Clarion County Remembers World War II

Clarion County Remembers World War II. Let Us Keep Forever The Freedom For Which They Served. This monument honors the 16 million men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II including the more than 400,000 who gave their lives and the millions at home who supported the war effort., [Ruptured Duck emblem] The emblem with the spread eagle was awarded to all honorably discharged personnel on a small lapel pin. The emblem was called the "Ruptured Duck" and proudly worn by all World War II veterans., U.S. Army In the European Theatre, the Army played a central role in the liberation of Europe and the German defeat. Major European Battles Algeria - French Morocco - Tunisia - Sicily - Naples-Foggia - Salerno Anzio - Monte Cassino - Rome - Normandy (D-Day) - Battle of the Bulge Paris - Rhineland - Berlin, In the Pacific Theatre, the Army participated in the "island hopping" campaign that wrested the Pacific islands from Japanese control. Major Pacific Battles Pearl Harbor - Philippine Island - China-Burma-India - Aleutian Islands Gilbert Islands - Marshall Islands - Leyte - Okinawa - Guadalcanal, 7,860,000 Served . 263,574 Killed/Missing, U.S. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created in 1942 and was converted to full status as the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in 1943. They were the first women other than nurses to serve with the U.S. Army. 150,000 Served, U.S. Army Nurse Corps The skill and dedication of the Army Nurse Corps contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among the American military in every theatre of the world. 14,000 Served . 12 Died, U.S. Army Air Force The Army Air Force was established in 1941 as the aviation component of the U.S. Army for their expected role in World War II. They were divided into 16 numbered air forces distributed world-wide to prosecute the war and defend the Americas. 5 Stateside - 7 Pacific - 4 European, They dropped men, equipment, and supplies in all invasions while flying missions in every theatre of the war. The Army Air Force B-29 bomber dropped the "A" bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ending the war in 1945. 3,400,000 Served . 54,700 Killed/Missing, Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) The Women Airforce Service Pilots was formed in 1943 when the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) were combined to create the para-military WASP organization. These civilian female pilots were employed to fly military aircraft on non-combat missions, freeing up male pilots for combat service and duties. 1,074 Served . 38 Died, U.S. Marine Corps The Marine Corps formed the cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II with its theories and practice of amphibious warfare. Their role in the "island hopping" combat missions critical to the success of the Allied Forces. Major Battles Pearl Harbor - Wake Islands - Bataan and Corregidor Guadalcanal - Makin Raid - New Georgia - Choiseul Raid Bougainville - Tarawa - Cape Gloucester - Roi-Namur Eniwetok - Talasea - Emirau - Saipan - Guam - Tinian Peleliu - Philippines - Iwo Jima - Okinawa 669,100 Served . 24,511 Killed/Missing, U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve The Marine Corps Women's Reserve was established on July 30, 1942 as part of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The mission of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments of the Marine Corps, releasing men for combat duty. 20,000 Served, U.S. Coast Guard During World War II, the Coast Guard operated as a whole under the Department of the Navy. They took part in every European and Pacific invasion, manning 351 Navy ships, 288 Army vessels, and 802 cutters. 241,093 Served . 1,917 Killed/Missing, U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPAR) The Coast Guard Women's Reserve (known collectively as the SPARs) was created in 1942 to free men up for overseas service. The name SPAR comes from the Coast Guard motto,Semper Paratus, and its English translation, Always Ready. 10,000 Served, U.S. Merchant Marine The Merchant Marine transported personnel, supplies, and equipment needed by the combined Allies to defeat the Axis powers. The Merchant fleet constituted one of the most significant national contributions to the eventual victory of World War II. 243,000 Served . 9,521 Killed/Served, .