Do You Ever Wonder What Soldiers Experienced During War on Christmas Day?
Peace on Earth During Wartime
Since the beginning of American history, the USA has been in numerous wars and conflicts. During these conflicts, soldiers always took time to celebrate Christmas. Sometimes the hostilities were completely halted, and in other situations, there was always time taken to pause and reflect.
Every military in history has captured their love for the Christmas holiday, not only in photos, but also in images that brought the soldier closer to home and also brought the family closer to the soldier.
In this website, I have tried to capture the major wars and conflicts in USA history. Although many sites may have common images, I have tried to capture some of the unfamiliar ones.
Please enjoy and this site is dedicated to our veterans who have served during Christmas and to the soldiers continuing to serve!
Creative Commons Photo Credit - US Army Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Baghdad, Iraq
Photos and images prior to 1928 are in the Public Domain, Creative Commons - Other images are cited or used with permission
Chrismas War Memories!
Do You Have Any?
I have tried to capture as many of the conflicts that I could find material for. If you have any others, please feel free to email me and I will include them.
I would also welcome any stories of veterans during Christmas or military Christmas photos and will add them if they fit the them of this website. Please contact me if you feel that you have anything to add to the cause!
Thank you.
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Josh Grobin - The Christmas Wish of Every Soldier
Christmas During the American Revolutionary War - Washington at Valley Forge
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington entered into Valley Forge on December 19, 1777 and as far as conditions, these were probably the roughest that any soldier has ever had to endure.
The soldiers were very poorly-fed, did not have adequate equipment or clothing and were extremely tired from their previous long marches. The cold winds were blowing as the 12,000 Continentals tried weakly to prepare for the fury of the cold blast of Winter. To give you an idea of their suffering, only 1/3 of the soldiers even had shoes and you could track them by their bloody footprints that were left by the marching.
They probably didn't have much to be thankful for at Christmas but God was definitely on their side in the coming months.
Women in the Revolutionary War - A Christmas Crossing
A Civil War Soldier Christmas - Christmas in the Union Army - A Union Soldier Reflects and Writes a Letter Home
In the Civil War, there was not much time to do anything. Christmas brought time to reflect, write letters home and have a quiet rest. Although there may not have been extra food or supplies, the peace during Christmas created a calm unlike no other.
Photo is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
Christmas in the Civil War - Union Army - Depiction by Winslow Homer - 1861
Although this depiction by Winslow Homer may have been a little exaggerated, the Union Army did have many more supplies than their enemy in the South.
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons- Public Domain
A Civil War Christmas - From the Discovery Channel
A Civil War Christmas - Christmas Eve by Thomas Nast - Hometown Love Pining for Her Soldier
The Confederate life may have been romanticized in movies like "Gone With The Wind", but the North had their share of romanticism. This depiction shows a woman who is pining for her Union love while the soldier is vice versa deep in thought.
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
A Civil War Soldier Christmas - Christmas in the Confederate Army - Very Sparse but Soldiers Still Thankful
The soldiers in the Confederate Army were so in support of their cause, that they went without many of the creature comforts that were afforded to the Northern Union Army. Most of the factories and companies existed in the North so the supplies were few and far between and many things were homemade.
Christmas for the Confederate Army consisted of the possibility to rest and have a hot meal. If they were extremely short of supply, they may have only received extra hardtack, mule jerky or Sassafras Tea. Many did not receive anything but the extra rest provided and possibly some companionship and good music.
Photo is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
A Romantic Civil War-related Christmas Surprise from 1933! - Fascinating True Story!
Civil War Christmas - Eggnog Party in the South by Thomas Nast - While the Confederate Troops Suffer, the Southern Aristocracy Celebrates with an Eggnog Party
Even with the shortage of supplies to the Confederates, the Southern aristocracy did not limit themselves during festive times.
Most Southerners did not think that they would lose the war and most continued with daily life as if their way of living would perpetuate.
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
The Civil War from a Soldier's Perspective
Christmas During the Spanish American War - Soldiers Celebrating a Christmas Turkey at the Golden Eagle Bar in Manila, Philippines - 1898 by T. de Thulstrup
The soldiers paused to eat and celebrate during the Spanish American War.
This is a very rare glimpse of what a celebration during this war looked like.
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
1914 Christmas Truce in World War I - Rare Actual Photo fo the Germans and the Allies Having a Conversation
Along with a festive attitude and goodwill during the Christmas season, peace is rarely seen during wartime.
On Christmas day, 1914, a cease fire and truce was declared. WWI was probably the most hellish and underrated war, due to the trench warfare and the deadly gas that was deployed. In this very rare photo, the Germans and allies were seen conversing and sharing good will. This was said to have occurred during the Civil War but there is no photographic evidence of it.
On Christmas Eve in 1914, German troops began decorating around their area for Christmas. In some locations, Christmas carols rang out and were reciprocated by the other side. There was a story about some playing a game of football against each other and soldiers ventured from one trench to another and greeted others to exchang gifts and souvenirs. The whole truce was not without risk, however,. Some did not take too kindly to the goodwill and continued to kill their enemy. The whole truce lasted throughout the night in many locations and up until New Year's Day in others.
Photo is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
The World War I Christmas Truce of 1914 - More images of the Truce with some cool music!
A French Depcition of the 1914 Christmas Truce in World War I - A French Image that Depicts Germans and British Fraternizing during the 1914 Truce
The word of the truce hit home and many magazines depicted the cheer and goodwill. Photos were not available until the troops arrived home and if available, were very rare. In this French depiction, German and British soldiers are shown during the truce
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
The Full Story of the Christmas Truce and the Song "Silent Night"
WWI Christmas in the Trenches - WWI Soldiers Celebrating a Christmas Cake While in Mud in the Trenches
The truce did not exist everywhere and certainly not on every Christmas. In this original photo, the soldiers show their good cheer and celebration in this scarce photo by enjoying some Christmas cake.
Christmas in World War I - Germany - An Original Postcard of a German Soldier Arriving Home During Christmas (Note the Christmas Tree!)
Since World War I was in Europe, some German soldiers found a chance to go home during the holidays. This postcard depiction shows an unexpected Christmas present arriving home for the Frau.
Image is prior to 1928 and is Creative Commons - Public Domain
World War II Christmas at a Japanese Internment Camp - 1943 - Minidoka, Idaho
This a side of Christmas during World War II that is little-known.
After the attack at Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese Americans were questioned for their loyalty to Japan. If they did not pledge an oath to the United States, they were sent to numerous internment camps throughout the USA. There was one here in Arizona, not far from where I live on a Native American Reservatin.
The camp in this photo was in Minidoka, Idaho and it held Japanese and Japanese Americans from Seattle, Portland, Puyallup Valley and Alaska. This photo shows a dining facility decorated for Christmas.
Although this was a terrible time in history, they found a way to celebrate the Christmas cheer.
World War II Packages from Home During Christmas - The Red Cross Preparing Packages to Send to Troops in 1942
My father, who was in WWII, talked about the Red Cross who served coffee to the troops on the beaches after D-Day.
In this photo, Red Cross volunteers in Australia prepare packages to send to the troops.
WWII Christmas at the Hospital - Christmas at the Hospital in London During World War II
This is a rare photo of wounded in a London hospital during World War II. It is not doubt that the Christmas decorations brought cheer to the soldiers in a depressing time.
World War II Christmas - Overwhelming Amount of Mail Supporting the Troops!
World War II was the first conflict in the USA where there was an overwhelming support from home. Thousands (if not millions) of packages were sent to the loved ones for Christmas. They even found time to bless the soldiers who had no families.
WWII First Hand Account Of African American Soldiers who Celebrated Christmas with German Civilians - Touching first-hand account told by John White, Sr.
A Special Gift for a World War II Christmas - A Soldier Coming Home for Christmas in 1944
What better gift for the family during Christmas than to receive their loved one...and a kiss!
In World War II, homecomings were highly romanticized and there are many images of the soldiers kissing their soldier.
A Yummy Korean War Christmas - Some Heat and a Hot Dinner
The surroundings are a little more drab than what you saw on M.A.S.H., but with a hot meal & a smile, a perfect way to celebrate Christmas!
No Mercy for the Enemy - Korean War Christmas - This photo and original description is captioned "A Gift for the Reds."
With awful circumstances and no chance for a break, the soldiers find a way to celebrate and also provide a little humor for themselves.
In this photo, they are celebrating by displaying their roles in the defeat of Communism.
Korean War USO Christmas Show
No matter where the soldiers were located, the USO found ways to bring in their cheer during the holidays. If it was only singers or some sort of dancing, it was a welcome break from the sounds of shelling or experiences of war.
I thought this photo was interesting because most soldiers did not get to see big name celebrities but all were entertained in some form or another.
This photo is from the author's personal collection
A Big Smile for the Camera - Korean War Christmas - Sergeant Decorating Christmas Tree
Cherished traditions may have been far from where the soldiers were located, but not far from the soldiers. Hawkeye would be proud, provided he added a little cheer from the Swamp.
Christmas during the Korean War - This is and Australian Perspective but Pretty Realistic
Vietnam War Christmas USO Show - Raquel Welch at a 1967 Christmas Show
The sight and performance of Raquel Welch would cheer up any situation and make the soldier forget the horrors of war, at least for an hour or two.
Christmas in Vietnam - A Photographic Remembrance - Straight from the troops!
With Friends at Christmas in Vietnam - Cheers to our soldiers in arms!
Soldiers celebrating with some cheer during the Christmas holidays in Vietnam.
Vietnam War Christmas USO Show - USS Colorado - 1970
The Navy is honored to have visitors from Colorado, College Dancers in 1970s mini skirts from the USO! Hopefully, there wasn't much of a draft (other than the one that brought the soldiers into the war)!
Yes, There Were Decorations For Christmas in Vietnam - A Marine Helicopter Decorated for Christmas
In the spirit of Christmas, these marines have found a way to celebrate by decorating their helicopter.
Vietnam POW / MIA Bracelets
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bracelets were sold to commemorate the Prisoners of War (POW's) and Missing in Action (MIA) soldiers lost in the war. The girls used to wear them until the soldier returned. They are popular again today and have engravings of soldiers still missing.
Desert Storm Christmas - Bob Hope and Ann Jillian at the Desert Storm USO Show
Although I was in Desert Storm, I was not able to make it to this USO show with Bob Hope and Ann Jillian. Bob made it to almost every conflict since World War II and it is fitting to honor him here, near the end of his life and from what I understood, his last visit overseas.
God Bless Bob Hope for all of the joy he gave troops over the years. Whether they were able to take these experiences home with them, or to cheer up, unknown to them, some in their final days on Earth.
A Musical Gulf War Christmas - Soldiers Singing Christmas Carols Aboard the USS Monterrey in 2004
From the Revolutionary War to today, soldiers always find a way to cheer up others in song, no matter where they are stationed.
Merry Christmas from Iraq!
Christmas in Iraq - Gulf War - Christmas Brought in by a Christmas Parade
As in previous photos with the bomber and helicopter decoration, soldiers find a way to bring in the cheer of Christmas during this Christmas parade in Iraq.
Mom, Please Send Something Good to Eat! Packages Sent to the Gulf War Christmas Soldiers - Partial Christmas Mail Delivery
This package is tiny compared to what is actually received but always welcome!
Merry Christmas to all serving in times of war!
Turn Up the Volume - Christmas in Afghanistan - 101st Airborne Division Musical Selection
The description "Christmas in Afghanistan" is something I never thought I would hear in my lifetime.
These soldiers celebrate on December 25.
Candlelight is Spectacular at a Gulf War Christmas Celebration - Christmas Eve Services in Baghdad, Iraq
This is one of the most beautiful photos of Christmas I have ever seen. If you don't look too closely, this could be taken anywhere, in any church.
God Bless all of you in this blessed time of year and never take for granted the freedom that we have here in the United States because of the veterans and active-duty soldiers all over the world!
