November 11, 2026
Introduction: In this article, to help celebrate Veterans Day, Melissa Davenport Berry provides more photos and stories of veterans from America’s past. Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, americana-archives.com, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.
To celebrate Veterans Day, here are some photos of those who served through the years and a few who honored them.
Illustration credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html
1942: Five World War I Veterans Working to Whip Germans
The photo caption reads:
Their Second War – Twenty-four years ago this quintet was scattered on the high seas and in France as members of American forces or assisting organizations in World War I. Today they’re back in service for World War II, the four men being with the Air Forces at Love Field, and Mrs. William Dunbar LaTaste a hostess at the USO Center there. Left to right: Pvt. Martin Daniel, Deming, N. M.; Cpl. O. A. Dobbs, Atlanta, Ga.; Sergt. H. G. Lewis, Albuquerque, N. M.; Mrs. Lataste and Pvt. Ralph Hepler, Cressona, Pa.
1945: Last of the Bay State Civil War Vets
These two men were just 15 years of age when they ran off to join the Union Army. On the left, Charles Benjamin Burt (1848-1947) of Springfield, the last member of Massachusetts G. A. R. – unable to participate in Memorial Day exercises – instead looks from a window of his home at the passing parade. On the right, Beverly and Priscilla Hall, granddaughters of Francis M. Atherton, sing old war songs to him, Springfield’s other survivor of the Civil War. Francis had ridden in the day’s parade.
1945: Wounded Veteran Pays Tribute
The photo caption reads:
Wounded Veteran Pays Tribute to Dead Buddies. – Corpl. Ralph A. Brown of Youngstown, Ohio, considered the war’s most serious living casualty, pays tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Corpl. Douglas J. Coburn, stationed at Fort Myer, is blowing taps after the wreath-laying ceremony.
Ralph lost two legs and his arm. He told his story to the Vindicator newspaper, and it was published on 18 February 1945. His story begins at Metz, France.
Sept. 22, 1944. – A corporal with a hard-driving armored division, Ralph served in a tank usually in the rear of battle formation. That day. Gen. George S. Patton himself picked Ralph to replace a wounded gunner in the company commander’s tank, right at the head of the outfit.
They spotted two camouflaged German trucks hidden behind a barn. “I think I got them both,” Ralph says now. “But the Germans had our range and the tank rocked. The commander yelled to us to back up.”
“After 10 feet, we stalled. There was a blue flash. When I came to, I was lying alone on the tank floor. I knew my arms and legs were shattered. It shot through my mind: I’m going to get out of this and get home and get well.
“Then I dragged myself to the turret, I hung there by my armpits, half in and half out, yelling for help. A lieutenant spotted me. He and Steve Hudac got me out. Action was still too rough for the medics to come up.
“Steve was my buddy. He comes from Youngstown and we went through basic together. It was pretty tough for them dragging me out of the turret with plenty of enemy fire being thrown at them.
“I passed out. When I came to, I was in a foxhole. Next, I came to on a moving tank. Then on a litter on a hospital jeep. Finally, I realized they were cutting off my clothes at a field hospital.”
1953: Only Three Veterans of WWI Aero Unit Show Up for Reunion
The photo caption reads:
The only three veterans of the 169th Aero Squadron who showed up for the first session of the World War I flying unit’s thirty-fourth annual reunion are pictured above singing a verse of “Mademoiselle From Armentieres.” They are, left to right, B. H. Harmic, Al A. Swank and T. J. Kendall.
1965: Family’s Military Tradition of Service
James Alexander Yates, born in Brunswick, Georgia, in 1943 to James Nathan Yates and Jane (Webb) Yates, served in the U.S. Army, D Battery 2nd Missile Battalion 52nd Artillery and 249th Repair Co. 3rd Army.
James is a direct descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Charles Butler (1746-1819) and Civil War soldier Josiah Blackman Butler (1836-1902), son of Charles Butler and Rebecca (Underwood) Butler.
James is a member of the James E. Hull Camp #1347 in Daytona Beach, Florida, Sons of the American Revolution, and Military Order of Stars and Flowers. I am currently working with James on his application for membership into the Jamestowne Society.
1980: Veterans Day Observed by Two Young Patriots
The photo caption reads:
Young Patriots – Costumed as two distinguished American figures, young April Coleman, left, and Chris Nall participated in the Veterans Day Parade held in Bay Minette, Tuesday. Dressed as the Stature of Liberty and Uncle Sam, the children rode aboard the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3568 float. The parade was among activities sponsored on the memorial day by the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion organizations in Bay Minette.
2019: Vet Flirts with Fame
This article reports:
A spry 93-year-old D-Day veteran couldn’t resist flirting with First Lady Melania Trump – and also gave Queen Elizabeth II “a little nudge.”
Thomas Cuthbert got a stern talking-to from his daughter Carole Monk before meeting the Trumps and the queen on Wednesday in England for events marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
Note: some of the graphics in this article have been AI enhanced.
Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.
Note on the header image: Veterans Day. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html [110426]
Related Articles:
