Most of my uncles, mother and fathers brothers, served overseas in WW 2. Only one made it a career, retiring as a USAF Master Sergeant aircraft mechanic. Another avoided military service by working in a shipyard in Long Beach, CA. He made that a career, staying there for 40 years. Another was a navy fighter pilot, but buckled under fear and pressure, becoming an alcholic during the war, and relegated to non-combat ground duties. He was in and out of VA treatment facilities for the rest of his life.
None of them, including my father, would talk very much about their experiences.
I had the privilege of knowing one of the greatest of the “Greatest Generation”. He was a banker when I knew him. During WW II he served with 10th Mountain division. The division did not see action until it was sent to Italy in January 1945. Because of its special training, it was in the lead for a lot of offensives. He was the only one of eight officers in his company not to become a casualty during the five months until Germany surrendered and earned two Silver Stars. The division overall suffered 25% casualties with about 83% occurring in rifle companies like his. He returned home to marry in 1947, and he and his wife had 72 years together.