The passing of the WWII generation
Every day, memories of World War II—its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs—disappear. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90sor older. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II arealive in 2022.
Honoring the 20th-century veterans’ sacrifice before they pass from the scene is at the forefront of everything we do at The National WWII Museum—from our exhibits, to oral histories, to the Museum’s $400 million capital campaign, a lasting tribute to the war generation.
“There’s no time to lose,” said Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, President and CEO Emeritus of the Museum. “We want to be able to finish and dedicate our expansion while we still have members of the Greatest Generation to thank for their sacrifice and service to the nation and to show the world what they mean to the principle of freedom.”
The graph below uses statistics from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to emphasize the urgency of our mission. The projections for each year are updated on September 30.
FAQs
Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90s or older. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2022.
How can I find out where my grandfather served in ww2? ›
If the individual came home then his discharge papers will provide a lot of valuable information. If you do not have these papers you will want to contact the National Personnel Records Center To get this information you must fill out a Standard Form 180.
How do I find WWII veterans Service Records? ›
You can request a copy of the Veteran's military records in any of these ways:
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ...
- Write a letter to the NPRC. ...
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
According to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, about 167,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2023 - that's only 1 in every 100 veterans – and Jack is one of them.
Why did they put the ww2 Museum in New Orleans? ›
Why is the Museum located in New Orleans? New Orleans is home to the LCVP, or Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in every major amphibious assault of World War II.
Did my grandfather serve in the military? ›
Records for yourself or next of kin
Start your records request online for recent military service. Print and fill out a Form SF 180. Mail it to the appropriate address on the form. Write a letter to request records, following the directions and using the address under number 2 on this web page.
How do I find family members served in ww2? ›
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), Military Personnel Records, has custody of the personnel files for individu als who served in the Army, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard during World War II.
Can you look up someone's military record online? ›
Online Resources For Military Records. Interested individuals can obtain a records request through various official channels. These are the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), SCRA service, and DMDC.
How to find ww2 soldiers records for free? ›
Free access to the collection is available at the FamilySearch Library U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945. It lists name, state, rank, service, plot, and burial date.
Can you look up military records for free? ›
Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and medical record information provided to veterans, next of kin and authorized representatives from Federal (non-archival) records. Some companies advertise DD Form 214 research services and will charge a fee for obtaining copies.
Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90s or older.
How old is the youngest WWII veteran? ›
Navy Veteran Calvin Leon Graham became the youngest World War II soldier at the age of 12, and the youngest recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. During World War II, it was not unusual for American boys to lie about their age in order to enlist.
What year will there be no more ww2 veterans? ›
As of 2021, there were over 200,000 living United States veterans who served in the Second World War. The Department of Veteran Affairs projects that the number of living veterans will decline rapidly in the fifteen years until 2036, at which point just a few hundred Americans who served in the war will be still alive.
Is WWII Museum worth it? ›
The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad.
Is it safe to walk to WW2 museum from French Quarter? ›
Yes, it is safe. You will be walking through the warehouse district that has many great Art Galleries. Yes, it is safe during the day and there is a lot to see on your stroll. However, convenience type stores are not plentiful on that route so you may want to take a bottle of water with you.
How do I get my grandfather's service record? ›
You can mail or fax your signed and dated request to the National Archives' National Personnel Record Center (NPRC). Be sure to use the address specified (either in the instructions on the SF-180 or in our online system, eVetRecs). Most, but not all records, are stored at the NPRC.
How can I find my grandfather's war records? ›
The National Archives has digitised Navy service cards for 1911-1970 and Army service records for the First World War. These can be viewed online on RecordSearch . For information regarding viewing or obtaining copies of these records please visit the National Archives Service Records page.
How do you find out what your grandparents did in the war? ›
Newspaper articles can reveal where your ancestor served, their military accomplishments, or if they died in war. You can often find casualty lists or your ancestor's obituary. Newspapers also included draft lists and war stories, so you can learn about the acts of heroism that your ancestor may have been part of.
