World War II - OVMA – Syracuse University

During WWII, Syracuse University hosted a number of defense training programs, including the Civilian Pilot Training program, the Cadet Nurse Corps, War Service College, and Army Specialized Training Program. These programs prepared both military and non-military students for industries serving the war effort. The militarization of the Syracuse campus during the war helped prompt Chancellor Tolley’s decision to open the University’s doors to the war’s veterans.

It’s estimated that almost 18,000 Syracuse Faculty, students, and alumni were in uniform during the war.

Chancellor William Pearson Tolley

Post-World War II, Chancellor William Pearson Tolley recognizes the role that higher education can play in advancing our nation’s returning veterans. He announces Syracuse’s “uniform admissions program,” which ensures all military personnel admission to Syracuse upon return from war.

“I realized that if a veteran didn’t go to college as soon as they came back, they would never have another chance. It was now or never. Now was not the time to shut the doors. Our doors opened wide in 1946” – Chancellor Tolley

1946

Syracuse University admits 9,464 veterans, almost doubling the student body overnight. Nine-hundred Quonset huts, barracks and trailers spring up across campus. Syracuse University ranks first in New York State and 17th in the nation in veteran enrollment.

Group of trainees in huddled under a plane for the civilian pilot training program

soldiers in formation on quad — Soldiers in Formation on Quad

Military students learning in class with equipment — War Service College

The Tuskegee Airmen

Wimeth Sidat-Singh and Hilliard Pouncey are just two of a number of Syracuse alum who served their country as members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S’s only African American unit in the Army Air Force. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups in World War II.

Cadet Nurses CORPS

The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps (1943–49) was established, three days after the Syracuse University School of Nursing admitted it’s first class, to aid in the “war effort”. The goals of this program were to increase the enrollments in schools of nursing; to accelerate the training period so that the last six months would include full-time service in civilian, military, US Public Health Service, Veterans, and Indian hospitals; and to increase the number of graduate nurses who would have additional preparation for advanced and specialized positions—in teaching, supervision, administration, and public health nursing.

Prominent Faculty, Staff Members, and Alumni

Donald R. Waful ’37, G ’39

Donald Waful briefly served as an officer in North Africa prior to being captured in 1942. Don remained a prisoner of war in Italy, Poland, and Germany for the duration of the war, and maintained a long-distance relationship with his fiancé, a nurse he met at wartime dance in Ireland. Don returned to Syracuse, where he worked in insurance and he became involved in local athletics, serving as the president of the Syracuse Chiefs. He is a devoted fan of Syracuse University Athletics, especially football.

TSGT Forrest Vosler

Forrest Vosler received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in Germany in 1944. Due to his injuries, he was unable to complete his degree, despite over a dozen attempts to return to school after the war. He was posthumously awarded an associate’s degree from Syracuse University in 2015 after an audit revealed he had completed the required credits.

ben schwartzwalder — Ben Schwartzwalder, National Championship winning football coach

gordon hoople — Dr. Gordon D. Hoople, a professor of otolaryngology and founder of the Special Education School

paul shipmen andrews — Paul Shipman Andrews, Dean of the Law School from 1927-1952,

See how Syracuse University was pivitol in supporting WWII veterans.

Historic Overview: The GI Bulge

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – better known as the GI Bill – was one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever enacted by the United States Congress. Along with other provisions, it offered a college education to millions of returning veterans, thus opening new opportunities for them and their families, changing the shape of American society and public life, and transforming the very nature of higher education.The response to the bill was far greater than anyone had predicted. Between 1945 and 1950, the GI Bill supported some 2.3 million students, most of whom would never have been able to get a college education without it.

No university in the country was more closely identified with the GI Bill than Syracuse. Chancellor William P. Tolley served on the Presidential committee whose proposal formed the basis of the legislation. Taking the lead, Tolley also announced Syracuse’s “uniform admissions program,” promising everyone entering the service that there would be places waiting for them at Syracuse when they returned. And when they did return, Syracuse was as good as its word. Although still a small university by national standards, SU ranked first in New York State and 17th in the country in veteran enrollment.

Those years were not easy for anyone – not for the veterans, who were eager (and sometimes impatient) to make up for lost time, and not for the University, which was faced with challenges beyond anything in its history.

Space was at a premium. More than 600 prefab buildings, old barracks, Quonset huts, and trailers covered the campus and surrounding areas. Even so, classrooms were crowded and housing problems were legendary. New programs and curricula had to be developed and social rules had to change. The vets had to adjust to college life, and the students who were already here had to adjust to the vets, whose attitudes were different and whose numbers were overwhelming.

This exhibition, compiled from the University’s Archives and materials contributed by alumni, documents the fact that all those things were accomplished. They were accomplished in what came to be known as Syracuse’s “Can Do Spirit” that prevailed among faculty, staff, and students alike. That spirit of innovation, commitment, and caring – born during the years between 1946 and 1950 – defined a new Syracuse University and set its course to the future. This information is provided by the Syracuse University Archives.

Historic Overview: World War II