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Collection Veterans History Project Collection

World War II (1941-1945)

Fought in nearly every corner of the globe, World War II was a global cataclysm. The following curated presentations shed light on related topics, notable battles and campaigns, and groups of veterans who served during World War II, from Pearl Harbor to the last gasps of the war in 1945.

Our Research Guides, StoryMaps, and blog posts provide additional ways to explore the collections.

The Aleutian Islands: WWII's Unknown Campaign The history of World War II is populated with battles and place names that have become legendary. Less familiar are Adak, Attu, and Kiska, part of the story of the Aleutian Campaign (June 1942-July 1943), in which thousands of American soldiers fought against Japanese forces that had invaded islands off the coast of Alaska, then an American territory.
Buffalo Soldiers: The 92nd in Italy Known as “buffalo soldiers” in reference to 19th-century African American cavalrymen, the 92nd Infantry Division was a segregated unit that served in both world wars. As featured in the novel and film Miracle at St. Anna, the 92nd distinguished themselves on the battlefield, disproving skeptics and earning an honored chapter in the history of World War II.
China-Burma-India: WWII's Forgotten Theater The China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater took a back seat to Europe and the Pacific in terms of manpower, resources and press coverage. This presentation highlights the daring pilots who “flew the hump” of the mighty Himalayas, the freewheeling guerrilla fighters known as Merrill’s Marauders, and the dedicated nurses and crafty intelligence agents who served in the CBI Theater.
D-Day (June 6, 1944) June 6, 1944: More than 150,000 Allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of the largest seaborne invasion in history. Known as "D-Day," the name and date loom large in the memory of WWII--perhaps second only to December 7th, 1941. D-Day put the Allies on a decisive path toward victory, but not without tremendous sacrifice.
Determined to Serve: African American Women in World War II African American women who donned a uniform during WWII confronted tremendous obstacles. Joining up meant taking a stand against those both inside the service and outside of it who maintained that women and African Americans had no place in the military. Whether stationed stateside or abroad, their accomplishments a testament to their integrity and determination.
Guadalcanal: 75 Years Later In early August 1942, hoping to halt the expansion of the Japanese in the South Pacific, Allied forces landed on a small island in the Solomon Islands: Guadalcanal. In this presentation, veterans of the “green hell” of Guadalcanal narrate their experiences through oral history interviews, letters, diaries, memoirs, and photographs.
Jewish Veterans of World War II Fighting Nazi Germany took on special significance for one group of U.S. servicemen in the European Theater. Even those Jewish soldiers and sailors who were serving elsewhere in World War II understood that defeating the Axis would be a defeat for blind hatred of any ethnic group or nationality.
Pearl Harbor: 70th Anniversary The events of December 7, 1941 remain etched in the collective memory of Americans. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii altered the course of history, marking the entrance of the United States into its second world war. In their own words, Pearl Harbor survivors present what they experienced on “the date which will live in infamy.”
War’s End: VE- and VJ-Days The Allied victories over Germany (in May 1945) and over Japan (in August 1945) brought forth worldwide jubilation: after years of deprivation, hardship, and separation, peace was finally at hand. This presentation explores what the war’s end meant to some of the over 16 million Americans who served, and the costs of war that they confronted once the fighting was over.
The WASP: First in Flight The story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) is a chapter from World War II nearly forgotten for over 30 years. The WASP logged over 60 million miles from 1942-1944 ferrying planes, towing targets, testing planes and training pilots. But they were civil servants--never fully incorporated into the armed forces until Congress passed legislation in 1977 granting them veteran status.