Intergenerational transmission of war experiences was assessed using a modified Stroop task. Adult children of war veterans and those of non‐veterans named the colors in which war related words were printed. They also named the colors of neutral, positive, and OCD related words in addition to color naming a series of zeros contained on a control card. All participants completed the MMPI‐II PTSD Scale, the Impact of Event Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. A statistically significant difference between the children of veterans and nonveterans was found only on the Stroop card containing war related words. Results suggest that the modified Stroop task is a sensitive measure that may have value in assessing transmission of war experiences from parents to children. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 895–903,1997