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.
Leland Maxwell Close (1893) was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, America, the son of Jacob Voorhis Close (1858) and Anna Maxwell Williams. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Norwalk, Connecticut.
Walter Harvey Close (1914) was born in Manhattan, New York, America, the son of Walter Harvey Close (1857) and Louise Palmer. He was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1942 in New York, serving in the Naval Reserves.
Richard Howard Close (1904) was born in California, America, the son of Cicero Howard Close (1864) and Della Margaret Doxey. He enlisted into the US Navy in 1942 at California and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his…
Charles Monteith Close (1919) was born in New York, America, the son of Harold Stockton Close (1894) and Catherine Eugenia Galloway. He enlisted into the US Army in 1943 at New York City, New York as a private.
William Edward Close (1878) was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of George W Close (1833) and Annie Unknown. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Brooklyn, New York ... still blind in both eyes, as…
Everett Reynolds Close (1879) was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Theodore E Close (1841) and Agnes Clara Howland. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Greenwich, Connecticut.
Egbert W Close (1891) was born in Matawan, New Jersey, the son of Joseph Ward Close (1865) and Emma Wyckoff. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Wilmot Seward Close (1886) was born in Manhattan, New York, the son of Frank L Close and Eloise Seward. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at New Rochelle, New York.
Earl Mead Close (1885) was born in Illinois, America, the son of John Andrew Close (1848) and Nancy Anna Ashen. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Alton, Madison County, Illinois. See more detail in the…
Edwin Frank Close (1910) was born in Nebraska, America, the son of Albert James Close (1880) and Abigail Agnes Hasbrouck. He enlisted into the US Army in 1945 at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Charles Le Roy Close (1890) was born in Matawan, New Jersey, the son of Charles Edwin Close (1860) and Hannah Thopmson Horner. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Edward Murray Close (1902) was born in Nunda, New York, the son of Morrell Eugene Close (1867) and Lillian May Wildey. He enlisted into the US Armed Forces at Rochester, New York in 1942.
Lispenard Paul Close (1895) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Frederick Norcross Close (1853) and Teresa Mary Florence Hanly. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Glassport, Pennsylvania.
Shirley Joyce Close (1927) was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Gilbert Willard Close (1883) and Carrie Ethel Duff. She enlisted into the US Cadet Nurse Corps in 1945 at Saginaw, Michigan.
Robert Eugene Close (1925) was born in Iowa, America, the son of Albert James Close (1880) and Abigail Agnes Hasbrouck. He enlisted into the US Army in 1943 at Portland, Oregon and spent time abroad before being honourably discharged in…
Augustus Jonathan Close (1904) was born in Iowa, America, the son of George Edward Close (1875) and Sarah Wright. He enlisted into the US Army Air Force in 1942 and was discharged in 1943.
John C Close (1912) was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Albert Harold Close (1878) and Mabel Cox Smith. He enlisted into the US Army in 1941 at Hartford, Connecticut.
Henry Pletcher Close (1911) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph C Close Close (1884) and Helen Mayme Pletcher. He enlisted into the US Army in 1941 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a private in the US Army and…
Harold Thomas Close (1893) was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Peter Voorhis Close (1861) and Anna S Thomas. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Greenwich, Connecticut.
Junius Benham Close (1889) was born in New Jersey, America, the son of John Edward Close (1847) and Marie Curtis Benham. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at New Jersey, America. See more detail in the…
Clifford Webster Close (1882) was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Gideon Albertus Close (1851) and Eleanor Adelaide Wiggins. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Stamford, Connecticut.
Clifford Edward Close (1910) was born in Middle Patent,New York, the son of Clifford Webster Close (1882) and Eleanor Wynn. He enlisted into the US Army in 1942 at Hartford, Connecticut.
Allen Thomas Close (1917) was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Walter Guion Close (1888) and Elizabeth Jones. He enlisted into the US Army in 1941 at Greenwich, Connecticut as a private in the Field Artillery.
Lucius Augustus Close (1891) was born in Connecticut, America, the son of Shadrach Reynolds Close (1848) and Harriet Husted. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Albert Harold Close (1878) was born in Connecticut, America, the son of Albert W Close (1852) and Hannah Peninah Close. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Stamford, Connecticut.
George Everett Close (1919) was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of George Reynolds Close (1883) and Florence Lockwood. He enlisted into the US Army in 1941 at Hartford, Connecticut and was subsequently awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous…
Charles Lockwood Close (1882) was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Lewis Mead Close (1850) and Anna M Ferris. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at Branford, Connecticut.
George Reynolds Close (1883) was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Lewis Mead Close (1850) and Anna M Ferris. He was the Stamford Town Clerk for many years. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Armed Forces at…
Edgar Van Voorhis Close (1916) was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Van Voorhis Close (1885) and Ethel Bryant. He enlisted into the US Army in 1942 at Trenton, New Jersey as a private.
Harold Edward Close (1919) was born in Minnesota, America, the son of William Blair Close (1890) and Agnes Mary Ward. He enlisted into the US Army in 1944 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
