> plenty of people who are Talmidey Chachomim and Yorey Shmoyim whose great-grandparents were total Am Haartzim and who were not particularly frum
this is not that simple. Not taking away the zechuyos, those students should not look down at their zeydes and especially bubbes. Staying Jewish and honest and not becoming murderers (like communists) in that generation was a harder test than learning in a comfortable building with food 3 times a day. Each generation has their own challenges. This is not just history, those who are zoche to still have their zeydes and great-zeydes, should listen to their wisdom even if they can not quote Rambam by heart.