20 Moments Frozen in Time as Young Men Headed into WWII

These images show young men, still full of casual jokes and easy smiles, caught right before uniforms replaced carefree clothes.

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.

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