The world’s biggest box office draw went to the front lines of WWII & won a Bronze Star History has forgotten the Morale Core soldiers, including Private Mickey Rooney, detailed to do shows — “Jeep shows” — for combat infantry in places where the USO and the Red Cross could not go. Like Lieutenant Ronald … Read more

A uniquely American solution to supplying a wartime Army They weren’t the best. But they were good enough — and they were everywhere. Like the Sherman tank and B-24 bomber, the K-ration solved a WWII problem the American way: make it simple, make it interchangeable, and mass-produce it in staggering numbers. Like the Sherman tank … Read more

Cigarettes as currency in the wartime economy There’s a scene in Jeep Show where the protagonist, Jim, and a fellow entertainment soldier pay for a gourmet meal at Fouquet’s in Paris — not with francs, but with a carton of Camel cigarettes. In liberated Paris, cigarettes were hard money. Government-issued currency? Not so much. Camels … Read more

A suitcase with sleeves for combat infantry The M-43 was more than just a field jacket — it was the combat infantryman’s wearable locker, toolbox, and shelter. Issued by the U.S. Army in 1943, it was built for punishment: made of rugged cotton sateen, cut long for coverage, and layered to handle wind, rain, and … Read more

The WWII American Army was larger than the nation’s other military services combined The WWII American Army was larger than the nation’s other military services combined. Unlike the Navy and its Marine Corps, the Army had to rely on the draft to fill its ranks. As a result, the Army was America itself, a cross-section … Read more

More than an insult, goldbrick was a condemnation of character More than an insult, goldbrick was a condemnation of character. A brick painted gold appears valuable but is actually worthless. The term referred to a soldier who dodged responsibility, slacked off, or manipulated the system to avoid work. Army life in the barracks and in … Read more

The correct form for military courtesy “From now on —” the drill sergeant looks at the suitcase in your right hand — “whatever you carry — suitcase, broom, shovel — you carry it in your left hand. Because you will salute officers with your right hand. Two fingers to your forehead above your right eye, … Read more

What was it like for American soldiers to go to war on the famed Queen Mary? Monochromatic: Her famous red, white and black Cunard Line colors were repainted battleship grey for the duration. Crowded: The ship designed to accommodate 2,000 civilian passengers carried over 15,000 U.S. troops per voyage during the war. Salty: The number … Read more

Hollywood’s Biggest Star in 1943 How special was Private Mickey Rooney? Clarence Brown, who directed Rooney in National Velvet, remarked, “He’s the closest thing to a genius I’ve ever worked with.” Laurence Olivier once said he considered Rooney, “The best there has ever been.” Mickey Rooney was a superb dramatic actor. He was one of … Read more