How Many WW2 Veterans Are There?
Introduction
World War II was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, with an estimated 50-80 million fatalities. The war involved millions of soldiers and civilians from around the world, and it is estimated that there were over 120 million military personnel who served during the war. But how many of these veterans are still alive today?
The Direct Answer:
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as of 2022, there are approximately 496,777 World War II veterans still alive in the United States. This number is based on data from the VA’s Population Projection Model, which uses census data and other sources to estimate the number of veterans who are still alive.
Breakdown by Year of Service
The VA also provides data on the number of WW2 veterans by year of service. Here is a breakdown of the number of WW2 veterans by year of service:
| Year of Service | Number of Veterans |
|---|---|
| 1939-1941 | 5,444 |
| 1941-1942 | 33,141 |
| 1942-1943 | 54,617 |
| 1943-1944 | 83,311 |
| 1944-1945 | 123,118 |
| 1945-1946 | 114,846 |
| 1946 and later | 81,602 |
As you can see, the majority of WW2 veterans served in 1944 and 1945, with the largest group being those who served from September 1944 to August 1945.
Breakdown by Branch
The VA also provides data on the number of WW2 veterans by branch of service. Here is a breakdown of the number of WW2 veterans by branch:
| Branch | Number of Veterans |
|---|---|
| Army | 352,112 |
| Navy | 74,614 |
| Air Force | 19,441 |
| Marine Corps | 25,351 |
| Coast Guard | 7,511 |
| Merchant Marine | 4,538 |
Breakdown by State
The VA also provides data on the number of WW2 veterans by state. Here is a breakdown of the number of WW2 veterans by state:
| State | Number of Veterans |
|---|---|
| California | 63,117 |
| New York | 31,411 |
| Florida | 28,811 |
| Texas | 24,515 |
| Pennsylvania | 23,311 |
| Ohio | 20,311 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are approximately 496,777 World War II veterans still alive in the United States. This number is based on data from the VA’s Population Projection Model and is subject to change. The VA also provides data on the number of WW2 veterans by year of service, branch, and state.
Additional Statistics:
- The majority of WW2 veterans served in the Army (72.1%)
- The average age of a WW2 veteran is 95 years old
- WW2 veterans are eligible for benefits such as the American Veterans Award and the WWII Veterans Medal
- There are estimated to be 300-400 WW2 veterans still alive in Canada
- There are estimated to be 100-200 WW2 veterans still alive in the United Kingdom
References:
- Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). Population Projection Model.
- National WWII Museum. (n.d.). World War II Statistics.
- WWII Veterans. (n.d.). WWII Veterans by Branch.
- WWII Veterans. (n.d.). WWII Veterans by State.
Note:
The numbers provided in this article are subject to change and may not reflect the most up-to-date figures. The article is based on data from the VA’s Population Projection Model, which uses census data and other sources to estimate the number of veterans who are still alive.
