Friday, August 12, 2011

Wilmington, NC "America's World War II City"-- Part 3

I doubt that any other American city has done so much with its World War II heritage. They even have a World War II Trail you can drive.


6. Wilmington lost 248 men defending America. Two Hanover High School graduates were given the Congressional Medal of Honor and numerous others received high decorations for valor, including Navy Crosses, Distinguished Service Crosses and Distinguished Flying Crosses.


7. Wilmington's strategic position made it vulnerable to attack by German U-boats which marauded shipping off the beaches. In July 1943m a U-boat fired at the Ethan-Dow chemical plant in Wilmington, perhaps the only German attack on mainland America.

Wilmington endured the attack as well as constant civilian defense restrictions, air raid drills, black outs and dim outs.

The population more than doubled with military personnel forcing locals to cope with shortages and crowding in housing, schools, transportation, medical and social services, law enforcement and food supply.

Almost every American city faced the trials and tribulations of World War and are deserving of designation, but Wilmington takes the lead.

I Sure Hope They Get It. --Cooter

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