Shane+B.

media type="custom" key="4943675" __//**THE 1940's **//__ code Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, the creation of the Air Force; all happened in the 1940s. The 40s was a very important part to American Military history. There were many military events that took place in this decade. The years 1941, 1945, and 1947 were the major years for the military in the 40s. The year was 1941. World War 2 had been going on for nearly two years, but the United States wasn’t really involved. The US sent supplies to aid its Allie Great Britain. The US became involved in the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor naval base by the Japanese. This took place on 7 December 1941. Much of the fleet that was stationed there was destroyed. Over 1,100 men died aboard the USS Arizona alone. Thousands more men, women, and children were wounded and killed during the attack. This made the US go to war with the Axis powers of Japan, Germany, and Italy. (Leonard, 1977) According to Sweeney,(1996) the next major year in the decade was 1945. On 19 Feb. U.S. Marines landed on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. There were thousands of men killed in the fighting here and countless more wounded. On 23 Feb. the American flag was raised at the top of Mount Suibachi. The battle lasted until 16 March. A few months later on 7 May, Germany surrendered to the Allie forces. The Americans and Russians had entered Germany and they assaulted Berlin to end Germany’s campaign. However, the war was not over. Japan was still at large in the Pacific. Japan finally unconditionally surrendered on 15 August 1945. This marked the end of World War 2. Another very important year in the 40’s was the year 1947. This was the year the Marine Corps separated from the Navy and became their own military branch. This was also the year Congress created an Air Force. American pilots proved themselves worthy in World War 2 so they were given their own branch in the military. In conclusion, the 1940’s was a very important decade for the United States military. The major years were 1941, 1945, and 1947. Our military would not be as strong as it is today if the events in this decade had not taken place. [|www.answers.com/topic/1940s-1]