Christmas During WWII

by Kaitlyn Crain Enriquez – National Archives

In honor of the holiday season, the Unwritten Record of the National Archived presented Navy, Army, Marine, and Air Force (AAF) photographs that highlight the various ways in which service members spent Christmas between the years 1941 and 1944.

Navy

Following their Christmas Day dinner, officers and crew of USS Enterprise (CV-6) staged an impromptu entertainment on the hangar deck, with everyone invited. Here the Air Officer, Comdr. Thomas J. Hamilton (USN) addresses the spectators and delivers the Yuletide greeting from Capt. Mathias B. Gardner.” Date: December 25th, 1943 On Christmas Day, Santa Claus arrives aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in a TBM Avenger dive bomber with six torpedo planes bearing the names of his steeds, to distribute gifts. Lt. Louis L. Bangs (Air Group 10) plays the part. “Vexen” in the background.” Date: December 5th, 1943.

U.S. Marine Corps

Christmas Eve in Bougainville was a Holy one. Here, Marines kneel in prayer in a cemetery, where their buddies who fell in combat are buried. Church services are held, following the memorial service. In the background, Marines can be seen wandering among the graves, looking for their lost friends.” Photographer: Kettler. Date: December 24th, 1943. Merry Christmas is the title of Chaplain Rabun’s sermon as he delivers it to the men of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines while standing under the sign Merry Christmas made by the 1st Battalion Marines. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. R. Robbins. Date: December 25th, 1943.

U.S. Army Air Corps

While still on alert duty, S/Sgt. J.A. Muller, Cpl. John W. Coleman, and Cpl. L.B. Thomas of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, consume their Christmas dinner on the field at a base somewhere in China.” Photo by: 7th Photo Tech. Squadron, 8th Reconn. Group. Date: December 25th, 1942. Banshee pilots with their Christmas present to Hirohito – a gaily decorated bomb attached to the wing of a 10th Air Force fighter plane. Burma.” Date: December 24th, 1944