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Tom Hanks Launches 20-Part WWII Series Memorial Day

5/26/2026

Summary

Tom Hanks Launches WWII

Tom Hanks announced the 20-part History Channel series “World War II with Tom Hanks,” debuting on Memorial Day.
He will executive-produce it with Pulitzer-Prize historian Jon Meacham, who notes the war’s moral choices—such as freedom versus slavery—echo decisions people face in 2026.
His prior WWII work includes Saving Private Ryan (1998), Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Masters of the Air and starring in Greyhound.

Summary

Clark Analyzes WWII

The 20-episode series runs 860 minutes, dwarfing most single-battle WWII documentaries.
Senior historian Robert Citino of the National WWII Museum serves as series consultant.
Retired General Wesley Clark, former U.S. European Command chief and NATO commander, offers analysis.
Producers Ben Goold, Jane Root, Steve Condie, Sharon Scott and Gary Goetzman expand the roster.
Episodes one-three, using released archival material, cover the Munich Conference, Dunkirk, Fall of France and Operation Barbarossa.

History

Historical Context

World War II began on 1 September 1939 and ended with the Allied victory in 1945, prompting the United Nations’ creation. The United States, Britain and the Soviet Union coordinated strategy through conferences such as Tehran and Yalta, while American industry produced about two-thirds of Allied munitions. The 2026 History Channel series revisits those decisive battles for a new generation.

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Tom Hanks Launches WWII

Tom Hanks announced the 20-part History Channel series “World War II with Tom Hanks,” debuting on Memorial Day.
He will executive-produce it with Pulitzer-Prize historian Jon Meacham, who notes the war’s moral choices—such as freedom versus slavery—echo decisions people face in 2026.
His prior WWII work includes Saving Private Ryan (1998), Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Masters of the Air and starring in Greyhound.

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