State Homefront

Major state WWII history: Wilmerding, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County) 

State contribution to the war: Wilmerding during the Second World War was a major contributor to the transportation of war materials and men on the home front. Wilmerding is in close vicinity to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which during the war was vital to the idea of “The Arsenal of Democracy” as it produced the most steel of any place in the world during the entirety of the war. In total, additions to production plants in Pittsburgh cost a total of 511 million dollars (10.44 billion today). Pittsburgh also produced a large quantity of aircraft components alongside the mass amounts of steel. One of the most major developments of the war, the Nordon bombsight, was also produced in Pittsburgh and was vital during U.S strategic bombings. 

Recruitment centers: Throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, dozens of buildings were used for men signing up or for those who were drafted.  

Military installations and bases: During the war, nearby Neville Island, owned by the Dravo Corporation, manufactured large amounts of landing craft and other ships for the U.S Navy. After the ship was finished being built, it would be sailed down the Ohio River, then down the Mississippi, then finally sailed into the Gulf of Mexico before being sent to either the European or Pacific theater. There were no major military bases in Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County as the city was primarily involved with steel production for the war effort.