Terminology An early usage of the term The Greatest Generation was in 1953 by U.S. Army General James Van Fleet, who had recently retired after his service in World War II and leading the Eighth Army in the Korean War. He spoke to Congress, saying, "The men of the Eighth Army are a magnificent lot, and I have always said the greatest generation of Americans we have ever produced." The term was popularized by the title of a 1998 book by American journalist Tom Brokaw. In the book, Brokaw profiles American members of this generation who came of age during the Great Depression and went on to fight in World War II, as well as those who contributed to the war effort on the home front. Brokaw wrote that these men and women fought not for fame or recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do".
tErminoLogy aN EaRly usage of thE teRm tHe GreaTEst generatiOn waS In 1953 by u.S. army generAl jAmeS van FLeet, whO had reCenTly ReTired aftEr his servICe in wOrld WaR iI And LeAding The EiGHTh ArmY iN the kORean wAR. he spOke to CoNgreSs, saYing, "the mEn Of the eIGHtH army aRE A magnificENt lot, And i hAVe alWAyS sAid thE greaTeST genERatioN oF AmEricans We have ever ProduCEd." The Term WaS pOpUlaRIZed by thE tiTle OF a 1998 BoOk by aMERican jOurnAList toM brokaW. In thE book, broKaw Profiles amERIcan mEMbers of thIs gEnErATiOn who cAMe oF agE dUrIng thE greaT deprEssiOn and Went on to fiGhT In wOrld war ii, As well as tHose WHo contributed tO thE war effORt On The home FrOnt. BroKaw WRote thAt TheSe men And Women fOUGht nOt fOR FAme Or recognitIOn, But becauSe IT wAs ThE "RIght thing TO do".