Nov. 11, 1918 marked the armistice that ended World War 1 - dubbed at the time "the war to end all wars." Twenty years later, on the eve of the next world war, Veterans Day would become a legal holiday in the U.S. In honor of Veterans Day, and inspired by the 100th anniversary of the first Armistice Day, MOAA has compiled this chronological list of 100 veterans our members should know.

You could fill multiple lists with Medal of Honor recipients or four-star generals; we've highlighted these 100 veterans not solely on the basis of valor not leadership, but also to paint a picture of the last 100 years of service. You'll find plenty of famous names here as well as interesting stories of some less-well-known servicemembers.

[RELATED: Beyond 100 Veterans: More Stories of Duty and Determination]

We hope you enjoy this walk through the past 100 years and take it as an opportunity to reflect, enjoy, and absorb the contributions of servicemembers past and present.

1. Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing
2. Lt. Eugene Bullard
3. Lt. William T. Fitzsimons
4. Sgt. Henry Johnson
5. Pvt. Opha May Johnson
6. Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
7. Sgt. Alvin York
8. Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell
9. Capt. Joseph W. Schereschewsky
10.  Capt. Roscoe R. Spencer
11.  Maj. Gen. Fox Conner
12.  Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
13.  Petty Officer 3rd Class Dorie Miller
14.  Sgt. Maj. Gilbert “Hashmark” Johnson
15.  Brig. Gen. William Darby
16.  Maj. Clark Gable
17.  Gen. Merritt A. “Red Mike” Edson
18.  Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Munro
19.  Maj. Joseph Foss
20.  Carpenter's Mate Edward Sylvester Clapp
21.  Capt. David Whipp
22.  Capt. Louis Zamperini
23.  Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington
24.  Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
25.  Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth “Rock” Merritt
26.  Sgt. Maj. James Schmidt
27.  Adm. Joseph James “Jocko” Clark
28.  Sgt. Curtis G. Culin
29.  Lt. Gen. James Gavin
30.  Maj. Richard Bong
31.  Thomas McGuire
32.  Maj. Audie Murphy
33.  Yeoman 2nd Class Olivia Hooker
34.  Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone
35.  1st Lt. Vernon J. Baker
36.  Capt. Daniel Inouye
37.  Cpl. Desmond Doss
38.  Capt. William F. Deane
39.  Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager
40.  Col. Gail Halvorsen
41.  Ens. Jesse L. Brown
42.  Cpl. Tibor Rubin
43.  Cpl. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.
44.  Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller
45.  Col. Dean Hess
46.  Col. Lewis Millett
47.  Adm. Hyman Rickover
48.  Adm. Arleigh Burke
49.  Rear Adm. Grace Hopper
50.  Maj. Gen. Jimmy Stewart
51.  Gen. Harold K. Johnson
52.  Gen. Creighton Abrams
53.  Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Joel
54.  Maj. Bruce Crandall
55.  Capt. Ed “Too Tall” Freeman
56.  Staff Sgt. William H. Pitsenbarger
57.  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul W. Airey
58.  Brig. Gen. George “Bud” Day
59.  Brig. Gen. Robin Olds
60.  Capt. John McCain
61.  Capt. Lance Sijan
62.  CWO Frederick Ferguson
63.  Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez
64.  Capt. Frederick W. Smith
65.  Sgt. John L. Levitow
66.  CWO Michael Novosel
67.  Adm. Elmo Zumwalt
68.  Brig. Gen. Dale Stovall
69.  Lt. Cmdr. Michael E. Thornton
70.  Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.
71.  Col. John Boyd
72.  Seaman Apprentice William Flores
73.  Gen. Roscoe Robinson Jr.
74.  Col Guion S. Bluford
75.  Gen. Colin Powell
76.  Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
77.  Gen. Charles Horner
78.  Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum
79.  Gen. Billy J. Boles 
80.  Adm. Michelle J. Howard
81.  Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude
82.  Lt. Col. Randall Withrow
83.  Cpl. Pat Tillman
84.  Capt. Brian Chontosh
85.  Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal
86.  Sgt. Rafael Peralta
87.  Sgt. 1st Class Leigh Ann Hester
88.  Gen. Pete Pace
89.  Gen. Dan McNeill
90.  Gen. Ann Dunwoody
91.  Tech Sgt. John Chapman
92.  Gen. Jim Mattis
93.  Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers
94.  Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger
95.  Capt. Florent Groberg
96.  Rear Adm. Scott Giberson
97.  Capt. Kristen Griest 
98.  Capt. Shaye Haver
99.  Lt. Gen. Nadja West
100.   Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster