The Greatest Generation: Definition and Characteristics

What the term means

The Greatest Generation (also called the G.I. Generation or the WWII Generation) generally refers to Americans born roughly between 1900 and 1925. They grew up during the Great Depression and, as adults, fought in World War II or contributed on the home front. The phrase was popularized by Tom Brokaw in his book The Greatest Generation as a tribute to their resilience and civic spirit.

Key takeaways

• Typically defined as people born ~1900–1925 who lived through the Great Depression and World War II.
• Many served in the armed forces; others worked in war industries or supported the war effort at home.
• Commonly described as patriotic, hardworking, frugal, loyal, and community-minded.
• They are generally the parents of the Baby Boom generation and the children of the Lost Generation.
• Only a small and shrinking number remain today; estimates place WWII veterans and centenarians in the low hundreds of thousands.

Origins of the label

Tom Brokaw’s 1998 book popularized “The Greatest Generation,” profiling both combat veterans and civilians whose labor supported the war effort. The label recognizes shared experiences—economic hardship in youth followed by national mobilization in adulthood—and the values many observers associate with that cohort.

Typical characteristics

While individuals vary, researchers and commentators often note these common traits:
* Strong work ethic and sense of duty
* Patriotism and civic-mindedness
* Frugality and prudent saving habits
* Commitment to family and community
* Modesty, loyalty, and a team-oriented outlook

These traits are frequently attributed to formative experiences: growing up during the Depression, witnessing or serving in large-scale war efforts, and living through major social and economic change.

Generational context

• Preceded by the Lost Generation (those who came of age during or after World War I).
• Followed by the Silent Generation (mid-1920s–mid-1940s).
• Parents of the Baby Boomers; grandparents of Generation X and great-grandparents of Millennials and Gen Z.

How many remain

Exact boundaries vary, but the youngest Greatest Generation members reached centenarian age in the mid-2020s. Recent estimates include:
* Around 100,000 centenarians in the U.S. (circa 2024).
* Tens of thousands of surviving WWII veterans; some estimates put the number of living WWII veterans in the U.S. in the tens of thousands as of the early 2020s, declining rapidly.
* At recent mortality rates, researchers projecting extreme longevity suggest the final members could live into the mid-21st century, though the cohort is diminishing quickly.

Notable figures

Prominent people often associated with this generation include John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, Jesse Owens, Alan Turing, Judy Garland, Josephine Baker, Pope John Paul II, and Malcolm X.

Conclusion

The Greatest Generation is defined less by strict birth-year boundaries than by shared historical experience: coming of age during economic crisis and contributing to victory in World War II. Their legacy is reflected in cultural narratives about duty, sacrifice, and civic responsibility, even as their numbers continue to decline.