It’s a story about the power of word of mouth…
Before we go back to the 40’s, I want to make a quick stop in the 80’s…
I was a teenager living in a very small coal mining town in Pennsylvania called Wilburton #2. There was one street, forty houses, and not much else except coal dirt and isolation. I’ve always been a fan of music and most of my musical tastes were dictated by what was played on MTV. Then one day that changed…
Me and most of my friends in town were high school age except for one guy who was a little older than us. He just came back from being in the Navy, and while he was stationed in England he discovered punk rock. His tape collection was filled with bands like Black Flag, Dead Kennedys and The Sex Pistols. He let me borrow those tapes and I immediately loved the music. I quickly became a punk rocker as well. One person introduced me to a type of music that would change my life forever!
Now back to the 40’s…
It’s hard to wrap your head around the size and scope of WW2. It started in 1939 and ended in 1945 and those six years affected everyone’s life directly. A mad dictator was literally trying to take over Europe and was doing a pretty good job of it. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and killed many American soldiers, which made it personal for the United States.
Speaking in general terms, if you were a man, you were joining the service to fight, or if you were a woman, you were in the factories building supplies for the war effort. Food and clothing were strictly rationed and if you were going to fight there were two options: Europe or The South Pacific. Well, you really didn’t have a choice, you went where you were needed. We all know about the harsh realities of WW2 and I’d rather not discuss them here.
I’d like to take a more optimistic viewpoint of the war…
You got your orders and you’re heading out to fight for your country. There’s a good chance you might not make it back and the fate of the world is unclear. But believe it or not, there was an upside to all of this, you’re going to see and experience things you’ve never dreamed of.
Most people didn’t have the luxury to travel in the 40’s, and before the war the US was suffering through the great depression. But now you are on your way to Europe! You may see Italy, France or Germany. There’s a good chance you will be able to enjoy the food and culture of where you’re stationed.
Or you are shipping off to the South Pacific. You may be fighting a war but at least you’re in paradise. Imagine being stationed on a tropical island that’s green with palm trees and is surrounded by blue ocean water. Maybe you never had pineapple before, now you eat it every day! And let’s not forget about the exotic women. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore and that’s OK!
16.1 million Americans served in World War Two and close to half a million died. From what I researched, about 3,621,383 Americans fought in the Pacific War and 41,592 died or went missing. Yes, many Americans died in the Pacific War but many more made it back home, and they brought their new experiences with them. Can you imagine the stories these G.I.s told their friends and families about the South Pacific? Before your brother went off to fight in the South Pacific, you never knew or even cared about anything tropical, now you’re wearing this cool Aloha shirt your brother brought back and you want more! I imagine this scenario happened all over the United States.
New Tiki palaces like Don The Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s were opening up in every major city and their newfound fans were lining up to get in!
I’d like to thank Sammie Marie of The War Front for all the pictures and for her knowledge and information to help put this post together.
