During World War II, 4-H members contributed to the war effort in many ways—through military service, as well as efforts on the home front.

While the war provided opportunities for soldiers to foster their sense of manhood, the postwar years and peacetime preferred the husband and father ideal while also finding ways to deal with injured or psychologically traumatized veterans.

On April 19, 1946, the League of Nations dissolved, ending 26 years of the existence of an organization which had proven incapable of preventing World War II.

Though lasting only 360 days, Operation Magic Carpet was the largest combined air and sealift ever organized.

In 1945, members of the American "Deer Team," part of the OSS, worked with Vietnamese guerrilla fighters to throw Japanese troops out of Indochina. As the war ended, the people of Vietnam looked to the United States to support their dreams of independence.