The United States joined World War II on December 8th, 1941 — the day after the Japanese Imperial Army’s attack on Pearl Harbor. According to data from the National World War II Museum the number of US Servicemen in the Army, Navy, and Marines climbed from 1,801,101 in 1941 to 12,123,455 by the war’s end in 1945. Between 1941 and 1945, a soldier’s average duration of service was 33 months.

The “arsenal of democracy,” the U.S. not only produced nearly two-thirds of Allied military equipment during the war, but also mobilized over 16.3 million troops throughout the conflict – more than any other Allied country except the Soviet Union. The mass military mobilization was the largest in U.S. history and drew thousands of men and women from all 48 states, as well as Alaska and Hawaii, neither of which had been granted statehood at the time of the war. (These are the 17 guns Americans used to win WWII.)

Using data from The National Archives, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people enlisted in World War II. States are ranked by the number of people who were residing there at the time they enlisted in the U.S. Army or U.S. Army Air Forces during the war.

According to The National Archives records, anywhere from about 1,800 to over 930,000 Americans enlisted in the Army from each of the now 50 states during WWII. However, official records acknowledge that about 13% of all Army enlistees at the time are not reflected in these numbers. Adjusting for the undercount, approximate enlistment figures from each state fall between 2,000 and 1.1 million residents. The states that sent the most troops to fight in World War II were also those with large populations. However, adjusting for population reveals that some states made an outsized contribution.

Why This Matters

According to the National Museum of World War II, more than 19.5 million American men and women either served in the US Armed Forces or worked as federal employees during World War II. The average base pay for a US officer was roughly $203.50 per month. Today, the military is still one of the largest employers in the United States, and defense spending makes up a large percent of the federal budget.

See which states sent the most troops to fight in World War II

50. Alaska

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 2,068 (2.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – the lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 26 enlistees – the fewest (1.3% of state’s enlistees – the lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 91 – the fewest (4.4% of state’s enlistees – 17th highest)
• Population (1940): 72,524 – the smallest

49. Wyoming

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 11,342 (4.5% of state’s 1940 pop. – 12th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 424 enlistees – 4th fewest (3.7% of state’s enlistees – 8th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 652 – 4th fewest (5.7% of state’s enlistees – 8th highest)
• Population (1940): 250,742 – 3rd smallest

48. Nevada

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 11,784 (10.7% of state’s 1940 pop. – the highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 199 enlistees – 2nd fewest (1.7% of state’s enlistees – 7th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 349 – 2nd fewest (3.0% of state’s enlistees – 14th lowest)
• Population (1940): 110,247 – 2nd smallest

47. Hawaii

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 15,965 (3.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 7th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 558 enlistees – 5th fewest (3.5% of state’s enlistees – 9th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 689 – 5th fewest (4.3% of state’s enlistees – 18th highest)
• Population (1940): 422,770 – 6th smallest

46. Delaware

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 20,154 (7.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 17th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 388 enlistees – 3rd fewest (1.9% of state’s enlistees – 15th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 579 – 3rd fewest (2.9% of state’s enlistees – 10th lowest)
• Population (1940): 266,505 – 4th smallest

45. South Dakota

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 20,598 (3.2% of state’s 1940 pop. – 3rd lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 958 enlistees – 11th fewest (4.7% of state’s enlistees – 5th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,426 – 9th fewest (6.9% of state’s enlistees – 5th highest)
• Population (1940): 642,961 – 14th smallest

44. North Dakota

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 20,635 (3.2% of state’s 1940 pop. – 4th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,166 enlistees – 15th fewest (5.7% of state’s enlistees – the highest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,626 – 13th fewest (7.9% of state’s enlistees – the highest)
• Population (1940): 641,935 – 13th smallest

43. Vermont

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 27,144 (7.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 18th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 594 enlistees – 6th fewest (2.2% of state’s enlistees – 23rd lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 874 – 6th fewest (3.2% of state’s enlistees – 20th lowest)
• Population (1940): 359,231 – 5th smallest

42. Arizona

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 34,399 (6.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 25th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,031 enlistees – 12th fewest (3.0% of state’s enlistees – 16th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,613 – 12th fewest (4.7% of state’s enlistees – 12th highest)
• Population (1940): 499,261 – 8th smallest

41. New Mexico

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 39,005 (7.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 21st highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,143 enlistees – 14th fewest (2.9% of state’s enlistees – 17th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 2,032 – 15th fewest (5.2% of state’s enlistees – 10th highest)
• Population (1940): 531,818 – 10th smallest

40. Nebraska

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 40,553 (3.1% of state’s 1940 pop. – 2nd lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,957 enlistees – 19th fewest (4.8% of state’s enlistees – 3rd highest)
• Total number of casualties: 2,976 – 19th fewest (7.3% of state’s enlistees – 2nd highest)
• Population (1940): 1,315,834 – 19th smallest

39. Idaho

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 41,152 (7.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 10th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 911 enlistees – 9th fewest (2.2% of state’s enlistees – 25th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,419 – 8th fewest (3.4% of state’s enlistees – 23rd lowest)
• Population (1940): 524,873 – 9th smallest

38. New Hampshire

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 41,752 (8.5% of state’s 1940 pop. – 5th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 804 enlistees – 7th fewest (1.9% of state’s enlistees – 16th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,203 – 7th fewest (2.9% of state’s enlistees – 11th lowest)
• Population (1940): 491,524 – 7th smallest

37. Montana

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 43,844 (7.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 11th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 924 enlistees – 10th fewest (2.1% of state’s enlistees – 21st lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,553 – 11th fewest (3.5% of state’s enlistees – 25th lowest)
• Population (1940): 559,456 – 12th smallest

36. Utah

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 46,205 (8.4% of state’s 1940 pop. – 6th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 905 enlistees – 8th fewest (2.0% of state’s enlistees – 17th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,450 – 10th fewest (3.1% of state’s enlistees – 17th lowest)
• Population (1940): 550,310 – 11th smallest

35. Colorado

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 51,509 (4.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 14th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,720 enlistees – 18th fewest (3.3% of state’s enlistees – 11th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 2,697 – 17th fewest (5.2% of state’s enlistees – 9th highest)
• Population (1940): 1,123,296 – 18th smallest

34. Rhode Island

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 64,256 (9.0% of state’s 1940 pop. – 3rd highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,125 enlistees – 13th fewest (1.8% of state’s enlistees – 9th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 1,669 – 14th fewest (2.6% of state’s enlistees – 5th lowest)
• Population (1940): 713,346 – 15th smallest

33. Kansas

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 70,897 (3.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 9th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,975 enlistees – 23rd most (4.2% of state’s enlistees – 6th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 4,526 – 23rd highest (6.4% of state’s enlistees – 6th highest)
• Population (1940): 1,801,028 – 22nd smallest

32. Maine

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 72,361 (8.5% of state’s 1940 pop. – 4th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,470 enlistees – 16th fewest (2.0% of state’s enlistees – 20th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 2,156 – 16th fewest (3.0% of state’s enlistees – 16th lowest)
• Population (1940): 847,226 – 16th smallest

31. Arkansas

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 83,379 (4.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 10th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,502 enlistees – 25th fewest (3.0% of state’s enlistees – 15th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,814 – 23rd fewest (4.6% of state’s enlistees – 15th highest)
• Population (1940): 1,949,387 – 24th largest

30. Oregon

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 84,565 (7.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 14th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,713 enlistees – 17th fewest (2.0% of state’s enlistees – 19th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 2,835 – 18th fewest (3.4% of state’s enlistees – 21st lowest)
• Population (1940): 1,089,684 – 17th smallest

29. Minnesota

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 92,990 (3.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 5th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 4,399 enlistees – 16th most (4.7% of state’s enlistees – 4th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 6,462 – 16th highest (6.9% of state’s enlistees – 4th highest)
• Population (1940): 2,792,300 – 18th largest

28. Maryland

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 95,469 (5.2% of state’s 1940 pop. – 16th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,951 enlistees – 25th most (3.1% of state’s enlistees – 13th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 4,375 – 24th highest (4.6% of state’s enlistees – 14th highest)
• Population (1940): 1,821,244 – 23rd smallest

27. Louisiana

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 107,099 (4.5% of state’s 1940 pop. – 13th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,348 enlistees – 23rd fewest (2.2% of state’s enlistees – 24th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,964 – 25th fewest (3.7% of state’s enlistees – 23rd highest)
• Population (1940): 2,363,516 – 21st largest

26. Iowa

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 109,591 (4.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 11th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,763 enlistees – 18th most (3.4% of state’s enlistees – 10th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 5,633 – 19th highest (5.1% of state’s enlistees – 11th highest)
• Population (1940): 2,538,268 – 20th largest

25. Washington

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 124,995 (7.2% of state’s 1940 pop. – 23rd highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,376 enlistees – 24th fewest (1.9% of state’s enlistees – 13th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,941 – 24th fewest (3.2% of state’s enlistees – 18th lowest)
• Population (1940): 1,736,191 – 21st smallest

24. West Virginia

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 125,551 (6.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 22nd lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,482 enlistees – 20th most (2.8% of state’s enlistees – 18th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 4,865 – 22nd highest (3.9% of state’s enlistees – 22nd highest)
• Population (1940): 1,901,974 – 25th largest

23. South Carolina

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 129,788 (6.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 24th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,190 enlistees – 22nd fewest (1.7% of state’s enlistees – 6th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,423 – 20th fewest (2.6% of state’s enlistees – 6th lowest)
• Population (1940): 1,899,804 – 25th smallest

22. Florida

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 144,839 (7.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 16th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 1,971 enlistees – 20th fewest (1.4% of state’s enlistees – 3rd lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,540 – 21st fewest (2.4% of state’s enlistees – 3rd lowest)
• Population (1940): 1,897,414 – 24th smallest

21. Wisconsin

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 152,498 (4.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 15th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 4,672 enlistees – 14th most (3.1% of state’s enlistees – 14th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 7,038 – 13th highest (4.6% of state’s enlistees – 13th highest)
• Population (1940): 3,137,587 – 13th largest

20. Virginia

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 153,089 (5.7% of state’s 1940 pop. – 18th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,924 enlistees – 17th most (2.6% of state’s enlistees – 21st highest)
• Total number of casualties: 6,007 – 17th highest (3.9% of state’s enlistees – 19th highest)
• Population (1940): 2,677,773 – 19th largest

19. Oklahoma

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 154,411 (6.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 23rd lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,516 enlistees – 19th most (2.3% of state’s enlistees – 24th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 5,474 – 20th highest (3.5% of state’s enlistees – 25th highest)
• Population (1940): 2,336,434 – 22nd largest

18. Connecticut

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 163,462 (9.6% of state’s 1940 pop. – 2nd highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,969 enlistees – 24th most (1.8% of state’s enlistees – 11th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 4,347 – 25th highest (2.7% of state’s enlistees – 7th lowest)
• Population (1940): 1,709,242 – 20th smallest

17. Mississippi

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 168,744 (7.7% of state’s 1940 pop. – 15th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 2,146 enlistees – 21st fewest (1.3% of state’s enlistees – 2nd lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 3,555 – 22nd fewest (2.1% of state’s enlistees – the lowest)
• Population (1940): 2,183,796 – 23rd largest

16. Kentucky

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 174,612 (6.1% of state’s 1940 pop. – 20th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 4,747 enlistees – 12th most (2.7% of state’s enlistees – 19th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 6,802 – 14th highest (3.9% of state’s enlistees – 20th highest)
• Population (1940): 2,845,627 – 16th largest

15. Michigan

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 180,139 (3.4% of state’s 1940 pop. – 6th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 8,930 enlistees – 7th most (5.0% of state’s enlistees – 2nd highest)
• Total number of casualties: 12,885 – 7th highest (7.2% of state’s enlistees – 3rd highest)
• Population (1940): 5,256,106 – 7th largest

14. Missouri

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 206,252 (5.4% of state’s 1940 pop. – 17th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 5,321 enlistees – 11th most (2.6% of state’s enlistees – 20th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 8,003 – 11th highest (3.9% of state’s enlistees – 21st highest)
• Population (1940): 3,784,664 – 10th largest

13. Alabama

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 209,261 (7.4% of state’s 1940 pop. – 19th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,133 enlistees – 22nd most (1.5% of state’s enlistees – 4th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 5,114 – 21st highest (2.4% of state’s enlistees – 2nd lowest)
• Population (1940): 2,832,961 – 17th largest

12. Indiana

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 222,436 (6.5% of state’s 1940 pop. – 21st lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 5,516 enlistees – 10th most (2.5% of state’s enlistees – 22nd highest)
• Total number of casualties: 8,131 – 10th highest (3.7% of state’s enlistees – 24th highest)
• Population (1940): 3,427,796 – 12th largest

11. Georgia

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 229,174 (7.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 20th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 3,467 enlistees – 21st most (1.5% of state’s enlistees – 5th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 5,701 – 18th highest (2.5% of state’s enlistees – 4th lowest)
• Population (1940): 3,123,723 – 14th largest

10. Tennessee

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 238,039 (8.2% of state’s 1940 pop. – 8th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 4,518 enlistees – 15th most (1.9% of state’s enlistees – 12th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 6,528 – 15th highest (2.7% of state’s enlistees – 9th lowest)
• Population (1940): 2,915,841 – 15th largest

9. North Carolina

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 261,613 (7.3% of state’s 1940 pop. – 22nd highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 4,680 enlistees – 13th most (1.8% of state’s enlistees – 10th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 7,109 – 12th highest (2.7% of state’s enlistees – 8th lowest)
• Population (1940): 3,571,623 – 11th largest

8. Illinois

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 304,303 (3.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 8th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 12,489 enlistees – 3rd most (4.1% of state’s enlistees – 7th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 18,601 – 3rd highest (6.1% of state’s enlistees – 7th highest)
• Population (1940): 7,897,241 – 3rd largest

7. New Jersey

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 324,956 (7.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 12th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 7,132 enlistees – 8th most (2.2% of state’s enlistees – 25th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 10,372 – 8th highest (3.2% of state’s enlistees – 19th lowest)
• Population (1940): 4,160,165 – 9th largest

6. Massachusetts

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 342,401 (7.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 9th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 6,572 enlistees – 9th most (1.9% of state’s enlistees – 14th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 10,033 – 9th highest (2.9% of state’s enlistees – 12th lowest)
• Population (1940): 4,316,721 – 8th largest

5. Texas

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 452,159 (7.0% of state’s 1940 pop. – 25th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 9,569 enlistees – 6th most (2.1% of state’s enlistees – 22nd lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 15,764 – 6th highest (3.5% of state’s enlistees – 24th lowest)
• Population (1940): 6,414,824 – 6th largest

4. Ohio

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 492,735 (7.1% of state’s 1940 pop. – 24th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 11,372 enlistees – 4th most (2.3% of state’s enlistees – 23rd highest)
• Total number of casualties: 16,828 – 5th highest (3.4% of state’s enlistees – 22nd lowest)
• Population (1940): 6,907,612 – 4th largest

3. California

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 579,052 (8.4% of state’s 1940 pop. – 7th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 9,965 enlistees – 5th most (1.7% of state’s enlistees – 8th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 17,022 – 4th highest (2.9% of state’s enlistees – 13th lowest)
• Population (1940): 6,907,387 – 5th largest

2. Pennsylvania

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 583,132 (5.9% of state’s 1940 pop. – 19th lowest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 18,326 enlistees – 2nd most (3.1% of state’s enlistees – 12th highest)
• Total number of casualties: 26,554 – 2nd highest (4.6% of state’s enlistees – 16th highest)
• Population (1940): 9,900,180 – 2nd largest

1. New York

• WWII U.S. Army enlistees (estimate): 1,052,268 (7.8% of state’s 1940 pop. – 13th highest)
• Casualties (killed in action or died of wounds): 20,679 enlistees – the most (2.0% of state’s enlistees – 18th lowest)
• Total number of casualties: 31,215 – the highest (3.0% of state’s enlistees – 15th lowest)
• Population (1940): 13,479,142 – the largest

Methodology

To identify the states where the most people enlisted to fight in World War II, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed service record data from The National Archives. States are ranked by the number of people who were residing there at the time they enlisted in the U.S. Army or U.S. Army Air Forces during the war. Residents who enlisted in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps were not considered.

Though The National Archives have records for more than 8.7 million enlistees during the Second World War, about 13% of records could not be scanned and are missing from the database. To account for this shortfall, we added 13% to the number of each state’s number of enlistees to calculate our final estimates.

Data on the number of those killed or morally wounded in battle from each state is from July 2020 report American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics from the Congressional Research Service. Total casualty counts include those who died from non-combat related injuries and other causes, as well as those missing in action, in addition to those killed in combat. No civilians are included in casualty totals.

As a population base, we used state-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 1940, the year before the U.S. entered the war. Conscientious objectors and those who may have lived in a foreign country were not included unless they lived in Alaska or Hawaii, which were not yet states.

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