In Memoriam: Honoring the Fallen

Most of the veterans represented within the Veterans History Project survived their time in the military, returning home safely to be reunited with their friends and family. Some collections, however, tell different stories—of lives lost too early and loved ones left to cope with these tragic losses. In honor of Memorial Day 2024, we present 15 collections of fallen servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Each of these collections narrates the experiences of an individual who died during their service. Some of these stories are told through personal correspondence, diaries, and photographs. Other collections include oral history interviews collected under the auspices of the Gold Star Families Voices Act, which offers surviving immediate family members the opportunity to share the story of their loved one with the Veterans History Project. No matter the medium, these collections honor and illuminate the lives and memories of the fallen, ensuring that their legacies will endure long after their deaths.

Learn more about the Gold Star Families Voices act on the VHP website.

View the blog post related to this online presentation.