1. The Common American at War
Who were the heroes?

2. African Americans

3. Above Left – African-American Troops in training
Above Right – Members of the Montford Point (N.C.)Marines
Below – Dorie Miller: Messman and Pearl Harbor Hero from U.S.S. West Virginia

4. Port Chicago
African-Americans who served at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine near Concord, CA worked at a furious pace to keep munitions ships stocked and at sea.
The dangerously fast pace at which they were ordered to work resulted in a terrible accident on July 17, men were killed and 400 were wounded of the dead were African-Americans.
The accident at Port Chicago accounted for 15% of African-American casualties in WWII. Understandably, black laborers were reluctant to return to the docks initially refused to go back, but most returned. 50 men were tried and convicted for mutiny for their refusal to serve in the dangerous conditions of the loading docks.

5. Latinos y Latinas

6. Zoot Suit Riots 6/4-7/1943
Pachucos in Los Angeles and other cities wore the distinctive Zoot Suit to demonstrate their sense of style. Racial tension between whites and Latinos exploded into the Zoot Suit Riots in L.A. Gangs of sailors ranged through the barrios of L.A. seeking out los pachucos and attacking them. All of this occurred with the apparent blessing of the press and the city police.

7. Women: Rosie

8. Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)

9. Native Americans
Navajo
Comanche
The Code-Talkers

10. Asians: Valor in Combat
Japanese American troops serving in the European Theater of War were among the most courageous soldiers in the war. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team received more medals than any other unit in U.S. military history.

11. A threat to security?

12. Japanese Internment

13. Japanese Internment

14. People of Faith
Navy Chaplain Joseph T. O’Callahan of the U.S.S. Franklin manned guns, tended to the injured, and fought fires to save the vessel which was struck by 2 Kamikazi aircraft.

15. Young Americans from Everywhere, USA
Above: the crew of the Memphis Belle
Right: the Sullivan Brothers, all killed aboard the U.S.S. Juneau in the South Pacific

16. The war effort was a success!
Thanks to ALL who served!