Journalist Tom Brokaw wrote “The Greatest Generation,” borrowing from World War II flag officers. The sentiment was, for those who knew them, universal. Why, in the 80th anniversary year of the war’s end, was that generation so different?
General James Van Fleet, who served in WWI, WWII, and Korea and died at 100 in 1992 – is the originator of the phrase, saying they were “a magnificent lot…the greatest generation of Americans we have ever produced.” And yet why?
His sentiments were echoed by General P. X. Kelley, when dedicating the WWII Memorial in DC: “It was a conflict in which over 53 million souls departed from this planet—and it was a conflict in which over 400,000 Americans made the supreme sacrifice, but in the end it was a conflict in which our way of life prevailed.”
Two questions: What were the values that defined “The Greatest Generation?” And is “our way of life” – the one for which they fought and died – still “prevailing?”
Where do we begin? Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, after which droves rose and volunteered to defend America. They loved America.
More than 16 million Americans volunteered – 12 percent of the nation. Those ineligible were shattered. Then came action. In four years, almost half a million young Americans died in combat.
From North Africa to Sicily, Anzio and Monte Cassino to Normandy, Battle of the Bulge to the Pacific, Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Leyte Gulf, Bataan, Tarawa, and the Solomons … Then losing the Battleships USS Arizona and Oklahoma, carriers USS Lexington, Yorktown, Wasp, and Hornet, and that final loss of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945, grief was staggering.
But so was resilience. Shaped by their parents, schools, and leaders to be hardworking, patriotic, family- and faith-centered, young Americans stepped up. More were white and male, but they rose from a society defined by principles, minority, and majority.
Of the 16 million, a million were Black, half a million Hispanic, half a million women, nurses to pilots, across multiple branches. Honor, duty, and love of country were real.
Indescribably brave, they were propelled by honor, history, conviction, and heart, most from families with traditional values, most Christian, rising to defeat evil.
Enlistment age was 18, but hundreds of thousands joined at 16 and 17. Most have lived through the Great Depression, were defined by adversity – and resilience.
General Bradley wrote they were good with guns, which probably saved us – experts at “squirrel hunting” who just needed discipline, tactics, and “new targets.”
They were optimists, odds be damned – at Normandy and everywhere. When the US entered the war, we had a single division. Germans have 60. Young Americans trained, deployed, and fought to victory over and over, into the teeth of the enemy.
Facing heavy artillery, interlocking machine guns, ruthless tactics, killing zones, the enemy expected to break the Allied spirit – in both Europe and the Pacific. They failed.
These young Americans were quick thinkers, often innovative, knew how to be creative, can-do, and independent. They were problem solvers, took responsibility easily, never quit, prided themselves on being self-reliant, had goals, and prevailed.
They were taught to be law-abiding, honorable, and strong. At least 1.5 million were Boy Scouts. They all knew the oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Their motto was “Be Prepared,” and the 12-point Law: “Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
Made strong at home, they were strong overseas. Like the “Boys of Pointe du Hoc,” they defeated the Third Reich and Japanese Empire. In the process, they learned death, fear, pain, disappointment, grief, how to overcome adversity, and win.
On their return, they were different. They had done something immeasurably, saved the world, met evil, defeated it at great cost. So had parents, girlfriends, sisters, brothers, and friends. This was a generation that knew fear and defeated it.
These young Americans, and those who suffered with them in their absence, knew courage, can-do, faith, and how to manage adversity. In my experience with them, they were confident, self-assured, had survived the crucible, and had overcome fear.
Now that second question. Is the “way of life” for which they fought “prevailing?” Honest answer: I do not know. There are signs of hope, even in the modern torrent of unfathomable ignorance, indifference, ingratitude, and anti-Americanism.
Daily, as I travel Maine and the Nation, I see an awakening – even a revival, a new appreciation for faith, family, freedom, and what it takes to hold them, the very values for which the “The Greatest Generation” fought, and that their lives taught.
This I do know: As with them, responsibility for the future is on us. It is our generation to live and teach the values they imparted. History repeats in ways good and bad. We must know the difference, then carry the precious values they preserved for us forward in our time. Not to do so would be to let them down.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
The qualities that defined The Greatest Generation then are surely needed now as they were then .And will be needed by. future generations of Americans. This article is a great reference for what is needed. To remember , aye ,and to keep alive the values of faith, family and freedom. The hope of a revival of respect for Principles that strengthen the foundation of this Nation is encouraging. The good character as per the Scout Oath and the Scout Law brings optimism into the picture .Faith in God will be there to help with keeping Good prevailing over evil.That Faith ,that Spirit, and recognizing the sense of responsibility that is part of having a sense of purpose, living by a code of conduct . To encourage developing a high level of intelligence, to be resourceful and to have courage at all times .Great work Robert Charles, this article lights the way for what is right and is appreciated. Dedication to a way of life that has Honor, Honesty, Integrity, Courage and Loyalty in the picture presents a great idea for what is needed to keep on the right course.
Says RBC, “These young Americans were quick thinkers, often innovative, knew how to be creative, can-do, and independent. They were problem solvers, took responsibility easily, never quit, prided themselves on being self-reliant, had goals, and prevailed.” This description is nearly the EXACT OPPOSITE of the young adults we have today. Can OUR generation (age 60-80+) somehow reach our juniors and convince them of the absolute NECESSITY of becoming that described by RBC? Seems our Nation’s future depends upon it.
RBC, great article today. Reminded me of some of my relatives who served in WW2. I had 2 uncles from my mom’s side that served on destroyers in the Pacific theater. One was on 2 destroyers that were both sunk and he survived.
My father-in-law’s career was interesting. He was 16 when he enlisted in the Army in 1942. Started training in Florida as an antitank gunner when it was discovered that he spoke German, so he was recruited by the OSS. From there. he worked in North Africa and Italy during the war behind the German lines. None of his family knew what he had done. While dating my future wife, he pulled me aside one late afternoon and we had man time for the evening, night, and through the dawn where he recapped what he had accomplished during the war. Quite interesting. He worked for the CIA after that. He passed away in 1990. In 1992, I met the retired Army colonel who was the OSS recruiter for my father-in-law.
Have a great day.
All the boys in dads family served WWII. including a brother that had polio, He volunteered for the air raid warning system that was in place.
God Blessed America with this generation.
My grandfather was drafted in the War to End All Wars, after being promised “He kept us out of war”. Americans are too informed today and as a result the draft has not been used since Biden and Trump dodged it.
I was raised by and around those of “The Greatest Generation” and they were just that. You write a wonderful article. We do need more to be like that generation.
Recently, YouTube has been running a series of videos on the industrial war effort during WW2. The industrial might of the US was the other half of the formula that helped in winning the war. The US turned out like a juggernaut, with innovation, and 24/7 production. It’s a story that has never really been told, and I was very proud of our country. Our enemies when inspecting downed or captured equipment, said later, they were blown away by the technology and how far advanced we were, and many then knew that the war was lost. They had been led to believe we were a decadent, lazy society. Here are some videos to watch:
The Giant WW2 Factories of the United States
American Industries Turn the Tide During WW2
America’s WWII Aircraft Factories: Unmatched
2+ Hours of WW2 Factory Facts
People + Equipment = Victory
The Greatest Generation knew what was at stake. Today’s Generation just want the newest phones and multi-colored hair. With pronouns of their own choosing.
Great article! So thankful for all who rose up for our freedom!!
Most of the military were drafted. Another Democrat war attempted to detract from a decade of the Great Depression.
My Dad was ineligible because of arthritis in his back from farm life when he was growing up. 4F didn’t shatter him. He had become an auto mechanic, and worked at that profession until the day he retired. He didn’t get to go to war, but was very patriotic, and raised two children who served, one in the Navy, and one the Army. We might not be here if he had gone to war.
Greatest generation. BUT they began creating and helping to start the left-wing, drug-using, anti-society, kill your parents, anti-police, campus rioting hippie/socialist/commie, filthy, diseased freaks, known as the Baby Boomers.
(Not all were by any means, but there were far too many of these weirdos for sure).
And now these brain-fried from drug use, mostly white far left liberals are protesting the same $hit, chanting the same anti-American BS in every Blue State, still anti-police, pro-criminal, with many parading all over Portland naked, and still being the A$$HOLES they were 60+ years ago.
SAD AND PATHETIC INDEED.
The post war period was also important. The USA did not loot and further destroy our war enemies. We helped them rebuild and spread democracy around the world. The USA rewarded our soldiers with the GI bill. Persons who could not have afforded to go to college during the depression were able to be educated and many of them built the technology of the space age. The government helped them acquire houses. Most of the people reading this will not like to hear this but — the tax on the highest level of income during that time was 90%. This helped reduce the debt that had been incurred building up our armed forces during the war. But it also paid for the Marshall Plan and the G.I. Bill and the national highway system. Those who made the biggest profits from the war helped to rebuild the country. Today those who make the biggest profits are not willing to help reduce the debt or educate the upcoming generations or upgrade our infrastructure.
How far have we gone from that to the fragile hot house orchids needing help to cross the campus and safe spaces to hide from the realities. To be sheltered from the scary facts of life, at the same time not having any problem with protests and destruction of the property.
They were indeed the greatest generation. Potentially later generations Could have surpassed them but blew it! Is there still hope for their like again? One can only hope and pray!