Kingston Area History – World Wars, Prohibition and The Depression

Reacting to Tumultuous Times

World War I

According to the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, 2,988 people from Ulster County, New York served in the military during World War I. This number represents about 5.5% of the county’s total population at the time.

The vast majority of these men served in the United States Army, but there were also a small number who served in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The most common military occupations for Ulster County men were infantryman, artilleryman, and medic.

Many of the men who served from Ulster County were killed or wounded in action. A total of 101 men from the county died in the war, and another 170 were wounded.

The sacrifices made by the men of Ulster County during World War I are remembered and honored each year on Memorial Day.

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Prohibition

The 18th Amendment banning the production and sale of alcohol may lend itself to rationalization by historians but probably leaves many casual scholars of history scratching their heads. Although Prohibition may not have drastically reduced the consumption of alcohol as intended it certainly provided a means for colorful and notorious characters to flourish.

Kingston, the Catskills and the Hudson Valley were inundated with bootleggers and mobsters who had a nefarious impact on local politicians and law enforcement while supplementing the incomes of local residents when the Great Depression smothered local economies.

Here are some references you may find interesting:

“Bootlegging – Kingston’s Prohibition Past” by Eleanor Charwatt

The Great Depression

Like most communities across the nation, the Kingston area was hit hard by the Great Depression.  Jobs were scarce and local residents have had stories passed down to them about getting government surplus cheese and flour at Kingston City Hall. Brickyards and textile factories scaled back their workforces while many other businesses closed altogether.

World War II

According to the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, 13,283 people from Ulster County, New York served in the military during World War II. This number represents about 10.5% of the county’s total population at the time.

The vast majority of these men served in the United States Army, but there were also a significant number who served in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The most common military occupations for Ulster County men were infantryman, sailor, and pilot.

Many of the men who served from Ulster County were killed or wounded in action. A total of 1,243 men from the county died in the war, and another 2,338 were wounded.

The sacrifices made by the men of Ulster County during World War II are remembered and honored each year on Memorial Day.

Here are some additional details about the military service of people from Ulster County during World War II:

• The first person from Ulster County to die in the war was Private First Class Joseph A. Amodeo, who was killed in action in North Africa on December 24, 1942.
• The most decorated soldier from Ulster County was Lieutenant Colonel David M. Shoup, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Tarawa in 1943.
• The Ulster County unit that suffered the most casualties was the 142nd Infantry Regiment, which lost 423 men killed in action.
• The Ulster County town that had the most men serve in the war was Kingston, with 2,231 men.

The military service of people from Ulster County during World War II was a significant contribution to the Allied victory. The sacrifices made by these men and women will never be forgotten.

Kingston’s journey through Prohibition and World War II underscores its adaptability and resilience. Whether grappling with the challenges of Prohibition or contributing to the World War II effort, Kingston showcased its indomitable spirit. Today, the city stands tall, its rich tapestry of history serving as a testament to its enduring legacy.