World War II was the popular war - not because it manifested any enjoyment or thrills brought forth by fighting, but by a collective determination to win. To win, the homefront had to be secure and the nationís fighting men had to be supported.

To finance part of the war, the Treasury Department conducted seven war loan drives and a Victory loan drive. Defense Savings Bonds were developed as part of a plan to help improve the American economyÖ by making the purchase of a bond a voluntary gesture, every American citizen could feel they were making a personal investment in the country by buying one.

Initially called "Defense Bonds", they were renamed "War Bonds" after Pearl Harbor. The first "E" War Bond was issued by President Roosevelt on May 1, 1942 for $375. The bonds yielded 2.9% interest and matured in ten years and would be worth $500

All the war plants promoted buying these bonds, taking what you wished out of your pay and delivering the bonds to you with your pay check as you acquired them. Schools, factories, entertainers and patriotic citizens all promoted bond drives. Even children could purchase ten or twenty-five cent Defense Stamps to paste in their Savings Bond booklets. When the booklet was filled the teacher or principal would present the pupil with his very own Savings Bond.

By 1945, approximately 85 million Americans, over one-half the population of the U.S., bought 156.9 billion dollars worth of bonds. Kansas City was quite generous and by purchasing $128,000,000 worth of bonds during the 5th war Loan Bond Drive, it ranked 2nd among all cities in its class.

Some patriotic citizens never cashed in their War Bonds, feeling the money they gave was a personal sacrifice for defense purposes.