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.
- Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing
- Lt. Eugene Bullard
- Lt. William T. Fitzsimons
- Sgt. Henry Johnson
- Pvt. Opha May Johnson
- Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
- Sgt. Alvin York
- Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell
- Capt. Joseph W. Schereschewsky
- Capt. Roscoe R. Spencer
- Maj. Gen. Fox Conner
- Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Dorie Miller
- Sgt. Maj. Gilbert “Hashmark” Johnson
- Brig. Gen. William Darby
- Maj. Clark Gable
- Gen. Merritt A. “Red Mike” Edson
- Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Munro
- Maj. Joseph Foss
- Carpenter's Mate Edward Sylvester Clapp
- Capt. David Whipp
- Capt. Louis Zamperini
- Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington
- Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
- Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth “Rock” Merritt
- Sgt. Maj. James Schmidt
- Adm. Joseph James “Jocko” Clark
- Sgt. Curtis G. Culin
- Lt. Gen. James Gavin
- Maj. Richard Bong
- Thomas McGuire
- Maj. Audie Murphy
- Yeoman 2nd Class Olivia Hooker
- Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone
- 1st Lt. Vernon J. Baker
- Capt. Daniel Inouye
- Cpl. Desmond Doss
- Capt. William F. Deane
- Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager
- Col. Gail Halvorsen
- Ens. Jesse L. Brown
- Cpl. Tibor Rubin
- Cpl. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.
- Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller
- Col. Dean Hess
- Col. Lewis Millett
- Adm. Hyman Rickover
- Adm. Arleigh Burke
- Rear Adm. Grace Hopper
- Maj. Gen. Jimmy Stewart
- Gen. Harold K. Johnson
- Gen. Creighton Abrams
- Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Joel
- Maj. Bruce Crandall
- Capt. Ed “Too Tall” Freeman
- Staff Sgt. William H. Pitsenbarger
- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul W. Airey
- Brig. Gen. George “Bud” Day
- Brig. Gen. Robin Olds
- Capt. John McCain
- Capt. Lance Sijan
- CWO Frederick Ferguson
- Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez
- Capt. Frederick W. Smith
- Sgt. John L. Levitow
- CWO Michael Novosel
- Adm. Elmo Zumwalt
- Brig. Gen. Dale Stovall
- Lt. Cmdr. Michael E. Thornton
- Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.
- Col. John Boyd
- Seaman Apprentice William Flores
- Gen. Roscoe Robinson Jr.
- Col Guion S. Bluford
- Gen. Colin Powell
- Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
- Gen. Charles Horner
- Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum
- Gen. Billy J. Boles
- Adm. Michelle J. Howard
- Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude
- Lt. Col. Randall Withrow
- Cpl. Pat Tillman
- Capt. Brian Chontosh
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal
- Sgt. Rafael Peralta
- Sgt. 1st Class Leigh Ann Hester
- Gen. Pete Pace
- Gen. Dan McNeill
- Gen. Ann Dunwoody
- Tech Sgt. John Chapman
- Gen. Jim Mattis
- Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers
- Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger
- Capt. Florent Groberg
- Rear Adm. Scott Giberson
- Capt. Kristen Griest
- Capt. Shaye Haver
- Lt. Gen. Nadja West
- Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster