It's September of forty-five. 
We remember the dark months 
when France was overrun and England stood alone 
against the force of Nazi armies.
Soon Germany attacked Russia. 

Then Japan committed a tactical triumph 
and a strategic blunder: they attacked Pearl Harbor.
Our ocean fortress had been breached.
That Day in Infamy galvanized the nation; 
to win, no matter what the cost.

Two early events boosted morale: 
Jimmy Doolittle's daring raid on Tokyo 
was of little strategic importance. 
The Battle of Midway was a great sea victory.

Things got worse.
Japanese occupied the islands almost to Australia. 
For months nothing could stop them, 
until the tide turned.

We forced the Japs back, island by island.
We were happy with each battle won
and sad for all men lost.

We had beaten the Germans, 
but we must invade Japan itself – 
until with two enormous blasts
we forced them to complete surrender.

What a glorious time, 
with the war ended and peace at hand! 
Now the whole world can have 
free speech and worship,  no hunger or fear. 
Nations will be united in a lasting peace,
with disputes settled without war.
Japan and Germany can never rise again;
Russia and China will always be our friends.