World War II
Formed in 1943 Made up of Nisei Fought with distinction in Italy and France Most decorated combat unit in U.S. history Members of the 442nd hiking through France, late 1944 All-black combat unit formed in th Fighter Squadron formed in AL Escorted bombers over central Europe Proved superior or equal to white pilots Airmen Marcellus G. Smith and Roscoe C. Brown in Italy, 1945
American pilots who volunteered to serve in the Chinese Air Force before U.S. entered the war Later transferred to the United States after Pearl Harbor Played a vital role in the air war in China and Burma Code Talkers Henry Bake and George Kirk send messages in the Pacific Theater, 1943 Used to transmit messages in the Pacific Theater Based on the Navajo language Navajo words frequently substituted for military terms Code never broken
The Sullivan Brothers From Waterloo, IA Enlisted in the Navy on the condition they would serve together Assigned to the USS Juneau All five killed at Guadalcanal in 1942
Planning for Victory CASABLANCA (1943). Roosevelt and Churchill met in this North African city after the invasion of North Africa Issued ultimatum of unconditional surrender to Germany and Japan. TEHERAN CONFERENCE (1943). First meeting of the "Big Three," Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. They agreed on the opening of a Second Front in Western Europe Proposed the partition of Germany at the end of the war. Russia agreed to enter the war against Japan after Germany was defeated.
Planning for Victory YALTA CONFERENCE (1945). Most important of the wartime conferences, Decisions would determine world affairs to the present day. Churchill and Roosevelt believed the war against Japan would be long and costly unless Russia joined it. a)Russia would enter war against Japan after Germany was defeated. b)United Nations would be created. c)Russia would regain all territories lost to Japan in 1905 d)Russia would be given three votes in the United Nations Assembly. e)Free elections would be held in European nations formerly occupied by Nazi Germany. f)Germany was to be divided into British, American, French, & Soviet zones of occupation.
Planning for Victory POTSDAM CONFERENCE (1945). Last meeting of the "Big Three." Roosevelt replaced by President Harry S. Truman. Churchill replaced by Clement Atlee. Only Stalin remained of the original "Big Three." Allied plans for postwar Germany and Japan made and announced. Warned Japan to surrender or suffer a fate like Germany.
Roosevelt Dies FDR’s funeral procession moves down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. April 12, 1945 At his retreat in Warm Springs, GA Only a few weeks before the end of the war in Europe Widely mourned Truman Takes Office Truman takes the oath of office shortly after FDR’s death Vice president for only 82 days Oversaw last months of the war Authorized use of the atomic bomb President during the early Cold War