Women's Role in the War
During the 1940s the United States was transforming through war. Women were as much part of these transformations by giving their lives, support, and family to war. While most men were at war, women glued the braking pieces of our nation together.
When the War erupted in 1939 the US government was reluctant to let women take a physical role in battle. However after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese- December 7, 1941- there was a shift in the women’s work force. The US needed to rely on all the resources they had. With the progression of the war women needed to take over the roles that society declared “men’s work”. Women took on all responsibility of the home front. Women became the sole provider for their families, working in factories, driving transportation vehicles, maintaining corporate finances, operating machinery, working in defense plants, etc. They did all of this in addition to maintaining their household and volunteering for war-related organizations.
As the demand for women’s services increased, more and more women took an active role in the war. They did this among volunteering for newly formed organizations that supported American war efforts. Over 350,000 American women put on a uniform, both home and abroad. They joined organizations such as:
· Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs)
· Navy Women’s Reserve (WAVES)
· The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve
· Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS)
· Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS)
· Navy Nurse Corps
Women’s services were greatly appreciated. General Eisenhower felt that the war could not be won without the aid of the women in uniform. He stated, “The contribution of the women of America, whether on the farm or in the factory or in uniform, to D-Day was a sine qua non of the invasion effort.” (Ambrose, D-Day, 489)
Although women were not on the battle field they were the reason we had such a strong front line. Women in uniform took on office, as well as taking over jobs that allowed more men to be sent to battle. They performed roles that included:
· Driving supply trucks
· Repairing airplanes
· Laboratory technicians
· Rigged parachutes
· Radio operators
· Analyzed photographs
· Flew military aircraft across the country
· Test-flew newly repaired planes
· Trained anti-aircraft artillery gunners by acting as flying targets
· Served near the front lines in the Army Nurse Corps
With these jobs came many casualties as well as will power and bravery. Sixty-eight American service women were captured as POWs (prisoners of war), being held in the Philippines. More than 1600 nurses were decorated for bravery under fire and meritorious service.
Women supporting the US during WWII were noble and hardworking. However, post war times denied women the positions that they had maintained during the war. After WWII came to an end, men were taking back their roles in society leaving a lot of women without work. For women who lost their spouse during war, and had a family to feed, this was a difficult time. However many women remained part of the working society and helped to gain rights for the working women in the future. All and all, women in the US were able to prove their worth and contribution in society during WWII, while transforming societies views on the working women.
The National WWII Museum recognizes the contribution that women played in the success of the Allied victory in World War II and explores that contribution in depth in its Home Front gallery.
"WOMEN IN WWII AT A GLANCE:." The National WWII Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2013.