Closed for the Duration―Gone to War!

In the days and weeks following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the US would see record enlistment numbers. Even though enlistment offices were not normally open on Sundays (the day of the attack), there are stories of recruiters going down to the enlistment centers and opening the doors as soon as they heard word of the attacks. That very thing occurred in New Orleans at the base for military recruitment at the Custom House at 423 Canal Street, now home to the Audubon Insectarium.

The New Orleans Items printed this cartoon by the editorial cartoonist Chase (John Churchill Chase after whom is named a street near to the Museum) showing the eagerness of the New Orleans Marines to get involved in the war.

Gift of Chloe Frost Pullen, The National WWII Museum, 2003.417

Post by National WWII Museum Curator Kimberly Guise