The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation is the name chosen to describe the demographic cohort born between 1901 and 1927 and becoming adults from 1919 to 1945. Many of this generation were children during the Great Depression, and teenagers or young adults during the recovery period that followed. Hardships and adversity tend to produce stronger, more resilient people and a robust, relentless military force.
The impact on the military became the most evident with the United States entry into World War ll. With the Selective Service Act of 1940, men between the ages of 21 and 45 were required to register for the draft, the first peacetime draft initiated in the U.S. By the end of the war, over 45 million men had registered. Over 16 million Americans served in the armed forces during World War ll, and the majority were from this generation.
As of 2024, 66,000 of the 16 million American who served in were still alive and in their late 90s or early 100s. Considered largely conservative on social and economic issues, foreign policies, moral and legal issues, most claim they continue to become more conservative as they age. With 90% of them registered to vote, their impact on society continues to be felt.
Some criticize the generation for its conservatism, while others praise their sacrifices. The following stories are true accounts of the heroic actions for service members born into the Greatest Generation.