December 11, 1941

On December 11, 1941 Germany and Italy declared war on the US. America was now facing a war on multiple fronts with multiple belligerents. 

Looking at FDR’s schedule for the day, you can see that the US’ declaration of war with Germany was signed shortly before the President met with Harold Smith, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget. 

While the attack on Pearl Harbor reenergized the attempts to create a Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, one of the biggest hurdles was removed on this date. Following the introduction of HR 4906 in May of 1941, the Bureau of the Budget was disinterested in, then vehemently against the creation of a women’s auxiliary. 

However, in a memo to Secretary of War Henry Stimson, dated December 11, 1941, the Bureau of the Budget formally withdrew their previous objections. This paved the way for the quick edits and rewrites that would lead to the reintroduction of the WAAC Bill as HR 6293.