Fighting Badgers
A Refuge During World War II
What is now considered the quiet Lakeshore path was once filled with the sounds of marching boots. During World War II, military servicemen, who resided in the dormitories on the west end of campus, used the Lakeshore path to march to and from campus and Memorial Union. More than 2,000 Army and Navy personnel dined at the Union daily and used the space to socialize with other servicemen and women as they prepared for the line of duty or returned on leave.
"The Memorial Union...proves to be the hub of all activity when the sailors emerge on weekend liberty...The lonely sailor can always count on meeting a girl at the Union." —1945 Badger Yearbook
The Union became a refuge for many soldiers, sailors and students—never closing for a single day during the war. It was reported that many "Fighting Badgers" overseas wrote letters home to Wisconsin Alumnus editor, Jeanne Lamoreux, asking her to "give their regards to the Union Terrace and Der Rathskeller."
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Record Dance
1942 – WAVE and ROTC students participate in the Record Dance in Great Hall.
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Waves and Navy trainees
ca. 1943 – Waves and Navy trainees at the Der Rathskeller bar.
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Union Dance
1945 – Couples crowd the dance floor at Memorial Union, many in uniform.
Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives.
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Look Alive Rehearsal
1943 – Fredric March stands with Wave and Navy trainees during the Look Alive rehearsal.
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Wave and Navy at Hoofers, 1943
1943 — WAVE and Navy members with a member of the Wisconsin Hoofers.
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Playing Chess in the Paul Bunyan Room, 1944
1944 — Two couples play chess in the Paul Bunyan Room.
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Dance at the Union, 1943
1943 — Two couples take a break from dancing in Great Hall to get some fresh air in front of the open window.
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Bowling at the Union during WWII
1943-44 – V-12 students (Navy Pilots in-training) bowling. Bleachers were set up for viewing.
Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, non-digitized.