How many American households were effected during World War 2 by a family member leaving to fight in the war?

Answer 1

Many. About 12 million served, from a population ~136 million, with about 35 million families, so about 1 in 3 families had someone in uniform.

Answer 2

I'd say almost all of them. Back then people were patriotic. Back then people volunteered. Back the, when people didn't see their duty to volunteer, the government gently jogged their memory by drafting them.

Even those without family members in the military were affected. Back then people supported the soldiers. They went without gas so the troops wouldn't have to. They recycled rubber so military vehicles would have tires. They recycled metal so there would enough for equipment. People didn't drive large pickups and SUVs, the walked, used a bicycle, or even public transportation.... or they just stayed home.

With the majority of the men going to war, the women took up the slack in industry.

Back then just about everybody was involved in the war effort.

Today, sadly, people make up excuses for not doing their duty. Some still see their responsibility. But most are content thinking that somebody in their family within the last three or four generations did their duty for them. To those individuals who belong to the latter group, the next time you go to restaurant and order a hamburger, decline to pay based on the fact that probably a dozen or so people a day order the same thing... and they've already paid so you shouldn't have to pay again.

Answer 3

a lot more families were affected, but also the circumstances were different. in today's war, a man or woman in uniform goes overseas to fight for 12-15 months, then they come home for a year or so, then they ship out again (generally). Back in those days, the main difference is that they didn't come home. MANY of the army and marine corps fighters that left in 1941, didn't return to their families until 1945 after the germans were defeated. there was no policy back then that stated soldiers had a 1 year break to spend time with their families. that did not exist, they were there until the war was won...further, because of the draft, many more families were affected. 1 in 3 families had a family member serving in the war overseas. it was VERY difficult, AND their husbands didn't really ahve a choice back in those days due to the draft.

Answer 4

I would honestly say that almost every single one of them. My father, who was a teen at the time, remembers seeing Blue Stars in every window on each block in his neighborhood in Philadelphia--and many of them ended up as Gold by the end of the war, including my father's house because of his older, and only brother was killed in France. So, I would say with a street with 10 houses on both sides of the street, would have maybe 2 without at least a Blue Star in the window, meaning 18 out of 20 had someone in the war. It would be maybe 8 to 10 houses that eventually had Gold Stars.

He had a friend with a heart condition from birth (He eventually died of a massive heart attack at 32.), but looked like a big, strong guy, who tried to get into every branch of the service, even the Merchant Marines. He was around 20 give or take. My father still remembers hearing women, mothers, on porches or just inside the house wondering how he managed to stay out of the war. Some would even cross the street when they saw him coming and some said such nasty things that my father would want to fight. His friend always stopped him, though, because he understood why they were angry.

Answer 5

Most of them.
Ever American pitched to help with the War effort
It was a war worth fighting and to really save our freedoms .
Thats why every one was behind it .
It was a just war .

Answer 6

The height of our military manpower was 12 million. The population of the country was about 200 million or so. You do the math.

Answer 7

The Americans fired on the Germans who were occupying France, but we did not shoot at the French.

Answer 8

12 MILLION Americans served in WW2, do the math...

Answer 9

A big majority.

Answer 10

Who cares, it gave us our freedom! No matter what the cost it was worth it.