The Era of World Wars
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By the end of the war 750,000 Texans, including 12,000 women, served in the armed forces. Of these, 22,022 Texans were killed or died of wounds. Unlike forces raised for peacetime service on the Texas Frontier in the 19th century, there was tremendous support for military service. With the implementation of the draft, military units raised for WWII tended to reflect the society from which they emerged.

Activities - The 36th Infantry Division was the first American division to invade Europe. Mobilized at Camp Bowie, Texas on November 25, 1940, the division trained in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida before landing in North Africa in April 1943. Displaying the Lone Star flag and wearing the famous T-patch on their shoulders, men of the 36th were known as the "Texas army." The 90th Infantry Division, composed of National Guardsmen and draftees from Texas and Oklahoma, saw much action in Europe. Activated at Camp Barkeley in March 1942, the division landed on Utah beach on D-day, 1944. As a part of Gen. George Patton's Third Army, the 90th took part in Operation Cobra, the Allied breakout in northern Europe. The 12th Armored Division also trained at Camp Barkeley. The division was activated in September 1942 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky and moved to Camp Barkeley in December 1943 following training and maneuvers in Kentucky and Tennessee. They landed in France at La Havre and campaigned throughout central Europe, first with the Seventh and later with Patton’s Third Army. Sweetwater Army Air Field became home to the "only all-female air base in history," as it served as the training center for the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) between 1943 and the end of the war.