The Era of World Wars

Military Mission - A long advocate of military readiness, Texas’ military contribution during World Wars One and Two would dramatically change the state. Although the military presence was more pronounced during World War Two than it was during “The Great War” thirty years earlier, by 1945 the Lone Star State would gain the reputation as a state that took care of its servicemen and welcomed their presence as Texans. When World War One began in August 1914, Texans did not necessarily look to Europe as a potential threat. With Pancho Villa loose along the U.S.-Mexican border, Texans were prepared to defend their state against encroachment form the south. In 1917, military readiness took on new significance following the leaking of the Zimmerman Telegram that seemed to indicate the existence of a German-Mexico Alliance. This helped encourage Texans to volunteer for World War I, with a total of 198,000 Texans seeing service in the armed forces during the course of conflict.

Sites - Even before the U.S. formally entered World War II, state leaders worked to ensure that Texas would reap the benefits of American participation in the conflict. During the later stages of the Great Depression, Texas Senators Tom Connolly and W.Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel did their best to ensure that Texas would be the home to many future military establishments. As a result of their efforts, sites associated with the Second World War are located all over the Texas Forts Trail Region, as well as throughout the state. Texans and troops from all over the country prepared for war at installations like Camp Wolters near Mineral Wells, Camp Bowie near Brownwood, and Camp Barkeley near Abilene. Airmen readied for war at Army Air Fields located in Abilene, Sweetwater, Ballinger, Brady, and San Angelo.

Manpower and Motivation - The military contribution made by Texas between 1914 and 1918 paled in comparison to the outpouring of support and martial fervor that followed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Just after Pearl Harbor, Congress amended the draft law, lengthening the term of service from one year to the duration of the war plus six months and extending registration to all males between 18 and 65, with those between 20 and 45 eligible for the draft.