The most dangerous paper route in the world
In short: From Civil War camps to the front lines of the Gulf War, Stars and Stripes has served as the primary news source for the U.S. military. But its history is defined by a constant, high-stakes tug-of-war between editorial independence and Department of Defense control.
Born in 1861 during the American Civil War, the newspaper was first printed by soldiers of the 11th, 18th, and 29th Illinois Regiments in Bloomfield, Missouri. It was reactivated during World War I as the 'official newspaper' of the American Expeditionary Forces. While the Department of Defense took control during this era, the paper maintained editorial independence to bolster troop morale. It was so popular that its first issue sold out instantly, selling 526,000 copies and earning $700,000 over a 16-month period.
The publication has served as a significant incubator for American journalism. Notable figures like Harold Ross (founder of The New Yorker), Grantland Rice, and Pulitzer Prize winner Ernie Pyle all contributed to its pages. Even Marilyn Monroe appeared in its pages as 'Miss Cheesecake 1952.' Throughout the 20th century, the paper expanded its reach, printing in European and African theaters and even producing a 53-book series titled G.I. Stories to chronicle the experiences of various American divisions.
In recent years, the paper's autonomy has faced severe challenges. In 2020, a move to shutter the publication was rescinded by the White House after a bipartisan outcry. However, by 2026, the paper faced a new crisis: the Pentagon ordered a refocused editorial policy to avoid 'woke distractions' and restricted the use of wire services like the Associated Press to ensure content remained 'consistent with good order and discipline.' This led to the 2026 firing of publisher Max Lederer and editor-in-chief Erik Slavin for insubordination, sparking a lawsuit alleging violations of First Amendment rights.
The tension lies in the paper's unique status: it is funded by the Department of Defense but protected by Congress as an independent entity. It provides essential news on pay, benefits, and geopolitics to service members in areas without internet access. Its survival depends on balancing this federal subsidy—roughly 0.002 percent of the DoD budget—with the journalistic integrity required to report on difficult realities, such as the mental health conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Stars and Stripes (newspaper)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-stars-and-stripes-newspaper.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Newspapers · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
