Applications are open for Nebraska’s World War II Veteran Recognition Program, an initiative to recognize Nebraska’s living WWII veterans in 2025 for the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.
The medal is available to living veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces between Dec. 1, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are legal residents of Nebraska or can demonstrate Nebraska residency at the time they entered the service, and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
“Those who fought in World War II are known as the greatest generation because of their sacrifice and determination to overcome an evil that threatened to overtake the world,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “Our state recognition program is a small, but important, token of our undying appreciation. But for our veterans and their families, we would not be here enjoying the freedoms that we experience every day.”
The in-person medal presentation ceremonies will be held at the Nebraska State Capitol and are set for Victory in Europe Day, May 8, and Victory over Japan Day, Sept. 2, 2025.
Gov. Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) are also encouraging mayors across the state to assist by hosting their own 80th-anniversary ceremonies to present medals to local WWII veterans in an effort to present as many medals in-person as possible. Veterans may also choose to receive their medals via mail, with medals expected to ship in late 2024 to early 2025.
“The goal of this program is two-fold,” said NDVA Director John Hilgert. “One, we want to thank Nebraska’s World War II veterans while we still can and recognize them for their tremendous sacrifice at a turning point in world history. Two, we want to refocus our attention to these veterans and their stories to remind people of what they were fighting for and just how much they sacrificed to fight for it.”
The NVDA website shows a blueprint of what the medal will look like and includes further information about the program.
On the front of the medal is the slogan of this initiative, which reads "Celebrating 80 Years of Victory." It includes Nebraska's famous Sower in front of the state and surrounded by a laurel wreath, a symbol of triumph. The backside of the medal features the words "On Behalf of a Grateful State, Thank You for Your Service" emblazoned above the personification of victory standing in front of the 48-star flag of 1946. The ribbon design pays homage to the U.S. Military's World War II Victory Medal. The medals will be housed in a velvet box and come with an accompanying ribbon bar.
The announcement of the program took place this past May 8 proclamation signing ceremony for the 79th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Gov. Pillen and NDVA Director Hilgert were joined by Nebraska Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Craig Strong for the announcement. He spoke of his recent trip to the Czech Republic for the city of Pilsen’s annual Liberation Festival, which honored the U.S. soldiers who helped rescue it from Nazi control, and of the Nebraska National Guard’s role in liberating several French cities during World War II.
“Many wearing our nation’s uniform today would not be doing so without the role models of those who served before us,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Strong. “World War II Veterans deserve to be recognized with this medal, and this commemoration will go a long way in preserving the memory and legacy of these great heroes.”
The application to be a part of the program is available at veterans.nebraska.gov/ww2 . For questions, please contact ndva@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2458.
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