Pennsylvania's natural and manufacturing
resources were vital to the war effort during WWI and
WWII. During WWI the shipyards of Philadelphia and Chester
maintained maritime transport, and the mills and factories
provided war materials. Nearly 3,000 government contracts
were given to Pennsylvania firms. Militarily, over 300,000
Pennsylvania men served in the Armed Forces, and the 28th
division won special recognition. The WWI plague epidemic
hit Pennsylvania hard in October of 1918. Numbering 13,000,
Philadelphia witnessed more deaths than any other American
city. WWI also marked a spike in immigration of African
Americans. Many African Americans began migrating north
during this period and Pennsylvania soon became home to
many of these migrants lured by new job opportunities in
the iron and steel mills.
Pennsylvania was intensely involved in WWII as well. Approximately
1.25 million Pennsylvanians, 1/8 of the population, served
in the war. Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall,
was a native of Uniontown, and the Commander of the Army
Air Forces, Henry H. Arnold, was a native of Gladwyn. Pennsylvania
produced three full generals during this time. More medals
of honor were awarded to Pennsylvanians than to citizens
of any other state. |
Page 16
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By
Rickie Lazzerini
Historian
BA History
University of California, Santa Barbara
© Rickie Lazzerini, All Rights
Reserved
This page may be freely linked to but may not be reproduced
in any form without prior written consent by the author.
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