WWIIVHP BLOG
Discover the latest from the WWII Veterans History Project.
Follow our journey of capturing the stories of WWII veterans, educating the next generation, and giving the past a future, one story at a time.
LAST WWII MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT DIES AT 98
Today the WWII Veterans History Project honors the life and service of Hershel "Woody" Williams, America's last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Woody passed away early this morning at the age of 98, after a lifetime dedicated to honoring and serving his fellow veterans…
WWII AS THEY SAW IT: BILL CUMBAA / DOCUMENTARY
Today we’re excited to release the third episode of World War II As They Saw It, featuring the story of Bill Cumbaa, a highly decorated Marine Corps veteran…
ARTIFACT SPOTLIGHT: WWII GERMAN CANTEEN
German canteen from WWII engraved in an artsy form of 'trench art' for a soldier of K Company, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. It was created while the 83rd was on occupation duty in Salzburg, Austria, after the war's end. The 83rd was influential in the Normandy breakout and saw combat across the European Theater during WWII…
US 2ND RANGER BATTALION RELIEVED AT POINTE DU HOC
On this day in 1944, the US 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc was relieved by the 29th Infantry Division. Halfway between Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc's 100-foot cliffs were scaled by the rangers in the early hours of D-Day, capturing and holding the vital position for two days…
REMEMBERING D-DAY | 78TH ANNIVERSARY
With flak bursting around him and bullets whizzing through the dark sky, 18-year-old Michael Camasso opened his parachute and glided down into the unknown. The date was June 6, 1944, D-Day. As a Private First Class in HQ Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Camasso was one of 13,000 American paratroopers to jump into France during the Allied invasion of occupied Europe…
78TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION OVERLORD / D-DAY
"The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you." – General Dwight D. Eisenhower - Today marks the 78th Anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944…
D-DAY ANNIVERSARY
In the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944, John Raaen was among the first to land on Omaha Beach, serving as Headquarters Company Commander of the 5th Ranger Battalion…
320th BARRAGE BALLOON BATALION ON D-DAY
On June 6, 1944, soldiers from the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion were scattered in landing craft up and down Utah and Omaha Beaches. Among them was 22-year-old Thomas E. McKinley Jr…
WWII VHP DOCUMENTARY WINS TELLY AWARDS
We are proud to announce that the WWII Veterans History Project received two #TellyAwards (one Silver, one Gold) at the 43nd Annual Telly Awards for episode 1 of our documentary series World War II As They Saw It…
Memorial Day
Memorial Day gives us a chance to reflect on the past and remember that freedom isn't free. Today the WWII Veterans History Project is recognizing all the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom…
VICTORY OVER GERMANY | 77TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY
77 years ago today, on May 8, 1945, the Allies accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, marking the end of WWII in Europe. It was a day of triumph and jubilation, as millions of people across the world celebrated the return of peace to the European continent after nearly six years of destructive war…
SOVIET TROOPS CAPTURE VIENNA, AUSTRIA
On this day in 1945, Soviet troops captured Vienna, Austria. As a major city in the Third Reich, Vienna had been bombarded continuously for the year before the arrival of Soviet troops, and many buildings had already been damaged or destroyed…
WWII VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT BOOK SIGNING
WWII Veterans History Project founder Benjamin Mack-Jackson spent the morning sharing our mission and signing copies of his book WWII History For Teens…