Building a Legacy "World War II GI Bill"

by Sidney Siller, PDC, Department Adjutant

The original World War II "GI Bill" exceeded all expectations and had enormous benefits beyond the immediate ones given to deserving war veterans. College enrollment grew dramatically: in 1947, GI Bill enrollees accounted for almost half of the total college population. Following the war, more than 2 million veterans went to college using the GI Bill educational benefits, The result was an American workforce enriched by 450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, 22,000 dentists and another million college-educated men and women. Since 1944 more than 21 million veterans and dependents have participated in GI Bill education and training programs.

Original GI Bill benefits also include loans for buying a home, farm or business, and job finding assistance. VA's home loan program, for example, is largely credited with creating the suburbs in America. Since 1944 more than 16 million veterans have purchased homes with the help from VA. The Subcommittee has continually authored legislation to refine and update these kinds of benefits for our All-Volunteer Force.

On June 20, 2002, Chairman Christopher Smith convened a ceremony with the American Legion at the Mayflower Hotel, The Mayflower Hotel has a great historical significance for veterans; it was in room 570 that Harry Colmery, then National Commander of the American Legion, wrote in longhand on hotel stationary, the first draft of what would become the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (the World War II GI Bill). Chairman Smith was joined by then Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Anthony J. Principi, former Senator Bob Dole, former Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs "Sonny" Montgomery, former Chairman of the Benefits Subcommittee Mike Simpson, Congressman Jim Ryun and the National Adjutant of the American Legion, Robert Spanogle.

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