The
Great State of Texas During WWII
When World War II began, Texas held fewer people than
New York City. According to one source, less than 40% of the population had a
high school diploma, and only one in five owned a car. Furthermore, only one in
ten had access to a telephone and one in six owned a radio. Folks were probably
too busy operating the farms and ranches that peppered the state.
How quickly things change!
By the end of the war, there were 175 major military
installations and dozens of smaller ones. Over one and a half million trainees
made their way through the state. Texas was also home to sixty base and
prisoner of war camps.

Dennison, Texas is proud to be the birthplace of one
of WWII’s greatest leaders, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the National WASP WWII Museum
in Sweetwater tells the story of the more than one thousand women who were the
first females to fly military equipment.
Over 750,000 Texans served in the armed forces during the
war, over 22,000 of whom gave their lives. Thirty-three Texans were awarded the
Medal of Honor (including Audie Murphy and Samuel Dealey, the most decorated
army soldier and naval officer respectively). Born in Killeen, Oveta Culp
Hobby, studied law before beginning a career in journalism. She went on to
become the first secretary and first female secretary to the newly created
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and later the first director of
the Women’s Army Corps.
Many wartime facilities still exist such as those at
Fort Sam Houston and Fort Bliss, while other sites have been abandoned or
forgotten that were once air bases, factories, enlistment centers, and USO
canteens.
Have you visited any WWII sites in Texas?
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