IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HEROES 

UNFORGETTABLE STORIES FROM THE HEROES OF WORLD WAR II

“We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other.”

~ General MARSHALL

The legacy of World War II continues to shape our understanding of global conflict, resilience, and the price of freedom. Around the world, this history is kept alive through museum exhibits, oral histories, educational programs, and cultural works that bring the past vividly to life. These efforts transform a global conflict into deeply personal stories, helping us connect with the soldiers and civilians who endured its trials. As the generation of World War II veterans grows smaller, the urgency to preserve their voices has never been greater. Their firsthand accounts offer irreplaceable insights—perspectives that future generations deserve to hear. By teaching World War II history at every educational level, we not only honor those who served, but also equip young people to understand its profound impact—and to carry forward its lessons in the ongoing pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.

THE MEMORY LIVES ON

Walk in the Footsteps of HEROES..

  • Elderly man in 101st Airborne Division cap and jacket holding a framed black and white photo of himself in military uniform.

    JOHN CIPOLLA

    101st Airborne

  • Elderly man in military uniform with medals

    JOSEPH REILLY

    101st Airborne

  • Elderly man wearing a black beret and white shirt, holding a framed black-and-white photo of a young man in military uniform.

    THOMAS HOPE

    Combat Photographer

  • Elderly man wearing a "Purple Heart, Combat Wounded, World War II" cap, with glasses and a serious expression, dressed in a jacket and collared shirt.

    ALFONSO VILLA

    Combat Engineer

  • Elderly veteran holding a framed black and white photo of a younger soldier, wearing a military cap and glasses.

    EMERY HORN

    42nd Infantry | POW

  • Elderly man in military uniform holding a framed black and white photograph of a young soldier, surrounded by trees.

    STEVEN MELNIKOFF

    175th Infantry

  • An elderly military veteran in a uniform with medals and insignias, wearing a cap.

    FLOYD WIGFIELD

    4th Division

  • Older man wearing a black cap with Airborne insignia and medals, glasses, and a brown jacket.

    WILSON COLWELL

    101st Airborne

  • Elderly man in glasses wearing a WWII cap, close-up portrait

    THOMAS KILKER

    Glider Pilot

  • Elderly man wearing a "World War II Veteran" cap with medals, in a patterned sweater.

    BRADLEY THOMAS

    3104th Quarter Master

  • Elderly man wearing a World War II Veteran cap and glasses, with a lanyard around his neck.

    LlOYD FOLK

    Meteorologist

  • Elderly veteran in uniform holding a framed photograph of himself from a younger age, wearing military attire, with a background of framed pictures.

    CLAYTON NATTIER

    306th Bomb Group

  • Elderly man wearing a 2nd Armored Division hat and glasses

    DONALD ALLEN

    2nd Armored

  • Elderly man in decorated military uniform and cap, wearing glasses, outdoors.

    GEORGE SHENKLE

    82nd Airborne

  • Elderly man in glasses wearing a cap with "US Naval Amphibious Forces WWII" design.

    JOSEPH SCIDA

    LCVP | Omaha

  • Elderly man wearing a black cap with '2nd Ranger Battalion' text, glasses, plaid shirt, and striped tie.

    IVAN CADY

    2nd Rangers

  • Elderly man wearing a cap with '29th Infantry Division WWII'

    MELVIN WALKER

    115th Infantry

  • Elderly man wearing a USS Enterprise CVN-65 cap.

    ROBERT SIMPSON

    4th Infantry

  • Older man wearing a "World War II Veteran" cap and suit

    HAROLD ANGLE

    28th Infantry

  • Older man wearing a USS Samuel Chase AP-26 cap and a jacket with United States Coast Guard patches and badges.

    FRANK DEVITA

    LCVP | Omaha

  • An elderly man wearing a World War II veteran cap holds a framed black and white photo of a younger man in a military uniform. The photo is part of a series by The Greatest Generations Foundation.

    DON HALVERSON

    2nd Rangers

  • Elderly man wearing a USS Murphy DD-603 cap and jacket.

    DONALD COBB

    USS Murphy

  • Elderly man wearing glasses and a black cap with US Naval Amphibious Forces insignia.

    JOSEPH SCIDA

    US Naval Amphibious

  • Elderly man wearing a blue baseball cap with WWII insignia and medals, smiling in close-up photo.

    JACK GOLDSTEIN

    381st Bomb Group

  • Elderly man wearing a World War II hat and a jacket with a Ranger logo, standing outdoors with a soft smile.

    DANIEL FARLEY

    5th Rangers

  • Elderly man in military hat and suit against brick wall

    EDWARD TIPPER

    101st Airborne

  • Elderly man wearing glasses and a military-style cap with an emblem, plaid shirt and suspenders, outdoors background.

    EUGENE EDWARDS

    9th Infantry

  • Elderly man wearing a baseball cap with military medals, standing on a beach.

    ROBERT POWELL

    Combat Medic

  • Elderly man wearing a "World War II Veteran" cap.

    GREG MELIKIAN

    SHAEF

  • An elderly man wearing a black hat with an "Airborne" insignia and a black jacket with military patches, including the "101st Airborne Division" logo.

    EUGENE DEIBLER

    101st Airborne