This Memorial Day I honor James Willard Waning.
My maternal grandfather did not serve in World War II, however he worked in essential industries - first as a logger, and later helping to build Liberty Ships.
According to the following pay stubs, it appears that Jim Waning worked for Iron Fireman Manufacturing Co. in Portland, Oregon from mid-April 1943 to Mid-February 1944. In his 1943 tax return Jim Waning claimed to have an income of $3010.00 from Iron Fireman Manufacturing Co. That income required long hours of work.
Note the Victory Tax.
In August 1943 Jim earned $100 for one week's labor.
I think this required an 80 hour work week (and no increase in wages for overtime).
Each week money was deducted for the purchase for War Bonds.
In September 1943 Jim was ill and missed several days of work.
The next week he took vacation. If he was paid for 40 hours then he earned $1.25 per hour.
If Jim earned $1.25 an hour even with overtime, then he often worked 68 hours or more in a week.
These long work hours continued into 1944.
The O.A.B. tax is the Old Age Benefits Tax - the precursor to Social Security.
