World War II (often abbreviated to WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world’s countries – including all the great powers – eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. A state of total war emerged, directly involving more than 100 million people from more than 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 70 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombing, premeditated death from starvation and disease, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war.
Simon Howard Close (1891) was born in Scottsburg, Indiana, the son of Charles Edgar Close (1866) and Vora M Walker. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Lucien Mack Close (1881) was born in Shelby, Ohio, the son of Erastus Spaulding Close (1833) and Leanora Lydia Barber. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at University City, Missouri.
Irving Watkinson Close (1893) was born in Shelby, Ohio, the son of Willis Irving Close (1860) and Mary Azalia Watkinson. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Mansfield, Ohio.
John Watkinson Close (1921) was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, the son of Walter Erastus Close (1887) and Florence Sylvia Laird. He was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1945 at Ellwood, Pennsylvania.
Walter Erastus Close (1887) was born in Shelby, Ohio, the son of Willis Irving Close (1860) and Mary Azalia Watkinson. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Ben Avon, Pennsylvania.
Ellsworth Earl Close (1920) was born in Culdrum, Minnesota, the son of Frank Leslie Close (1881) and Annie Pearl Duffield. He was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1941 at Morrison County, Minnesota.
Ralph Lorin Close (1917) was born in Oregon, the son of Reuben Vallard Close (1893) and Bernice L Hale. He enlisted into the US Armed Forces in August 1943 at Spokane, Washington.
Hayden Murphy Close (1893) was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the son of Wallace Holmes Close (1867) and Adaline Murphy. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Multnomah, Oregon.
Reuben Vallard Close (1893) was born in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, the son of Perry Gail Foote Close (1872) and Etta Belle Peek. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Medford, Oregon.
Joseph Benjamin Close (1894) was born in Garden City, Minnesota, the son of Benjamin Lockwood Close (1858) and Emma Shoemaker. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Frank Leslie Close (1881) was born in Deer Creek, Minnesota, the son of Leslie Walter Close (1851) and Adella Stevens. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Little Falls, Minnesota.
Charles Benjamin Close (1879) was born in Deer Creek, Minnesota, the son of Leslie Walter Close (1851) and Adella Stevens. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Licking County, Ohio.
Oliver Morton Evans (Close) (1886) was born in Tobin, Indiana, the son of John D Close (1840) and Nancy Hicks. His father adopted the surname Evans after living with his maternal grandparents for many years, so his children should really…
John Wesley Evans (Close) (1883) was born in Tobin, Indiana, the son of John D Close (1840) and Nancy Hicks. His father adopted the surname Evans after living with his maternal grandparents for many years, so his children should really…
Harry M Close (1888) was born in Industry, Illinois, the son of William Henry Close (1858) and Mary Emily Raymond. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Chicago, Illinois.
Etna William Close (1894) was born in Industry, Illinois, the son of William Henry Close (1858) and Mary Emily Raymond. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Peoria, Illinois.
Frederick Chester Close (1884) was born in Industry, Illinois, the son of William Henry Close (1858) and Mary Emily Raymond. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at McDonough County, Illinois.
Earl William Close (1908) was born in Industry, Illinois, the son of Clyde Henry Close (1882) and Fanny Belle Derry. He enlisted into the US Army in January 1944 in Illinois, to be honourably discharged 8 months later.
Clyde Henry Close (1882) was born in Mundy, Michigan, the son of William Henry Close (1858) and Mary E Raymond. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Peoria, Illinois.
Jabez William Close (1878) was born in Mundy, Michigan, the son of Edward Elbridge Close (1839) and Sarah Bigelow. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Flint, Michigan.
Ray Ebin Close (1891) was born in Michigan, the son of David Lewis Close (1852) and Emma A Bigelow. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Pomona, California.
William Franklin Close (1916) was born in Byron, Michigan in 1916, the son of Frederick E Close (1866) and Georgia G Badgero. He enlisted into the US Army in 1942 at Michigan.
Joseph Alvin Close (1922) was born in Montana, the son of Eldred Alvin Close (1899) and Agnes Mae Close. He enlisted into the US Army in 1942 at Butte, Montana.
William Amos Close (1923) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Ira Close (1900) and Ethel M Brogan. He was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1942 at Pennsylvania.
Ira Close (1900) was born in Marion, Wisconsin, the son of John Close (1853) and Merretta Hannah Quimby. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
John Gilbert Close (1923) was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, the son of William Henry Close (1896) and Clara Marie Ross. He was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1942 at New London County, Connecticut.
William Henry Close (1896) was born in Royalton, Wisconsin, the son of John Close (1853) and Merretta Hannah Quimby. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Orange County, Indiana.
Ora Close (1892) was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, the son of John Close (1853) and Merretta Hannah Quimby. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Oconto, Wisconsin.
Charles Close (1888) was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, the son of John Close (1853) and Merretta Hannah Quimby. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Oconto, Wisconsin.
Bert Dent Close (1879) was born in Lamartine, Wisconsin, the son of Richard D Close (1840) and Mary Jane Laundry. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
