Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Army engineers build a pontoon bridge across the Chicago River at State Street as a demonstration of their work, circa June 13, 1945. The Tribune Tower is visible in the background.
Army engineers build a pontoon bridge across the Chicago River at State Street as a demonstration of their work, circa June 13, 1945. The Tribune Tower is visible in the background.
In July 1942, majorettes filled a street car painted red, white and blue to promote the sale of war bonds and stamps during World War II. The car was to go into regular service the next day on the Broadway Line.
In July 1942, majorettes filled a street car painted red, white and blue to promote the sale of war bonds and stamps during World War II. The car was to go into regular service the next day on the Broadway Line.
Lenore Radway, left, and Sherley Becker polish a torpedo flask in 1943 at the Amertorp Torpedo Ordnance Corp. in Forest Park, Illinois. As many as 6,500 workers churned out hundreds of torpedoes per month, a long-forgotten but crucial part of the war effort.
Lenore Radway, left, and Sherley Becker polish a torpedo flask in 1943 at the Amertorp Torpedo Ordnance Corp. in Forest Park, Illinois. As many as 6,500 workers churned out hundreds of torpedoes per month, a long-forgotten but crucial part of the war effort.
The Women's Army Corps marches in Grant Park in Chicago in 1943 during World War II.
The Women’s Army Corps marches in Grant Park in Chicago in 1943 during World War II.
The Chicago Servicemen's Center at Michigan Avenue and Congress Street was opened in 1942 by Mayor Edward Kelly and the Chicago Commission on National Defense in the Auditorium Theatre building.
The Chicago Servicemen’s Center at Michigan Avenue and Congress Street was opened in 1942 by Mayor Edward Kelly and the Chicago Commission on National Defense in the Auditorium Theatre building.
Jean Rose, 18, of Chicago, from left, Chief Petty Officer William Murphy, of Chicago, Phyllis Lurie, 18, of Chicago, and Jack Hooper, a Marine from Evansville, Indiana, enjoy soft drinks together at the Chicago Servicemen's Center. The Center was launched in August 1941 by the Chicago Commission on National Defense through Mayor Edward J. Kelly. Editors note: This photo has a painted background.
Jean Rose, 18, of Chicago, from left, Chief Petty Officer William Murphy, of Chicago, Phyllis Lurie, 18, of Chicago, and Jack Hooper, a Marine from Evansville, Indiana, enjoy soft drinks together at the Chicago Servicemen’s Center. The Center was launched in August 1941 by the Chicago Commission on National Defense through Mayor Edward J. Kelly. Editors note: This photo has a painted background.
People enjoy a Saturday night in the Service Men's Center night club in 1942. As many as 26,000 men were jamming the building on weekends during World War II.
People enjoy a Saturday night in the Service Men’s Center night club in 1942. As many as 26,000 men were jamming the building on weekends during World War II.
A couple dances at the Chicago Service Men's Center in December 1941.
A couple dances at the Chicago Service Men’s Center in December 1941.
Soldiers and sailors from the Service Men's Center dance with women on LaSalle Street, between Washington and Randolph streets, in Chicago.
Soldiers and sailors from the Service Men’s Center dance with women on LaSalle Street, between Washington and Randolph streets, in Chicago.
With millions of men inducted into the armed forces during World War II, women flooded into factories to do “men’s work” in Chicago.
North Central College students protest the draft and the war scare that swept the country just before World War II in 1940.
North Central College students protest the draft and the war scare that swept the country just before World War II in 1940.
Cigarettes were hard to come by during World War II when Congress mandated that every soldier, sailor, and marine receive them as part of their rations. Many Americans turned to pipes.
Cigarettes were hard to come by during World War II when Congress mandated that every soldier, sailor, and marine receive them as part of their rations. Many Americans turned to pipes.
The assembly line in the Douglas Aircraft plant in Park Ridge, Illinois, where wings are attached to the fuselage of big C-54 cargo planes. The plant was 15 percent ahead of schedule in June 1944.
The assembly line in the Douglas Aircraft plant in Park Ridge, Illinois, where wings are attached to the fuselage of big C-54 cargo planes. The plant was 15 percent ahead of schedule in June 1944.
The Tribune caption for this 1944 posed photograph read that Marge Kucinsky of Chicago “should be able to keep warm with all those war bonds.” Pat Buttram, right, was the designer of the costume to promote the sale of bonds to help the U.S. fund World War II. Editors note: This image has a painted background.
A B-17 bomber purported to have been paid for with their war bonds is christened by children of Our Lady of Lourdes parochial school, located at Ashland and Leland avenues in Chicago in June 1944. According to the caption on this archive image, “36 such planes have been bought by Chicago public and parochial school children.”
U.S. Marine veterans of the war in the Pacific man a machine gun nest set up at State and Madison streets. The demonstration was part of Marine Day and helped sell war bonds during World War II.
U.S. Marine veterans of the war in the Pacific man a machine gun nest set up at State and Madison streets. The demonstration was part of Marine Day and helped sell war bonds during World War II.
Marvin Gatz, of Polo, Illinois, second from left, holds his prize lamb, which sold for $20,000 in war bonds at a bond rally on State Street in Chicago in 1945. With Gatz are, from left, Les Lear, master of ceremonies, Ernest Byfield, the buyer, Lila Gatz, Marvin's sister, Lawrence Stern, bond drive chairman, and Max Farley, auctioneer.
Marvin Gatz, of Polo, Illinois, second from left, holds his prize lamb, which sold for $20,000 in war bonds at a bond rally on State Street in Chicago in 1945. With Gatz are, from left, Les Lear, master of ceremonies, Ernest Byfield, the buyer, Lila Gatz, Marvin’s sister, Lawrence Stern, bond drive chairman, and Max Farley, auctioneer.
Workers mount an engine on an Army truck near the end of the assembly line at The Studebaker Corp. in February 1942.
Workers mount an engine on an Army truck near the end of the assembly line at The Studebaker Corp. in February 1942.
Lt. Lyudmila Pavlichenko, left, a Soviet sniper credited with killing more than 300 people in World War II, arrives at the LaSalle Street Station in Chicago. At right is Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Lt. Mary Daly.
Lt. Lyudmila Pavlichenko, left, a Soviet sniper credited with killing more than 300 people in World War II, arrives at the LaSalle Street Station in Chicago. At right is Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Lt. Mary Daly.
The Illinois Reserve Militia guard at Midway Airport during World War II in Chicago in 1942.
The Illinois Reserve Militia guard at Midway Airport during World War II in Chicago in 1942.
Mrs. George Hones, left, solicits a war bond purchase pledge from Eleanor Sanders, second from left, at Sanders' home at 1439 Granville Avenue while her husband William and daughter Karen, 3, watch.
Mrs. George Hones, left, solicits a war bond purchase pledge from Eleanor Sanders, second from left, at Sanders’ home at 1439 Granville Avenue while her husband William and daughter Karen, 3, watch.
Rockets soar over Lake Michigan at night during a demonstration put on for a war bond drive by the Navy at Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago.
Rockets soar over Lake Michigan at night during a demonstration put on for a war bond drive by the Navy at Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago.
The Chicago Service Men's Center had comfortable lounges for conversation, like this one, in 1941. Women from various commercial and social groups volunteered their time at the center.
The Chicago Service Men’s Center had comfortable lounges for conversation, like this one, in 1941. Women from various commercial and social groups volunteered their time at the center.
An aerial view of the biggest industrial plant in the world, the Dodge Chicago Plant at 75th Street and Pulaski Road on Sept. 9, 1945. By 1950, the Ford Motor Co. would be making 28-cylinder Pratt and Whitney Wasp Major engines for use in Air Force planes.
An aerial view of the biggest industrial plant in the world, the Dodge Chicago Plant at 75th Street and Pulaski Road on Sept. 9, 1945. By 1950, the Ford Motor Co. would be making 28-cylinder Pratt and Whitney Wasp Major engines for use in Air Force planes.
Rated as the world's largest factory building, this is one of 15 buildings in Chrysler Corp.'s new Dodge Chicago Plant being built Dec. 14, 1942. The structure was built starting at different ends at the same time. What appears to be another plant in the background is really the other end of the one in the foreground. Its roof covered more than 50 city blocks of land.
Rated as the world’s largest factory building, this is one of 15 buildings in Chrysler Corp.’s new Dodge Chicago Plant being built Dec. 14, 1942. The structure was built starting at different ends at the same time. What appears to be another plant in the background is really the other end of the one in the foreground. Its roof covered more than 50 city blocks of land.
On July 5, 1943, inside the Amertorp Torpedo Ordnance Corp.'s $20 million factory in Forest Park, Illinois, row upon row of shiny torpedoes are turned out for the Navy.
On July 5, 1943, inside the Amertorp Torpedo Ordnance Corp.’s $20 million factory in Forest Park, Illinois, row upon row of shiny torpedoes are turned out for the Navy.
Paul Hensen tattoos the image of a war bond on the chest of Martin E. Rook while Pvt. Gwendolyn Cherry, of South Bend, Indiana, watches in 1945.
Paul Hensen tattoos the image of a war bond on the chest of Martin E. Rook while Pvt. Gwendolyn Cherry, of South Bend, Indiana, watches in 1945.
Air Raid Warden Genevieve Hennings, perches on a ladder in the 5000 block of West Newport Avenue, where a make-believe incendiary bomb has struck the residence. It was part of an air raid test in Chicago.
Air Raid Warden Genevieve Hennings, perches on a ladder in the 5000 block of West Newport Avenue, where a make-believe incendiary bomb has struck the residence. It was part of an air raid test in Chicago.
Marion Dunlevy writes a letter to her brother Al, who was fighting in World War II, describing the hardships the family endured at home during war. The letter is dated Aug. 28, 1945.
Marion Dunlevy writes a letter to her brother Al, who was fighting in World War II, describing the hardships the family endured at home during war. The letter is dated Aug. 28, 1945.
Hammers, striking a blow of 56,000 tons, are used at Chrysler Corp.'s Dodge Chicago Aircraft Engine Plant to forge crankcase sections for the huge B-29 engines Oct. 20, 1944. Shown is the bottom part of a forge hammer forming one of these crankcases. Expert workmen control the force by a small foot pedal. The crankcases are then assembled into an 18-cylinder, 2200-horsepower, Wright air-cooled radial engine.
Hammers, striking a blow of 56,000 tons, are used at Chrysler Corp.’s Dodge Chicago Aircraft Engine Plant to forge crankcase sections for the huge B-29 engines Oct. 20, 1944. Shown is the bottom part of a forge hammer forming one of these crankcases. Expert workmen control the force by a small foot pedal. The crankcases are then assembled into an 18-cylinder, 2200-horsepower, Wright air-cooled radial engine.
Pat Lambert, left, and Hariette Blumberg, right, watch Keith Carrigan, middle, put the finishing touches on a submarine torpedo he helped build in a Chicago arms plant in 1944. Carrigan, formerly a fireman in the Navy, was discharged after receiving a Purple Heart award and a Presidential Citation.
Pat Lambert, left, and Hariette Blumberg, right, watch Keith Carrigan, middle, put the finishing touches on a submarine torpedo he helped build in a Chicago arms plant in 1944. Carrigan, formerly a fireman in the Navy, was discharged after receiving a Purple Heart award and a Presidential Citation.
Workmen install pipe tunnels and an electrical substation at the Studebaker airplane engine factory at Cicero and Archer avenues in Chicago in March 1941.
Workmen install pipe tunnels and an electrical substation at the Studebaker airplane engine factory at Cicero and Archer avenues in Chicago in March 1941.
A huge crowd attends a bond rally in Soldier Field during World War II.
A huge crowd attends a bond rally in Soldier Field during World War II.
At 4 feet 7 1/2 inches, Robert Joyce of Villa Park was the tallest of three dwarfs sealing and riveting the gas tanks of C-54 cargo planes built at Douglas Aircraft Co. in Park Ridge, Illinois, in 1944. The tanks were so small that it was much easier for a short person to crawl around in them than an average-size man. For Joyce and the others, World War II was a chance to show that, as the Tribune said, “a little man can do a big job.”
Military policemen A.W. Terbush, center left, and John Meyers keep their focus amid New Year's Eve revelers at the Chicago Service Men's Center in 1942.
Military policemen A.W. Terbush, center left, and John Meyers keep their focus amid New Year’s Eve revelers at the Chicago Service Men’s Center in 1942.
Herman J. Brandt works on the fuel and motor section of two aerial torpedoes in the Amertorp Corp. ordnance plant in Forest Park, Illinois, on June 25, 1946.
Herman J. Brandt works on the fuel and motor section of two aerial torpedoes in the Amertorp Corp. ordnance plant in Forest Park, Illinois, on June 25, 1946.
Children work under the supervision of instructor Blanche Kosner and park supervisor Andy Kovach to make fake bombs made out of newspapers and crepe paper in May 1943 for a simulated air raid in Chicago.
Children work under the supervision of instructor Blanche Kosner and park supervisor Andy Kovach to make fake bombs made out of newspapers and crepe paper in May 1943 for a simulated air raid in Chicago.
Chicago Police Officer Sullivan calmly rides his horse through a heavy smoke screen on State Street as the Chemical Warfare Service set up a simulated gas attack scene to test and show off its new masks designed to protect both men and horses in 1943. Crowds lined curbs to watch the demonstration staged to stimulate war bond sales.
Chicago Police Officer Sullivan calmly rides his horse through a heavy smoke screen on State Street as the Chemical Warfare Service set up a simulated gas attack scene to test and show off its new masks designed to protect both men and horses in 1943. Crowds lined curbs to watch the demonstration staged to stimulate war bond sales.
Little Adrian Marquart is hoisted up as happy Chicagoans celebrate V-J Day at State and Lake streets in August 1945 to mark the Allied victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
Little Adrian Marquart is hoisted up as happy Chicagoans celebrate V-J Day at State and Lake streets in August 1945 to mark the Allied victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
Residents of the 700 block of South May Street celebrate victory over Japan in World War II with spaghetti, red wine, dancing and the music of tambourines in 1945.
Residents of the 700 block of South May Street celebrate victory over Japan in World War II with spaghetti, red wine, dancing and the music of tambourines in 1945.
Ticker tape streams down onto LaSalle Street near Jackson Boulevard in front of the Chicago Board of Trade Building. The celebration was for V-J Day, which marked the victory over Japan, effectively ending World War II in 1945.
Ticker tape streams down onto LaSalle Street near Jackson Boulevard in front of the Chicago Board of Trade Building. The celebration was for V-J Day, which marked the victory over Japan, effectively ending World War II in 1945.
A joyous crowd celebrates the end of World War II at State and Madison streets in Chicago in 1945. Some 500,000 people jammed the Loop streets. Servicemen hold a copy of the Chicago Herald and American.
A joyous crowd celebrates the end of World War II at State and Madison streets in Chicago in 1945. Some 500,000 people jammed the Loop streets. Servicemen hold a copy of the Chicago Herald and American.