What made the WW2 generation the “greatest generation”?

2019-02-16T19:13:27-05:00

I would argue that the accomplishments resulting from a full mobilization of the nation where every family had someone at risk gave us something in common. We are divided as a nation because we don’t have even 1 value that we all share. Is this the worst generation? Thoughts?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 17 at 2019 12:59 AM

2019-02-17T00:59:17-05:00

I didn't have a clue about my father until about a year before his mind went. His mom was a DC socialite and had him greased for West Point. He rebelled and went Navy ENL. At Great Lakes he was ordered to undergo mustard gas tests. He got $5 more a month for it. In part, that was what haunted his body for the rest of his life. He spent most his time deep in China as a weather guesser. In the early days, the C-47s couldn't fly over The Hump because they lacked weather intel. So he was with one of several enhanced squads getting the data, sending it off with Morse Code, and then bailing out because the Japanese were smart enough to figure they're around and were aggressively looking to take them out. So I was asking him the big question. How long? Eighteen months straight. By then, enough assets got into China to be a real force. "Real" weather guessers showed up so they had to find something this E-5 could do. His remaining time in China was mostly guard duty over supply dumps. It was a greater nightmare because starving locals were always climbing the wires to get at food. What he had to do is forever with him like many of his generation. He stayed quiet about it for so many years. There are a million stories like that out there. Greatest Generation? You bet.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Feb 18 at 2019 9:51 AM

2019-02-18T09:51:24-05:00

I think it all comes down to what people believe in. I regularly visit and speak with my wife's grandfather... a WWII Marine vet. I've got to "know" my own grandfather (who died in the Pacific at 23) through his sketches, notes, and photos. These people believed in a United States that represented the best system of government, best quality of life, and highest principles on the planet. I don't think they were "closed minded", or "unaware"... I think they just knew which side they were one. By comparison, we (even the most conservative of us) seem less certain.

I'm sure that's because we've come of age under a cloud of doubt disguised as the "search for truth". We've been exposed to "truths" that compel us to spend all of our time sorting through the "attic" of the past... rather than building on the foundation towards the future.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Feb 18 at 2019 11:27 AM

2019-02-18T11:27:07-05:00

I'm going to take a different route on this.
They were not the greatest generation. They were ordinary men put in an extraordinary war. Their desire to fight for their brothers and themselves greatly outweighed their fear. We have seen such bravery and desire in this generation, in the Vietnam generation, the Korea (forgotten war) generation. American men and women have always risen to the occasion and even when the populace turned their back on the military, we have always been there for each other.

I think we idolize them because they had a fairy tale evil enemy to defeat, the Nazis. The Nazi's were a strong, battle hardened force to be reckoned with and we later found out the horrors of what Germany's government was doing in the background; all of which attests to a perfect good vs evil plot. However, we forget how many of them failed to reintegrate into "normal" lives (most of which I blame on the government for not taking care of them). Many became abusers both domestically and of substance.

I don't dare judge them through the lens of today in terms of racism or misogyny, but it was there mainly due to the times of society. There is no doubt in my mind that the accomplished a monumental feat and they should be remembered and praised for it; I just think we put to much weight into it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 11:40 AM

2019-02-18T11:40:32-05:00

Respect, attitude, and belief are what the Greatest generation had even among the thieves and beggars. Leaders had value, and respect not contempt. It would take a good beat down to regain those values. that's bad.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2019 2:27 PM

2019-09-02T14:27:49-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwKPFT-RioU

Thank you for starting this discussion sir, I am currently interested in the topic myself.

That generation of U.S. military men and women dealt with incredible challenges in all facets of political, strategical, and ethical realms. Their overall accomplishments are rightly admired by us today and I personally believe I am forever in their debt. I think the data in the attached video paints a n accurate picture of the immensity of the war, allowing us to better draw out the significance of those who fought in it. As well, I think American soldiers today read over the vast amount of heroic stories from WWII and quickly find several things to admire, most notably bravery, loyalty, and humility.

However, there are some points that I think rounds out the veneration of WWII times, if we observe these same realms of strategy, politics, and ethics. Consider that this generation is also responsible for some of the most horrifying acts of racism, sexism, and corruption/failure of leadership in our country's history. The most obvious being the tremendous atrocities committed against black people, who weren't even allowed the basic democratic dignity of being able to vote until 1965. Consider Anne Moody's firsthand account of such in "Coming of Age in Mississippi". Or, we could discuss the older members of the WWII generation and the early 20th century aspect of American history that saw some of the worst working conditions in history for the middle and lower classes. The entire narrative of Carnegie Steel comes to mind. Also, something not as well known is the chemical testing done by the Army on soldiers in WWII:

https://www.npr.org/2015/06/22/415194765/u-s-troops-tested-by-race-in-secret-world-war-ii-chemical-experiments

The idea of greatness is rightly attributed to the WWII generation as American warriors, but I believe venerating them as the ideal American people is neglecting deeper historical context. I admire their unity as a country in a lot of ways, but cannot forget their disunity in others. This is already in discussion here:

https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/strategic-debate-the-wwii-era-truly-comprises-america-s-greatest-generation

The Fallen of World War II

An animated data-driven documentary about war and peace, The Fallen of World War II looks at the human cost of the second World War and sizes up the numbers ...