He eventually became a B-24 combat pilot and commander and also flew missions over Germany. James Stewart (1908-97), another equally adored Oscar winner, had enlisted in the corps even before Pearl Harbor. Army Air Corps and flew combat missions over Germany. Clark Gable (1901-60), the beloved, Academy Award-winning actor, served as a tail-gunner with the U.S. Others participated directly in the fighting. ![]() Many appeared in government-produced training films and morale-boosting short subjects. Meanwhile, some of Hollywood’s top stars joined the military. The struggles of citizens in occupied countries were portrayed in such films as “Hangmen Also Die!” (1943) and “The Seventh Cross” (1944). “Tender Comrade” (1943), “The Human Comedy” (1943) and “Since You Went Away” (1944) focused, respectively, on the trials of average American women, communities and families while exploring the very real fear that a loved one who went off to war might never return. “So Proudly We Hail!” (1943) and “Cry ‘Havoc'” (1943) recorded the heroics of women nurses and volunteers at faraway battlefronts. “Nazi Agent” (1942), “Saboteur” (1942) and “They Came to Blow Up America” (1943) portrayed America’s enemies as spies and terrorists. “Wake Island” (1942), “Guadalcanal Diary” (1943), “Bataan” (1943) and “Back to Bataan” (1945) were a few of the titles that centered on specific battles. Scores of features spotlighted the trials of men in combat while demonizing the Nazis and Japanese who perpetuated the conflict. Documentaries such as the seven-part “Why We Fight” series, released between 19 and produced and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Frank Capra (1897-1991), included Axis propaganda footage and emphasized the necessity of America’s involvement in the war, as well as the importance of Allied victory.Īs for the main program, movie theaters showed non-war-related dramas, comedies, mysteries and Westerns however, a significant segment of feature films dealt directly with the war. Among these titles were “Japoteurs” (1942) featuring Superman, “Der Fuehrer’s Face” (1943) starring Donald Duck, “Confessions of a Nutsy Spy” (1943) with Bugs Bunny, “Daffy the Commando” (1943) with Daffy Duck and “Tokyo Jokie-o” (1943). While many of these cartoons were entertainingly escapist, some comically caricatured the enemy. The movie-going experience included a newsreel, which lasted approximately 10 minutes and was loaded with images and accounts of recent battles, followed by an animated cartoon. ![]() Throughout World War II, American moviegoers were treated to a steady stream of war-related programming. The following year, he pitched three innings for the Washington Senators in a major league game. In 1944, Shepard’s right leg was amputated after he was shot down over Germany. One was Bert Shepard (1920-2008), a minor league pitcher turned air force fighter pilot. Other players overcame debilitating wartime injuries. Over 120 minor leaguers also were killed. Elmer Gedeon (1917-44), an outfielder who appeared in five games for the 1939 Washington Senators, and Harry O’Neill (1917-45), a catcher who played in one game for the 1939 Philadelphia Athletics, were the two big leaguers who died in combat. Not all those who served in the military were superstars. One of the more notable was Pete Gray (1915-2002), a one-armed outfielder who appeared in 77 games for the St. Because baseball was depleted of so many able bodies, athletes who otherwise likely never would have made the big leagues won spots on rosters. Future Hall of Famers Bob Feller (1918-), Hank Greenberg (1911-86), Joe DiMaggio (1914-99) and Ted Williams (1918-2002) exchanged their baseball jerseys for military fatigues. On December 10, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.ĭuring the war, 95 percent of all professional baseball players who donned major league uniforms during the 1941 season were directly involved in the conflict. The following day, America and Great Britain declared war on Japan. was thrust into World War II when Japan launched a surprise attack on the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor. And, while popular entertainment served to demonize the nation’s enemies, it also was viewed as an escapist outlet that allowed Americans brief respites from war worries. ![]() grew increasingly dependent on radio reports for news of the fighting overseas. Japanese Americans had their rights as citizens stripped from them. To help build the armaments necessary to win the war, women found employment as electricians, welders and riveters in defense plants. Communities conducted scrap metal drives. was thrust into World War II (1939-45), and everyday life across the country was dramatically altered. Patriotic Music and Radio Reports from the FrontlineĪfter the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the U.S.
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