Giuseppe Stories #10: The War Years, 1942 - 1945
Giuseppe Stories #10 - The War Years, 1942 - 1945
Cousin Rita wrote of her childhood sense of security on ‘Pucci Street.
She is pictured here holding her cat. Her brothers, Eugene and Joseph (back row left side), joined the armed forces to preserve that security. But first, let’s review Rita’s own words, written in 2021.
“As a child playing in these very streets, I was identified as belonging to the “C” family…I felt I belonged to this neighborhood. I felt safe and loved. I could run across the street from (school) to Aunt Jenny’s or Aunt Theresa’s warm embrace…Grandpa and Grandma were downstairs with Uncle George and Aunt Gloria. Uncle Dom and Aunt Marie were two doors away, with Uncle Vito and Aunt Ceil upstairs. Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary…only 2 blocks away. (This area) gave me what a child needs–a playground where I felt safe…”
Unfortunately, my earliest experience on ‘Pucci was anything but safe. When my parents brought me home from the hospital right before Christmas in 1942, they rested me on a pillow placed on their bed. BANG! Someone shot a BB through the second story window, narrowly missing the newborn. The hole in the window remained the entire time we lived there. You see, the alley behind the homes on ‘Pucci was a dividing line between two residential groups. We stayed on our half of the block; they stayed across the alley on theirs. Since I was only an infant, I have no idea how the incident was resolved.
Still, my memories of life in the ‘40s on ‘Pucci are poignant. My parents were not listed as living on the block when the 1940 Census was taken, but they were certainly living there when I was born!
Before the war, my father worked nights at a bakery. Cousins Catherine (Kay) and Letty were often late night visitors who kept my mother company. To them, my mother was something of a rare bird–someone not Italian.
Sometimes Kay would spend the night. The “C” family were “night owls.” They thought nothing of beginning a visit at 10 or 10:30 in the evening, especially during the summer. Letty would frequently arrive just before the baby's lunch. She often acted out her baby-feeding method: one spoon for Sheila, two spoons for Letty. Occasionally, she’d reverse the proportions!
Letty and other family members would spend hours reading to me from my nursery rhymes book. Letty would use the margins and fly leaves to write the military APO addresses for her brothers during the war. Many, many letters were sent to family loved ones to let them know the homefront news and to keep the soldiers connected until they could join the family once more. Responses from our GIs would take months to reach family.
gUncle George often visited his brother, Giuseppe. Caterina and Jenny would speak in Italian. gUncle Sam’s family were grown up, as were gUncle George’s children. All four brothers had sons in the war. Uncle Nick and Aunt Teresa lived above Guiseppe’s family in the corner building.
There were “C” family children everywhere! [Pictured below: Joey and Sheila on Trike; Letty and Rita with baby Joan]
Rita, Joan, and Lisa were best friends. Joey and I shot marbles in the dirt and rode up and down the street in Joey’s “C” Cartage wagon or on Joey’s tricycle. It truly was Rita’s (and all the kids on the block) “playground!”
In winter, many of the children would have snowball fights, storing their ammo within the walls of ice block igloos. In summer, we’d roller skate, play tag, mother-may-I, and hide and seek. We’d make scooters out of roller skates from orange crates and a “broken” pair of roller skates.
A popular game was Kick the Can. One player served as a Jailer. All the other players hid. After counting to 100, then the Jailer would try to find the others, “locking each one up” in a designated jail (usually the alcove of the corner building). A crushed Can was placed dozens of feet from the Jail. The Can was the key to locking and unlocking an imaginary jail. When the Jailer found someone’s hiding place he would race against that person to reach the Can. If the Jailer beat the hiding player to the Can, he’d call out “one, two, three for (name)” and that player would go to jail. If the previously hidden player beat the Jailer to the Can, that player kicked the Can, shouting “Kick the Can.” All those in the jail could run free and re-hide until the Jailer retrieved the Can. Then a new Jailer would take over and repeat the sequence. These games were the fun of secure children in peacetime.
On December 7, 1941 that safety would be seriously challenged. War was declared the next day. War required fighting men. The photographs below feature some of the family’s servicemen, ready to put their lives on the line to defend their country, keeping it free and safe. Among those who answered the call to arms were Joe and Gene (already pictured within family portrait), [on the left: Uncle George (Giuseppe’s son) and Cousin George (gUncle Sam’s son)], [on the right: Cousin Porky (gUncle George’s sons) and Uncle George again]. Cousin Dominick (gUncle Frank’s son), Uncle Joe D. (Mary’s husband), Uncle Sam G. (Rose’s husband), and Cousin Ralph P. (Marianna’s husband) also served. That’s nine family members that I can recall. If I’ve omitted any, please let me know.
( Photos Below: 2 Georges on the left, Porky and George on the right)
All returned home safe and sound, although Uncle George, who served in the Navy, was sunk while serving on two different ships. One Naval family member, Nick and Teresa’s Joe, started as an ordinary seaman but his extraordinary mind and mathematical abilities were quickly identified. He served in Bermuda as an Ensign for part of the war. Here’s a photo of Joe and very good friend Bob, dressed in officer’s uniforms. Joe’s on the right.
While stationed as an officer in the Bahamas, Joe was invited to some very elegant soirees hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, aka Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. The Duke, formerly known as Britain's King Edward VIII, abdicated when he married an American divorcee. The couple was a bit of an embarrassment to Britain and King George VI (father of the future Queen Elizabeth II), especially since the pair seemed to favor the German Nazi government. A quiet life in the Bahamas serving as governor was just the ticket!
In the Bahamas, Government House was undergoing renovations so the royal couple were guests at Sigrist House in Nassau. The estate included a 15,000 foot main residence and lush gardens. The Duke and Duchess would often invite Naval personnel stationed on Nassau to evenings of dinner and entertainment. Joe was one of many Naval officer guests. He met the ex-royal couple on a few of these festive occasions.
For contemporary photos and more information about Government House and its historical link with the Duke and Duchess see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_House,_The_Bahamas
Meanwhile, what was happening on the Home Front?
War was officially declared on December 8, 1941. A Lend-Lease agreement with Britain had been instituted so some defense armament was already in production. Now the nation had to rise to the event with speed and efficiently. Chicago area industries quickly converted to wartime production. Canteen’s were established to make servicemen feel welcome while training in the area. I have never heard about family members hosting the military but I came across this photo which features cousin Tessie and Uncle Joe in Wauconda. The military persons seated do not look familiar. The woman who is seated looks like she could be a military nurse. Did the family entertain injured servicemen at the Cottage? Fort Sheridan and Glenview Naval bases were quite close. Anyone have any information?
The country at war: Government initiatives
By the end July, 1942, the US Office of War Information reported the total casualties after the first months of war: Total casualties, 44,143. 4801 were killed, 3218 wounded, 36,124 were missing in action. Of the killed, 902 were in the Army, 3240 were in the Navy. (I don’t know about the 659 others killed, but the Coast Guard would be counted here.)
The DRAFT: President Roosevelt’s EO empowered the Selective Service System to conduct seven mass registrations. Originally the age was set to 21 - 35, but soon the age groups affected were between 18 and 64. This applied to every male resident of the USA, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. “Over half a million Italian Americans served in the American military during World War Two. Soldiers like Congressional Medal of Honor winner John Basilone, one of thirteen Italian Americans to win the award, became national heroes.”*
At first, married men with children were in the last category for draft eligibility but that did not last long. Deferments were given on an individual basis, with special consideration to agriculture and industry. Draft Boards were composed of local residents. Appeals could be made, but not always granted. A lottery system established the order of call after volunteers were inducted. Eventually the order numbers were based on birthdays. For more information see: https://www.sss.gov/history-and-records/timeline/
Aunt Rose’s husband, Sam, became an especially valuable asset to the Allies during the Sicilian and Italian invasions because he spoke Italian. His linguistic ability in the Sicilian dialect enabled him to work with local assets and lead his men with confidence.
Vito had a dilemma to solve. He was 1A material after the single men were called up. A job in defense contracting would grant him a deferment. He was able to combine his high school mechanical drawing classes, his mathematical ability (Yes, he got some of the math genes!) and his experience helping out at architectural firms during the Depression into a plausible defense contractor draftsman job. Companies were hard pressed to find qualified people to do defense design. He was doing vital war work.
Uncle Joe B. was a bit of a wiseguy in high school. The Crane High School Principal caught him mocking him so he had Joe held back a year. He didn’t graduate with his class. This delay made him a prime candidate for the draft. His reputation may have preceded him at the draft board. He did try to get into the armed forces a couple of times, but never made it. I think he may have had hearing problems too. I think that there was another reason too. After George joined the Navy, that left Dom who was an amputee and Vito. Someone was needed to run the cartage company because Giuseppe was getting old and was not in good health. Who knows? Joe’s “bad behavior” may have saved his life.
RATIONING: Food and materials were vital to the war effort. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) established a rationing system immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was handled by 5,500 local boards of volunteers. Seven food products were rationed during the war. The first was sugar. War Ration Book Number One, the “Sugar Book,” began May 4, 1942 (½ pound per person per week). If that sounds pretty generous, it represented a 50% cut from average consumption! Bakeries, ice cream makers, and commercial enterprises got 70% of average. Red stamps were used to ration meat and butter; blue ones for processed foods. You would need to pay for rationed items with coupons and money.
The next item rationed was Coffee. In November of ‘42 one pound per person was allowed every 5 weeks. The family often substituted Chicory for coffee during the war. Processed foods in cans, bottles, or frozen were rationed. Also rationed: meat, canned fish, cheese, jellies/preserved, and canned milk and fats. [I was a Carnation condensed milk baby!]
Gasoline and tires were rationed. Tires were the first non-food item to be rationed by the OPA. Because dealers already had a stock of tires, certain professionals were allowed to purchase what was available until stocks ran out. This group included doctors and clergy. No new tires for passenger cars would be sold in the USA for the duration of the war. Japan controlled the countries that produced rubber. And synthetic rubber was a poor substitute. [My baby buggy had cardboard wheels]
Along with auto tires, gasoline rationing was initiated. Three gallons per week was allowed for non-essential drivers. Exemptions were made for essential people like Congressmen. Races like the Indy 500 were banned.
The US War Production Board (WPB) froze sales, shipping, delivery, and transfer of all new adult bicycles. Typewriters were not to be manufactured for public use. One company was allowed to manufacture them for government use only. Anything made with metal was rationed.
By the end of 1942, shoes, rubber footwear (soles, boots), silk and nylon were on the list. Penicillin was “triage rationed” on the battlefield. At home, each hospital decided which patients would receive the drug because only small amounts were available for civilians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationing_in_the_United_States#Tires,_gasoline,_and_automobiles
Many other everyday items were in short supply and many others rationed. It was unpatriotic to cheat. Penalties for fraud were harsh.
The Three-Year-Old Felon. It seems that I got hold of the ration book and tore several of the stamps. My mother had to bring the culprit (me) and the ravaged ration book to court where I had to appear before a Judge so that the book could be replaced. I assume that my criminal record was expunged when I reached 18. See a photo of an intact WWII Ration book below:
Fashion was hit hard.
gUncles George and Frank, as well as Uncle Nick were affected. Fabric shortages required alterations to be made. You were allowed one pair of shoes that had to last the duration of the war. Growing children were alloted two outfits a year. Because of the war there were shortages of certain metals, wool, nylon, leather, silk, and rubber. Fashion lines, became simple and streamlined. Zippers and buttons were not available. The War Production Board created “austerity guidelines”. To save on fabric use the following were prohibited: pleats, cuffs, ruffles, exterior patch pockets, attached hoods, shawls, full skirts and sleeves. Skirt and pants hems and waistlines could be no wider than two inches. Only one pocket was allowed on a clothing item. Suspenders replaced zippers; suits were single-breasted. Short hair was championed. Beetroot juice replaced lipstick. Pants for war-related working women became fashionable–and stayed so ever since the war!
A fashion trend sweeping the country was the Eisenhower Jacket for women, named in honor of the General. It was a crepe blouse with a drawstring waist. (Below, see examples of the “Ike Jacket.”)
Hollywood’s Sacrifice - Actress Veronica Lake was known for her long hair that waved over the side of her face. She was asked to cut her long hair because it was a dangerous style for women on the job. Ms Lake did so, but her movie career suffered for it. Other (pants wearing) actresses soon sported short hair styles too.
Women would also have a role to play in the war.
The Womens’ Army Auxiliary Corps (WACS) was created. By mid-July 1942, the first members of the WACS began training in Des Moines, IA.
FDR later signed a bill that created The WAVES (Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service).
At least 5 million women were needed to fill positions that would help the war effort–as mechanics, in defense construction (think, Rosie the Riveter), secretarial and clerical work, and many jobs formerly held by men.
I think that Aunt Mary D. was hired on the West Coast. She left infant daughter, Lisa, with Caterina, to follow Uncle Joe who was stationed in California.
Everyday life on the Home Front was mobilized to help the War Effort.
Patriotic Americans, including children,
volunteered to collect junk to be reused
for the war effort. Old shovels became
hand grenades, Radiators became .30
caliber rifles. Victory Gardens sprouted
everywhere. Kids went door-to-door
collecting used cooking grease.
(Poster source at end of Story #10)
There Were Fun Things Too
Professional sports teams held fundraising games for the war effort. Games were played to encourage the sale of War Bonds. The Chicago Bears played the Eastern Army All-Stars at Soldiers’ Field. (Bears won.) The Chicago Cardinals lost to the Western Army All-Stars in Denver. The term, GI-Joe, came into use when a Dave Breger comic strip was used in an issue of the Army Newspaper, “Yank.” The Hollywood Canteen also opened, giving soldiers on leave a chance to meet movie stars. Soldiers on leave would be welcome at USO sites throughout the country for the duration!
Bob Hope’s popular Christmas tours opened with a show in Alaska to entertain the troops. Other entertainers, like Glenn Miller’s Band, followed suit throughout the war. USO tours boosted military morale.
On the Home Front: Teens loved to gather at the local roller rink, skating to the music of the Big Bands. Radio was a major source of entertainment and information for everyone. Dancing–and the Jitterbug–were popular ways to temporarily escape war restrictions and worries. I’m certain that bobby soxers Tessie, Kay, and many cousins enjoyed this break.
The war years were a time of hope and worry. Hope for an early end of hostilities and for the safe return of family members. Worry that it would be long and mournful. Families with sons serving were entitled to put a banner in their front window with stars indicating the number of men serving. Deaths were represented by gold stars. This tradition remains today.
Joy would fill family hearts when one of our servicemen got leave and was able to come home for a visit. (Photos of George on the left, holding me, his godchild. On the right, Caterina, Teresa and Nick enjoy a few days with Joey on leave↓)
Letters were written almost daily. If, by lucky chance, one was received it was read over and over, shared, and blessed. The churches were full, candles glowing in the darkness. FDR kept American’s spirit hopeful, and eventually bad news turned to good. The nation was bereft when news of his death reached the country. My father would often speak of everyone’s reaction to this tragedy–in tones both somber and sorrowful.
By 1944 it became clear that the Allies were winning the war in Europe. On December 2, 1942, Italian immigrant, Enrico Fermi, led the program at the University of Chicago to create the first controlled nuclear chain reaction. This marks the beginning of the nuclear age. Once accomplished, selected scientists began development of the first atomic bomb. Good or bad, this weapon shortened the war and helped bring our relatives safely home.
Victory in Europe (V-E Day) was declared on May 8, 1945. Victory in Japan (V-J Day) on August 15, 1945 but their official surrender was on September 2. That was on a Sunday that year, Labor Day weekend. The family (with new bride and groom Gloria and George) celebrated the event at the cottage in Wauconda. Was this the start of our Labor Day bonfires? (The child wearing a winter hat is me, I was gettin over an ear infection.)
It looks like I jumped ahead just a bit. While the Navy was co-opting Uncle George, the family’s match making machinery was fully engaged. Gloria, from an East Coast old country-distant relative connection, spent the war writing to our sailor. Their marriage was set soon after V-E Day. Their wedding photo will lead off story #11. Peace and Hope were restored and life picked up where it had left off on December 7, 1941. Aunt Rose and her “blue-eyed Sicilian” also wed in 1945.
As the saying goes: It’s an Ill Wind that Blows no Good, one other wonderful outcome from the devastation happened too. The GI Bill, officially the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, provided returning World War II veterans with a range of benefits, including funds for education, home loans, unemployment benefits, and job counseling. It was a landmark piece of legislation that significantly impacted the post-war landscape, particularly by facilitating access to higher education and homeownership for many veterans. [Source: GOOGLE’s Gemini AI]
Cousin Joe (Teresa and Nick) was one of the first to take advantage of the offer. He quickly worked for his college degree in mathematics, graduating in 1947. (He may have earned advanced placement credits because of his war experience.) Eugene graduated a few years later. Cousin Porky briefly attended this same Kansas college, all of them on the GI Bill. Cousin Art and I graduated from the College too. Even Joe’s daughter, Tina, went for a year or two. When I was a student, all three–Joe, Gene, and Art–were still remembered, but by different groups. Joe was remembered by the Math and Science professors, Gene by the townspeople, and Art by the girls!
Next Time: Story #11 will cover the time period of post-war 1945 until the end of the 1950s. This, and one more story to go…
* Cannato, Vincent J. “What Sets Italian Americans Off From Other Immigrants?” in Humanities: the Magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities. January/February 2015, Volume 36, Number 1. https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2015/januaryfebruary/feature/what-sets-italian-americans-other-immigrants Accessed 10/22/23.
The wartime poster is from the following
Samors, Neal and Michael Williams. The Old Chicago Neighborhood: Remembering Life in the 1940s. Chicago’s Neighborhoods, Inc. 2003.
p. 71.
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