Proud to Serve--World War II

Militray men, women and families -- from Iwo Jima to Iowa City

Nov 10, 2006 Maryan Pelland

For Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July or anytime we need to remember. Facts about those who sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom.

The first national icon dedicated to the memory and service of those who served in "the Great War," The National World War II Memorial, was dedicated May 29, 2004 in Washington. Standing between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, it honors men and women of the U.S. armed forces, all Americans who died in combat and those who provided love, caring and support on the home front.

The U.S. Census Bureau archives these facts about those times:

• 16.1 million U.S. armed forces personnel served in World War II between Dec. 1, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946.
• They served an average of 33 months each.
• 73% served abroad for an average of 16 months.
• 292,000 U.S. sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines -- men and women -- were killed in battle (they left 800,000 parents bereft, not to mention spouses, children and others.) There were 114,000 additional non-combat deaths.
• 671,000 were wounded.
• In 2000, the census counted almost 6 million veterans of WWII (5.7 million to be exact). California had the most, 475,000. Florida had 439,000, New York nearly 300,000. Pennsylvania just 4,000 fewer than New York, Texas had 267,000. Ohio had just over 200,000.
• In 2002, about 210,000 women were counted as WWII vets, 4.4% of the total veteran count. Women comprise 16% of Persian Gulf War vets.
• At the last census, the median age of WWII veterans was 76.7 years.

Here are some statistics about other war times:

• Veteran's Day was proclaimed Nov. 11, 1918 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. Many remember their parents still using that title.
• In 1926, Eisenhower made it Veterans Day in homage to all who have served in any conflict.
• As of the last census, there were 24.9 million U.S. veterans. Of that, there were 1.7 million women.
• 9.7 million over age 65
• 2.4 million black. Hispanic, 1.1 million.
• 8.2 million Viet Nam veterans, men and women -- a little more than the population of New York City. Viet Nam vets are 3-in-10 of all vets, the largest single group of any time of service. WWII vets come in second with 2-in-10. More than 380,000 served in both Viet Nam and the Desert Storm era. About 429,000 served in Korea and Viet Nam. Nearly 500,000 served in Korea and World War II and 143,000 served in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam.
• facts are from the census and Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005
• Since 1776, every generation has taken on the responsibility of at least one war or conflict.

The toll of war since 1776: Served -- 42,348,460. Deaths in Battle -- 650,954. Non-battle deaths -- 538,503. Wounded -- 1,431,290. World War II was the most costly in human loss and injury in battle though some of the statistics for Indian conflicts are unknown.

These totals do not include the price we've paid in the Middle East since 1991.

In 2006, there were fewer than 50 World War I veterans and 3.5 million World War II veterans.

MORE:

A site packed full of WWII info and projects

The copyright of the article Proud to Serve--World War II in Seniors/Grandparents is owned by Maryan Pelland. Permission to republish Proud to Serve--World War II in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.