The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
"The Best Years of Our Lives" tells the story of how three army veterans struggle to readjust to civilian life at the end of World War II. One of them, Homer Parish, lost both of his hands in the war. We see him adjusting to his disability throughout the film. He learns, over the course of the film, that he has not lost the love of his fiance. One of the most touching scenes in "The Best Years of Our Lives" is the wedding of Homer Parish.
Homer's two buddies bring home very real though hidden disabilities from the war and this award-winning film examines their difficulties in reentering family and work life.
Harold Russell, who actually lost both of his hands in World War II, won two Oscars for playing the role of Homer Parish. One of the Oscars was for best supporting actor and the other was for being an inspiration to returning veterans. Mr. Russell remains the only person who ever won two Oscars for playing the same role.
This movie does an excellent job of showing the struggles, turmoils, joys and triumphs of veterans re-adjusting to civilian life. The movie also shows how people adjust to living with disabilities.
SPEAKER: Chief Warrant Officer Donald Greer III
Decorated Chief Warrant Officer Donald Greer, who recently returned from serving as a pilot of the Apache helicopter in Iraq, introduced "The Best Years of Our Lives". He talked about how well this movie portrays the experience of soldiers who acquire disabilities.
Chief Warrant Officer Greer has been awarded the following decorations
- Army Senior Aviator wings
- Air Assault Wings
- Bronze Star
- Air Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievment Medal
- National Defense Service ribbon
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism service Ribbon
- Army service ribbon
- Overseas service ribbon
- NATO Medal