State of War: A History of World War II in Florida

by Anthony D. Atwood

Overview

A deeply researched history of Florida’s strategic and military roles in World War II

  

The first book to share the entire history of Florida’s involvement in World War II, State of War explores how the war transformed the state into a major hub of military industry and an important training base for ground, naval, and air forces.

Drawing on historic photographs, military archival data, and civilian reporting in newspapers of the time, Anthony Atwood explores Florida’s military history and geography during the war years. The state offered strategic potential in both its available space and its location near critical sea lanes. This unique combination made Florida the site of over 250 military installations and a launching pad for US military power around the globe. Florida was even a seat of war, serving as headquarters for the Battle of the Gulf-Sea Frontier against Nazi U-boats.

Atwood also uses census data to show how the demographics of Florida were changed by the war. Before World War II, less than two percent of Americans lived in Florida and the state was seen as a quiet, rural southern backwater. During the war there were more soldiers than civilians in Florida and the influx of people led to rapid urbanization. Atwood describes how hundreds of thousands of women helped build ships and aircraft and African Americans fought a battle in two fronts—to win the war against the Nazis and to win civil rights at home. 

World War II accelerated the state’s relationship with the military, and this book details the war’s lasting impacts. In addition to the airports and other infrastructure built during wartime, Florida remains an important part of military operations. Florida is now the base of three unified combatant commands of the US Department of Defense and is home to the third largest population of veterans in the nation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813081151
Publisher:	University Press of Florida
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Pages:	230
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Anthony D. Atwood is founder and executive director of the Miami-Dade Military Museum and Memorial. He is the resident military historian at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University. Atwood is a third-generation Floridian and a retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Atwood’s book represents a great achievement. His thorough research and documentation bring to light the pivotal role that the state of Florida played during World War II. How many people know that the landings for the D-Day invasion were practiced on secluded Florida beaches, or that the cargo flights flown ‘over the hump’ to China originated in Miami? I didn’t and I grew up here!”—Carlos E. Martínez, Brigadier General, USAF, Retired

 

“A long overdue look at the important role the Sunshine State played in America’s vast war effort in World War II. We need the insights provided in this work to give us a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the state’s role in this conflagration.”—Paul S. George, coauthor of Jewish Miami Beach

 

“An impressive overview of how the military transformed the state into a citadel. Atwood excels in his ability to explain how and why Florida became a military state.”—Gary R. Mormino, author of Dreams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and Florida’s Turning Point

“Anthony Atwood has produced a much-needed book centering Florida within the nation’s effort during World War II. Perhaps unlike any other state, Florida was ‘militarized’ during the war.  Its geographical position and strategic significance rendered it essential. State of War shows the importance of the Sunshine State to victory and reminds us of the shared sacrifice and effort of all. It is a must-read for any serious student of World War II.” —Christopher B. Bean, editor of Texas and Texans in World War II