

11 Secret Spaces Hiding in Famous Places – I’m all about the secret apartments!

Ian McKellen reflects on being ‘the last McKellen’ during appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? – He’s the last in the McKellen line, but he’s a memorable last

Colonial America Tavern Signs Collection – So this evening, I might just get nimptopsical…

Family Fight Over WWI Medal of Honor Recipient’s Grave Goes to High Court

The Vast Library of Congress Card Catalog Is Gathering Dust in the Basement – “Despite the advent of the internet, Library of Congress employees fought hard to keep the old cards around as a backup.:

Good for them!

A Letter from Langston Hughes regarding Sgt. Henry Johnson – 1958 letter from Langston Hughes re: Henry Johnson who finally received Medal of Honor for WWI in 2015.

Derry women discover heirlooms of heroic aunt who defied the Nazis and died in Auschwitz

Photo Credit (Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment): Serge Melki under Creative Commons license

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A Letter from Langston Hughes regarding Sgt. Henry Johnson

Megan Smolenyak — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:00:45 +0000

Here’s a letter I found while researching Henry Johnson for the Army last year. Sgt. Johnson was an African American WWI hero who finally received the Medal of Honor from President Obama last year. All told, I dug up over 1,300 pages of material on this overlooked soldier. Among the more interesting finds was this letter by Langston Hughes seeking information on him back in 1958.

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