It has been documented that exposure to severe and prolonged stress can result in emotional disturbances which may last for decades. Research has focused on the diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), symptoms of which include flashbacks, increased startle response, interpersonal withdrawal, suspiciousness, impulsivity, and irritability. This study compared veterans (N=120) from World War II (WWII) and the Vietnam War with and without the diagnosis of PTSD. The Symptom Checklist 90-Revised version was completed by WWII veterans who had been prisoners of war (POWs) (N=30) and met the criteria for PTSD; WW II veterans (N=30) who did not meet the criteria for PTSD; Vietnam combat veterans (N=30) diagnosed with PTSD; and non-PTSD Vietnam combat veterans (N=30) who had been treated for other psychiatric disorders. Both WWII and Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD reported greater distress than non-PTSD veterans. Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD reported significantly greater global distress, and obtained greater distress scores on 8 of 9 subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised than the WWI ex-POWs. The two groups rated their anxiety levels about the same. Only on the somatization scale, which measures physical symptoms distress and concerns, did ex-POWs score higher, which is consistent with greater age and associated physical complications. Thus it appears that veterans with PTSD who had different combat and cohort experiences may not present the same symptom pictures. (BHK)