Conviction

Conviction. Miracle of War Production. Mobilization for the onslaught of a truly worldwide conflict pulled the United States out of a depression and forced the American economy into an unprecedented era of industrial production, scientific and technological advances, and global leadership. The Volunteer State participated in the preparation for war. Benefiting from a central location and plentiful TVA power, Tennesseans built defense plants across the state and converted civilian production into war uses. More than 200,000 men and women held defense-related jobs. To conserve resources, citizens voluntarily collected scrap metal and paper and accepted coupon-book rationing of gas, rubber, sugar, and other commodities., War production burgeoned throughout the state. East Tennessee contained not only the secret atomic development center at Oak Ridge and the important aluminum factory at Alcos, but also the Holston Ordnance Works near Kingsport, which produced more than 430,000 tons of explosives. In the midstate, Nashville Bridge Company built subchasers and barges. Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation built more than 1,500 Vengeance dive bombers and P-38 Lightning fighters. In West Tennessee, DuPont operated a gunpowder plant pear Millington, Proctor and Gamble employed more than 5,000 workers in its Milan ammunition plant, and Memphians built naval landing craft. Despite heavy losses and a two-ocean war, by the end of 1945 the United States had 21 more aircraft carriers, 70 more escort carriers, and 127 more submarines than in 1941.