Military Conflict Timeline
Follow the service and sacrifice of Orange County veterans through history.
Explore the generations of Orange County veterans who served during major military conflicts throughout American history.
World War I
1914–1918
American service members fought in Europe during the Great War, marking the United States as a global military power.
World War II
1939–1945
Orange County veterans served across Europe, Africa, and the Pacific during the largest global conflict in modern history.
Many Medal of Honor recipients honored on this page served during World War II.
Korean War
1950–1953
Known as “The Forgotten War,” American forces defended South Korea against communist invasion during difficult mountain warfare and freezing combat conditions.
Vietnam War
1955–1975
Thousands of California veterans served during the Vietnam War under dangerous jungle combat conditions and intense enemy resistance.
Persian Gulf War
1990–1991
Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm saw American forces liberate Kuwait and defeat Iraqi military forces in one of the fastest modern military campaigns.
Iraq War
2003–2011
Orange County service members deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and counterinsurgency operations throughout Iraq.
Afghanistan War
2001–2021
American service members fought against terrorism and extremist organizations during the longest war in United States history.