World War II Veterans
1941-1945
16,112,566
Served
405,399
Deaths
670,846
Wounded
119,550
Still Alive (2024)
12,209,238
Peak Deployed
2.52%
Death Rate
30,314
Missing/POW
98
Median Age (2024)
🧠 PTSD & Mental Health
Called "combat fatigue" or "shell shock." Estimated 30-50% experienced symptoms. No formal treatment programs.
🏥 Veterans Benefits
GI Bill (1944) transformed America: 7.8M used education benefits, created the middle class, built the suburbs. VA home loans backed $1.6T in mortgages.