Christmas has always been a major holiday in the United States, but during World War II (1941-45) it took on special meaning as many families had a “loved one” serving in the military who could not be home for Christmas. During the war years “Peace on Earth” was not just a nice phrase found on Christmas cards, but the number one wish of all peace loving people throughout the world. The Christmas season gave hope that while this year many were away, maybe next year the war would be over and missing family members would return home.
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| Group of American servicemen celebrating Christmas eve at midnight mass, singing and lighting candles, on Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 24, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Group of American servicemen celebrating Christmas eve at midnight mass, singing and lighting candles, on Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 24, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Rowdy group of American servicemen, note Santa Claus in center, celebrating Christmas on Guadalcanal; sign posted on tree reads MERRY CHRISTMAS GUADALCANAL & TO HELL WITH TOJO. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 25, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Church flag flying above the Stars and Stripes on American held area of Japanese occupied Guadalcanal Island during US Christmas celebrations. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 25, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Bare-chested soldiers in helmets preparing Christmas dinner (cake or bread) at the mess during WWII. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 25, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Bare-chested soldiers preparing Christmas dinner at the mess during WWII. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. December 25, 1942. (Photo: Ralph Morse) |
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| Lighted MERRY XMAS sign behind 65-ft. Christmas tree lit up by Italian bulbs strung up by Special Services & the 53rd Signal Battalion at the top of Radicosa Pass at 2500 ft. elevation direction signs to Bologna as Amer. MP stand guard, in the Appennine M. Italy. December 18, 1944. (Photo: Margaret Bourke-White) |
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| OFF LIMITS sign stuck in the mud next to wooden walkways where Amer. WACs tread their way between the tents in their camp during their tour of duty as switchboard operators & secretaries, on the Italian front in the Appennine Mountains. (Photo: Margaret Bourke-White) |
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| (L-R) Amer. WACs Pfcs. Dorothy Dittwald, Dorothy Charpenter decorate small Christmas tree in 75-mm. shell as & Sgt. Crawford hangs a Christmas wreath on the door of their tent on the Italian front in the Appennine Mountains. (Photo: Margaret Bourke-White) |
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| (L-R) Amer. WACs Pfc. Dorothy Carpenter, Dorothy Dittwald & Sgt. Crawford, making paper chains to trim a tiny Christmas tree as they also open gifts sent to them from home, in their tent on the Itallian front in the Appennine Mountains. (Photo: Margaret Bourke-White) |