There’s only one battle that I think “everyone knows about”, especially in terms of “when did it happen and what happened” - Pearl Harbor. However, it’s only called “the Battle of Pearl Harbor” outside of the USA; since it was a surprise attack, it’s almost always referred to as something like “the attack on Pearl Harbor” by Americans (because “battle” implies that both sides did some serious fighting, rather than the “hit and run” done there).
You could also make a case for Yorktown, although not that many people know when it took place, other than “the end of the Revolution.”
If I had to choose an “iconic American battle,” I would go with Gettysburg.
Good pick. Is there a more shocking and iconic moment in American sports than Gabe Kaplan smoking Robert Conrad in the 100 yard dash to seal the victory?
If it’s between D-day and Gettysburg, I’d have to go with Gettysburg, if only because D-day was an international affair, with British and Canadian forces heavily involved as well as smaller contributions from the Free French and others. For iconic American WW2 battles, I’d pick Midway.
It was a loss by an arrogant army commander. In terms of the Indians side, or should we say the “true” Americans, they were able to get one last lick in before going into exile on the reservations.
Military commanders study the battle (or so I’ve heard) as to what NOT to do.
Plus sometimes you hear the joke “Now I know how Custer felt”.
To. This. Day. You’ll find Rabbidly right-wing “crown followers” in the wealthier western counties who only seemed to get irked if you ask them for a nickel of tax.
In 1773, tar and feathers started to be applied appropriately and the strongholds of “Tories” were brought into the line of modern thought by the overwhelming majority of the rest of the state.
Unfortunately, in the some 240 years since then, they’ve reverted backwards significantly… :smack:
For iconic battles I’d have to go with D-Day. Amass a mass of supplies and personnel and then go for it.
Personally I’m always in awe of Taffy 3 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Tiny tin ships attacking a force that outclasses them to an insane degree; with success. If they had not held the initial attack on the Philippines would have been different.
Never underestimate the power of insanity and intestinal fortitude in large quantities.
This might be the best answer for the very error that it perpetuates. Several of the officers reported that we retreated for a lack of ammunition, but the reality is that we were simply forced out of our positions by British bayonets, (as reported by the enlisted men and junior officers who had no vested interest in explaining their retreat). “We ran out of ammo” has become part of our folklore–a good example of the American approach to history.
It was an important battle. We did (firing from fortified positions) inflict enough casualties, (nearly three times the casualties we suffered), to cause the British to remain in Boston until Washington could arrive with more troops to lay siege to the Brits. However, the British troops simply won the battle through training, blood, and sweat.
The American forces had already repelled two assaults by British troops due to the accuracy and ferocity of the American fire. The 3rd assault would have met the same fate, if the American replacements had arrived, or the defenders had sufficient powder, shot, and flint to maintain their previous rate of accurate fire. American rifle butts were a poor defense against British steel bayonets.
From a British website -
*The light infantry column was repelled with heavy casualties. General Howe now launched a frontal assault on the redoubt with the main body of his troops. This attack was driven back with heavy loss, in spite of an American shortage of ammunition. During the attack the British left wing suffered from the fire of Americans in the town of Charlestown and the town was set ablaze.
The attacks should have been preceded by a bombardment from the field artillery but it was found that the 6 pounder guns had been supplied with 12 pounder balls.
A second attack was launched along the length of the American entrenchments and was again driven back with heavy loss.
A final attack was made, concentrating on the redoubt and centre of the American position. The American ammunition was all but exhausted and this final assault carried the redoubt, forcing the Americans to retreat and leave the peninsula. They were not vigorously pursued*.
Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
