American Women in World War II

They played important roles both at home and in uniform, working in defense plants and volunteering for war-related organizations.

They were reluctant to enter the war when it erupted in 1939.

Hitler derided Americans for putting their women to work, while stating that the role of German women was to be good wives and mothers and to have more babies for the Reich.

<p>They became proficient cooks and housekeepers, managed the finances, learned to fix the car, worked in defense plants, and wrote letters to their soldier husbands that were consistently upbeat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs, later renamed the Women’s Army Corps), the Navy Women’s Reserve (WAVES), the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS), the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS), the Army Nurses Corps, and the Navy Nurse Corps</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He felt that he could not win the war without the aid of the women in uniform.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They took office and clerical jobs, drove trucks, repaired airplanes, worked as laboratory technicians, rigged parachutes, served as radio operators, analyzed photographs, flew military aircraft across the country, test-flew newly repaired planes, and trained anti-aircraft artillery gunners by acting as flying targets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They encountered roadblocks when they tried to take advantage of benefit programs for veterans, like the G.I. Bill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nearly 1,600 nurses were decorated for bravery under fire and meritorious service, and 565 WACs in the Pacific Theater won combat decorations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Many women were forced out of their jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers