World War Two at the University of Scranton
The decisions made during wartime are often difficult to understand. To halt your life, for when your nation calls you to war, is an even more difficult decision. But these choices were faced by students of the University of Scranton daily during the years of World War Two. Millions of students throughout the world had to stop earning degrees to defend their nations between the years of 1939 and 1945; with the University of Scranton playing a role in the worldwide conflict. Despite its small role, the university’s students did all they can for the cause. Many universities and colleges, such as Harvard and Oxford, have very well kept records indicating their roles in the war. The University of Scranton’s records do not focus on this particular subject of the time period. Due to this lack of solid evidence, a student at “the U” today may wonder how World War Two impacted the students attending the University of Scranton.
To understand why there is a lack of records kept from this period, one must first understand some history of the University of Scranton up to that point. The University was first established in 1888 as Saint Thomas College and ran by the Lasallian Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic teaching organization, until 1942. In that year, the brothers were replaced by priests of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. The Jesuit takeover of the University of Scranton came while the United States was already involved in World War Two. Through this time, many records were set aside while the Jesuits rearranged how the school would be ran. Plus, since there was a whole new organization taking over the university, that was the important news compared to the global conflict for the small community. After the Jesuits decided just how to run the school, finally articles and records of student participation in the world war were coming to the surface.
The war broke out in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland, for the next few years the United States would aid the allies, but not send large forces to combat yet. During this time, Americans were going back and forth about getting involved in another conflict since the U.S. was practicing isolationism throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. Students at the University of Scranton were surveyed multiple times to get a college perspective on the war. One survey that stood out was taken three weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor; when America officially joined the war. The survey had many questions, but out of three hundred students, “The vote was 237 to 78 in disapproving an expeditionary force.” The question was if the American military should send troops overseas, and as shown, a vast number of students disapprove of using American force. At the same time though, students thought the U.S. will eventually send troops. Many students approved of the United States aiding Britain in the war, because they know England as an ally and the survey stated students believe the allies will win eventually in two and one-half years from the survey date. This shows students at the University of Scranton did not initially favor the war, but the coming weeks would prove differently.
After Pearl Harbor, America was at war, and the University’s students supported their nation and her decisions. The government stepped in at the school and offered pilot and engineering classes along with its ROTC program. Students were preparing to go to war through these classes. For months students were studying how to become victorious in the war before they even went to it; but in early May of 1944, a month before D-Day, a Scranton Times paper read “Those in army and air corps reserve are expected to be summoned in near future.” Fifty-One Students, within the halls of the University of Scranton, were being told they will be sent to war, soon, on the eve of the largest invasion the world has ever seen. Still, more students signed up for programs preparing them to fight in the heating conflict.
Shortly after the article was published about students getting summoned to the war zone, another article in the Times was written that contained information on the students and alumni of the university already serving. This article said “…1,587 former students are enlisted in the armed forces of the United States. The number increases almost daily with students leaving the school…” At this point in the war, now two and one-half weeks until D-Day, already twenty-two University students have lost their lives, three are prisoners of war, fourteen faculty left the school to fight, and twelve students and priests went into the Chaplin’s corps. These numbers are astonishing for a small college in Scranton, the sense of duty lived in each student. When faced with the reality that someone who walked these halls gave their life for the nation, a mindset of having to fight was installed into students.
World War Two impacted the students at the University of Scranton years after the axis powers surrendered. Lost peers and lost brothers is nothing any school can come to terms with. The roller-coaster ride of the war was felt within each student. A war that hits so close to home, sometimes within your dorm room, will have ever lasting effects. Many students did not want to go to war, then decided to train for it, and finally gave their life for it or left a piece of themselves overseas because it. Not only students, but the faculty and staff served their nation, and others had to watch young boys walk out of their classroom for the last time. World War Two was cruel, but the ills of war did not stop University of Scranton students from standing up against its evils.
The decisions made during wartime are often difficult to understand. To halt your life, for when your nation calls you to war, is an even more difficult decision. But these choices were faced by students of the University of Scranton daily during the years of World War Two. Millions of students throughout the world had to stop earning degrees to defend their nations between the years of 1939 and 1945; with the University of Scranton playing a role in the worldwide conflict. Despite its small role, the university’s students did all they can for the cause. Many universities and colleges, such as Harvard and Oxford, have very well kept records indicating their roles in the war. The University of Scranton’s records do not focus on this particular subject of the time period. Due to this lack of solid evidence, a student at “the U” today may wonder how World War Two impacted the students attending the University of Scranton.
To understand why there is a lack of records kept from this period, one must first understand some history of the University of Scranton up to that point. The University was first established in 1888 as Saint Thomas College and ran by the Lasallian Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic teaching organization, until 1942. In that year, the brothers were replaced by priests of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. The Jesuit takeover of the University of Scranton came while the United States was already involved in World War Two. Through this time, many records were set aside while the Jesuits rearranged how the school would be ran. Plus, since there was a whole new organization taking over the university, that was the important news compared to the global conflict for the small community. After the Jesuits decided just how to run the school, finally articles and records of student participation in the world war were coming to the surface.
The war broke out in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland, for the next few years the United States would aid the allies, but not send large forces to combat yet. During this time, Americans were going back and forth about getting involved in another conflict since the U.S. was practicing isolationism throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. Students at the University of Scranton were surveyed multiple times to get a college perspective on the war. One survey that stood out was taken three weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor; when America officially joined the war. The survey had many questions, but out of three hundred students, “The vote was 237 to 78 in disapproving an expeditionary force.” The question was if the American military should send troops overseas, and as shown, a vast number of students disapprove of using American force. At the same time though, students thought the U.S. will eventually send troops. Many students approved of the United States aiding Britain in the war, because they know England as an ally and the survey stated students believe the allies will win eventually in two and one-half years from the survey date. This shows students at the University of Scranton did not initially favor the war, but the coming weeks would prove differently.
After Pearl Harbor, America was at war, and the University’s students supported their nation and her decisions. The government stepped in at the school and offered pilot and engineering classes along with its ROTC program. Students were preparing to go to war through these classes. For months students were studying how to become victorious in the war before they even went to it; but in early May of 1944, a month before D-Day, a Scranton Times paper read “Those in army and air corps reserve are expected to be summoned in near future.” Fifty-One Students, within the halls of the University of Scranton, were being told they will be sent to war, soon, on the eve of the largest invasion the world has ever seen. Still, more students signed up for programs preparing them to fight in the heating conflict.
Shortly after the article was published about students getting summoned to the war zone, another article in the Times was written that contained information on the students and alumni of the university already serving. This article said “…1,587 former students are enlisted in the armed forces of the United States. The number increases almost daily with students leaving the school…” At this point in the war, now two and one-half weeks until D-Day, already twenty-two University students have lost their lives, three are prisoners of war, fourteen faculty left the school to fight, and twelve students and priests went into the Chaplin’s corps. These numbers are astonishing for a small college in Scranton, the sense of duty lived in each student. When faced with the reality that someone who walked these halls gave their life for the nation, a mindset of having to fight was installed into students.
World War Two impacted the students at the University of Scranton years after the axis powers surrendered. Lost peers and lost brothers is nothing any school can come to terms with. The roller-coaster ride of the war was felt within each student. A war that hits so close to home, sometimes within your dorm room, will have ever lasting effects. Many students did not want to go to war, then decided to train for it, and finally gave their life for it or left a piece of themselves overseas because it. Not only students, but the faculty and staff served their nation, and others had to watch young boys walk out of their classroom for the last time. World War Two was cruel, but the ills of war did not stop University of Scranton students from standing up against its evils.
World War Two Abroad (1941-1943)
World War Two officially started on September 1, 1939 and ended with the formal surrender of the Japanese Empire on September 2, 1945. Throughout those six years, on average, 27,000 people would die each day due to the catastrophes of the war. Although the war lasted that long, this is a summary of three years, 1941-1943. These years compliment the Jesuit Transition of the University of Scranton.
1941
The United States did not formally take a side in the first years of the second World War, yet the nation did support the allied powers through industry and lending money. President Franklin Roosevelt made his support for the allies clear through the Lend-Lease Act and supplying additional U.S. military air support to fight the axis powers in Europe.
In Europe, the war is looking terrible for the allies, the British are exhausted from defending their homes in the Battle of Britain. The French have already surrendered to the Germans, splitting their nation between resistance fighters and Nazi supporters. Italy and parts of the German Army are controlling North Africa, the axis are building an extensive empire and want more. In June of 1941, Hitler has his armies begin Operation Barbarossa, or the attack of the Soviet Union. The Soviets have a larger force, but Hitler’s Blitzkrieg (military strategy to overwhelm enemy forces) proves to be too powerful of a tactic, and the soviets will spend years defending their homeland from the German Invaders. Around the same time as the start of the invasion of Russia, Hitler unveils plans for his “Final Solution”, or the extermination of the Jewish Population. Over the next few years, over four million Jews will be murdered by the Nazis in death camps or in the streets of Europe. The only hope Allies have at this point is the United States, they are untouched by total war, industry is booming with the manufacture of wartime goods, and fighting forces are building up. It will not be long until America goes into all-out war.
With much fighting going on in Europe, the United States were focusing on the more imminent threat of an attack by the expanding Japanese Empire in the Pacific. The Japanese have been aggressive in taking over lands in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Their invasions of these lands go against multiple international laws, but no force has been able to stand up to the empire in putting them down. The United States worry that they may be the next target for invasion, and on December 6th, 1941 the U.S. navy in Hawaii picks up the Japanese fleet heading their direction. The next day, Sunday, December 7th, the Japanese air force attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This foreign attack is the worst on U.S. soil until those of September 11th, 2001. On December 8th, President Roosevelt announces the United States declares war on the Empire of Japan, soon Germany and Italy declare war on America.
1942
In 1942, America has formally entered all fronts of the war. On the home front, near all industry is geared toward the war and millions of Americans must ration their food and goods to support those fighting overseas.
Early 1942 was not working out well, the Japanese have had dozens of victories over the U.S. Marines in the Pacific, even forcing General MacArthur to retreat from the Philippines, and in the Atlantic, over 200 vessels are lost to German submarines. There proves to be a vital turning point to the war in June, when the Pacific Fleet defeated the Imperial Empire at the battle of Midway. American forces outlasted bombardments and air attacks for three days on the small strip of an island and proved their fighting spirit will overpower the Japanese.
After Midway, the Marines went on the offensive in the Pacific. In August, soldiers wade ashore on Guadalcanal, an island part of the larger Solomon Islands. After months of relentless fighting, the Japanese retreated from the island, but Marines learned what they will have to do to win the war; fight every second of every day. At the end of August, General MacArthur asked for additional fighting troops to put the empire on the run.
In Europe, American forces join the allies for multiple offensives against the Axis powers. In November, a Soviet counter offensive launched ended the bloody Battle of Stalingrad, which had seen some of the fiercest combat of the war. The approach of winter, along with dwindling food and medical supplies, would soon spell the end for German troops there.The initial invasion of North Africa takes place and the Germans and Italians are soon put on the run.
1943
In the Pacific, months of hard fighting proved worthwhile as the Japanese retreated from the outskirts of their Empire. Naval forces began an aggressive counterattack against Japan, involving a series of amphibious assaults on key Japanese-held islands in the Pacific. This “island-hopping” strategy proved successful, and American forces moved closer to their ultimate goal of invading the Japanese homeland. There will be two more long years of stressful guerrilla fighting in the Pacific before the Japanese finally give in to surrender.
In Italy, the Allies are fighting in Sicily. The fighting sways back and forth between the allies and axis, eventually, Hitler must order the retreat of his troops to protect the destruction of his army there. Soon Mussolini's government will fall in Italy and the Allies have taken down a major Axis power. Although the enemy government fell, fighting will still continue in the area. A major problem for the Allies in Europe was the German Navy, specifically German U-Boats, or submarines. The allied forces begin to focus on destroying the U-Boats by fitting aircraft with radio detectors. Invasions of Northern French German Naval bases start with the purpose of destroying submarines and many of the boats are deemed inoperable. For the remainder of the war in Europe, the Germans are on the run while the Allies make daring moves to rescue the continent from Hitler’s death grip.
World War Two officially started on September 1, 1939 and ended with the formal surrender of the Japanese Empire on September 2, 1945. Throughout those six years, on average, 27,000 people would die each day due to the catastrophes of the war. Although the war lasted that long, this is a summary of three years, 1941-1943. These years compliment the Jesuit Transition of the University of Scranton.
1941
The United States did not formally take a side in the first years of the second World War, yet the nation did support the allied powers through industry and lending money. President Franklin Roosevelt made his support for the allies clear through the Lend-Lease Act and supplying additional U.S. military air support to fight the axis powers in Europe.
In Europe, the war is looking terrible for the allies, the British are exhausted from defending their homes in the Battle of Britain. The French have already surrendered to the Germans, splitting their nation between resistance fighters and Nazi supporters. Italy and parts of the German Army are controlling North Africa, the axis are building an extensive empire and want more. In June of 1941, Hitler has his armies begin Operation Barbarossa, or the attack of the Soviet Union. The Soviets have a larger force, but Hitler’s Blitzkrieg (military strategy to overwhelm enemy forces) proves to be too powerful of a tactic, and the soviets will spend years defending their homeland from the German Invaders. Around the same time as the start of the invasion of Russia, Hitler unveils plans for his “Final Solution”, or the extermination of the Jewish Population. Over the next few years, over four million Jews will be murdered by the Nazis in death camps or in the streets of Europe. The only hope Allies have at this point is the United States, they are untouched by total war, industry is booming with the manufacture of wartime goods, and fighting forces are building up. It will not be long until America goes into all-out war.
With much fighting going on in Europe, the United States were focusing on the more imminent threat of an attack by the expanding Japanese Empire in the Pacific. The Japanese have been aggressive in taking over lands in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Their invasions of these lands go against multiple international laws, but no force has been able to stand up to the empire in putting them down. The United States worry that they may be the next target for invasion, and on December 6th, 1941 the U.S. navy in Hawaii picks up the Japanese fleet heading their direction. The next day, Sunday, December 7th, the Japanese air force attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This foreign attack is the worst on U.S. soil until those of September 11th, 2001. On December 8th, President Roosevelt announces the United States declares war on the Empire of Japan, soon Germany and Italy declare war on America.
1942
In 1942, America has formally entered all fronts of the war. On the home front, near all industry is geared toward the war and millions of Americans must ration their food and goods to support those fighting overseas.
Early 1942 was not working out well, the Japanese have had dozens of victories over the U.S. Marines in the Pacific, even forcing General MacArthur to retreat from the Philippines, and in the Atlantic, over 200 vessels are lost to German submarines. There proves to be a vital turning point to the war in June, when the Pacific Fleet defeated the Imperial Empire at the battle of Midway. American forces outlasted bombardments and air attacks for three days on the small strip of an island and proved their fighting spirit will overpower the Japanese.
After Midway, the Marines went on the offensive in the Pacific. In August, soldiers wade ashore on Guadalcanal, an island part of the larger Solomon Islands. After months of relentless fighting, the Japanese retreated from the island, but Marines learned what they will have to do to win the war; fight every second of every day. At the end of August, General MacArthur asked for additional fighting troops to put the empire on the run.
In Europe, American forces join the allies for multiple offensives against the Axis powers. In November, a Soviet counter offensive launched ended the bloody Battle of Stalingrad, which had seen some of the fiercest combat of the war. The approach of winter, along with dwindling food and medical supplies, would soon spell the end for German troops there.The initial invasion of North Africa takes place and the Germans and Italians are soon put on the run.
1943
In the Pacific, months of hard fighting proved worthwhile as the Japanese retreated from the outskirts of their Empire. Naval forces began an aggressive counterattack against Japan, involving a series of amphibious assaults on key Japanese-held islands in the Pacific. This “island-hopping” strategy proved successful, and American forces moved closer to their ultimate goal of invading the Japanese homeland. There will be two more long years of stressful guerrilla fighting in the Pacific before the Japanese finally give in to surrender.
In Italy, the Allies are fighting in Sicily. The fighting sways back and forth between the allies and axis, eventually, Hitler must order the retreat of his troops to protect the destruction of his army there. Soon Mussolini's government will fall in Italy and the Allies have taken down a major Axis power. Although the enemy government fell, fighting will still continue in the area. A major problem for the Allies in Europe was the German Navy, specifically German U-Boats, or submarines. The allied forces begin to focus on destroying the U-Boats by fitting aircraft with radio detectors. Invasions of Northern French German Naval bases start with the purpose of destroying submarines and many of the boats are deemed inoperable. For the remainder of the war in Europe, the Germans are on the run while the Allies make daring moves to rescue the continent from Hitler’s death grip.
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