The most tangible evidence of war in Florida was the explosive growth in military spending and construction. By the end of the war, Florida laid claim to 172 military installations. The size, scale, and scope of the bases, airfields, and naval facilities were extraordinary. The Sunshine State was home to as many as two million servicemen and women.
War is mercurial. By late 1945, cities dreaded the word “deactivated.” But Floridians proved adept and resourceful in finding new homes for old bases. Drew Field became Tampa International Airfield. The blimp base in Coconut Grove became Miami Metro Zoo. The long runways at Sebring’s Hendrix Field became the runways for the Sebring Raceway.
Citation: Florida goes to war: The sunshine state in WWII. War Comes to Florida: Military. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://fcit.usf.edu/wwii/military.php.
The following object description information includes basic elements from the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). An additional notes field is included to list dates from the actual letter, envelope postmark locations, and any other identifying details.
Notes – Handwritten letter dated June 11, 1943, two pages. Includes envelope, postmarked June 11, 1943, 3:30PM, from Dale Mabry Field, Fla.
On this date while John was drilling and drinking Premier Stalin wrote to FDR regarding the strategic matters.
Sent on June 11, 1943
Your message informing me of certain decisions on strategic matters adopted by you and Mr. Churchill reached me on June 4. Thank you for the information.
It appears from your communication that the decisions run counter to those reached by you and Mr. Churchill earlier this year concerning the date for a second front in Western Europe.
You will doubtless recall that the joint message of January 26, sent by you and Mr. Churchill, announced the decision adopted at that time to divert considerable German ground and air forces from the Russian front and bring Germany to her knees in 1943....
Citation: June, 1943 - FDR: Day By Day. FDR. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2023, from http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/daybyday/resource/june-1943/.
Articles by historian Gary Mormino
The following series of articles were written by historian Gary R. Mormino, the Frank E. Duckwall Professor of Florida Studies at USF St. Petersburg. They focus on various topics of interest related to the subject of WW II in Florida. Articles reprinted courtesy of the author.