Military

Halloween Photo Essay: Traditions from the US Military & Beyond

October 31, 2020Matt Fratus
military halloween traditions

A bloody “corpse” lies on a table undergoing an autopsy as the first stop in a home-made house of horrors set-up by Soldiers celebrating Halloween, Oct. 31. Photo courtesy of Capt. Michael Greenberger/DVIDS

The potato famine of the 1840s brought Irish immigrants to the United States. When they arrived, they brought along their beloved traditions, customs, and culture. All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday celebrated on the first day of November each year, was also known as Hallowmas. The night before was called All Hallows’ Eve, which later became Halloween. 


The common practice was for children and teenagers to dress up in costumes, wear masks, and play tricks on their neighbors. However, Halloween only became a community-celebrated holiday nationwide between the 1920s and 1930s. The harmless trick-or-treating of modern 21st-century standards was absent in place of tomfoolery. Vandalism and extortion were rampant, and if shopkeepers or homeowners didn’t give away free stuff, their property was destroyed or damaged. 


In order to keep the youngsters at bay, treats and candy were used as bribes, thus trick-or-treating was born. Since World War II to the present day, the US military and citizens on the homefront played their part in the spooky season, whether they did so intentionally or in spirit. 


World War II Halloween coffee or die
Photo courtesy of the National World War II Museum.

On the homefront, the American youth kept with traditions and were up to no good. For instance, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Sheriff Thomas J. Jester warned the general public about the increase in pranks leading up to the festive holiday, including teenagers throwing tomatoes at moving cars and a fence made of snow and a barricade made of cornstalks in the road. 


While the teens were living up to their reputations, a Halloween bash was thrown for the troops on Oct. 23, 1943. A row of women dressed in costumes and holding baskets stood on stage next to a military man giving a speech. It was a temporary escape from the growing concerns about goings-on across the pond during the height of World War II.


Military Halloween traditions, Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin Vietnam coffee or die
Photo courtesy of war-stories.com.

Charlie Brown’s “The Great Pumpkin” went missing in 1967. Don’t worry, though, the pumpkin was in safe hands. The US Navy Seabees at Camp Adenir in Da Nang, Vietnam, had its back!


Hellfire Boys Halloween coffee or die
Photo courtesy of Theo Emery from the book Hellfire Boys: The Birth of the U.S. Chemical Warfare Service and the Race for the World’s Deadliest Weapons.

This image may call to mind a post-apocalyptic world where zombies outnumbered humans and a poisonous fog made venturing outdoors very dangerous. In actuality, it is a soldier from “The Hellfire Boys” — the US Army’s elite World War I chemical warfare unit — wearing a gas mask to prevent exposure to chemical weapons. His trusty steed also has a custom-fitted gas mask and mustard gas boots to protect the horse’s legs and hooves.


Military Halloween traditions, coffee or die
Photo courtesy of Capt. Michael Greenberger/DVIDS.

Haunted houses don’t just exist in peacetime environments. In 2009 at Bagram Airfield, a makeshift “House of Horrors” helped raise the spirits of US troops serving in Afghanistan. A deranged clown performing an “autopsy” on a bloody “corpse” in a dimly lit room was just one of a host of surprises for the soldiers celebrating Halloween in a war zone.


President JFK Halloween coffee or die
Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

President John F. Kennedy was seen laughing at his scary visitors in the Oval Office of the White House on Halloween night in 1963. 


Navy SEALs military Halloween traditions, coffee or die
Photo courtesy of the book SEALs: The US Navy’s Elite Fighting Force.

The boogeyman doesn’t only hunt at night. When in Iraq, there is always an opportunity to take a badass platoon photo. A ram decided he wanted to look cool alongside his new Navy SEAL friends from SEAL Team 5. 


Ghost Army Halloween coffee or die
Screenshot from YouTube.

And you thought your Halloween decorations in your front yard were cool! The Ghost Army were known as the “con artists” of World War II. The tactical deception unit built inflatable tanks and military vehicles to stage around Europe to fool and deceive passing Axis planes on reconnaissance missions. Perhaps instead of Casper the Ghost or Ghostface, consider paying homage to the Ghost Army the next holiday season!



Matt Fratus
Matt Fratus

Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for Coffee or Die. He prides himself on uncovering the most fascinating tales of history by sharing them through any means of engaging storytelling. He writes for his micro-blog @LateNightHistory on Instagram, where he shares the story behind the image. He is also the host of the Late Night History podcast. When not writing about history, Matt enjoys volunteering for One More Wave and rooting for Boston sports teams.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

Ouija Board aircraft carrier
Low-Tech ‘Ouija Boards’ Have Helped Aircraft Carriers Operate for Decades

Since the 1920s, a low-tech tabletop replica of an aircraft carrier’s flight deck has been an essential tool in coordinating air operations.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved