STORIES OF SERVICE

Their Stories. Our History.

Behind every uniform is a human story of courage, sacrifice, friendship, and resilience. These personal accounts bring history to life, reminding us that the true legacy of war is found not only on the battlefield, but in the lives forever changed by it. Through photographs, memories, and firsthand accounts, we preserve the voices of those who served—ensuring their experiences continue to educate, inspire, and connect generations.

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HEROES OF WORLD WAR II

Voices of the Greatest Generation

Every veteran carries a story worth remembering. Told through their own words, photographs, letters, and personal reflections, these accounts reveal the human experience of war—its courage, sacrifice, hardship, and lasting impact. Their voices connect us to history in ways no textbook ever could. By preserving and sharing their stories, we ensure that future generations can learn directly from those who lived it.

HEROES OF WORLD WAR II —

  • 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.

    Micky GANITCH

    Born in 1919, a Pennsylvania native, served on the USS Pennsylvania during Pearl Harbor and 22 WWII battles.

  • 101st-Airborne-Division-Normandy

    Wilson COLLWELL

    Born in Hazel, Kentucky, joined the US Army and witnessed war horrors in Normandy, Holland, and Germany.

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

    Joe SCIDA

    A Pennsylvania native born in 1925, served as a Coxswain during the crucial Normandy D-Day invasion.

  • 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.

    Lucky MCGINTY

    Born in Philadelphia in 1923, trained as a waist-gunner and completed 29 bombing missions in Europe with the 95th.

  • 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.

    Clayton NATTIER

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

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

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

    Joseph REILLY

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

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

    Arthur MEYERS

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

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

    Donald COBB

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

  • 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.

    Eugene DEIBLER

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

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

    Robert FERNANDEZ

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

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

    Thomas KILKER

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

  • 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.

    Floyd WIGFIELD

    Born in Cumberland, Maryland, he served his country as a member of the 4th Infantry on Utah Beach during DDAY.

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

    Thomas BRADLEY

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

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

    Stuart HEDLEY

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

  • 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.

    Homer GOODMAN

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

HELP PRESERVE THEIR LEGACY

A Call to the Families of World War II Veterans

Every photograph, letter, and personal memory holds a piece of history that deserves to be preserved. We invite the families and descendants of World War II veterans to share their loved ones' stories, photographs, and personal accounts. Through our historical preservation efforts and museum in Normandy, these treasured memories can help educate future generations, honor those who served, and ensure their voices are never lost to time. Their stories are our history. Together, we can keep them alive.

Share Your Veteran's Story
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