7th War Bond Tour

Local war hero John Bradley helped raise $26.3 billion to pay for the war effort in the summer of 1945. He spoke to crowds in 33 cities across the country in the 7th war bond tour. Some Hollywood stars joined Bradley, including Bob Hope, Joan Fontaine, Jane Wyman, Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Becall. The tour showcased military re-enactments, concerts, shows, and parades.

The Outagamie County War Finance Committee collected $6,757,912 worth of war bonds during the 7th bond tour. Volunteers canvassed door to door and businesses instituted payroll deduction programs for their employees. The Outagamie Committee put on a show at Goodland Field on May 24, 1945. The event featured a display of infantry weapons and a battle re-enactment. Soldiers fired machine guns, mortars, and flame-throwers at a simulated Japanese bunker. Almost 9,000 people attended the show. Three people suffered injuries from flying shrapnel and gravel.

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Appleton native John Bradley promotes the 7th War Bond Drive in Washington, DC,
April 20, 1945
Courtesy of Elizabeth Bradley

War Bonds

The war cost about $250 million a day. The US Treasury asked Americans to help pay the cost by investing in war bonds. Americans purchased bonds as an investment which paid a yield after ten years. The Treasury advertised the sale of war bonds through national bond tours. Bond tours featured celebrities, war heros, marching bands, and military re-enactments. Outagamie County residents participated in seven drives during the war. They purchased over $41 million in bonds. This money bought the machinery of war which American soldiers used to beat the Axis Powers.

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7th war bond drive poster signed by
John Bradley, 1945
OCHS # P84-2-12-12

The 7th war bond drive poster featured the flag raisers at Iwo Jima. John Bradley's figure stands center with his back to the viewer.