They were better than us...

They were young men.
Actually, they were boys.
They came from the farms and the cities with a noble cause in their hearts and minds.
They came to defend their homes, their families, their freedom. In doing so they became part of something no one could have imagined. They saved the world--they changed the world.

"We, and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees."
Franklin Roosevelt

Fresh faced and full of righteousness they lined up at the recruitment offices. They left their mothers and fathers, sweethearts and friends. In strange surroundings, in far off places, they trained and drilled and became soldiers. These boys became strong as the fat left their bodies and muscle thickened over their bones. Older men yelled and screamed at them trying to drive home the will to survive, the instinct to do what was ordered, what was needed, all without any hesitation. They were training them how to kill and not be killed. Those that survived that ordeal were sent to the transport ships.



A month on the ocean, sea-sick and cramped, they were transported across the Atlantic to England where an invasion of allies occurred. Then on June 6th, again they were packed onto boats and planes to cross another body of water; the English Channel.

The Higgins boats were packed with these boys, their sergeants, lieutenants and captains. Vomit and sea water sloshed at their feet. The Higgins boat driver yells for them to be at the ready. They can hear the roar of the exploding shells around them, the piercing whine and plings of the bullets flying into the boats, bodies and sea. The landing ramp is released and the boys in the front catch a barrage of German machine gun bullets, and their comrades stumble over them only to plunge into the cold Normandy waters, water that is foaming red with the blood of 17, 18, and 19 year old men.

"You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." ~General Dwight D. Eisenhower June 6, 1944.

Men. These boys became men and ended up storming those beaches, over-running the German defenses and liberating Europe. The horrors they encountered are not fathomable from our secure worlds. They saw atrocities that no one could have written about in the worst of horror novels.



America was not the only country who felt the losses of their young.

Germany:
3.5M Killed or Missing
4.6M Wounded
2M Civilian Deaths

Italy:
330K K/M
70K Civilian Deaths

Japan:
1.75M K/M
350K Civilian Deaths

China:
1.3M K/M
1.8M Wounded
9M Civilian Deaths

Poland:
130K K/M
200K Wounded
2.5M Civilian Deaths

UK
400K K/M
300K Wounded
60K Civilian Deaths

France:
250K K/M
350K Wounded
270K Civilian Deaths

Canada:
42K K/M
50K Wounded

USSR:
9M K/M
18M Wounded
19M Civilian Deaths

USA:
300K K/M
300K Wounded

(not all countries listed)

Totals (including all reporting countries)

Total Military Killed or Missing: 18,266,000
Total Civilian Deaths: 35,961,000
Total WWII Deaths: 54,227,000
Holocaust: 6,000,000
TOTAL: 60,227,000

The point is this: They WERE the GREATEST generation.