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.
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…
WWII Veteran Recounts How He Saved The Life Of a Fellow Soldier in Combat
Bryce Thornton, veteran of the 104th Infantry Division, emotionally recounts how he saved a fellow soldier's life during WWII, 78 years ago…
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…
96-YEAR-OLD WWII 1ST ENGINEER COMBAT BN VETERAN
We recently had the opportunity to interview 96-year-old Lawrence Bailey, a WWII veteran who served as a Sergeant in the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion during the occupation of Germany.Although he never saw combat, Bailey’s job was hazardous – and instrumental in the US military’s efforts to denazify, stabilize, and rebuild Germany following World War II…
WWII BATTLE OF THE BULGE VETERAN DIES AT 99
Please join us in remembering WWII Veteran Joseph Watson, who passed away last Tuesday in South Carolina. He was 99. Three years ago, we had the opportunity to join Watson on his return to the battlefield where he fought for the first time since the war…
VETERANS DAY 2022 — HONORING OUR GREATEST GENERATION
On this Veterans Day, we honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces…
97-YEAR-OLD 101ST AIRBORNE VETERAN OF NORMANDY
Michael Camasso is a 97-year-old WWII veteran of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and one of the last surviving members of his unit, which saw fierce combat across the European theater from Normandy to Germany…
WWII US NAVY VETERAN DIES AT 96 | USS VELLA GULF
Please join us in remembering the life of WWII US Navy veteran Donald Tracy, who passed away today at the age of 96. Tracy was drafted during the height of WWII and chose to enter the Navy, following in his father’s footsteps…
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN WWII VETERAN TURNS 100
Please join us in wishing a happy 100th birthday to WWII veteran Daniel Keel, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black pilots who persevered in the face of racism within the United States armed forces and were able to make a valuable contribution to the war effort…
LONGSTANDING MONARCH AND WWII VETERAN QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIES AT 96
Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. Her death marks the end of an era, coinciding with the rapid passing of the World War II generation. She was the last surviving head of state to have served during World War II…
WWII US NAVY WAVES VETERAN TURNS 101
101-year-old Priscilla Getchell was born in Massachusetts in 1921 and attended Boston University before she answered the nation's call to serve in the US Navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor…
JFK PT BOAT SUNK BY JAPANESE
On this day in 1943, PT-109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer in the South Pacific. With future President John F. Kennedy in command, PT-109 and the remarkable story of the crew’s survival has become legendary…
DECORATED WWII FIGHTER PILOT DIES AT 101
Today the WWII Veterans History Project honors the life and service of decorated WWII fighter pilot Jack Hallett, who recently passed away at the age of 101. We had the privilege to interview him in 2018, capturing his wartime memories in a compelling video interview…
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AND WWII VETERAN DIES AT 99
Today the WWII Veterans History Project honors the life and service of Holocaust survivor and WWII veteran Harry Stern. Harry recently passed away at the age of 99. We had the privilege to interview him in 2019, preserving his wartime memories for generations to come…
LAST WWII MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT DIES AT 98
Today the WWII Veterans History Project honors the life and service of Hershel "Woody" Williams, America's last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Woody passed away early this morning at the age of 98, after a lifetime dedicated to honoring and serving his fellow veterans…