Ed Hooper

Knoxville in World War II Ed Hooper

No event so changed and reshaped East Tennessee and the city of Knoxville as did World War II. From the hills and hollows of the Smoky Mountains to the banks of the Tennessee River, men and women from all walks of life volunteered or were called into service to assist with the nationwide war effort. As with the First World War, entirely new industries sprang to life in Knoxville, and the old ones were changed forever by the new demands for equipment, sailors, soldiers, and supplies. It was a tumultuous time of upheaval as people were removed from family homes in the Smoky Mountains and forced to move to Knoxville to earn a living. This is a collection of photographs gathered from the families of the men and women who served in World War II as both civilians and soldiers.