The job market for The Greatest Generation (born between 1901 and 1927), The Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945), and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1967) looked very different from how it does today.

Many held jobs that are practically extinct in modern-day America, performing them through the Great Depression, World War I, World War II, and beyond.

Their grit and determination have inspired every generation that’s come after them. On Facebook, Upworthy readers shared the incredible jobs their parents, grandparents (and even great- and great-great-grandparents) from the Greatest Generation, the Silent Generation, and the Baby Boomers held. These jobs not only helped build America, but also established some of the incredible places we still use today.

American jobs in World War I and World War II

“My maternal grandfather was a RAF pilot in WW1. His missions included flying against the Red Baron.” – Carolyn Walsh Risser

“My grandfather helped repair the Pacific Fleet after Pearl Harbor and throughout the War.” – ML Downing

“My dad could fix anything. Once his car broke down & fixed it on the road with sewing machine parts. In WWII he worked in the Jeep pool repair. If they didn’t have the parts, they made them.” – Virginia Davis

“My grandpa was in the 101st airborne and jumped on D-Day. He was also at Bastogne. Pretty much the Band of Brothers story.” – Pat Crowley

 “My father was a master mechanic building steam turbines during WW2 for the DeLaval Company.” – Bill Adams

“Father [was an] engineer building airstrips on Okinawa during WW2 and a civil engineer after the war.” – Dan Dickinson

“Grandfather was a Coastguard Chief Petty Officer. He was in charge of the guard that caught Nazis on the Jersey shore. My other grandfather was a Navy Diver. He repaired ships with battle damage in WW2.” – Jim Merrill

“My grandfather was Head Baker on the USS Indianapolis, which........

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