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