Montgomery County (Dayton), Ohio

The Memphis Belle, a B-17 Flying Fortress, at a war bond drive at Patterson Field. 1943

USAF

Quick Facts

Location:

Montgomery County, Ohio

Significance:

Wartime research and development led to growth in the aviation industry. As the population increased so did the diversity of those involved with the war effort. Today the community commemorates the home front through the actions of a variety of institutions.

Designation:

American World War II Heritage City

American World War II Heritage City

Montgomery County, Ohio includes the city of Dayton and large portions of what is today called Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The United States Army Air Corps entered World War II at a severe numerical and technological disadvantage. To help overcome these weaknesses, in 1940 the federal government allocated $300 million to improve Wright Field and to create an Air Corps with a minimum of 5,500 planes. In 1941, only forty buildings existed at Wright Field, but by 1944, the airfield consisted of more than three hundred structures. During World War II, aviation research continued with attention focused on improving the horsepower of airplane engines, airplane range and maneuverability, safety features for crews, and weapons. Workers at Wright Field helped to design and construct airplanes such as the C-47 Skytrain; the C-54 Skymaster; the Curtiss C-46 Commando; the Curtiss-Wright P-40 Warhawk; the B-24 Liberator; and the B-29 Superfortress.

Wright Field participated in diverse operations during the War, including Project Silverplate—the Air Corps contribution to the Manhattan Project, and Operations Overcast and Paperclip—designed to secure German technological advances. The Field also contributed to the development and advancement of parachutes; aircraft certification and operation procedures; aerospace medicine; weapons development; and aerial mapping. Other wartime projects included cracking the Nazi 4-rotor Enigma Code at the National Cash Register (NCR) Company complex.

Overall, wartime contracts in Montgomery County exceeded $1.645 billion. Employment exploded for all industries; for example, NCR’s employment increased from 8,000 workers in 1940 to 20,000 by 1945. Dayton’s African American population increased by 3,000 to 20,273, most migrating from the south to work in factories located in the county. Factories also steadily employed thousands of women, who comprised 50% of the manufacturing workforce by 1945. Factories worked three shifts, twenty-four hours a day. Numerous companies converted their factories from producing civilian products to manufacturing war materials. 

Montgomery County residents joined in scrap drives, grew victory gardens, lived with rationing and blackout regulations, and served in civil defense programs. Thousands of residents worked long hours on production lines, dealt with shortages of basic goods, lacked adequate housing, and often had at least one family member serving in the military. Cities across Montgomery County organized and stood up civil defense systems. Air raid shelters were designated or built. Air raid sirens were installed. Businesses and homes were encouraged to black out windows to prevent possible enemy air-raids. In 1944, the USS Dayton, a light cruise ship, was entirely financed by bond sales in the Dayton area.

Today, Montgomery County and Dayton are home to a number of institutions that commemorate the home front including: the National Aviation Heritage Area, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the Carillon Historical Park, the Dayton Metro Library, the Aviation Trail Parachute Museum, and the Wright Company Factory.

The Honor Flight Network originated in Dayton and is now in 45 states. This program honors U.S. veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. World War II memorials can be found at Wright-Patterson AFB, North Dayton Patriots Memorial (established 1944), Dayton’s Gold Star Mothers World War II Memorial in Riverside Park, City of Centerville Veterans Memorial at Leonard Stubbs Park, Miami Township Veterans Memorial, City of Union Veterans Memorial, and the City of West Carrollton Veterans Memorial. The Charity Early Adams Elementary School honors the educator, soldier, andpsychologist who paved the way for African American women in the military.