War Manpower Commission

Chairman Paul V. McNutt opens the first meeting of the War Manpower Commission, May 6, 1942.

The War Manpower Commission was a World War II agency of the United States Government charged with planning to balance the labor needs of agriculture, industry and the armed forces. It was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Executive Order 9139 of April 18, 1942. Its chairman was Paul V. McNutt, head of the Federal Security Agency.

Executive Order 9279, dated December 5, 1942, transferred the Selective Service System to the War Manpower Commission. However, a year later it was made a separate agency directly responsible to the President.

Gallery

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  Paul V. McNutt, head of the War Manpower Commission

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  President Truman calling on workers to stay on the job

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  War Manpower Commission and employment discrimination complaint against aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney

Wikimedia Commons has media related to War Manpower Commission.

External links

• National Archives: Records of the War Manpower Commission
• National Defense University, McNair Paper Number 50, Chapter 10, August 1996, Balancing Military and Civilian Needs
• 1945 U.S. Government Manual: Directory of Emergency War Agencies