Army-Navy "E" Awards in New Orleans, Louisiana

This thesis, in conjunction with an interactive digital exhibit, examines the Army-Navy “E” Award as it was applied to military defense industries in New Orleans, Louisiana during World War II. The thesis and the website is available for World War II researchers who are researching wartime manufacturing in New Orleans as well as teachers who are conducting lessons on wartime manufacturing and home-front activities in New Orleans throughout the duration of World War II. A thorough examination of historical records establishes the significance of wartime manufacturing capabilities of New Orleans during World War II by providing an historical narrative of those companies that received the Army-Navy “E” Award. This essay and exhibit also explore the effect the “E” had on the goods and services these businesses provided before, during, and after the war, and whether the companies stayed in business or failed after the war’s end. The thesis also considers the effect of total warfare in New Orleans, as defined during World War II, as well as the long- and short-term economic effects of the switch from a making civilian domestic goods to military production. Wartime manufacturing and military actions taken to boost production is an often overlooked and interesting lens in which to view New Orleans during World War II.