Scan of microfilmed page containing handwritten comments from a Black WWII soldier.
How do we pay respect this #MemorialDay? Consider one Black #WWII soldier's request. "Don't you think it would be a grand gesture and the beginning of great progress if the people (of the United States) as a whole would have their eyes opened ... "
americansoldierww2.org/surveys/a/S1...
May 8th, 2025 is the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It was on this day in 1945 that the German forces officially surrendered, ending the War in Europe. Today, we remember the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who made this day possible.
Photograph of a Soviet soldier raising the Soviet flag over the warn-torn city of Berlin. The image is titled "Raising a Flag over the Reichstag" by Yevgeny Khaldei on May 2nd, 1945, in Berlin, Germany.
May 2, 2025, marks the 80th Anniversary of the ending of the Battle of Berlin. On this day, the Soviets overtook the city and forced the German forces led by General Helmuth Weidling to surrender.
After 80 years, the 6888th Battalion received the Congressional Gold Medal on April 29, 2025.
Researchers found that enlisted men’s opinions of their officers varied greatly from company to company. In four companies, less than 25% said their officers have even a fair amount of interest in their personal problems or welfare.
americansoldierww2.org/what-the-sol...
What is Morale?
The Morale Services Division found that there were 4 attitudes associated with the good mental conditioning of troops: Zeal, Self-Confidence, Discipline, and Satisfaction. Commanders could build these by working on 7 attitudes:
americansoldierww2.org/what-the-soldier-thinks
What did troops think about allies, enemies, and combat duty? Russia is rated very high on fighting ability, low on post-war cooperation; 4 in 5 rated Germans high as fighters; 3 in 5 rated the Japanese likewise; 1 in 3 were suspicious of war news (16): americansoldierww2.org/what-the-soldier-thinks
Portrait of General Douglas MacArthur, National Archives.
On This Day: April 3, 1945
General Douglas MacArthur was appointed to command Allied ground forces in the Pacific theater.
This anonymous response from a soldier on Survey 90 gauging “Attitudes Towards Women in the Services” claimed: “Usually a woman will join the Wac's for a reason other than being patriotic. Most of them are wolves in sheeps clothing. The people back home might think her patriotic but that's only a form of subterfuge for the real reason. One that men have enjoyed for ages and which women have craved. Released from family and relation pride she now can let herself loose and enjoy the pleasures alongside the men with hardly anything to prevent her from doing so. What a relief for the over-sexual or "bad" girl. Sometimes a morally fine, upstanding, red-blooded American girl will join the Wacs and nine out of ten times she changes over to the "habits" of the others. God bless the women who stay home and are preserving the fine things that we are fighting for. "Wake up America!"
WWII offered an opportunity for women's advancement, but not everyone was happy with women's new roles. This soldier declared that most WACs were "wolves in sheeps clothing." To view this response and others, check out this link: bit.ly/3FLVyT5
Source: National Archives
Today is Rosie the Riveter Day! The name “Rosie the Riveter” was first popularized in the 1980s. But between 1941 to 1945, over 5 million civilian women worked in factories. For many, this was their first job outside of the home where they were able to earn money to support their families.
Women's Army Corps telephone operators at the Potsdam Conference. From left to right are: Private First Class G. Vanhouten, Private Ella M. Hinkee, Sergeant G. Bielske, Private First Class Emma Latham, Private First Class Betty McClure, and Private First Class Erna Gundrum.” July 15, 1945 Credit: U.S. Army Signal Corps, National Archives.
“The WAC does not determine character but rather releases the inhibiting factors of home so that she lives her own character not an assumed one.” Survey 90, Nov 1943
Enlisted women were rigorously trained to perform essential noncombat roles like stenographers, mechanics, and switchboard operators.
Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby circa 1942. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/oveta-culp-hobby/
Did You Know?
Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby was the first director of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (later the Women's Army Corps) appointed on May 16, 1942.
As we round out Black History Month, it's important to remember the trials and tribulations faced by millions of Black Americans for hundreds of years. But it's equally, if not more important, to remember the resistance and perseverance of those same people that made our country what it is today.
The 6888th sorts mail from French civilian employees at the 17th Base Post Office in Paris, France, Nov. 7, 1945. Source: Army/National Archives. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2971608/all-black-female-wwii-unit-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal/
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all-Black WAC unit stationed overseas during WWII. The unit was created in late 1944 with ~850 women commanded by Maj. Charity Adams. They worked 24 hours a day divided into 3, 8-hour shifts, sorting 17 million pieces of mail in 3 months.
"Army Maj. Charity E. Adams and Capt. Mary Kearney of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion inspect the first contingent of black members of the Women's Army Corps assigned to overseas service in Birmingham, England, Feb. 15, 1945." Army/National Archives. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2971608/all-black-female-wwii-unit-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal/
Major Charity Adams (1918-2002) Source: National Women's History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/charity-earley
Did You Know?
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was commanded by Maj. Charity Adams who finished the war as a lieutenant colonel, making her the highest-ranking Black woman in WWII.
Black service members served in segregated units and were given separate surveys. A March 1943 survey shows that Black soldiers were assigned to "unskilled" positions at higher rates than white soldiers. Despite unequal treatment, Black Americans fought bravely in every theater of WWII.
A survey given to Black servicemen in the U.S. Army during World War II asks for thoughts on “the Army, the war, or conditions in the United States after the war.” The reply states that “a man who puts on the uniform of a nation’s army should be given and afforded... the same treatment as any other man in uniform, regardless of race, creed, or color.” It concludes with “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in a nation of God Fearing and Upright men is that America for which we are all ready and willing to fight. Lilies are as beautiful, regardless of their hue.”
“Lilies are as beautiful, regardless of their hue."
An Allied victory was made possible by the efforts of over 1 million Black servicemembers in the US Army and Women's Army Corp. During Black History Month, we remember their strength and honor their sacrifice fighting injustice at home and abroad.
The American Soldier in World War II project is back and we are excited to tell stories and new tools for learning about the Americans who served at this pivotal point in history.
#worldwarII #army #navy #marines #history #military #virginiatech
Today is #PearlHarborRemembranceDay
Over 2,400 Americans died in Pearl Harbor and every year on December 7th we remember their sacrifice.
December 7th also marks the two-year anniversary of the foundation of the American Soldier Project. We are grateful for everyone who has followed us.
Today is #VeteransDay
Over 16.1 million Americans fought for the United States Armed Forces in World War II and eventually returned to civilian life.
This #WWII Soldier argued that after all these veterans had contributed to their country, they should be taken care of upon their return.
This month is #HispanicNationalHeritageMonth! This #WWII soldier of Mexican descent spoke out against discrimination in the United States military. During this month we honor the Americans of Hispanic ancestry like this soldier who have contributed to US history and culture.
