World War II in Culver Index  

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

Rubber Drives

Rationing

V-mail History

Culver Fireman Defense Schooling

War Time Circus

“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” President Franklin D. Roosevelt:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese government also launched as attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

The call-to-the-colors was no less patriotically served during the Second World War. More than 6,500 Culver men stepped to the colors between 1940 and 1945. Two hundred and sixty-nine gave their lives in the service of the armed forces, and their sacrifice is recognized in the Memorial Chapel. – Bob Hartman

During the years of World War II, 1941 through 1945, the Culver Public School closed for the summer in mid-May so the boys and girls who lived on farms could help with spring planting and other chores. Next to working in a munitions plant farming was considered vital war work. Those of us who did not live on farms or have close relatives who farmed began to notice that the closer we got to the mother’s conversations. I can imagine the ladies chatting over their Red Cross knitting and bandage rolling: Patty has a job in the library, Dorothy and Audrey will work in the store, Marilyn will help her dad in the office. Many of the local boys could attend Culver Summer School as day students, for very low cost, where they learned to sail, re-build engines, and play in the band. - From “A Lesson” by Martha Payson Ryman

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Jeffery P. Kenney started some of this several years ago as a single page.

It has been expanded dates corrected and will continue to be added to. It has been broken down into years and then into quarters.

Rationing history and items about the local rationing has been moved from it and also metal and rubber salvaging have their own pages and will be broken down further.

For now front page items all the have been noted unless searching to confirm information Jeff had started.