Gary Laine Presents: American War Survivors Project

Historical Context

This page provides historical context for the major conflicts in which our interviewed veterans served. Understanding the broader historical circumstances helps frame the individual experiences documented in our archive and provides important background for those less familiar with these conflicts.

This information is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to provide a foundation for better understanding the veterans' narratives.

World War II (1939-1945)

World War II was the deadliest global conflict in human history. For the United States, involvement officially began after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, though American material support for Allied nations had begun earlier.

Key Facts:

  • Over 16 million Americans served in the armed forces during WWII.
  • Approximately 405,000 Americans died, with around 671,000 wounded.
  • American forces fought across the Pacific against Japan and in Europe against Nazi Germany and its allies.
  • The war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945 (V-E Day) and in the Pacific on August 15, 1945 (V-J Day), following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Major American Campaigns:

  • European Theater: North African Campaign, Italian Campaign, D-Day (Normandy Invasion), Battle of the Bulge
  • Pacific Theater: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, island-hopping campaign

World War II veterans often speak of the clear moral purpose they felt in fighting against fascism and the profound camaraderie they experienced. Many describe the stark contrast between pre-war civilian life and the intensity of combat experience, as well as the challenges of reintegration upon returning home.

Korean War (1950-1953)

Often called "The Forgotten War," the Korean War began when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United States led a United Nations force in defense of South Korea against North Korean and later Chinese forces.

Key Facts:

  • Approximately 1.8 million Americans served in Korea.
  • Around 36,500 Americans died, with over 100,000 wounded.
  • The war ended in a stalemate with an armistice signed on July 27, 1953 (no formal peace treaty was ever signed).
  • The 38th parallel continues to divide North and South Korea today.

Major American Campaigns:

  • Pusan Perimeter defense
  • Inchon Landing
  • Chosin Reservoir Campaign
  • Static warfare along the 38th parallel

Korean War veterans often describe the harsh winter conditions, the challenge of fighting against massive waves of Chinese forces, and the ambiguous nature of the war's conclusion. Many felt their service was overlooked when they returned home, as the war did not capture public attention like World War II or Vietnam.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict between communist North Vietnam and U.S.-supported South Vietnam. American combat troops were directly involved from 1965 to 1973, though advisors were present earlier.

Key Facts:

  • Over 3.4 million Americans served in the Southeast Asian theater.
  • More than 58,000 Americans died, with over 300,000 wounded.
  • The draft brought many young Americans into service involuntarily.
  • The war became increasingly controversial in the United States, sparking widespread protests.
  • U.S. forces withdrew following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, and South Vietnam fell to North Vietnamese forces in 1975.

Major American Campaigns:

  • Operation Rolling Thunder (bombing campaign)
  • Search and destroy missions
  • Tet Offensive
  • Vietnamization (transfer of combat roles to South Vietnamese forces)

Vietnam veterans often describe the challenging guerrilla warfare tactics they faced, the difficulty in distinguishing civilians from combatants, and the mixed or hostile reception many received upon returning home. The war created deep divisions in American society that resonated for decades afterward.

Gulf War (1990-1991)

The Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) was a U.S.-led coalition response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. After a prolonged air campaign, the ground war lasted just 100 hours before Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait.

Key Facts:

  • Nearly 700,000 U.S. service members deployed to the Persian Gulf region.
  • 149 Americans were killed in action, with 467 wounded.
  • The war featured the first large-scale use of precision-guided munitions.
  • Coalition forces included 35 nations, with significant contributions from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and France.

Major American Campaigns:

  • Operation Desert Shield (defensive positioning)
  • Operation Desert Storm (offensive operations)
  • Air campaign against Iraqi command and control
  • "Left Hook" ground offensive through the desert

Gulf War veterans often mention the threat of chemical weapons, the technological disparity between U.S. and Iraqi forces, and concerns about Gulf War Illness. Many describe the strong public support they received compared to Vietnam veterans.

Global War on Terror (2001-Present)

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States launched what became known as the Global War on Terror, including major operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Afghanistan War (2001-2021):

  • Began as Operation Enduring Freedom to remove Taliban rule and eliminate Al-Qaeda safe havens.
  • Evolved into America's longest war, lasting nearly 20 years.
  • Over 2,400 U.S. service members killed and more than 20,000 wounded.
  • Ended with U.S. withdrawal and Taliban return to power in August 2021.

Iraq War (2003-2011):

  • Began as Operation Iraqi Freedom to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
  • Justified based on concerns about weapons of mass destruction (which were not found).
  • Nearly 4,500 U.S. service members killed and over 32,000 wounded.
  • Major combat operations officially ended in 2011, though some U.S. forces returned to combat ISIS in later years.

Veterans of these conflicts often describe the challenges of counterinsurgency warfare, the blurred lines between combatants and civilians, and the technological advances in both warfare and battlefield medicine. Many served multiple deployments over years of sustained conflict.

Understanding Veteran Narratives

While these historical overviews provide context, it's important to remember that each veteran experienced these conflicts through their own unique perspective. Their individual stories may confirm, challenge, or expand upon the broader historical narrative.

The American War Survivors Project values these personal accounts as vital pieces of our collective history that help us understand not just the events themselves, but their human impact across generations.

For more detailed historical information, we recommend consulting resources such as the National World War II Museum, the Korean War Legacy Project, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.