State Homefront
Explore the World War 2 information related to Lawrence Bekelesky on the State Homefront page. Discover the historical significance and impact of this period on the work and legacy of Lawrence Bekelesky.
Enlistment in the State
On the 22nd of April in 1942, Lawrence Bekelesky was 1 of 839,000 to enlist in the United States Armed Services in Ohio. The state served as a major industrial hub, having larges cities like Akron which outputted large amounts of materials like rubber and munitions. In addition, Cleveland played a major part in having training camps for the new soldiers, research centers, and many factories producing war materials.
Summit County, Ohio
The largest military installation near Akron, Ohio was Ravenna Arsenal now known as Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center. It was built in 1942 and served as a primary ammunition production facility with some training. It employed around 14,000 people during the time making it the largest facility in the region. It continued operating post WW2 until the site was transformed to a National Guard Training Site. The Summit County Area also contained a U.S. Armed Forces Induction Station, a Resident Inspector of Naval Material, and a Navy Recruiting Sub-Station.
Committed to crafting exceptional experiences
Akron Ohio was home to the production of rubber. They had 6 tire companies Goodyear, Goodrich, Firestone, General, and Mohawk. Goodyear was already making blimps for the US Navy before Pearl Harbor. Once war was declared, Goodyear went on to produce half the the wheels and brakes used on the American Fighter Planes. They, along with the other companies, went on to make bombs, flight suits, anti-aircraft guns, parts for the B-29, life vests, wings for the Curtis Commandos, and during the war over 4,000 Corsairs.
