Shelf Oddity 7000181 USN Officers

At the time of the outbreak of World War II, the American Navy was considered one of the most powerful in the world, but in the course of this military conflict, it definitely outstripped other navies in the world in terms of the number of ships built (often also their quality) - primarily the Japanese. At the end of the war in the Pacific, it had, among others, 27 aircraft carriers and 18 battleships. It also had the most powerful naval aviation in the world. It is also worth remembering that at the time of the outbreak of the war in the Pacific, the US Navy had about 340,000. people, and at the time of its completion - around 3.4 million people! Each of the US Navy seamen during World War II underwent the so-called Basic Training, which emphasized the physical condition of the soldier, his familiarity with weapons, drill and other basic activities in the army. Only after that, the seamen underwent specialist training, such as gunmen, radar operators or engine room crew. Most of the senior US Navy officers graduated from the Annapolis Naval Academy, while many junior officers received training under the V-12 Navy College Training Program. It is estimated that about 125,000 people participated in it between 1943 and 1947.