THE LEGACY OF THE WWII GENERATION
Every day, memories of World War II are disappearing from living history. The men and women who fought and won this great conflict are now in their 90s or older; according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 119,550 of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II are alive as of 2023.
With less than 1 percent of the 16.1 million Americans who served during World War II still with us today, The National WWII Museum’s mission to tell the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world is more crucial than ever. Our Museum is committed to honoring those who secured the freedom we cherish and carrying on the legacies of the WWII generation into the future.
“Preserving the stories of the men and women who served in World War II has been at the heart of our institution since its founding,” said Stephen J. Watson, President & CEO of the Museum. “We have the enormous responsibility to ensure that the memories and experiences of the war will not be lost as those who lived through it leave this world. It is our hope that this Museum, built in honor of the WWII generation, will allow visitors to connect with history and the people who sacrificed so much during World War II for years to come.”
The graph below uses statistics from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to emphasize the urgency of our mission. The projections for each year are updated in September and reflect the 2023 statistics.
FAQs
A full day at the Museum allows you to see all of our soaring pavilions and enjoy one of our incredible add-on experiences.
Which state has the most ww2 veterans? ›
The largest percentage of today's veterans (nearly 36 percent) served during the Vietnam era. Nearly 61,000 World War II veterans called California home in 2017 – the most of any state – and Florida followed close behind with 59,000 veterans.
How do I find someone who served in ww2? ›
Army Enlistment Records
The enlistment records contain basic information about the individual, including service number, name, residence, place and date of enlist ment, and year of birth. The records are accessible through AAD at www.archives.gov/aad and by click ing on the link “World War II.”
How many U.S. World War 2 veterans are still alive? ›
Those numbers show that of the 16 million men and women who served in WWII, only about 119,000 are still alive today. But what's more shocking is how often we're losing those men and women. The museum says each day, 131 of those veterans die.
Is it safe to walk to WWII Museum from French Quarter? ›
Is it safe to walk to the WWII Museum from the French Quarter? Yes, it is safe to walk from the French Quarter from the museum. There are sidewalks the entire distance and nearly everywhere in and around the French Quarter. Use the same caution and awareness you would while traveling in any city.
Is the ww2 Museum worth it? ›
The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad.
Which US state lost the most soldiers in WW2? ›
States With Most WW2 Casualties
The ten states with the most WWII casualties are New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Indiana. New York is the state with the most WWII casualties with 31,215 American soldiers dead and missing.
How old are most WW2 veterans today? ›
Every day, memories of World War II are disappearing from living history. The men and women who fought and won this great conflict are now in their 90s or older; according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 119,550 of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II are alive as of 2023.
What state has the least amount of veterans? ›
Share of population who are veterans, 2022
Choropleth map of the share of population that are veterans by U.S. state. Overall, 6.2% of the population are veterans. New York and New Jersey had the lowest shares at less than 4% while Alaska had the highest share at over 10% of its population being veterans.
What does DNB mean in military? ›
DNB: Died non-battle. DOW: Died of wounds. DOD: Died of disease.
There are only 119,550 World War II veterans remaining of the 16.1 million Americans who fought in the war, according to 2023 Department of Veteran Affairs statistics.
What were the odds of surviving ww2? ›
Overall Survival Rates: The combat fatality rate for all U.S. troops during World War II fell from 55% at the start of the war to 12% in the most recent conflicts [3]. The survival rate for British soldiers during World War II was estimated to be around 80-90% [2].
What was the average age of the veterans in ww2? ›
The median age of veterans today is 65 years. By service period, Post-9/11 veterans are the youngest with a median age of about 37, Vietnam Era veterans have a median age of about 71, and World War II veterans are the oldest with a median age of about 93.
How do I find my father's ww2 service records? ›
This site provides information regarding military personnel, health, and medical records stored at NPRC (MPR). If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov to order a copy of your military records. For all others, your request is best made using a Standard Form 180.
How long does it take to tour the World War 2 Museum? ›
If you're visiting from out of town and are visiting the museum to engage with as much of the content as possible, you're going to want to make this at least a full-day trip, if not a two-day trip.
How big is the World War 2 Museum in New Orleans? ›
The entire pavilion, including both galleries, measures 32,000 square feet. In June 2017, a new exhibit, The Arsenal of Democracy, opened in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, dealing the experience on the Home Front.
How long is final mission at WWII museum? ›
(30 minutes) Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944.
How big is the World War 2 Museum? ›
Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, where six soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants.
