Texas in World War II
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941, motivated the United States to join Allied Forces in their struggle against Japan, Germany and Italy. Texans responded to the call for troops in great numbers. After four long years of war, Texas had supplied a greater percentage of men and women to the armed forces than any other state. While thousands fought on foreign battlefields, others played vital roles within Texas' borders. Fair climate, bountiful resources and a central location made Texas an ideal setting for wartime facilities. Military posts sprang up statewide to accommodate the constant stream of new recruits, and industrial plants developed rapidly in support of the war effort. As a result, Texas beef, petroleum products, medical supplies, weapons and equipment were used by troops overseas. The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas in World War II initiative is a multi-year statewide effort to honor the role of Texas during the Second World War. The THC launched the initiative on September 2, 2005 at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The grant- funded initiative is composed of various components: Vignettes of Wartime Texas (21 special historical markers), a Texas in World War II heritage tourism travel brochure, a comprehensive statewide survey of World War II military and home front sites, a series of 30 regional oral history training workshops entitled, Here and There: Recollections of Texas in World War II and eventual enhancement and expansion of the THC’s World War II webpage. The THC’s statewide survey of World War II military and home front sites will begin in March 2008. Those interested in further information about the Texas in World War II initiative or in sharing information regarding military and home front sites for the statewide survey should contact the THC’s Military Historian. The National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg is now a state historic site of the Texas Historical Commission and is managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Texas in World War II Donors (Word) Commemorative edition of The Medallion (pdf) Texas in World War II Brochure (pdf). Request a free copy of the brochure. Texas in World War II Bibliography (Word) Texas in World War II Oral History Links (Word) Texas in World War II Museums and Resources Links Please return to this web page periodically for updates on related programs and links. |
