Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1997

Thesis Director

Gretchen E. Knapp

Abstract

The United States' entry into World War II brought many changes to its communities. Many towns and villages found themselves transformed almost virtually overnight into military communities. A sudden influx of military personnel presented various difficulties for the communities attempting to adjust. When problems arose concerning both the military members and their civilian hosts, the success or failure experienced in meeting the challenges hinged on the ability and willingness of both factions to cooperate. Chanute Field, an Army Air Force base in Illinois, successfully rose to that challenge when faced with the increasing problem of vice activity and a rising venereal disease rate.

After the experiences of World War I, when venereal disease caused the loss of over a million man power days, the military reacted quickly to curtail a re-occurrence when troop numbers increased. After identifying prostitution as the main culprit in the infection of the men, the military command looked to the local communities surrounding their bases for assistance in combating the problem. While the majority of other communities failed dismally in their rate, Chanute Field and the people of Champaign County succeeded in, if not eradicating the problem, controlling the situation.

This was accomplished through several tactics. Both the base recreational department and the neighboring communities provided ample recreational alternatives to a night in the red light district. Likewise, both factions bombarded their inhabitants with a steady stream of moral persuasion and medical rhetoric designed to enlighten people of the threat of venereal disease. To stop the spread of disease, law enforcement specifically targeted what was considered the source of infection: prostitution. The law enforcement officials of Champaign County vigorously sought out, arrested and prosecuted those guilty of vice activity. Those arrested on charges of prostitution in Champaign County could expect the stiffest fines and jail sentences possible.

Through these measures, the command at Chanute Field and the citizens of its neighboring communities helped the base to achieve one of the lowest rates of venereal disease infection among military camps during World War II. Other communities throughout the United States, and in fact Illinois itself, were not so lucky. While other communities saw their infection rates soar and vice activity increase, Chanute Field and Champaign County cooperated on tactics to successfully combat the situation.

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