State Homefront
Pennsylvania was incredibly important to the home front of the United States. More than 2 million Pennsylvanians served in the state's Volunteer Army of Defense Workers where they performed essential jobs such as monitoring the quality of equipment, or administering the state rationing system.
Martin Elmer Miller Jr. lived with his parents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before leaving to serve in the Navy.
The PA State Department of Public Instruction created a War Production Training program in 167 school districts. This program trained about 750,000 people (121,041 women and 55,030 African Americans).
Connellsville Canteen volunteers, 1944-1946
Millions of soldiers traveled through the state on the Pennsylvania Railroads and were welcomed by food, water and shelter in canteens such as the Connellsville Canteen.
Dean Cornwell's propaganda painting of Uncle Sam is displayed in a 1943 edition of the Pennsylvania Railroad's wall calendar.
Female trainees at the Harrisburg Shops, Middletown, PA, circa 1944.
The Middletown Air Science Command in Harrisburg, PA stockpiled parts/materials and supplied overhauls for military airplanes. After the United States became involved in the war, the Middletown Air Science Command boomed and workers increased from 500 to 10,000--half of the workers, women.
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