WILMINGTON, N.C. - Nationally known, award-winning World War II historian and retired Navy Capt. Wilbur D. Jones Jr. today officially released his 21st historical work, Don’tcha Know There’s a War On? Life, Culture and Harsh Reality on the American Home Front. The book provides an in-depth examination of Wilmington, North Carolina, during World War II, documenting the city’s strategic importance as a shipbuilding and military center and exploring the economic, social and operational impact of the war on its citizens. Wilmington is America’s first designated World War II Heritage City. Jones draws on military archives, battlefield and cemetery visits, veteran eyewitness accounts, newspaper and book sources, as well as his own childhood memories of wartime North Carolina. “The catchphrase ‘Don’tcha know there’s a war on?’ was far more than a response to rationing,” Jones said. “It was the cultural baseline for national unity, military reliance and the absolute civilian-military synergy required to win a global war.”

KEY MILITARY AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Germany’s Attack on the American Home Front
Historical analysis of Germany’s targeted attack on the United States mainland, including the U-boat shelling of Kure Beach near Wilmington.
Logistics and Industrial Mobilization
An inside look at Wilmington’s high-output shipyards, wartime defense infrastructure and the administration of local German prisoner-of-war camps.
Combat Operational Profiles
Micro-histories of Wilmington’s two Medal of Honor recipients, along with the combat experiences of local service members during the Battle of Midway, D-Day, the Italian campaign, the Battle of the Bulge and more.
Total Force Integration
An examination of the critical contributions of Black citizens and women to wartime defense-industry production, illustrating how military necessity accelerated domestic, social, economic and racial change on the American home front.
A FOREWORD FROM RICHARD PETTY
The book features a foreword by legendary NASCAR icon Richard Petty, a fellow North Carolina native and member of Jones’ “Silent Generation.”

AVAILABILITY AND ORDERING
Don’tcha Know There’s a War On? is available nationwide through major booksellers, independent distributors, and online retailers.
Personalized, autographed copies are available through wilburjones.com. Volume distribution options are available for military libraries, command reading lists and historical societies. Media interview requests, review copies for military publications, and presentation bookings for military installations, service organizations and academic institutions can be coordinated through Pam Cook Communications at 336-416-4831.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Retired Navy Capt. Wilbur D. Jones Jr. served the Department of Defense for nearly 41 years before transitioning into a career as an author, historian, and military heritage advocate. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Jones has authored or co-authored 21 books, including nine focused on World War II. Jones conceived and led the 12½-year legislative effort that resulted in a public-private partnership between the U.S. Congress and the White House to officially designate Wilmington as America’s first World War II Heritage City. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, and is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2024. http://www.pamcookcommunications.com.