Download - 1945: THE CONQUERING HEROES RETURN
1945: THE CONQUERING HEROES
RETURN
1945: THE CONQUERING HEROES
RETURN
Oakmont Sunday SymposiumNovember 11, 2012Bob Kirk, Presenter
Oakmont Sunday SymposiumNovember 11, 2012Bob Kirk, Presenter
Norman Rockwell captured what GI’s and the folks back home waited for and dreamed about.
Norman Rockwell captured what GI’s and the folks back home waited for and dreamed about.
Memories of Wars PastMemories of Wars Past
Vets in 1945 were better provided for than in 1787Vets in 1945 were better provided for than in 1787
Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the Republic
1932: WWI vets camp in Washington to get bonuses
1932: WWI vets camp in Washington to get bonuses
Troops under MacArthur disperse the Bonus Army Troops under MacArthur
disperse the Bonus Army
At last . . . It’s overAt last . . . It’s over
1941-1945: 13 million served
1941-1945: 13 million served
405,000 American service men and women had died in the war
670,000 had suffered woundsWithin two years, only 1.5 million
remained in the armed services . . . The others were discharged or had died
405,000 American service men and women had died in the war
670,000 had suffered woundsWithin two years, only 1.5 million
remained in the armed services . . . The others were discharged or had died
Japanese envoys accept unconditional surrenderJapanese envoys accept unconditional surrender
V-J Day August 15, 1945V-J Day August 15, 1945
Americans were jubilant that the long nightmare was over. This sailor shows his exuberance.
Americans were jubilant that the long nightmare was over. This sailor shows his exuberance.
Our heroes returnOur heroes return
What the GI’s returned to:What the GI’s returned to:
Some food still rationed. Gas rationing ended September 15
Minimum wage was 40¢ an hourWomen still drew nylons on their legs85 million went to the movies weeklyMen wore ties during dinner at homeMost adults smoked
Some food still rationed. Gas rationing ended September 15
Minimum wage was 40¢ an hourWomen still drew nylons on their legs85 million went to the movies weeklyMen wore ties during dinner at homeMost adults smoked
Factories were shut and 2.6 million workers laid offFactories were shut and
2.6 million workers laid off
Economists expected the Depression would returnEconomists expected the Depression would return
Wounds - physical and psychologicalWounds - physical and psychological
‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ (1946)‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ (1946)
The GI Bill guaranteed medical care
The GI Bill guaranteed medical care
670,000 suffered from wounds of various kinds. Many lost the use of limbs, sight, hearing, etc.
670,000 suffered from wounds of various kinds. Many lost the use of limbs, sight, hearing, etc.
45% of Iraq or Afghanistan vets file for a disability
45% of Iraq or Afghanistan vets file for a disability
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
83,000 Iraq and Afghanistan vets are hospitalized. Vets suffer flashbacks and nightmares from trauma or battle fatigue. Some suffer from alcoholism.
83,000 Iraq and Afghanistan vets are hospitalized. Vets suffer flashbacks and nightmares from trauma or battle fatigue. Some suffer from alcoholism.
The Servicemen’s Readjustment
Act of 1944
The Servicemen’s Readjustment
Act of 1944
Called “The GI Bill”Called “The GI Bill”
FDR signs the GI Bill, 1944FDR signs the GI Bill, 1944
What was in the GI Bill?What was in the GI Bill?
A vet was guaranteed his old job backMedical care was providedUnemployment insurance -- “The 52-20
Club”One year of education plus additional
months depending on service timeLow-interest loans for business or home
A vet was guaranteed his old job backMedical care was providedUnemployment insurance -- “The 52-20
Club”One year of education plus additional
months depending on service timeLow-interest loans for business or home
2,000,000 went to college2,000,000 went to college
Americans had saved $140 billion
Americans had saved $140 billion
Housing had decayedHousing had decayed
1/3 of dwellings lacked toilets1/3 of dwellings lacked toilets
A severe housing shortage A severe housing shortage
A Golden Age for America, mid-1940s
to mid-1970s
A Golden Age for America, mid-1940s
to mid-1970s
Levittown, Long Island - mass-produced houses
Levittown, Long Island - mass-produced houses
A home fit for a veteran and his family
A home fit for a veteran and his family
By the end of the war, the US had 28 million adequate housing units for . . . 37 million families.
We desperately needed millions of homes.
By the end of the war, the US had 28 million adequate housing units for . . . 37 million families.
We desperately needed millions of homes.
800 square feet for $7,990800 square feet for $7,990
Montgomery Village construction, Santa Rosa
Montgomery Village construction, Santa Rosa
Oh, boy! A new car!Oh, boy! A new car!
1946-64, 76 million babies1946-64, 76 million babies
And we all lived happily ever after . . . Well, pretty much . . .
And we all lived happily ever after . . . Well, pretty much . . .
Thank you . . . and thank a veteran for
our freedom
Thank you . . . and thank a veteran for
our freedom
Bob KirkBob Kirk