20 Photos of Young Men Just Before They Left to Be Soldiers in World War II

Daniel Bonfiglio Published Yesterday in wow

Most of us will never know the gut-wrenching feeling of saying goodbye to our loved ones, knowing there's a decent chance we never get to see them again.

But that's what millions of young families were forced to do on the cusp of World War II. These photos show young men before they were touched by the horrors of war, and the rest is up to your imagination.

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1. Goodbye At the Train Station
Soldiers leaving for Egypt, 1935.
2. Last Kiss
Before war, 1940s.
3. Couple in Penn Station
Sharing a farewell kiss before he ships off to war during WWII, New York, 1943. Photo by Alfred Eisenstadt.
4. “My Nan and Grandad”
“Before he left to fight in the war. 1939”
5. Saying Goodbye
English Soldiers preparing to go to Egypt.
6. Penn Station
Saying goodbye, 1943.
7. Yogi Berra
Posing with his sister and brother before he left for the Navy during World War II in the 1940s.
8. Kissing Goodbye
A Soldier and a Red Cross nurse, 1945.
9. “My Great-Uncle Ernie”
“In the early 1940s, before heading off to serve in World War II.”
10. The Neighborhood Guys
“Shortly before they left for the war, summer of ‘42. My great uncle, the guy on the far right, was killed in action in February 1943.”
11. Soldier Says Goodbye
To His Family Before shipping out for service in World War II. New York City, 1943.
12. “My Grandpa”
Before World War II, USSR, 1938.
13. Penn Station, 1943
A soldier's farewell to his wife before returning to war. Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaed. Colorized.
14. Native American soldiers of 157th Infantry
Before sailing for service overseas in World War II.
15. Penn Station
Saying goodbye, 1943.
16. Climbing
To say goodbye, 1940
17. “My Grandfather"
Shipping off for World War II, Newport RI, 1942.
18. British Soldier
As he leaves for the front, 1939.
19. Kissing Goodbye
Before the train pulls away.
20. Sergeant Randall Collins
Posing with his mom in his uniform. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II, before dying in a plane crash in 1947.

1. Goodbye At the Train Station
Soldiers leaving for Egypt, 1935.
2. Last Kiss
Before war, 1940s.
3. Couple in Penn Station
Sharing a farewell kiss before he ships off to war during WWII, New York, 1943. Photo by Alfred Eisenstadt.
4. “My Nan and Grandad”
“Before he left to fight in the war. 1939”
5. Saying Goodbye
English Soldiers preparing to go to Egypt.
6. Penn Station
Saying goodbye, 1943.
7. Yogi Berra
Posing with his sister and brother before he left for the Navy during World War II in the 1940s.
8. Kissing Goodbye
A Soldier and a Red Cross nurse, 1945.
9. “My Great-Uncle Ernie”
“In the early 1940s, before heading off to serve in World War II.”
10. The Neighborhood Guys
“Shortly before they left for the war, summer of ‘42. My great uncle, the guy on the far right, was killed in action in February 1943.”
11. Soldier Says Goodbye
To His Family Before shipping out for service in World War II. New York City, 1943.
12. “My Grandpa”
Before World War II, USSR, 1938.
13. Penn Station, 1943
A soldier's farewell to his wife before returning to war. Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaed. Colorized.
14. Native American soldiers of 157th Infantry
Before sailing for service overseas in World War II.
15. Penn Station
Saying goodbye, 1943.
16. Climbing
To say goodbye, 1940
17. “My Grandfather"
Shipping off for World War II, Newport RI, 1942.
18. British Soldier
As he leaves for the front, 1939.
19. Kissing Goodbye
Before the train pulls away.
20. Sergeant Randall Collins
Posing with his mom in his uniform. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II, before dying in a plane crash in 1947.