Dr. Erik Villard
@erikthehistorian.bsky.social
Military/Digital Historian and Vietnam War specialist, soccer player, EDM fan, avid gamer, lives with my wonderful wife and a posse of Shih-Tzu's and cats.
Has any persona had such a profound, unexpected, and shattering impact given their apparent role as a "secondary character" as Kleya Marki in "Andor?" I'm going to say no. What a triumph of acting and writing. I'm still in awe. #Andor
November 12, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Has any persona had such a profound, unexpected, and shattering impact given their apparent role as a "secondary character" as Kleya Marki in "Andor?" I'm going to say no. What a triumph of acting and writing. I'm still in awe. #Andor
Working on the football (soccer) stadium in the Minecraft world I’m building for my niece. :)
November 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Working on the football (soccer) stadium in the Minecraft world I’m building for my niece. :)
If you saw Jason Kelce refer to his interview with Tyler Steen on Monday Night Football, you'll know Steen's grandfather, Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, was awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life for his fellow Marines in Vietnam in Sep 1967. Here is that crater where it happened. Honor.
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
If you saw Jason Kelce refer to his interview with Tyler Steen on Monday Night Football, you'll know Steen's grandfather, Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, was awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life for his fellow Marines in Vietnam in Sep 1967. Here is that crater where it happened. Honor.
5-2 Stryker ACV's preparing for a mission in at FOB Frontenac, Arghandab Valley, Kandahar Province, March 2010. I think about that time in my life a lot these days. I hope to reconnect with some of the people I talked to, and interviewed on video, back then. #VeteransDay
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
5-2 Stryker ACV's preparing for a mission in at FOB Frontenac, Arghandab Valley, Kandahar Province, March 2010. I think about that time in my life a lot these days. I hope to reconnect with some of the people I talked to, and interviewed on video, back then. #VeteransDay
One of the great photos of the Vietnam War, taken by Catherine Leroy in either 1967 or 1968. There is some question in my mind as to exactly where and when this photo was taken, and I'd like to pin that down. There is one intriguing mystery- look at the shoulders. One is not like the others.
November 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
One of the great photos of the Vietnam War, taken by Catherine Leroy in either 1967 or 1968. There is some question in my mind as to exactly where and when this photo was taken, and I'd like to pin that down. There is one intriguing mystery- look at the shoulders. One is not like the others.
The P-51 scene in "Empire of the Sun" still gets me. I saw a flight of growling Spitfires fly low overhead at Duxford. You never forget. youtube.com/clip/Ugkx9ql...
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November 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The P-51 scene in "Empire of the Sun" still gets me. I saw a flight of growling Spitfires fly low overhead at Duxford. You never forget. youtube.com/clip/Ugkx9ql...
Getting back to some Vietnam War geo-location. I think the photo was taken on the western side of the Treasury compound on or about 4 Feb 1968 as the (mostly) 1/1 Marines were fighting their way through southern Hue. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
November 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Getting back to some Vietnam War geo-location. I think the photo was taken on the western side of the Treasury compound on or about 4 Feb 1968 as the (mostly) 1/1 Marines were fighting their way through southern Hue. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
Years ago I looked into the John Olson photo of the mortally wounded Marine in Hue. With other great researchers, I believe we determined that he was Pfc. James Blaine, not the other Marine that Mark Bowden ID'd in his book. First, both Marines deserve our respect. Full stop. But what were clues?
November 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Years ago I looked into the John Olson photo of the mortally wounded Marine in Hue. With other great researchers, I believe we determined that he was Pfc. James Blaine, not the other Marine that Mark Bowden ID'd in his book. First, both Marines deserve our respect. Full stop. But what were clues?
It's taken longer than I had hoped, but I am now fully committed to finishing and releasing my Google Earth map system for the Vietnam War. Many reasons why now, but it is happening. Stay tuned.
November 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It's taken longer than I had hoped, but I am now fully committed to finishing and releasing my Google Earth map system for the Vietnam War. Many reasons why now, but it is happening. Stay tuned.
I love my Halo Warthog crew something fierce. I just do. For my money, a pinnacle in video game design. It makes me care in a totally unreasonable but deeply emotional way about a bunch of pixels.
November 6, 2025 at 3:03 AM
I love my Halo Warthog crew something fierce. I just do. For my money, a pinnacle in video game design. It makes me care in a totally unreasonable but deeply emotional way about a bunch of pixels.
If you can be Ferrier, be Ferrier.
November 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
If you can be Ferrier, be Ferrier.
If you don't love the Smashing Pumpkins, we will never really know each other. Those are the rules- I don't make them. youtu.be/Ai84DK9HAJs?...
Redhead Reaction to [HQ] The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle
YouTube video by redheadedneighbor
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 2:49 AM
If you don't love the Smashing Pumpkins, we will never really know each other. Those are the rules- I don't make them. youtu.be/Ai84DK9HAJs?...
The Boys at the Beach- Raffie and Kody after tearing up Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, for the first time.
October 31, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Boys at the Beach- Raffie and Kody after tearing up Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, for the first time.
The Boys at the Beach- Raffie and Kody after tearing up Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, for the first time.
October 31, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The Boys at the Beach- Raffie and Kody after tearing up Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, for the first time.
"ooouh, and there's a woman. Yeah. A woman, who I love. And I got close . . . nearly got FUKIN' EVERYTHING!" Among the best five minutes in ALL of television history. If you know, you know.
October 27, 2025 at 12:41 AM
"ooouh, and there's a woman. Yeah. A woman, who I love. And I got close . . . nearly got FUKIN' EVERYTHING!" Among the best five minutes in ALL of television history. If you know, you know.
In this moment, be Farrier. Turn that goddamn Spitfire around and do the right thing no matter what the cost to yourself. A vast host of people, stranded on the beach with danger fast approaching, are depending upon you. youtu.be/fIs6Cux_8v8?...
Dunkirk (IMAX) - No turning back for Fortis 1
YouTube video by Mikhail “mickey”
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
In this moment, be Farrier. Turn that goddamn Spitfire around and do the right thing no matter what the cost to yourself. A vast host of people, stranded on the beach with danger fast approaching, are depending upon you. youtu.be/fIs6Cux_8v8?...
Another clever Army SSI is the 4th ID patch. The Roman numeral for 4 is "IV" so it is the "Ivy Division." Ivy symbolizes tenacity and fidelity (it can climb sheer surfaces) of the div's motto is "Steadfast and Loyal." Also note the center resembles a aiming sight. Also like the quarter turn square.
October 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Another clever Army SSI is the 4th ID patch. The Roman numeral for 4 is "IV" so it is the "Ivy Division." Ivy symbolizes tenacity and fidelity (it can climb sheer surfaces) of the div's motto is "Steadfast and Loyal." Also note the center resembles a aiming sight. Also like the quarter turn square.
Btw, if you didn't live through the AltRock/Grunge era in the 90's (I was in Seattle during grad school, so I win), god I feel for you. You really missed something. youtu.be/vy8lYweWEF4?...
Redhead Reaction to Smashing Pumpkins - Hummer
YouTube video by redheadedneighbor
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Btw, if you didn't live through the AltRock/Grunge era in the 90's (I was in Seattle during grad school, so I win), god I feel for you. You really missed something. youtu.be/vy8lYweWEF4?...
Goose back in his element on my desk- The Verve on the audio and no dogs in sight. :]
October 25, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Goose back in his element on my desk- The Verve on the audio and no dogs in sight. :]
We've all been there. "I'm sorry . . . you said . . . what? Really?" Erikthehistorian Blue Adama Remix. -So Say We All-. #bsg2003 #battlestargalactica
October 24, 2025 at 11:26 PM
We've all been there. "I'm sorry . . . you said . . . what? Really?" Erikthehistorian Blue Adama Remix. -So Say We All-. #bsg2003 #battlestargalactica
Posting for no particular reason . . .
October 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Posting for no particular reason . . .
CRi's "Signal" (esp. with the video) is one of my all-time favs. Words cannot adequately express how much it means to me. This graphic is as close as I can come to putting those feelings into form.
October 24, 2025 at 9:15 PM
CRi's "Signal" (esp. with the video) is one of my all-time favs. Words cannot adequately express how much it means to me. This graphic is as close as I can come to putting those feelings into form.
There is no way that I would buy an audio extractor just so I could set up my Xbox X and Buttkicker chair sub at my office desk when I have a 9.2 setup in the living room. That is, there is a tiny non-zero chance that I would do that. Just to be completely clear . . . yes, actually I did that.
October 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
There is no way that I would buy an audio extractor just so I could set up my Xbox X and Buttkicker chair sub at my office desk when I have a 9.2 setup in the living room. That is, there is a tiny non-zero chance that I would do that. Just to be completely clear . . . yes, actually I did that.
The 27th ID's SSI is god-tier clever. From Wiki-The red stars depict the Orion constellation, punning on the surname of the division's World War I commander John F. O'Ryan. The Red circle on the outside is an "O", also for "O'Ryan". The letters inside form the monogram "NYD", for "New York Division"
October 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The 27th ID's SSI is god-tier clever. From Wiki-The red stars depict the Orion constellation, punning on the surname of the division's World War I commander John F. O'Ryan. The Red circle on the outside is an "O", also for "O'Ryan". The letters inside form the monogram "NYD", for "New York Division"
Terrence Malik's "The Tree of Life" remains one of my very favorite films, one of the few that I actually purchased as a 4K Blue-Ray. I wish I could make a YouTube series to explain why I think it's so brilliant. It also means more to me as I grow older. This image alone . . . I could write a novel.
October 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Terrence Malik's "The Tree of Life" remains one of my very favorite films, one of the few that I actually purchased as a 4K Blue-Ray. I wish I could make a YouTube series to explain why I think it's so brilliant. It also means more to me as I grow older. This image alone . . . I could write a novel.