In just the short time since its creation, the Veterans History Project is amassing a remarkable collection of interviews and documentary materials spanning much of the twentieth century. Contained in these sources are compelling accounts of wartime service from men and women, civilian and military, representing many ranks, jobs, branches of service, and theaters of war. Their stories--told in their own words through letters, diaries, and oral history interviews--teach us, amuse us, and inspire us. They also sometimes sadden us, with tales of lost lives, lost time, and lost innocence, all in service to our country.

Some of the audio- and video-taped interviews donated to the project were recorded by professional folklorists, but most were conducted by family members, friends, neighbors, students, and other volunteers whose enthusiasm and respect for their subjects outweigh the technical shortcomings that occasionally surface in the recordings. The interviews have taken place in private homes, retirement communities, VFW halls, schools, and libraries. They touch on all aspects of America's war experiences at home and abroad--from the routine to the extraordinary, from enlistment to discharge. Several clips from the collection are included below as an introduction to the riches that will follow as the Veterans History Project grows and as our resources allow for the collection's selective digitization.

See and hear stories of wartime service
featured in
        "Experiencing War"

Search the Veterans History Project Database

Browse WWII Collections Online from the Database

View webcasts & photos from VHP's Pavilion at the National WWII Reunion

View webcasts & photos from VHP's War's End Symposium.