During the course of World War II, more than 16 million Americans served in the Military. From 1941 to 1942 alone, the army grew from about 1.4 million to more than 3 million, the navy increased from under 300,000 to more than 600,000 and the marines’ expanded from only 54,000 to almost 150,000.
Americans from all ethnic and racial backgrounds joined the fight against the Axis Powers. Approximately 300,000 Mexican Americans and 25,000 Native Americans served in integrated units. Nearly one million African Americans also joined the military. They served mostly in segregated units, however as casualties mounted, African Americans saw more active combat and eventually served in white combat units.
Over 350,000 women also responded to the call. In 1941, Congresswomen Edith Nourse Rogers introduced a bill to establish a Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps, which became the Woman’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943.
WAC provided clerical workers, truck drivers, instructors and lab technicians for the United States Army. More than 150,000 women volunteered for service; 15,000 served abroad over the course of the war and over 600 received medals for their service.
More than 57,000 nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps. Putting themselves in danger to care for the wounded in Europe and the Pacific. Tens of thousands more American women joined similar navy and Coast Guard auxiliary units.
More than 57,000 nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps. Putting themselves in danger to care for the wounded in Europe and the Pacific. Tens of thousands more American women joined similar navy and Coast Guard auxiliary units.