The American Military in World War 11
World war two is probably remembered as the most dangerous war ever in modern world history that saw million loss of lives and destruction of properties all over the world. While the war began when the U.S. had entered the period of isolationism in which they viewed the war as a European affair, the attack on the Pearl Harbor by the Japanese called for immediate response. In the December 8th of 1941, the then President Franklin Roosevelt signed a declaration war against Japan which was an ally to Fascist Germany led by Hitler and Italy led by Mussolini. The joining of the war by the U.S. remains created an enormous paradigm shift that saw the war coming to an end in December 2nd of 1945 and a rebirth of new world order. At the centre of the war remains the immense contributions that were put in place with American soldiers to hold and protect the American flag and to lift the lid freedom of other nations of the world. This paper opines the motivation behind the American’s soldier’s excellent contribution to victory against fascisms and their relevant experience during the war.
To commence, ideology in terms of what an individual hold to be true played a significant role in the motivating the American soldiers. To many soldiers, the experience that other nations were undergoing was unfathomable and intolerable. The killing of women and innocent children during the war proved to be traumatizing to the soldiers who also had families and could feel the pain of losing such a vulnerable group. According to Fussell (2005), the majority of a soldier who apart from being trained military personnel also do a have sense of compassion that is guided by the ideological belief among them right to life and self-determination.
Moreover, the leadership structure provided a boost for the justification of the war. America’s President Franklin Roosevelt provided workforce allocations to the soldiers that equipped and further strengthened the military personnel in the war (Fussel, 2005). Also, at the ranks of the military department was Major General Dwight Eisenhower who commanded U.S. forces in Europe. Through his immense knowledge of military strategy and organization, American soldiers felt a stronger sense of self-belief and confidence to pursue the enemy with a more insightful approach.
Besides, a sense of duty, honour and country served a pivotal role in strengthening the belief of the soldiers on the importance of their participation in the war. Many soldiers considered it their civic duty as dictated by their profession to defend not only their country but the world from fascist Europe (Fussel 2005). For instance, the attack of U.S. naval bases at the Peral Harbor called for the need to rise into action and offer the necessary protection to the country. Also, the need to defend the honour and stature that the U.S. had acquired after the world war was relevant to guard. As such, to remain silent after the attack by Japan could have seen the U.S. considered as a weaker country and actual loss of her world honour to fascist Europe.
Besides, according to Fussel (2005), the primary group was necessary for the American soldiers in the war. The conditions of the war were adverse, and the division into units saw a realization of a sense of brotherhood more than comradeship. As a result, during the war, every soldier often endeavoured to protect each member of the group. The cooperation by the unit members in the fight saw many wins than loses throughout the war. For instance, during the war, both senior and junior officers and the veterans were put together within a group. Without consideration of their ranks, everyone exercised mutual respects and cooperation in defence and attack of the enemies.
On the other hand, Paul Frussel provides several things that can be drawn from the Combat during world war two. The following stand out.
Firstly, the effect of home ties during the war. Frussel (2005) postulates that many soldiers were worried about the conditions of their families back at home, and this affected their overall performance. Especially the soldiers who did not get responses from their beloved ones. Through letters, many soldiers were able to express their thoughts about the war and the misery they had for their families back at home. This is essential to Frussel and readers that while the soldier’s profession sometimes involves killing, it does not remove the inherent humane feeling in them.
Lastly, the war taught the essence of strength in unity. For instance, the formation of Allied alliances saw the defeat of the fascists’ leaders and their sympathizers and ushering of new world order (Fussel, 2005). The unification between the U.S., Great Britain, France and Australia among other nations of the world provided strength at a time the Axis group was considered lethal and dangerous to most countries of the world.
To sum up, while it’s undeniable that world war two remains to be the deadliest in modern world history, it’s also an irrefutable fact that it ushered in a new dawn in the world. The robust reflections of the war as given by Paul Frussel provides an insight into the experience of being in a fight and a manner calls for an appreciation of the significant role that soldiers served during the war. It also draws to us the moral lesson that becomes the epitaph of the book.