World War II
1939-1945
29 National Organizations
| 16.1M Americans Served | 407,316 Gave Their Lives | 1,354 Days of Combat | ~100K Veterans Living (2025) |
🗺️ Explore the Battlefields: Our interactive World War 2 Battle Maps above show major engagements from Normandy to Iwo Jima. Click any marker to learn about the units that fought there.
Understanding WW2 Veteran Organizations
The organizations serving the Greatest Generation fall into distinct categories:
- Unit Associations – Preserve the history of specific military units. Many now welcome descendants as members.
- Service Organizations – Advocate for benefits and provide direct services like claims assistance.
- Memorial Organizations – Maintain memorials and conduct commemorative ceremonies.
- Family & Heritage Groups – Help families research service history and preserve oral histories.
About These Organizations
Army Divisions: The U.S. Army activated 89 divisions during WW2. Many maintain active associations preserving unit histories and hosting reunions. Use our Battle Maps to explore where they fought.
Army Air Forces: Before becoming a separate branch in 1947, the AAF flew bombing campaigns over Europe and the Pacific. The Eighth Air Force alone suffered over 47,000 casualties. Many associations maintain crew and mission databases valuable for family research.
Navy & Maritime: From Pearl Harbor to the surrender aboard USS Missouri, the Navy fought across the Pacific and supported Atlantic operations. U.S. submarines—less than 2% of Navy personnel—sank over 55% of all Japanese ships while suffering the highest casualty rate of any branch.
Marine Corps: The island-hopping campaign produced legendary battles at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Division associations maintain these histories.
Ways to Honor Their Service
- Record an Oral History – The Library of Congress Veterans History Project accepts interviews from anyone.
- Support Honor Flights – Honor Flight Network transports WW2 veterans to DC at no cost. Time is critical.
- Research Family Service – The National Archives and Fold3 provide access to service records and unit histories.
- Join a Unit Association – Many now accept descendants. Your participation preserves institutional knowledge.
- Visit Memorials – Our Locations directory includes WW2 memorials and museums.
A Note on Time: Fewer than 100,000 WW2 veterans remain living, with several hundred passing each day. Organizations focused on oral history and battlefield returns operate with urgency.
Organizations Honoring the Greatest Generation
Organization Headquarters Locations
National Headquarters Organizations
29 organizations honoring those who served in the World War II
SCREAMINGEAGLE
101st Airborne Division Association
"Honor the memory of those who served in the 101st Airborne Division, maintain and strengthen the bonds of comradeship, provide for patriotic assembly, perpetuating Screaming Eagle spirit, heritage, and traditions for future generations."
AIRCOMMANDO
1st Air Commando Association
"To serve Air Commandos and their families past, present, and future by preserving heritage, publishing the Air Commando Journal, conducting annual events, providing scholarships, and supporting Air Force Special Operations."
1STMDA
1st Marine Division Association
"Once a Marine Always a Marine"
401BG
401st Bombardment Group (H) Association
The 401st Bomb Group Association is a veterans and heritage association dedicated to preserving the history and legacy …
99DIV
99th Infantry Division Association
"To preserve the history of the 99th Infantry Division and honor its WWII veterans."
AFA
Air & Space Forces Association
"To promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense and to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their families."
AFAS
Air Force Aid Society
"To help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families."
ABA
American Battleship Association
"To preserve the history of American battleships and honor those who served aboard them."
AGIUS
American G.I. Forum of the U.S
"A New Non-Profit Veterans Organization Launched Today to Connect Veterans with Networking Opportunities"
AGIF-NVOP
American GI Forum – National Veterans Outreach Program
"The American GI Forum established the National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) in 1972 as a distinct organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all veterans, regardless of race, through community-based programs."
AMVETS
American Veterans
"To enhance and safeguard entitlements for all honorably served American Veterans and improve the quality of life for them, their families, and communities through leadership, advocacy, and services, focusing on veterans' benefits, community support, and preserving American democracy."
AVC
American Veterans Center
"To honor and preserve the stories of America's veterans through education and events."
ADF
Army Distaff Foundation
Overview Aging adults, particularly retired service members, served by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. What Organization Does …
AUSA
Association of the U.S. Army
"To serve as the voice for all components of America's Army - soldiers, civilians, retirees, veterans, and family members."
BLUESTARMOTHERS
Blue Star Mothers of America
"To support each other and our children while they serve, promote patriotism, and assist veterans organizations."
DESA
Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association
"To preserve the history of destroyer escorts and honor those who served aboard them."
FAMILIESWW2VETERANS
Families of World War II Veterans
"To preserve the memory of WWII veterans and support their families."
GOLDSTARWIVES
Gold Star Wives of America
Overview Active duty and service-connected military surviving spouses. Led by National President Claire Manning-Dick. …
HONORFLIGHT
Honor Flight Network
"To celebrate America's Veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation's memorials, creating a nation where all veterans experience the honor, gratitude, and community of support they deserve."
BOMBERLEGENDS
International B-24 Liberator Club
"To honor B-24 crews and preserve the history of the Liberator."
75THRRA
Merrill's Marauders Association
"What really happened"
NAAV
National Association of Atomic Veterans
"To advocate for the health, welfare, and recognition of veterans exposed to ionizing radiation."
NATIONALWW2MUSEUM
National WWII Museum
"The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn."
PVA
Paralyzed Veterans of America
"To change lives and build brighter futures for our seriously injured heroes"
PRITZKERMILITARY
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
"To increase public understanding of military history."
SPECIALFORCESASSOCIATION
Special Forces Association
"To perpetuate Special Forces traditions and brotherhood, to assist Special Forces personnel and their families, and to support the Special Forces mission."
THEVETERANSMUSEUM
The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas
"To preserve veteran history from the Carolinas."
TAI
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
"Honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of African-Americans who participated in air crew, ground crew and operations support training in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Introducing young people across the nation to the world of aviation and science through local and national programs such as Young Eagles and TAI youth programs. Providing annual scholarships and awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations whose deeds lend support to TAI's goals."
ARMYWOMEN
Women's Army Corps Veterans Association
"To preserve the history of the Women's Army Corps and its predecessors and to unite those who have served honorably in the United States Army."