13 Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: War and Recovery, 1941-1960

Summer 2025 Students:

PLEASE NOTE: I have not finished the textbook chapter for this module, so there is no Perusall assignment – I know this will come as a disappointment for you all : ). The online lecture that covers the Greatest Generation, assigned both this week and last week, does cover MN during and after WWII, as do some of the other videos in the module. Regardless, I am sorry that the chapter is not ready – there are many interesting connections between MN and WW II.

Here is a tentative outline with some links you are welcome to explore.

TENTATIVE OUTLINE

Introduction to WWII

Minnesotans at War

• Pearl Harbor and the USS Ward
• Philippines Death March
• Thirty-fourth “Red Bull” Infantry Division

Minnesotans on the Homefront

• Ancel Keys
• Camp Savage
• Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant
• POW Camps
• CI Auto Pilot (Honeywell)
• Ford at Highland Park
• Spam (Hormel)

Post War Minnesota

• GI Bill in MN
• Suburbs