🎖️ A Remarkable Life. A Lasting Legacy. We’re proud to present the 2025 UNITY Award posthumously to Frederick W. Smith—@USMC Marine, @FedEx founder, & champion of the WWII generation. Watch tribute now: vimeo.com/1147049726 #UNITY #FrederickWSmith #CharlesMcGee #WeRememberThem

We say goodbye to another one of our treasured heroes! World War II Veteran William "Bill" Pooler, of Bolivar, Missouri, died on June 7, 2026 at the age of 101. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Bill served his country with honor during World War II. For his bravery and sacrifice, he was awarded the Bronze Star, endured the hardships of being a wounded Prisoner of War, and holds the distinction of being the last known surviving son of an American Civil War veteran. His father, Charles Parker Pool, fought for the Union Army with the Sixth West Virginia Volunteers. After returning home, Bill continued a life of service through his work in the commercial construction industry. As a skilled brick mason and member of Bricklayers Union Local BAC #15, he helped build countless structures while leaving behind a lasting legacy of craftsmanship, dedication, and pride in his trade. Rest in peace, Sir! We thank you for your service! #WeRememberThem

On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank celebrated her thirteenth birthday and received a diary as a gift. This diary would become one of the world's best-known books, published by her father, the only member of their family to survive the Holocaust. The published book is known as The Diary of a Young Girl and has since been translated into over 60 languages. Happy Birthday Anne Frank! #WeRememberThem

On June 12, 1963, a white supremacist assassinated World War II veteran and Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi. He was buried on June 19 in Arlington National Cemetery, receiving full military honors before a crowd of more than 3,000. Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963) was an American civil rights activist in Mississippi, the state's field secretary for the NAACP, and a World War II veteran who had served in the United States Army. He worked to overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities, and expand opportunities for African Americans, including enforcing voting rights. Evers served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was sent to the European Theater, where he fought in the Battle of Normandy in June 1944. After the end of the war, Evers was honorably discharged as a sergeant. A college graduate, Evers became active in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. Following the 1954 United States Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated public schools were unconstitutional, Evers challenged the segregation of the state-supported public University of Mississippi, applying to law school there. He also worked for voting rights, economic opportunity, access to public facilities, and other changes in the segregated society. Evers was awarded the 1963 NAACP Spingarn Medal. As a veteran, Evers was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. His murder and the resulting trials inspired civil rights protests; his life and these events inspired numerous works of art, music, and film. #WeRememberThem #BlackVetsCount

Today we celebrate Eugene Martin Greenman’s 100th birthday. A WWII Navy veteran from Dowagiac, Michigan, Gene served aboard the USS Charles Carroll APA-28 during the Invasion of Okinawa and went on to live a century of service, family, hard work, and love. Sign his card:: ow.ly/HeMS50Zb37N #Happy100th #WWIIVeteran #WeRememberThem

We are saddened to hear of the passing of World War II Veteran Glendell Bennett, of Lexington, Kentucky, on May 1, 2026. He was 102 years old. From serving his country in World War II to standing alongside civil rights leaders, Bennett’s life was defined by service and perseverance. Born in Chicago and raised in Call, Texas, Bennett volunteered with the Tuskegee Airmen at just 17 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. As a member of the Red Ball Express, he helped deliver critical supplies to troops on the front lines during the war. After returning home, he attended Prairie View A&M College, worked in farming, and later moved back to Chicago, where he said he worked alongside civil rights icons, including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2013, Bennett moved to Lexington to live with his daughter. Even into his 90s, he remained active in the community, working with Goodwill Industries and the Gainesway Community Center—continuing a lifetime of service. Bennett donated his body to science to benefit future generations. Services have been set for June 18, 2026 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville. Rest in peace, Sir! We thank you for your service! #WeRememberThem #BlackVetsCount

U.S. Army LT COL Robert G. Cole of San Antonio, TX, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions on June 11, 1944, near Carentan, France. Cole joined the Army on July 1, 1934, and was honorably discharged on June 26, 1935, to accept an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was appointed 2ND LT to the 15th Infantry at Fort Lewis, WA, in 1939 and remained there until his transfer to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning, GA, in 1941. He advanced to LT COL, commanding the 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Parachute IR on June 6, 1944, his unit’s first combat jump date. Cole parachuted into Normandy as part of the American airborne landings in Normandy. By the evening of June 6, they captured Exit 3 at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville behind Utah Beach and were at the dune line to welcome men from the U.S. 4th ID coming ashore. Cole's battalion had guarded the right flank of the 101st Airborne Division in attempts to take the approaches to Carentan. During the advance, Cole’s battalion was subjected to continuous fire from artillery, machine guns and mortars. A Belgian gate blocked nearly the entire roadway over the last bridge. With the Germans still resisting any attempt to move beyond the bridges, Cole called for smoke on the dug-in Germans and ordered a bayonet charge. He charged toward the hedge row, engaging at close range with bayonets in hand-to-hand combat. The assault, which came to be known as “Cole’s Charge,” proved costly. With his battalion exhausted, they were subjected to counterattacks by the German 6th Parachute Regiment on the edge of Carentan. By 0730 on June 12, Carentan was captured. Cole was awarded the Medal of Honor on Oct. 4, 1944, for his actions at Carentan. Unfortunately, Cole was not able to receive this honor in person. On Sept. 18, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Cole was shot and killed by a German sniper near the town of Best during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. #WeRememberThem

On June 7, WWII veteran Sgt. Wesley Bias turned 100. A century of life. A legacy of service. Sgt. Bias served in the U.S. Army with the 644th AAA Auto Weapons Battalion, earning the Army Occupation Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Happy belated 100th birthday, Sgt. Bias. #Happy100 #GreatestGeneration #WWIIVeteran #WeRememberThem #USArmy #ArmyVeteran #WorldWarII #WWIIHistory

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Richard Miles McCool, Jr. of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions on June 10-11, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, McCool was accepted into a new Navy ROTC program and later appointed to the Naval Academy. He graduated in 1944 (his class of 1945 graduated a year early) and by June 1945 was serving as a lieutenant on the USS LCS(L)(3)-122 and Landing Craft Support ship. On June 10, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa Island, McCool helped rescue the survivors of the sinking destroyer USS William D. Porter. The next day, his ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze. Although he suffered severe burns and shrapnel wounds in the explosion, he continued to lead his crew in the firefighting and rescue efforts until relief arrived. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 10-11, 1945. McCool also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired at the rank of Captain in 1974 after a 30-year career. He died of natural causes on March 5, 2008, in Bremerton, Washington. #WeRememberThem

Two generations. Two defining struggles. One American story. Today we launch Friends’ weekly #America250 YouTube series with Rick Atkinson’s “The Two Greatest Generations,” connecting the Revolution and WWII. Watch now: ow.ly/LrZn50ZabiO #America250 #RickAtkinson #TwoGreatestGenerations #RevolutionaryWar #WWIIHistory #GreatestGeneration #WWIIMemorial #WeRememberThem

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Arthur Frederick DeFranzo of Saugus, Massachusetts, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 10, 1944, near Vaubadon, France. DeFranzo joined the Army in November 1940 and, by June 10, 1944, was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the 1st Infantry Division. On that day, near Vaubadon, France, he was wounded while rescuing an injured man from hostile fire. Despite his own injuries, he led an attack on the enemy positions and continued to advance and encourage his men even after being hit several more times. He destroyed an enemy machine gun position before succumbing to his wounds. DeFranzo was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later for his actions on June 10, 1944. He was given a military funeral at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus, MA. #WeRememberThem

Happy 100th Birthday to WWII veteran Raymond Kenneth “Ken” Eastlack! Ken served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, trained as a gunner and mechanic on a B-24 Privateer, built a successful career and family, and still inspires with his lifelong energy and determination. Please sign his digital birthday card: wwiimemorialfriends.org/birt… #Happy100 #GreatestGeneration #WWIIVeteran #WeRememberThem #USNavy #NavyVeteran #WorldWarII #WWII

U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Walter David Ehlers of Junction City, Kansas, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions on June 9-10, 1944, near Goville, France. Ehlers joined the Army in October 1940. He and his older brother, Roland, served in the same unit and participated in the fighting in North Africa and Sicily. By D-Day on June 6, 1944, Ehlers was a staff sergeant and squad leader in the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On June 9, he led his unit’s attack against German forces and single-handedly defeated several enemy machine gun nests. The next day the platoon came under heavy fire. Ehlers was wounded but managed to cover the platoon’s withdrawal. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 9-10, 1944. On July 14, 1944, Ehlers learned that his brother, Roland, had died on Omaha Beach when a mortar shell struck his landing craft. He went on to work for the Veterans Administration and as a security guard at Disneyland, California. He died in 2014 of kidney failure at the age of 92. He is buried in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. #WeRememberThem

U.S. Army Private Joe Gandara was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 9, 1944, near Amfreville, France. Gandara was born and raised in Santa Monica, California. He was the son of Mexican immigrants. He enlisted in the Army as a high school student in February 1943. As a paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gandara served in D-Day, among other battles. On June 9, 1944, Pvt. Gandara’s detachment came under heavy fire from a German force, pinning him and his comrades to the ground for four hours. Gandara voluntarily advanced alone, firing his machine gun from the hip. As he directed hostile fire away from his detachment, he successfully destroyed three machine guns before he was fatally wounded. Gandara was initially rewarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions, however, it was upgraded to a Medal of Honor after the 2002 Defense Authorization Act called for a review to investigate discrimination against Jewish American and Hispanic American Veterans. President Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014. His niece, Miriam Adams, accepted it on his behalf. #WeRememberThem

U.S. Army Private First Class Charles Neilans DeGlopper of Grand Island, New York, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 9, 1944 in Normandy, France. DeGlopper joined the Army in November 1942 and trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina, before being deployed overseas in April 1943, where he served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France. On June 9, 1944, regimental commander Colonel Harry Lewis was ordered to make a crossing of the le Merderet River and help attack the La Fière Bridge from the opposite side. Themselves under attack, C Company 1st Battalion was cut off from the rest of the battalion. Despite coming under increased fire, PFC DeGlopper stood up and began firing at the attacking Germans to suppress their fire and relieve the battalion. Although wounded, PFC DeGlopper continued to stand and fire, and when hit yet again, still fired although kneeling and bleeding profusely. Meanwhile, as the Germans were distracted and occupied with PFC DeGlopper's automatic fire, the remainder of C Company was able to break off and head for La Fière to join the rest of their battalion. For his actions on June 9, 1944, DeGlopper was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was just 22 years old. #WeRememberThem

Fred Faulkner Lester of Downers Grove, Illinois, a Hospital Apprentice First Class in the U.S. Navy, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 8, 1945, on Okinawa Shima. Lester enlisted in the Navy Reserve on November 1, 1943, at age 17. He completed his recruit training at Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho and was promoted to seaman second class in January 1944. He attended the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, and upon completion, his rank was changed to hospital apprentice second class on March 3, 1944. Lester was assigned to a Fleet Marine Force, Field Medical Service School for combat field training, and then to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. On June 8, 1945, Lester served with an assault rifle platoon against the Japanese on Okinawa Shima. Spotting a wounded Marine beyond the front lines, he crawled to him, despite being hit twice by enemy gunfire, and pulled him to safety. Refusing medical treatment for his fatal injuries, Lester guided squad members in providing medical treatment to the rescued Marine and others before dying shortly after that. Lester was just 19 years old. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 8, 1945. He is buried at Clarendon Hills Cemetery, Darien, Illinois. #WeRememberThem

U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Frank D. Peregory of Esmont, Virginia, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 8, 1944, near Grandcampe, France. To join the Virginia Army National Guard, Peregory lied about his age in 1931, stating that he was 16 instead of 15 years old. His unit was activated when the United States entered World War II in December 1941. While guarding a beach, Peregory received the Soldier's Medal for saving a fellow soldier from drowning. Peregory landed with the 116th Infantry Regiment on Omaha Beach as part of the Normandy Invasion. His unit was among the first wave of troops to assault the beach. While his unit advanced on the German defenses, the leading elements of his unit began receiving fire from German forces. The Germans were entrenched on high ground overlooking the town and were able to inflict severe damage on Allied forces as they approached. Numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective until Technical Sergeant Peregory risked his own life by advancing up the hill under heavy enemy fire. He worked his way to the crest of the hill, where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main enemy fortifications. He leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement. When he encountered a squad of enemy riflemen, he attacked them with hand grenades and his bayonet, killed eight and forced 3 to surrender. He then continued along the trench, forcing more than 32 German soldiers, including the machine gunners, to surrender. This action opened the way for the battalion's leading elements, allowing them to advance and secure its objective. He was killed in combat six days later. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 8, 1944. #WeRememberThem

Why one historian uses social media to remember D-Day in real time : NPR npr.org/2026/06/06/nx-s1-584…

U.S. Marine Corps Private Robert Miller McTureous, Jr. of Altoona, Florida, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa on June 7, 1945. McTuroues joined the Marine Corps in August 1944 and was sent to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, for his recruit training, where he qualified as a sharpshooter. After the island of Okinawa was invaded by U.S. Marines and the need for replacements became apparent, McTureous’s draft was sent, and he became attached to rifle Company H, 3rd Battalion, 29th Marines of the 6th Marine Division. On June 7, 1945, McTureous took part in the capture of an important hill on the Oroku Peninsula. The company suffered several casualties, and enemy fire remained so heavy that the wounded could not be evacuated. McTureous filled his pockets and jacket with grenades, charged up the hill into the enemy position, and succeeded in silencing the Japanese. He was badly wounded after passing one cave but did not call for aid as to prevent other men from being hit while attempting to rescue him. McTureous, along with the wounded, was evacuated to a hospital ship, the USS Relief, and given large quantities of blood in an attempt to save his life. He died at sea on June 11, 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day. #WeRememberThem

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Howard E. Woodford of Barberton, Ohio, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on June 6, 1945, near Luzon, the Philippines. On June 6th, 1945, Woodford was serving as a staff sergeant in Company I, 130th Infantry, 33rd Infantry Division. On that day, he volunteered to investigate the delay in a scheduled attack by an attached guerilla battalion. He found the lead company immobilized by intense enemy mortar, machinegun, and rifle fire. He neutralized the fire and set up a perimeter defense for the night. Before dawn, the enemy launched a fierce attack, and Woodford, although wounded, remained at his post to fight off the enemy. At daybreak, he was found dead in his foxhole with 37 enemy dead lying around him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day. A transport ship was named in his honor, the Sgt. Howard E. Woodford. #WeRememberThem

102 years of courage, service, family, and quiet strength. Happy 102nd birthday to WWII veteran Bill “Billy” Hadley, who served with the 331st Bombardment Group on Guam, loading B-29s in the final months of WWII. Please join us in honoring Bill’s remarkable life. #Happy100 #GreatestGeneration #WWIIVeteran #WeRememberThem #HappyBirthday #102ndBirthday #ArmyAirForces #B29 #Guam #WWIIHistory