Old Soldiers Never Die

The words “Old soldiers never die, they simply fade away”—first spoken by General Douglas MacArthur—echo as both a solemn farewell and a timeless reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the World War II generation. This initiative of The Greatest Generations Foundation carries forward their legacies with reverence, ensuring that the men and women who bore the weight of duty are remembered not only for their service, but also for the enduring values they instilled in our nation and the world.

HEROES OF WORLD WAR II:

  • 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.

A Call to Remember

This initiative is not simply about memory—it is about responsibility. We are called to honor the past by carrying their torch forward: to preserve their stories, care for their memorials, and pass on their lessons of service and sacrifice to future generations. By answering this call, we not only safeguard the present but also strengthen the foundation for tomorrow—ensuring their legacy lives on through us.

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Inspiring Future Generations

By shining a light on the lives of these extraordinary men and women, we hope to inspire young people to live with the same integrity, courage, and devotion to country. Their legacy reminds us that freedom is never free—and that each generation has a duty to protect and uphold it.

“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.”

— Timothy DAVIS, Founder

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.