The U.S. called its generation born just before World War II its "Greatest Generation". A large portion of that generation served in junior ranks during the war. That generation then went on to put a premium on education, autonomy, mastery of one's craft, and contributions to a greater undertaking. And it went to the Moon.
Hot take: maybe that's at least in part because they served with officers in the war who emphasised those same qualities. Because the ones that didn't, got their men killed.
