The Draft
Clifford Atteberry was both born and a citizen in the U.S. until his death. Atteberry along with 50 million other man, were registered for the Draft. While only 1/5th of the men were drafted, him and 10 million men would go to serve their time in the military, fighting for the United States during World War II.
Pennsylvania Joins the War
Pennsylvania contributed many soldiers into the war, with Atteberry being one of the 1.25 million Pennsylvanians who served in the armed forces. Along with Atteberry, Pennsylvania suffered around 33,000 casualties as a result of the war. The State's National Guard, or the 28th Infantry Division was located here, yet many citizens tried to avoid the Draft. Many would go into agriculture, national parks, and even hospitals for a chance to not be drafted. It is clear the citizens feared the draft.
Contributions
Steel was massively produced throughout the United States, specifically most on the coast where the war would have most access to.
Military Bases
With fighting happening in both America and Foreign countries, military bases were common across the coast. Pennsylvania was home to three majorly important ones: Philadelphia Navy Yard (located on the left), New Cumberland Army Services Forces Depot, and Letterkenny Ordinance Depot, which were all used to hold and send supplies as well as research for those fighting. Improvements and resources were a necessity in these battles.
This is the Philadelphia Navy Yard and was a common place for ship repairs and maintenance during the War.
Food shortages became common with the common shipments of most of the food supply to the soldiers. With little to no food, they decided to create and ration their own gardens called, Victory Gardens. This was not limited to just adults, but also children and elders. Everyone wanted to contribute to the war.
Production
Pennsylvania commonwealth industrial plants produced much of the War's supplies. The Steel Mills created 1/3rd of the nations supply and 1/5th of the world's. A notable plant was Bethlehem Steel where they created ships to ammunition for the soldiers. While many worked in the factories, others would collect scraps like rubber to donate to the cause.
The Work Force
Like many other places, the workforce experiences a dramatic shift in people. While multiple men were sent off to the War to start fighting, women and African- American individuals got to flourish in the many different fields. By 1945, women formed 1/3rd of the work force, and by 1950 the African American population was 50% larger than 10 years ago in 1940.
Recruiting was common across the whole U.S. where they had to sign people up to the Draft to quite literally have enough people to participate.