Love and Romance
During World War II, the number of marriages increased dramatically. With much of the male population pressed into the war effort, a sense of urgency dominated many young people’s lives. The real possibility of death encouraged couples to go ahead and "tie the knot" as soon as the opportunity arose. The "rush to the altar" became typical of the age, with estimates reaching over 1,000 brides a day in the first months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. By the end of the 1940’s, proportionately more women were married than any other time in the century.
The USS NORTH CAROLINA was no exception. Many members of the crew were married during the war, especially in 1944, during the Ship’s first trip home after a two-year tour of duty in the South Pacific. The crewmembers and their wives you will meet in these stories represent a small sample of the crew that were married during the war years. Their stories share much similarity.
With the United States’ decision to join the war, thousands of young men left home shortly after reaching dating age. Separated for months or even years at a time, most couples did not have a chance to develop serious relationships through the traditional means of dating. Therefore, the bonds of intimacy were created through the exchange of countless letters. In some cases, even the marriage proposal and engagement ring came through the mail! Their love was sealed through marriage at the first chance, for it may have been the last time that the two ever saw each other again. Fortunately for all the couples here, they were happily reunited at the war’s end.
Please follow the links below to these stories of love and romance:
