almost a third (6M) of them could have been armed with M1 Carbines. :)
The numbers from the Congressional Research Service.
Total 16,112,566
Army 11,260,000
Navy 4,183,466
Marines 669,100
Of course that doesn't include Coast Guard or Merchant Marine, which would be another 484,093, which gets it right up to your 16.5 million.
So now are you agreeing with me on the number of Americans that served: 16.5 million?
Yes, I’m getting used too being the fool. I do know enough to point out that the lack of men gave our women the opportunity to prove themselves as dependable and dedicated laborers in a time when they were regarded as housewives and incubators. Nowadays I see women are bringing more cash in than men while this recession grinds on.