Farewell to the Heroes of WWII

As we take leave of the final surviving members of the World War II generation—a generation that irrevocably transformed the world—we offer solemn tribute to their unparalleled courage, unwavering resolve, and steadfast devotion to the preservation of freedom for all who would follow. Their legacy, consecrated in the memories they entrusted to us and evident in the countless lives shaped by their sacrifice, endures as a guiding force, inspiring and upholding the noble mission they so valiantly began.

The Guardians —

  • Micky GANITCH

    Born in 1919, a Pennsylvania native, served on the USS Pennsylvania during the Attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

    Elderly man wearing a white military cap with pins, sunglasses, and a blue Hawaiian shirt with a lei, smiling broadly. "The Greatest Generations Foundation" logo in bottom left corner.

  • Wilson COLLWELL

    Born in 1925 in Kentucky, joined the 101st Airborne and witnessed war horrors in Normandy, and Holland during WWII.

    101st-Airborne-Division-Normandy

  • Joe SCIDA

    A Pennsylvania native born in 1925, served as a Coxswain LCVP on Omaha Beach during the crucial D-Day invasion.

    Elderly man wearing a "US Naval Amphibious Forces WWII" cap with glasses and a white jacket.

  • Lucky MCGINTY

    Born in Philadelphia in 1923, trained as a waist-gunner and completed 29 bombing missions over Europe.

    Elderly man wearing glasses and a black leather jacket with patches, including "95th Bomb Group" and a World War II Veteran cap, standing against a cloudy sky.

  • Clayton NATTIER

    Born in Concordia, KS, joined the US Army Air Corps as a B-17 Pilot with the 306th Bomb Group. POW.

    Black and white photo of an elderly man wearing glasses and a military-style hat with emblems, smiling gently. He wears a bolo tie and a suit. The image has a "The Greatest Generations Foundation" watermark.

  • John CIPOLLA

    Born in Rochester, NY, drafted into the US Army and served with the 501st PIR, 101st Airborne Division in Normandy.

    Elderly man in glasses and military jacket holding framed photo of a young soldier in uniform, black and white.

  • Joseph REILLY

    Born in Wisconsin, drafted into the US Army with the 501st PIR and 101st Airborne Division in Europe.

    Elderly man in military uniform with badges and a hat, outdoors with greenery in the background.

  • Arthur MEYERS

    Chicago native, youngest of eleven brothers, he was a navigator with the 446th Bomb Group in Bungay, England.

    Elderly man wearing a hat labeled 'World War II Veteran,' standing outdoors with a neutral expression.

  • Donald COBB

    Born in Evansville, IN, rendered his service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Murphy during the pivotal DDAY invasion.

    Elderly man wearing a USS Murphy DD-603 cap and jacket, outdoors. "The Greatest Generations Foundation" logo in the corner.

  • Eugene DEIBLER

    Born in North Carolina, saw intense combat during the D-Day as a member of the 501st PIR, 101st Airborne Division.

    An older man wearing a black cap with a white eagle emblem, the word "Airborne," and a parachute pin. He is also dressed in a black jacket with military-inspired patches.

  • Robert FERNANDEZ

    Born in California, served on the USS Curtiss during the Pearl Harbor attack when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

    Elderly person wearing a hat with "Pearl Harbor" and "Life Member" patches, standing near water.

  • Thomas KILKER

    Born in Holyoke, MA, served as the second glider pilot in Normandy as part of the 437th Troop Carrier Group.

    Black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses and a baseball cap decorated with World War II imagery.

  • Floyd WIGFIELD

    Born in 1917 in Maryland, served in the infantry with the 4th Infantry on Utah Beach during the DDAY landings.

    An elderly man in a vintage military uniform stands smiling, with a stone building and greenery in the background. The uniform features patches, medals, and a cap.

  • Thomas BRADLEY

    Born in Monticello, Georgia, he joined the US. Army, before transferring to the 3104 QM Service Company.

    Elderly man wearing a World War II veteran cap, with a patterned sweater and scarf.

  • Stuart HEDLEY

    Born in Palm Beach, FL, a Pearl Harbor survivor has served in the Navy for 22-years during World War II and Korea.

    Elderly man wearing a U.S. Naval cap adorned with badges, glasses, and leis around his neck.

  • Max BROWN

    Born in Colorado, enrolled in the V12 Marine Corps program, went on to serve n the Battle of Iwo Jima.

    Elderly man wearing a "World War II Veteran" hat with "The Greatest Generations Foundation" text.

  • Homer GOODMAN

    Born in Colorado, drafted into the US Army Air Corps and served 26 missions with the 100th Bomb Group.

    Elderly man in a decorated cap and leather jacket holds a framed photo of a young pilot wearing a flight helmet and goggles. The image is associated with The Greatest Generations Foundation.

  • Greg MELIKIAN

    Born in New York, served as a radio operator, during the pivotal role in the unconditional surrender of Germany.

    Elderly man wearing a World War II veteran cap, standing indoors with a map in the background. "The Greatest Generations Foundation" logo is visible in the corner.

  • Seymour MERMELSTEIN

    Born in Miami Beach, Florida, served in the famous Black Devils, the First Special Service Force in Italy and France.

    Black and white photo of an older man with a serious expression, standing in a room with wooden paneling and chairs, wearing a polo shirt with a logo on the chest.

  • Robert BALL

    Born in Colorado, served as bombardier with the 401st Squad, 91st Bomb Group. Was a POW at Stalag Luft III.

Research and Preservation

Our Collection stands as one of the world’s most comprehensive archives of preserving firsthand accounts and artifacts that illuminate the courage, sacrifice, and leadership of the veterans who have served our nation. Through these stories, we ensure that future generations learn from the past and carry forward the enduring values of service and freedom.

VIEW OUR FILMS

“In preserving what veterans left behind, we restore more than stone and soil — we restore honor, memory, and the promise that their sacrifice will never fade away.”

— Arthur MYERS, WWII Veteran

Stage with six men, some in astronaut jackets, facing an audience in a theater. Audience members are clapping, and the scene is lit with bright stage lights.