V-E Day and Coming Home

"Germany Surrenders!"

When Germany officially surrendered on May 8, 1945 Americans became cautiously optomistic that a Japanese surrender wouldn't be far behind. Even so, with the invasion of the home island of Japan still a possibility, many felt it inappropriate to celebrate a peace that was only "half-won," particularly those in the military for whom peace had come at a high cost.

President Harry S. Truman's speech on V-E Day called upon all Americans to remember those whose lives had been sacrificed, and to work to finish the fight to free the world of tyrrany in the Pacific and to "build an abiding peace."

Those on the home front with loved ones in Europe rejoiced. Local newspapers heralded the news of the end of hostilities in Europe, and many Minnesotans took to the streets to join in impromptu V-E Day celebrations. Others waited in line to get into their churches to give thanks for the hard-won peace, and pray for the safe return of family members serving abroad.

For servicemen and women stationed in Europe, the return to the States was slow in coming. The Adjusted Service Rating System (ASR) was implemented after V-E Day to determine what military personnel were eligible to be discharged and who would be retained for occupation duty or redeployment to the Pacific. The ASR awarded points for months of service and battle achievements. Servicemen with a rating of 85 points were eligible to return home; women with 44 points were also eligible for discharge.

Citations:

• Truman, Harry S., President Harry S. Truman's speech on the surrender of Germany, May 8, 1945. Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
• V-E Day Front Page News. Minnesota Historical Society: Minnesota's Greatest Generation, 2005.