Today in World War II History—August 9, 1944

Smokey Bear’s first appearance on a Forest Fire Prevention campaign poster, released on August 9, 1944 (US Department of Agriculture Forest Service)

80 Years Ago—August 9, 1944: At Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, CA, 258 Black sailors who survived the Port Chicago Explosion refuse to load munitions and are imprisoned [see Port Chicago: The Work Stoppage].

US Fifteenth Air Force Aircrew Rescue Unit in Italy flies its first mission, evacuating 268 airmen & refugees from Yugoslavia in C-47 cargo planes.

Smokey Bear is introduced by the US Forest Service as a spokesman for fire prevention.

Damage at US Naval Magazine, Port Chicago, CA from explosion 17 July 1944 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: NH 96823)

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