How Old Are WWII Veterans?
The Vanishing Generation
As we gaze back into the mirror, we’re confronted with an unsettling truth: many veterans of World War II have passed away. At this moment, only 595,000 to 671,000 World War II veterans are still alive, fewer than 10,000 of whom served as Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members [1]. But how old are the dwindling numbers of men and women who served our great nation during those pivotal, tumultuous years of human history?
Who Can Still Tell Their Tales of War?
Veteran ages range from approximately 95 years old, if they enlisted immediately after World War I, all the way down to about 92 years old if they were younger soldiers joining the service just as Germany surrendered in May 1945. [2] Most World War II veterans fall between born between 1923 to 1926, during the "Diplomats of America " [3].
| We can approximate the numbers: • 50.67% are 88+, born 1930–1934 (18) • 30.93% are 89, born 1927-1932 (30–35) • 20.46% are in their late 90s, born 1912-1922 Some notable numbers to give insight: | Veteran Generation | Year Born |
|---|---|---|
| Original “Greatest Gen" | 1915 – 1923, >95 y | |
| Surviving 25 yr | 1916–1929, <5% remain 100s | |
| Still relatively abundant | 1935+, 95–112.5 |
Last Voices of World War II History
There’s growing appreciation for preserving their unique personal stories. Some examples have been:
- George "The Toytte" Biondolillo, age 114 when he died on Dec 31, 1999, from wounds during battles in Normandy in Jun 1944, initially reported his own death[4]
- Irene Sharona Smith Hefner, born Jul 1920, living (as of Mar ’05) to the grandage of 115 became an international subject**. As this example, not confirmed; as of Apr 28′, 2009 the woman was already gone).
| Veteran Group | Group Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Male World War I vets, joined between late 1920-39 | around 9 to 13,700 | |
| Early male US WWII vets, joined between 1936-37. | circa 400 | |
| World War I vets that took early or late World War II tours | maybe ~800 (~1 in 45 | WWII participants). |
Notables:
– World War 1 & II service was 24-month limit but 1914
Veterans had longer exposure by 8/18
– After this initial round, another 300
– "After Japan’ surrender May ’45".
Where Have These Veteran Heroes Gone?
As we mourn the loss of America’s heroes, questions become more significant than who remain. For the still-increasing families who keep history alive within them (which is many but can give a taste:
What’s fascinating: The veterans in late middle age when you begin to remember that’s part of WWII! If age 22+25 < 27 when first**
Keep watching for stories to reveal further insights from living accounts we have been shared throughout numerous interviews & profiles – but the 2012 – 13 survey said WWII veterans
In essence, the "Generation which led the Greatest War;
It would look around 6 decades as per the World War of course**.
