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Veterans: US WWII Veterans History Project

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Veterans: US WWII Veterans History Project

2022 Copyright WWII Veterans History Project | All rights reserved. Use of content authorized by: BENJAMIN MACK-JACKSON FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTACT US

WWII Veterans History Project 4327 S HWY 27, Suite 139 Clermont, FL 34711

352.708.4644

info@ww2veteranshistoryproject.com⁠

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The WWII Veterans History Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to give the past a future, one story at a time. We’re dedicated to educating and inspiring future generations to better appreciate the sacrifices made by the greatest generation through documentary films, traveling museum exhibitions, and educational programs.

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana

AN URGENT QUEST

Of the 16 million men and women that served in the American armed forces during WWII, less than 200,000 are still alive. That number is rapidly decreasing, with an estimated 300 dying every day. We’re working to meet and interview as many of these heroes as possible before it’s too late. Our mission to preserve their stories is urgent.

Over the past seven years, our team has interviewed more than 100 WWII veterans across the world. We are always looking for new veterans to interview, regardless of nationality or service history, and add their stories to our oral history archive.

World War II was one of the main events that led to the world today. The “War to end all wars” was what led to the Cold War, the Soviet Union & it’s collapse, modern technology, the nuclear weapons that exist. Before I introduce some World War II veterans to you, I’d like to introduce a hero.

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Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov

Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov

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Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov

Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov

Information Category

Info

Birth

Raisa Petrova (m. 1973; died 1997)

Death

19 May 2017 (aged 77)

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Fryazino

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Russia

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Known For

1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident

Allegiance

Soviet Union

Branch

Soviet Air Defence Forces

Service Period

1972–1984

Rank

Lieutenant colonel

There are no rows in this table

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In 1983, Stanislav Petrov, a lieutenant colonel in the Soviet Union’s Air Defense Forces, trusted his gut and averted a global nuclear catastrophe. Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov (7 September 1939 – 19 May 2017) was a lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defense Forces who played a key role in the 1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident. On 26 September 1983, three weeks after the Soviet military had shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, Petrov was the duty officer at the command center for the Oko nuclear early-warning system when the system reported that a missile had been launched from the United States, followed by up to five more. Petrov judged the reports to be a false alarm.

A man’s calm and rational decision is the greatest that can be equipped to each and every one of us. One man, LTCOL Petrov, has contributed the most during the Cold War. He may be that one, unknown, little hero that saved thousands, if not millions of lives across the world. Before the incident, a civilian aircraft operated by Korean Airlines has been shot down by Soviet Anti-Air Missiles after being mistaken for a US spy plane. Later at that time, the Soviet nuclear early warning system Oko reported the launch of one intercontinental ballistic missile with four more missiles behind it, from the United States. Petrov was one of the engineers stationed at the command center.

A “unrationed” decision turned out to save the whole earth from mass weapon destruction. This is what’s called “serving your country” and “serving the people”. Warriors of all fronts, fighting to protect their families and children. But “He received no reward.” According to Petrov, this was because the incident and other bugs found in the missile detection system embarrassed his superiors and the scientists who were responsible for it, so that if he had been officially rewarded, they would have had to be punished. He was reassigned to a less sensitive post, took early retirement (although he emphasized that he was not "forced out" of the army), and suffered a nervous breakdown.

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The story starts in the 40s. A era of World War II, the Holocaust, atomic bombs, and the beginning of the Cold War. The brave and honored men live to today to tell us their stories.

Chief Warrant Officer James Milton Johnson

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Maria and Jimmy Johnson, the children of Chief Warrant Officer James Milton Johnson, a WWII veteran who fought with the all-black 92nd Infantry Division.
Maria and Jimmy Johnson, the children of Chief Warrant Officer James Milton Johnson, a WWII veteran who fought with the all-black 92nd Infantry Division.
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James Milton Johnson, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 17, 1915, served in the US Army. Initially enlisted with the 2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Clark, Texas, he later accepted a commission as a Warrant Officer Junior Grade. In February 1944, Johnson joined the 599th Field Artillery Battalion of the 92nd Infantry Division, famously known as the Buffalo Soldiers. These soldiers trained rigorously at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in preparation for their deployment to Italy.

On September 28, 1944, James and his unit left the United States for Italy, arriving eight days later on October 6. For Warrant Officer Johnson, he would see heavy combat as part of the 599th FA Battalion, participating in the Rome-Arno, Po Valley, and North Apennines campaigns. Their main weapon, the 105mm howitzers, which made up the 599th, were essential in supporting infantry units that engaged the enemy on the front lines. His story: When the German forces in Italy finally surrendered on May 2, 1945, Johnson became part of the occupation forces. During his time in Italy, James met Luciana Scotti, a 21-year-old Italian woman. They quickly fell in love and married in Leghorn, Italy, on February 25, 1946. In January 1947, they had their first child, Maria, who was born at the US Army 61st Station Hospital in Ardenza Leghorn, Italy. For James Johnson and the Buffalo Soldiers, it was a bittersweet victory as the Army considered the 92nd a complete failure. As the only all-black infantry division serving in combat during WWII, the division had been strictly watched and criticized. Racially motivated reports of poor performance, desertion, and low morale were submitted to the Army by senior white Army officers. But official records and numbers tell a different story. During their time in Italy, the 92nd advanced more than 3,000 square miles and captured more than 20,000 German prisoners. They also suffered heavy casualties – with more than a quarter of the unit killed or wounded in action. By the ending in 1945, the 92nd earned more than 12,000 decorations and citations – including two Medals of Honor.

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Captain Robert Herfort

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18-year-old Jamie Herfort holds a photo of her grandfather, Captain Robert Herfort, a WWII veteran who served as a battalion surgeon in the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division.

18-year-old Jamie Herfort holds a photo of her grandfather, Captain Robert Herfort, a WWII veteran who served as a battalion surgeon in the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division.

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