Some current historians look back at World War II as "the last of the Good Wars" because for one thing it pulled the country out of the depths of the great economic Depression of the 1920's and 1930's. It also united Americans in their willingness to sacrifice, fight, and even die if necessary for the cause of freedom. It changed many people's lives in the meantime and set the course of the nation into the future.
But this "Good War" took a terrible toll too - millions of dead and maimed and mentally-wrecked as well. There were real live nightmares, witnessed by men and women, that would be etched in their memories for the remainder of their whole lives - scenes of deaths on smoke-filled battlefields, on turbulent seas, and in gray flak-filled skies. There were those terrible concentration camps with their piles of tangled, emaciated corpses waiting to be burned and neverending processions of bedraggled, round-eyed refugees and prisoners-of-war plodding along the desolated roads of Europe, the Pacific, and the Far East. But worst of all by far, is the still-lingering spectre of a tremendous mushroom cloud broiling angrily over the Japanese homeland.
Everyone can see there are really no "good wars," but then this was the last war recently in which we know why we were fighting, how we could win, and in the end, that we could achieve a recognizable victory. The Second World War is as close as we have come to achieving this in modern times.
As in World War I, the United States made a valiant attempt to stay clear of conflicts in other parts of the world, but actually doing so was nothing but a dream. Our country was too deeply committed against the tyranny of the Axis powers, and our aid to friendly belligerents pushed us closer to the brink of the conflagration. Before we entered the war, our merchant vessels steaming across the Atlantic and choking off vital exports to Japan began to have an impact that could not be ignored by the enemy. Finally, on December 7, 194 1, the Japanese attacked American installations on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, hurling us violently into the swirling maelstrom.
When an emotional, violent event smashes the routine of one's everyday life, it leaves an indelible image, not easily forgotten. Events surrounding that time remain vivid memories along with the shock of the situation itself, and people can often remember even the slightest of details at that time. The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of those times. Many people could not believe the Japanese would have the audacity to attack us. Others responded angrily. The response was nearly always some form of shock and then of a sense of duty or acute patriotism. And then, almost as a unit, the people seemed to take a deep breath, and with a firm resolve, begin to take on the task that was thrust upon them. It was that way here.
This war was to have a much greater impact than even the Great War in Europe (1914-1918). America's role in World War I lasted just over a year and a half. The United States entered World War II late in 1941, and did not exit until August of 1945, a period of better than three and a half years! During the Second World War, nearly six hundred men from Beaver County died, compared to less than fifty in the First World War." And while civilian rationing was introduced during World War 1, it became the ingrained patriotic duty of every citizen to follow a strict routine of self-abstinence during the war in the early 1940's. Indeed, as one looks closer in this comparison, it appears World War I had not had time to even warm up in its intensity when compared to the Second World War.
It seems virtually anything of any value quickly became "essential to the war effort" and was controlled in some way or rationed. One of the first commodities rationed was the automobile. By May of 1942, only draft selectees and volunteers were able to apply to be considered for the purchase of a new automobile, and those under consideration, unless classified as "essential workers," were placed in a lottery to vie for very scarce cars. (In 1942, the quota of cars for the entire state of Pennsylvania was just over nine thousand. And as the war years went on, the quotas shrank even more . If consumers were able to obtain an automobile, they then had to contend with other shortages.
Communications products were also in short supply so telephone service became more restricted. Only party lines were permitted for the average consumer, and homes were unable to get new phones or extensions. Also, dial phones, which were just coming into vogue were unavailable until after the War. (see also Communications and Utilities Chapter)
While gasoline, heating fuel, and petroleum products were being produced in record amounts, they were being funneled into the war zones overseas. Motorists were restricted at first to two to six gallons per week. Eventually, the type of driving was restricted as well as the number of gallons used. Everyone was urged to use car pools whenever possible, and when fuel became even more scarce, any driving was discouraged unless considered vital to the war. The Public Utilities Commission instituted a wartime curtailment program eliminating non essential routes and services. The War Manpower Commission had these methods of determining how essential products and services were to be distributed. First priority was given, to soldiers and those involved in producing for the war itself. Then came essential civilian production. That covered goods and services needed for the survival of the civilian population. Finally the non-essential or luxury industries were given their allocations. These included restaurants, retail stores, hotels, and taverns. The government came up with rules restricting special delivery by truck, unless to essential industries, hospitals, or the armed service." Passenger service on public transportation was controlled. For example, school students in Beaver County were only permitted to use buses during certain times of the day when they were going to or from school between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM." Also, the Beaver Valley Motor Coach Company was given authorization to give preferential service to Curtis-Wright employees. And then in October, the first gas rationing books came into use. Motorists were required to use Red Stamps from "A" Coupon books and were mandated to keep records of mileage, keep serial numbers from tires, and participate in car-sharing clubs.
Tires, too, were a problem. Not only did drivers need to keep tedious records, but tires were in very short demand. Tire-tube permits were necessary. Virtually no new tires were available. Re-caps were commonplace and appreciated when they could be purchased at all. There were tremendous drives for scrap rubber. Service stations could get special citations for collecting one ton of salvage rubber. The first service station receiving this citation in the County was Elvidge Service Station in Monaca, owned by Bob Leigh. In 1942, Beaver Countians salvaged over 800,000 tons of rubber for the war effort."
There were shortages of all types of metals too. People brought in old automobile batteries, plumbing, and heating units to obtain lead needed in making bullets and lead additives in gasoline. They found brass doorknobs, candlesticks, andirons, and ash trays contained valuable zinc used to coat ship's propellers, tanks, and other metal parts exposed to the elements. Ohio Township steelworkers located abandoned oil wells and salvaged thirty tons of steel for construction of air raid sirens. Officials requested the removal of outdoor advertising signs for their scrap steel. New Brighton even contributed one of its war cannons from Townsend Park to aid in the drive for scrap metal.
There were various other materials collected by the people. It seemed every scrap had some value. They collected nylon cloth, bottle caps, fluorescent light bulbs, girdles, corsets, brassieres, linen, rubber boots, fishing tackle, leaded glass, copper tubing, and old rags. Even old razor blades were deemed valuable, and men were asked to restrict themselves to just one blade per week. School children industriously mounted massive campaigns to accumulate mountains of scrap paper. In 1918, the elementary schools of Beaver County alone collected over one hundred tons of scrap paper! In order to save cloth, it became fashionable for men to wear cuff-less pants on their suits. (See Education) Housewives were given special credit toward food rationing in return for used fats that could be used in making explosives. It seemed everyone had some item just lying around the house that just might be essential to help out our boys in the foxholes.
Of course those boys in the foxholes had to be fed, and that meant some limited deprivation at home. While the people at home really did not starve, there were some things that were in short supply. One that is most remembered by consumers is sugar. During the early months, some thought using honey and maple sugar as substitutes would sufficiently satisfy the people. By April 1942, there was a limitation of a half pound of sugar per person. And by the beginning of May, rationing had begun with the registering of IS 5,000 sugar users in Beaver County and the issuance of stamp books. During canning season, sugar became more available for those intending to use it for that purpose. In November, rationing of coffee had started. Every person fifteen years old or better was permitted one pound every five weeks. Sporadically, announcements were made in newspapers concerning such items as the allotment of whiskey or other luxury items. People had to keep tab of which stamps were good on which day. Sometimes the stamps were red or blue. Other times, it might be "Airplane" stamps for a pair of shoes. But whatever was required, it worked. And it worked with a minimum of complaints or hoarding, because they believed "If you can't carry a gun, you can carry a stamp book."" The whole structure of the retail system was completely revamped. Government offices provided sales clinics for local retail merchants to acquaint them with wartime merchandise and what they would be able to do to help the War Effort."
Residents also responded by raising money and other necessary things for the war effort. There were six War Loan Campaigns in which the County bought over fifty million dollars in war bonds. Not only was there community competition, but there was also industrial competition. School children purchased war savings stamps and pasted them in small booklets. There were Victory Savings Bonds (payroll deduction) programs in most county factories. It was announced that all but four Beaver County plants had payroll deduction programs. Valvoline Oil in Freedom received the first "Minute Man Flag" for achieving 94% war bond subscription among its employees on June 1, 1942. Curtis-Wright of Vanport achieved the same award on June 17. Quotas for that month averaged $700,000. Red Cross donations amounted to nearly $100,000 in 1942 alone. A one-week Aliquippa U.S.O. drive in 1943 netted over $2500. The following December, a Beaver Falls U.S.O. campaign went "over the top" at $8900. On February 18, 1944, the American Legions of Beaver County purchased the ambulance plane "Beaver" using money collected mainly from its membership here in the county. Red Cross Sewing Circles met on a regular basis to meet some of the needs of our servicemen. The Office of Civil Defense called groups of women into Kenwood School in New Brighton to help the Red Cross make surgical dressings. There were book drives sponsored by local libraries. And the idea of the Blood Bank actually is claimed to have originated in the County in March of 1942. New Brighton and Rochester women launched a "big sister" program to remember soldiers away at war. The C'Est Vous Club kept in touch with colored soldiers of the County and sent packages to the men overseas. These are just a few of the many ways individuals responded both financially and personally. This does not include the tremendous amounts of cash and effort put forth by the County industries.
These same industries were putting forth a tremendous outpouring of materials for the War. Curtis-Wright received three "E" Awards for production, producing thousands of vital airplane propellers for fighters and bombers. Earl Meyers of Coraopolis, a Curtis-Wright employee won a national slogan contest with his slogan representing himself and his fellow workers: "Speed Em for Freedom!" American Bridge, Ambridge, constructed LST's, landing craft used in amphibious assaults. Leard Manufacturing, Fallston, made naval crankshafts. Armstrong Cork was making sound insulation for use in submarines. IngramRichardson, another "E" Award winner, made armor plating for tanks, tank treads, and ship's propeller blades. Phoenix Glass made lenses used in signal lights and airplane runway lights. St. Joseph Lead produced the lead for galvanizing, lead additives for gasoline, and bullets. Koppers United Company produced butadiene-styrene, synthetic rubber, that supplied our troops with enough tires to get us through the war when our natural rubber supply in Southeast Asia was cut off by the Japanese. Crucible Steel, Babcock and Wilcox and Jones and Laughlin Steel continued the flow of steel and steel products. (see Industry and Labor) Some new housing plans such as the West Mayfield Homes, May 15, 1942, were constructed just to accommodate workers in wartime industries. There were many other smaller industries that made a special attempt to support the War Effort. (See also Industry and Labor)
As the War progressed, the work force began to change. More and more young men were drafted or volunteered to go off to war, leaving the factories run by men over forty and by younger men judged unfit for service. Things became critical when war industries, already working overtime, could not produce to top capacity. This shortage of workers was relieved to a great degree with the use of women in positions once occupied by men only. These women served in virtually every capacity from welder, to crane operator, to labor gangs, filling the void left by the soldiers at the front. By 1944 twenty-six percent of CurtisWright assembly workers were women. When Geneva College offered free courses on war industry in which priority employment training was covered, most of the participants were women.
Even farming was affected by the reduction in the working force. The Department of Defense encouraged the revitalization of the "Garden Movement" of World War I through the Victory Gardens. High school students were often given leave of school during harvest time to help in vital food production. Plans were made to help families gain experience by the formation of the Beaver County Farm Security Administration. Once again, free seeds and plots were found for citizens, and it seemed everyone was at least growing enough fresh vegetables to satisfy their own needs. Many were doing well enough to help others appreciably.
And while those remaining home, away from the theaters of war, seem far removed from the fighting, it was not so obvious to them at the time. There was still the fear of sabotage from enemy agents, as well as the possibility, however remote, of enemy invasion. After all, German and Japanese submarines had been sighted on occasion off both coasts. Japanese troops, too, briefly landed in the Alaskan islands. Then on July 17, 1942, enemy parachutists were reported dropping from the skies right here in Beaver County! After a brief period of excitement, the "chutists" were found to be "festive balloons" released somewhere to the west. Those who had panicked wore sheepish looks for awhile. But was the possibility really that remote?
In all areas of the County, precautions were taken. In Monaca, there were bomb emergency preparations made. Firemen used real bombs to demonstrate the effects of various types. Fifty-four air raid wardens were appointed and emergency equipment (trucks, road scrapers, bulldozers, etc) was earmarked for duty. Dry sand bags were made available for defense against incendiary bombing raids. Civilian defense items were listed: whistles, helmets, first aid kits, air raid warden arm bands, fire watcher arm bands, shovels, baskets, flashlights, axes, stirrup pumps, crowbars, clothes line, air warden badges, mattocks, etc. Basic military training was offered by Captain Charles Conrad of the Lions Club. Free nursing classes were given, emphasizing the treatment of burns and explosion victims. Edwin Wallover, prothonotary, became the government-appointed licensing agent for registering blasters, dynamite, home shell-loaders, and other devices possibly used in the production of explosives. Instructions on how to react during an air raid were provided on printed cards by the Defense Council. This idea was begun here in the County and spread all over the country. It was initiated in New Brighton. Also "Spotting Posts" were organized by the local American Legions to watch for enemy aircraft. To get them started, local posts put out a call for binoculars from as many residents as could spare them. Boys in high school manual training classes built scale model enemy planes as projects to aid the Spotting Posts in plane identification. Rules for air raids and blackouts were explained in full. During blackouts, the only lights permitted from dusk to dawn would be for war industries and air navigation lights. Of course, in the event of a real blackout, even those lights would be curtailed. These blackout restrictions were listed in newspapers on June 18, 1942. On July 17, the first local blackout took place and was considered a success by officials. After the first blackout, residents became more lax and were admonished over their attitudes on several occasions. On August 26, 1942, Beaver County had its first test Air Raid Alert. Many communities used an auto horn connected up to a battery, and the alert was to be recognized by the populace by three long squawks in succession. When the alert happened, Countians responded in an "adequate" fashion according to authorities. But some feel the term "adequate" was serving to convince residents they were doing excellent and compliments applauding ordinary effort were actually destructive.
In the final analysis, Beaver County's contributions
to the positive resolvement of the Second World War must be considered
extraordinary in the face of the manpower, industry, and personal
sacrifice on the part of its residents. No other section of the
country could boast of a deeper commitment to an all out "effort"
than this County did from 1941 to 1945 in a time when our American
way of life was threatened by tyranny from without. This kind
of commitment was not to return in the decades following the War
in the period known commonly as "The Cold War."