AWON

The “American WWII Orphans Network” was established in 1991 by Ann Bennet Mix to provide support for the American World War Two orphans. Its purpose was then and is today to provide contact with other AWON orphans, share experiences, and help in the search for information about their fathers who were killed or missing in the war. After the war, approximately 183,000 children were left fatherless and were designated “war orphans” by the Veterans Administration. In Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C., there is a marker dedicated to the AWON orphans. A national conference is held every two years to aid the members in the discovery of their father’s records as a support system for those who are still hurting. The members also research the history of their fathers who served in the armed forces during the war; in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Maritime Service. Growing up as an orphan of the war poses many desperate problems for the fatherless child and for his or her family. Many questions are left unanswered and unresolved. It is the hope that with the help of AWON, its members, their families, and World War Two veterans, that some of these difficulties can be resolved and put to rest for the orphan’s piece of mind and for their posterity.