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Henry L. Stimson
Person page: Henry L. Stimson →
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1940
September
16
The first peacetime draft in the United States
On 16 September 1940 Roosevelt signed the Burke–Wadsworth Act. The neutral United States introduced conscription in peacetime for the first time.
October
16
Draft registration in the United States
On 16 October 1940 more than 16 million American men aged 21–35 registered for the draft. That month the US also reorganised army command at home.
30
Roosevelt in Boston: “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars”
On 30 October 1940 Roosevelt promised in Boston that Americans’ sons would not go to foreign wars. The day before, the first draft number had been drawn – 158.
1941
March
17
The US defense commands
On 17 March 1941 the War Department divided the continental United States into four defense commands, which were to become theatres of operations if invaded.
June
02
The formation of the 99th Pursuit Squadron
In spring 1941 the US Army created the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first Black American flying unit. In June work began on its school at Tuskegee.
20
The creation of the USAAF
On 20 June 1941 the War Department created the US Army Air Forces under General Henry Arnold, bringing all of the Army’s aviation under a single command.
1942
February
19
Executive Order 9066
On 19 February 1942 Roosevelt authorised the army to create exclusion zones, the basis for the incarceration of Japanese Americans from the West Coast.
March
09
The reorganisation of the US Army
On 9 March 1942 the US Army was split into three great commands – Ground Forces, Air Forces and Services of Supply – and its General Headquarters was abolished.
September
04
Groves takes over the Manhattan Project
In September 1942 Colonel Leslie Groves took charge of the US atomic programme. Within days he secured uranium, a site in Tennessee and top priority.
October
12
The 100th Infantry Battalion
In summer 1942 over 1,400 Japanese Americans from Hawaii formed the 100th Infantry Battalion – a Nisei unit that was to prove their loyalty.
1943
July
23
The B-36 bomber ordered
On 23 July 1943 the US Army Air Forces ordered 100 six-engined B-36 bombers by letter of intent, before the first prototype had even flown.