Commander’s Welcome

Welcome to AMVETS’ special World War II website, dedicated to the 16 million Americans of that generation who served in uniform and on the home front to preserve our way of life. These gallant citizens answered the call of their country in a way that enabled America to uphold the awesome responsibility thrust upon it by the largest event in the world’s history. This month’s dedication of the long-awaited National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors their contributions and sacrifices, and rightfully so.

Unfortunately, with our World War II veterans dying at a rate of nearly 1,100 a day, fewer than 4 million of them will be alive at the time of the dedication. We honor all of them, nonetheless—the living and the dead—for the unwavering devotion to duty they demonstrated when their nation called. A quick glance at America’s war effort shows, perhaps better than anything, the extent of that commitment.

As an organization born in World War II, and whose original members were solely veterans of that conflict, AMVETS takes pride in their accomplishments and salutes them for their service. This site is a manifestation of that tribute, and I invite you to examine its pages, which attempt to chronicle the enormity of a war whose operations stretched to every populated continent. In doing so, we hope that your journey provides you with new insights into World War II and an appreciation for the pivotal role played in it by members of “the greatest generation.”

William A. Boettcher
National Commander