Spreading Christmas cheer to Delaware’s troops

The entire country participated in the war effort during World War II, including providing Christmas gifts to those stationed at Delaware’s military bases. In this photograph, a group of unidentified men and women is shown with piles of wrapped gifts for soldiers at Fort Miles in Lewes, Fort DuPont in Delaware City, New Castle Air Base and Delaware State Hospital in New Castle. Fort Miles was established in 1941 to defend the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The fort remained in operation in some form until 1991, when it was fully decommissioned.