Between June and September, 2003, Stars and Stripes printed 200 letters from troops in the deserts of Iraq and Kuwait and other remote outposts that have led the fight against terrorism. Roughly 60 percent complained about various things, ranging from living conditions and problems with mail to redeployment dates back home. The remaining 40 percent urged the others to get on with their duty. With so many voices clamoring for attention, Stripes decided to try to find out what the ground truth was in Iraq. Three teams of reporters were dispatched there to see for themselves what it was like — to talk to as many servicemembers as possible, and have them fill out a questionnaire. In this series, Stripes presented those servicemembers’ stories, covering an array of topics ranging from troops’ morale and changing mission to hidden benefits to deployments and suggestions on how to improve future rotations.

From March, 2004, a four-part series by Stars and Stripes on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Reporter Terry Boyd spent five weeks with troops, eating, sleeping and continuously patrolling with them throughout the country. The series strives to show the complex set of missions that the 11,000 U.S. soldiers — mostly from the 10th Mountain Division — tackle every day.

For months, Marine Gen. James L. Jones, commander of the U.S. European Command, has been developing a plan that will change the face of the U.S. military in Europe. Stars and Stripes lays out Jones' plan in a four-part series from June, 2003; also included is a letter from Jones to the troops about his plan.

Day-by-day archive of Iraq War stories — by Stars and Stripes reporters and from the wire services — from the start of the conflict through President Bush's declaration that the war was essentially over. Also, links to graphics on the progress of the war, the equipment used by the troops, and the military in general.

'Freedom in Iraq' special section

A special section recapping the war in Iraq and its impact on the U.S. military.  (PDF format, 28 pages, 5.6 MB)

'Freedom in Iraq' stories only

Just the stories from the "Freedom in Iraq"special section, by staff writers who covered the conflict.

Kitty Hawk battle group returns to Japan

A special section from the Pacific edition on the return of the USS Kitty Hawk from action in the Persian Gulf. (PDF format, 24 pages, 3.7 MB)

1st Armored Division returns home

From September, 2004, a European Edition special section marking the homecoming of the 1st Armored Division. (PDF format, 28 pages, 7.6 MB)

War Extra

Stars and Stripes' special War Edition of March 20, 2003, detailing the start of the war in Iraq. (PDF format, 8 pages, 2.7 MB)

Stars and Stripes celebrated the 100th birthday of Bob Hope, who entertained servicemembers from World War II until the first Gulf War, with a collection of photos and reminiscences.

Index of day-by-day coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks, their aftermath and the war in Afghanistan, through Nov. 11, 2001.

A special section honoring the victims of the attack on the Pentagon. (PDF format, 8 pages, 2.7 MB)

Coverage of the May, 2004 dedication of the World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C., and the National World War II Reunion. With related links to information on the 60th anniversaries of D-Day and the liberation of Guam, and the 2005 special section remembering the end of the war in Europe. Plus: Links to many of Stripes' stories and cartoons from World War II.

Veterans events

Photos from Veterans Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

2002 | 2003 | 2004

Memorial Day weekend 2005 in D.C.

From Jan. 23, 2003: Obituary of Bill Mauldin, famed Stars and Stripes cartoonist and friend of World War II GIs. Story contains links to over 50 of Mauldin's best WWII cartoons, as well as stories by and about him from the Stripes archives.

Index of Stripes reporters' stories on the debate over the safety and availability of anthrax vaccine.

Stripes' stories on the controversy over the awarding of Bronze Stars during the war in Kosovo.

Stripes reporter Ward Sanderson's three-part series examining legal conflicts involving the Navy Chaplain Corps and evangelical chaplains.

Sports

Stripes' coverage of military-sponsored road races in Washington, D.C., with photo galleries:

2004 Army 10-Miler
2004 Marine Corps Marathon
2003 Army 10-Miler
2003 Marine Corps Marathon
2002 Marine Corps Marathon

Stripes' European and Pacific special sections (in PDF format) honoring 2005 DODDS overseas school graduates. Also includes links to the 2004 and 2003 editions.