World War II (1939–1945)

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war involved the many of the world's countries. Two opposing military alliances were formed: the Allies and the Axis.

While Japan was already at war with China in 1937,  the Second World War began on September 1, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Germany conquered much of Europe, eventually forming the Axis alliance with Italy and Japan. Approximately six million European Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany and this event would become known as the Holocaust.

 

Within this Collection

Murray Price | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Meet Murray Price who was a World War II pilot. Interview by Vaughn Postema from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. ​Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
Lou Fowler | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Meet Lou Fowler and was a World War II POW. Interview by Ryan Riordan from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...
Robert Mills | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Meet Robert Mills. He served in World War II. Interview by Perry McLeod from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. ​ Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
South Carolina Honor Flight | Generations of Heroes

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Inaugural Flight - November 15, 2008. Recorded by Perry McLeod, a history teacher at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, S.C. ​ Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...
Jack Bush | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Jack Bush was a tail gunner in World War II. A tail gunner is a crewman on a military aircraft who defends against enemy fighter attacks from the rear, or "tail", of the plane. Listen to...
Irving Levine | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Irving Levine was a CBI Pilot in World War II. CBI stands for the China-Burma-India Theater. This area was where many pilots flew bombing and transport missions. Interview by Kristen...
Exhibit 2: Air Force History | Tuskegee Airmen
Episode 7

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During the Celebrate Freedom - Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary, Ralph Parks shares the history from Freedom through Flight: African Americans in the United States Air Force.
Exhibit 1: P-51C Mustang | Tuskegee Airmen
Episode 6

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During the Celebrate Freedom - Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary, Jim Prater shares the history of the P-51C Mustang airplane. The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single...