From War to Welcome: German Immigration to Missouri During and After World War II

authenticwriting19
Oct 7
5 min read

Missouri’s German heritage is deeply rooted in its soil, architecture, and cultural institutions. While the largest wave of German immigration occurred in the 19th century, the mid-20th century brought a different kind of German presence—one shaped by the global upheaval of World War II. During the war, Missouri became home to thousands of German prisoners of war (POWs), and in the postwar years, it welcomed a new generation of immigrants: displaced persons, refugees, and skilled professionals seeking safety and opportunity in the United States.

This essay explores the multifaceted history of German arrivals in Missouri during and after World War II. It examines the wartime internment of German POWs, the postwar influx of immigrants, the cultural and economic contributions of these newcomers, and the legacy they left behind. Drawing on archival records, oral histories, and scholarly research, this narrative reveals how Missouri became a quiet but significant chapter in the broader story of German-American relations.

I. Missouri’s German Roots: A Brief Prelude

Before delving into the World War II era, it’s important to understand the foundation laid by earlier German immigrants. Missouri’s German-American heritage stretches back to the early 1800s, when settlers arrived in search of farmland, religious freedom, and political refuge.

One of the most influential figures in promoting Missouri as a destination was Gottfried Duden, whose 1829 book, A Report on a Journey to the Western States of North America, painted a romantic picture of life in the Missouri River Valley. His writings inspired thousands of Germans to settle in towns like Hermann, Washington, and St. Louis.

By the mid-19th century, Missouri had a substantial German population. These immigrants built churches, schools, breweries, and newspapers. They were politically active, often opposing slavery and supporting the Union during the Civil War. However, their cultural visibility made them targets during World War I, when anti-German sentiment led to the suppression of German-language institutions and public hostility.

Despite these setbacks, German-American culture proved resilient. By the time World War II began, Missouri’s German heritage was still visible in its architecture, festivals, and family names.

II. German POWs in Missouri During World War II

Between 1942 and 1945, the United States detained over 400,000 Axis prisoners of war. Missouri housed approximately 15,000 of them, primarily Germans and Italians. These POWs were held in more than 30 camps across the state, with major facilities at Camp Clark (Nevada), Camp Crowder (Neosho), Camp Weingarten (Ste. Genevieve County), and Fort Leonard Wood (Pulaski County).

The camps were built on military bases and operated under the Geneva Convention, which required humane treatment of prisoners. German POWs lived in barracks, ate in mess halls, and were paid 10 cents per hour for labor. They performed tasks such as laundry, cooking, farming, and maintenance.

According to David Fiedler’s book The Enemy Among Us, life in Missouri’s POW camps was surprisingly peaceful. Many prisoners described their experience as comparable to that of U.S. Army privates. They received the same food, had access to recreation, and were allowed to spend their wages at camp stores.

While early tensions existed, especially among locals wary of housing enemy soldiers, relationships gradually warmed. Some POWs formed friendships with American guards and civilians. A few even returned to Missouri after the war to settle permanently.

III. Postwar German Immigration: Displaced Persons and Refugees

After the war, Europe was in ruins. Millions of people were homeless, including Holocaust survivors, former forced laborers, and ethnic Germans expelled from Eastern Europe. The U.S. responded with the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, which allowed over 400,000 European refugees to enter the country.

Missouri became a destination for many of these displaced persons (DPs), thanks to its existing German-American communities and active church sponsorships. Lutheran and Catholic organizations played a key role in resettling families, providing housing, employment, and language instruction.

Unlike the 19th-century farmers and craftsmen, postwar German immigrants were often urban professionals, skilled laborers, or survivors of trauma. They included:

Engineers and machinists recruited for industrial jobs
Scientists and technicians brought in under Operation Paperclip
Holocaust survivors seeking refuge and rebuilding their lives
Ethnic Germans expelled from Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union

These immigrants settled in cities like St. Louis, Jefferson City, and Columbia, where they contributed to postwar economic growth and cultural renewal.

IV. Operation Paperclip and Missouri’s Scientific Landscape

One of the more controversial aspects of postwar German immigration was Operation Paperclip—a secret U.S. program that recruited German scientists, including former Nazi affiliates, to work in American defense and aerospace industries.

While most Paperclip recruits settled in places like Huntsville, Alabama, and Houston, Texas, a few found their way to Missouri. They worked in research institutions, universities, and private companies, contributing to advancements in engineering, chemistry, and medicine.

This influx of talent helped modernize Missouri’s scientific landscape, though it also raised ethical questions about the rehabilitation of individuals with ties to the Nazi regime.

V. Cultural Integration and Community Building

Postwar German immigrants found comfort in Missouri’s existing German-American institutions. Churches, bakeries, butcher shops, and beer gardens offered familiar sights and tastes. Organizations like the German Cultural Society of St. Louis helped preserve traditions through music, dance, and festivals.

German-language newspapers and radio programs reemerged, and schools began offering German as a foreign language. Towns like Hermann and Washington continued to celebrate their heritage with events like Maifest and Oktoberfest.

Despite these cultural havens, assimilation was not always easy. Many immigrants faced language barriers, economic hardship, and lingering anti-German sentiment. The trauma of war and displacement added emotional complexity to their new lives.

However, the resilience of these communities—and the support of local sponsors—enabled most immigrants to thrive. Over time, they became integral parts of Missouri’s social fabric.

VI. Political and Social Impact

German immigrants in postwar Missouri were generally welcomed, especially compared to other minority groups. However, they still encountered discrimination in housing and employment. The 1968 Supreme Court case Jones v. Mayer, which originated in Florissant, Missouri, challenged racial discrimination in housing and set a precedent for fair housing laws nationwide.

While the case did not directly involve German immigrants, it reflected broader struggles for inclusion and equity in Missouri’s suburbs—many of which had German-American roots.

German immigrants and their descendants contributed to Missouri’s educational and civic institutions. They served as teachers, librarians, city planners, and elected officials. Their emphasis on discipline, education, and community service helped shape local governance and public policy.

VII. Legacy and Preservation

Missouri has preserved many sites and collections related to German immigration. The State Historical Society of Missouri maintains extensive archives, including letters, photographs, and manuscripts from German families. The Missouri Historical Society’s Immigration to Missouri Collection (1834–1947) includes speeches, news stories, and printed guides for German emigrants.

Historic churches, cemeteries, and homes in towns like Hermann, Westphalia, and St. Louis offer tangible links to the past. Museums and cultural centers continue to educate the public about German-American contributions.

Today, German heritage remains a vibrant part of Missouri’s identity. Festivals, language programs, and genealogy groups keep traditions alive. Younger generations explore their ancestry through DNA testing, family trees, and oral histories.

While the nature of immigration has changed, the legacy of German arrivals—especially those who came during and after World War II—continues to shape Missouri’s cultural landscape.

The story of German immigration to Missouri during and after World War II is one of complexity, resilience, and transformation. From POW camps to refugee resettlement, from scientific innovation to cultural revival, German newcomers left an indelible mark on the state.

Their journey reflects broader themes of war, displacement, and renewal. It challenges us to consider how communities respond to crisis, how cultures adapt and endure, and how history lives on in the places we call home.

Missouri’s blooming legacy of German heritage—rooted in centuries of migration and memory—remains a testament to the enduring power of hope, hospitality, and human connection.