15 Vintage Photos Encapsulating the Emotion of Soldiers Returning From War

History All February 3, 2025

War casts dark shadows over the lives it touches, but some light is shown when they return home to their families. We want to show you the raw, unfiltered feelings of reunion and loss. Each image shows people at their most vulnerable, people who have endured the unimaginable pain of losing someone to war. These photos capture the humanity of soldiers, exhausted and relieved, and we’re here to share them with you. Here are 20 emotional images of soldiers returning home from war.

1. This photo shows a German soldier returning home, abandoned by his wife and kids.

A person in a coat leans over a stone wall, face buried in their arms, with a backpack on their back. The ground is littered with papers, and the background shows trees and blurred buildings. The scene appears somber and contemplative.
u/efficient_sky5173/via reddit

2. Pictured is a soldier the day before he left for the war, vs the day he came home.

Two black and white portrait photos side by side. Both depict a man with short hair, wearing a collared shirt. The left image has softer lighting, while the right image has more contrast, highlighting facial features sharply.
u/hermit_77/via reddit

3. You can only imagine the joy of seeing your daughter for the first time after years of war.

A soldier joyfully greets a little girl who is running towards him with open arms, holding a hat in one hand. They are outdoors, with a fence and foliage in the background. The girl wears a dress with a bow in her hair.
u/zer0-nebula/via reddit

4. Soviet soldiers, celebrating returning home alive.

A group of soldiers in uniform are smiling and holding bouquets of flowers. They are gathered closely together, some wearing hats with stars. The mood is joyful and celebratory.
u/diosmioman2/via reddit

5. Looking for your family member in this sea of soldiers doesn’t seem ideal.

Black and white photo of a large ship crowded with people, filling the decks from front to back. The image conveys a sense of movement and anticipation as the ship is at sea, with water visible on the right.
u/quick_presentation11/via reddit

6. It’s intense that this many people are affected by the life of one soldier.

A large vintage black and white photo of a group of people, including men, women, and numerous children, gathered outdoors. Some children have bicycles, and there is an open suitcase with items. The group appears to be posed for the photograph.
u/jetpackblues_/via reddit

7. A beautiful photo capturing the joy of a father having his son returned to him.

An older man and woman warmly embrace a man in a military uniform covered in medals. They stand outside a wooden house on a sunny day. The military man smiles, looking at the woman, who is wearing a headscarf.
u/europa_teles_btr/via reddit

8. Two brothers who fought on opposite sides of the Civil War, that must have been a tough Thanksgiving.

Two elderly men in historical military uniforms sit side by side. The man on the left wears a Confederate uniform and holds a sword. The man on the right wears a Union uniform and holds a cane. Both have white beards and appear serious.
u/swishswooshswiss/via reddit

9. That hug could have lasted a lifetime.

A soldier joyfully carries a woman in a striped dress down a cobblestone street. Both appear excited, with the woman lifted off the ground. The buildings in the background have a few windows. A small plant lies on the street.
via reddit

10. Those smiles mark the end of a war.

A group of smiling soldiers in uniform, carrying rolled blankets on their backs. The photo is black and white, and the soldiers appear joyful and excited, looking directly at the camera.
u/toobad_a_tnaming/via reddit

11. There was probably no better feeling than returning from Vietnam.

A parade of soldiers in green uniforms and hats march down a city street. Confetti streams from above. Tall buildings line the street, and spectators watch from the sidewalk. The sky is partly cloudy.
u/zadraaa/via reddit

12. A photo of the day this father left his son and a photo of the day he returned.

Left: A woman and child run towards soldiers marching in a parade on a city street. Right: A soldier embraces a smiling child in a joyful reunion. Both images depict emotional moments during wartime.
u/rtyga12/via reddit

13. All of her sons served, and all of her sons returned, that’s one lucky mother.

A black and white photo showing five men in military uniforms, posing in a line. They are smiling and standing close together. A woman in a dress gestures toward them with a smile in a room with patterned wallpaper.
u/nadilwee/via reddit

14. Canadian soldiers returning from Vimy Ridge, 1917.

A group of soldiers in World War I uniforms are joyfully sitting and standing on a truck, raising their arms in celebration. Another truck full of soldiers is visible in the background on a rural road. Trees line the road.
u/ghostmrchicken/via reddit

15. Almost everyone on that plane home is asleep.

A large group of military personnel in uniform sit closely together in rows of seats inside an aircraft. The seats and interior are designed for transport, with equipment stored above. The atmosphere is orderly and focused.
u/dgrayed/via reddit
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