WWIIVHP BLOG
Discover the latest from the WWII Veterans History Project.
Follow our journey of capturing the stories of WWII veterans, educating the next generation, and giving the past a future, one story at a time.
Ancestry Announces Partnership with the WWII Veterans History Project
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the WWII Veterans History Project is proud to announce a partnership with Ancestry, the global leader in family history, to preserve and share the stories of those who served. Together, we are honoring this historic milestone by introducing Thank You For Your Story, a commemorative storytelling effort complete with a WWII discovery and preservation hub featuring curated record collections, preserving the firsthand accounts of 80 WWII veterans, and helping countless others unearth their own. It’s our way of saying, “Thank You For Your Story.”
Purple Heart Day
On August 7, Purple Heart Day, we honor the brave recipients of this sacred medal—men like Private First Class Roy Morrison. On July 14, 1944, Roy Morrison's 20th birthday, he was ambushed by German soldiers near St. Lo, France. Roy's dog tag, Purple Heart, and the bullet that was removed from his leg are now part of the WWII Veterans History Project museum collection.
The Capture and Collapse of the Remagen Bridge - Interview with WWII Veteran Robert Lovell
In this interview segment, 99-year-old Bob Lovell shares his firsthand account of the intense battle for the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. As a member of the 73rd Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Armored Division, Bob entered combat in early 1945, just after the Battle of the Bulge. On March 7, 1945, Lovell and his unit took part in the historic capture of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last major bridge standing across the Rhine River. Despite being rigged with explosives, the bridge survived long enough for U.S. forces to cross into the heart of Germany.
P-38 Lightning vs. ME-109 Dogfight Over Germany - WWII Fighter Pilot Jack Hallett
As a fighter pilot with the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, Jack Hallett flew 104 combat missions in P-38s and P-47s, escorting bombers, strafing enemy convoys, and dodging deadly flak. In this interview segment, Jack shares vivid memories from the cockpit of his P-38, including scoring an aerial victory over Germany and being shot down by an enemy convoy.
Eighty-One Years After His Death in Normandy, a Soldier’s Memory Lives On
Eighty-one years ago today, on July 17, 1944, Staff Sergeant Orion L. Miller, Jr. was killed in action near Remilly-sur-Luzon, France, during the Normandy campaign. Born in 1918 in Terrell, Texas, Miller enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and was assigned to E Company, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. He joined his unit at the front on July 11, as they fought through the hedgerows against entrenched German forces. Just six days later, he was killed at age 26.
100-Year-Old 8th Air Force Veteran Shows His WWII Bomber Jacket
At 100 years old, Bruce Cook still remembers what it felt like to climb into the belly of a B-17 Flying Fortress. As a ball turret gunner with the 8th Air Force’s 379th Bomb Group, he flew 35 missions over Europe in one of the most dangerous jobs on the crew. Small enough to fit into the cramped bubble underneath the plane, Bruce couldn’t even wear his parachute inside the turret. He just tucked it nearby and hoped for the best. Bruce pulled out the leather bomber jacket he wore on those missions.
WWII Brazilian Expeditionary Force Veteran Dies at 103
Captain Elmo Diniz, one of the last surviving veterans of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB), died yesterday at age 103. He fought alongside American forces in Italy during World War II. Diniz joined the Army at age 17 in 1939 – just months before World War II began. At that time, Brazil seemed distant from the raging European and Pacific conflicts involving German and Japanese forces.
101-Year-Old WWII Normandy Veteran
Meet had 101-year-old Marvin Blakeman, a WWII veteran who served as a Technician Fifth Grade in the Intelligence and Reconnaissance (I&R) Platoon of HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. His job was to scout enemy positions, update battlefield maps, and deliver critical intelligence to commanders, all while operating near or ahead of the front lines.
101-Year-Old Howard Mautner - Allied Logistics in North Africa, Italy, and Austria
At 101 years old, Howard Mautner stands among the last living Americans who served in World War II. A Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force, his journey took him from the quiet streets of the Midwest to the frontlines of Allied logistics in North Africa, Italy, and Austria - offering a unique perspective from the control towers that kept the USAAF in motion.
102-Year-Old R.D. Lawrence - Ball Turret Gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress
At just 19 years old, R.D. Lawrence left his home in Oklahoma the day after Christmas in 1942 and boarded a troop train bound for basic training. Drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force, he became a ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress in the 463rd Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. Now 102 years old, Lawrence’s story spans more than a century of history.
99-year-old Bruce Cook - B-17 Ball Turret Gunner in the 8th Air Force
Meet 99-year-old Bruce Cook, World War II veteran of the 379th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe as a B-17 ball turret gunner—one of the most dangerous jobs on a B-17 Flying Fortress. “I don't think people realize how much of a price that's been paid for the freedoms that we have," Bruce argues. "I think it's good now to get out as much about what happened back then."
Victory in Europe 78 Years Later
78 years ago today, on May 8, 1945, the Allies accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe. It was a day of triumph and jubilation, as millions of people across the world celebrated the return of peace to the European continent after nearly six years of destructive war.
WWII Combat Veteran Dies at 99
Please join us in remembering WWII Veteran Daniel Breier, who recently passed away in New York. He was 99. In 2019, we had the distinct privilege to capture his wartime memories, ensuring that his story of service and sacrifice lives on.
Honoring James Johnson: A Buffalo Soldier’s Courage in Italy
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Maria and Jimmy Johnson, the children of Chief Warrant Officer James Milton Johnson, a WWII veteran who fought with the all-black 92nd Infantry Division. His history serving stateside with the 2nd Cavalry Division, overseas with the Buffalo Soldiers, and marrying an Italian woman and welcoming a child during the occupation of Italy is nothing short of incredible.
Captain Robert Herfort: A Battalion Surgeon's Gallantry in Normandy
Over the past few months, we’ve been researching the military service of Captain Robert Adolph Herfort, who served as a battalion surgeon in the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, during World War II. He was twice wounded in Normandy and received the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action.
WWII Veteran Frank Klum Turns 100
Happy 100th birthday to WWII veteran Frank Klum! Surrounded by family, friends, and the local community, Frank was honored last weekend in a festive centennial celebration.
WWII VETERAN SHOT BY SNIPER IN BATTLE OF THE BULGE
We recently had the pleasure to meet and interview 97-year-old John Jeckovich, a WWII veteran who saw combat in the European Theater of Operations as a member of H Company, 291st Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division…
GERMAN WWII PANZER COMMANDER DIES AT 99
Wolfgang Kloth, one of the last surviving German WWII veterans, died last week at the age of 99. As a Lieutenant in the Wehrmacht, Kloth served as a Panzer commander during the Battle of Kursk and in the Kurland Pocket, eventually surrendering to the Soviets and becoming a prisoner of war in the spring of 1945…
TRAILBLAZING US NAVY WAVES VETERAN DIES AT 101
Please join us in remembering Priscilla Getchell, a WWII veteran of the US Navy WAVES who passed away this week at the age of 101…
WWII COMBAT PHOTOGRAPHER TONY VACCARO TURNS 100
Please join us in wishing WWII veteran and world-renowned photographer Michael A. "Tony" Vaccaro a happy 100th birthday! Tony served in the 83rd Infantry Division and saw fierce combat throughout the European Theater, from Normandy, France, to the heart of Germany…