Mobilizing America

by Keith E. Eiler

As the official responsible for industrial mobilization and procurement for the army and the air force, Robert P. Patterson played a uniquely important role in mobilizing the Arsenal of Democracy. In this comprehensive study, Keith E. Eiler documents Judge Patterson's extraordinary and largely unrecognized contributions to the defense and war efforts. He also offers a provocative count of the manner in which the national government managed to transform itself for war, and convert a vast market-oriented economy into an effective war machine. At the same time, the author sheds revealing new light on numerous issues of war policy and on the evolution of civil-military relations during the emergency. Judge Patterson emerges from the study as a self-effacing public servant of unusual ability and character. As the official responsible for industrial mobilization and procurement for the army and the air force, Robert P. Patterson played a uniquely important role in mobilizing the Arsenal of D