$2 bill???

[AR-cobra]

What is the significance of the $2 to WWII vets?

A friend is asking this and google is not my friend on this.

Any ideas?

[NHolds]

Only thing I found...

The 564th Missile Squadron, a deactivated U.S. Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile unit at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, issued stamped two-dollar bills to unit members in the same manner as military challenge coins. The squadron employed the Minuteman II/Command Data Buffer weapon system, commonly called the "Deuce" system, hence the link to the two-dollar bill.

[evvander11]

Thought I found something, but in restrospect it was nothing

[crash]

I recently paid for something with a $2 bill and the "kids" behind the counter thought it had to be fake because, according to them, $2 bills didn't exist!? The manager kid came out, inspected it, and said it was fine.

[DARKPT]

Let us know what the answer turned out to be. This is my guess:

The USS New York battleship had a role in WWII and was briefly on the back of the $2 bill (series 1918, known as the "Battleship bill").

[Whitby Motorcars]

Total guess, and the WWII vets I knew have passed away. Do you think it might simply be the 2 as in WWII to identify them as a group?

[joehonee]

I know what their significance is in the South Portland, ME area. Local strip joint, which was formally called Marks Showplace and topless donut shop (no kidding), uses them as their primary form of currency. You can not buy or tip anything in that place without getting brand spanking new $2 bills as change. You would swear they print them in the basement. Its pretty funny watching the bashful guys from the golf trip pay for things around town with them because the whole town is savy to it and they don't hesitate to bust you up.

[AGM]

joehonee, your story made a synapse fire from a long time ago. The year - about 1976, Fort Ord, CA, 7th INF DIV. As a 2nd LT, I had the opportunity to be paymaster for my battalion many times - we paid the soldiers in cash.

One month, the Division Commander directed that each soldier get 10 dollars in 2-dollar bills as part of their monthly pay. It seems our soldier’s treatment in and around town was poor and disrespectful - he wanted to get the attention of Monterey California’s business community.

With the surrounding community was unaware of the commander’s plan, we paid about 20,000 soldiers in the division five 2-dollar bills. So, imagine their surprise on the second day of the month when every merchant was awash in 2-dollar bills - no place in the tills for the bills - and a seemingly unending supply as the soldiers paid their bills and bought stuff. The commander made himself unavailable for the next few weeks as the business leaders were desperately trying to get on his calendar to ‘discuss’ the situation.

In the beginning of the third week - he let it known everyone know that for the next month, he ordered enough 2-dollar bills so each soldier will receive 25 2-dollar bills as part of their pay. At this point, the entire business community is in a real panic - the commander had their attention. Businesses began to treat our soldiers with appropriate respect and clearly understood just how much the soldiers contributed to the local economy - a lesson reinforced with every 2-dollar bill. A brilliant tactic.

[DARKPT]

Now THAT'S a commander.

I was an Air Force brat in W. Germany in the 80's, and I swear we had every $2 bill in circulation. AAFES had a spot for them in all of the tills, and we got them all the time as change. We thought CONUS must also be awash in them, but upon returning to the states they were once again as rare as hen's teeth.

[bwana50]

Maybe there isn't any significance. Is the friend asking as a riddle, to which he knows the answer, or to find an answer?

[bwana50]

Or maybe this: "It wasn't uncommon for soldiers to record a list of places they visited on a dollar bill, said John McGarry III, executive director of the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon. The bills event had a name: a "short snorter," McGarry said. Some service members had other soldiers sign their dollar bills during their travels."

Short snorter' dollar bill is a piece of World War II history -- and mystery | MLive.com
Short snorter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although the term "short snorter" appears not to reference $2 bills specifically, some were used for that purpose:
The Short Snorter Project - Paul McIlvaine Short Snorter Collection

[R Edgar]

I don't know the answer, but my father was a WWII vet and he ALWAYS had a $2 bill in his billfold. Up to the day he died.

Roy from Springboro

[USMC]

Ok, I guess I am blessed in that my father and father in law who both served are still with us. I haven't asked my dad yet but my wife asked her father for me.

His story is the govt started paying them with $2 bills so the opposing forces would think that it was fake money and not take it from them.

It's as good a story as any other I have heard. On the other hand he was in the Navy and I don't know if you can believe sailors. http://www.ffcars.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[wideglidejoe]

My father was also a WWII vet, and I remember he always had a fondness for $2 bills, but he never said why. He didn't talk much about WWII, and he's no longer with us, or I'd ask him.

AGM, getting paid in cash brings back memories!! As a E-6 SSgt, back in the 70's, I was asked to drive our company commander (a young Captain) to pick up the cash for our payday. I don't remember what the payroll amount was that we picked up, but we were driving back across the fort in the Jeep. Just he and I, and he's holding a locked briefcase of cash. He was uncomfortable, he asked if my .45 was loaded. I replied "of course!" He said "if anyone EVEN acts suspicuous, you shoot first and ask questions later!" "Yes Sir!" Of course, nothing happened, we all got paid in new, crisp bills while I stood guard behind him.

[crash]

I asked my father, who was around for WWII but not a vet, and he said he didn't know, although he had a $2 bill in his bill fold TODAY! I related the AGM story and he told me of a similar tactic that was used here in San Diego. Seems at some point the defense firm ROHR was being harrassed about not paying enough taxes by the city of Chula Vista, and said they were going to raise taxes on ROHRs facilities and operations. ROHR executives told them that if they did that, that ROHR would move its facilities. The city told them, basically, "yeah, whatever". So the story is that ROHR went and paid all their employees in silver dollars for a pay period or two and the new tax initiative was quickly shot down because of the number of shops and such that ended up being flooded with silver dollars. Pretty cool, and nice to hear a story from the past from my father.

[Chuck_Sloggett]

Originally Posted by AGM

joehonee, your story made a synapse fire from a long time ago. The year - about 1976, Fort Ord, CA, 7th INF DIV. As a 2nd LT, I had the opportunity to be paymaster for my battalion many times - we paid the soldiers in cash.

One month, the Division Commander directed that each soldier get 10 dollars in 2-dollar bills as part of their monthly pay. It seems our soldier’s treatment in and around town was poor and disrespectful - he wanted to get the attention of Monterey California’s business community.

With the surrounding community was unaware of the commander’s plan, we paid about 20,000 soldiers in the division five 2-dollar bills. So, imagine their surprise on the second day of the month when every merchant was awash in 2-dollar bills - no place in the tills for the bills - and a seemingly unending supply as the soldiers paid their bills and bought stuff. The commander made himself unavailable for the next few weeks as the business leaders were desperately trying to get on his calendar to ‘discuss’ the situation.

In the beginning of the third week - he let it known everyone know that for the next month, he ordered enough 2-dollar bills so each soldier will receive 25 2-dollar bills as part of their pay. At this point, the entire business community is in a real panic - the commander had their attention. Businesses began to treat our soldiers with appropriate respect and clearly understood just how much the soldiers contributed to the local economy - a lesson reinforced with every 2-dollar bill. A brilliant tactic.

Rumor has it that the same thing happened in Pensacola, FL when one of the city officials said they could do without the Navy. Long story short the Navy is still there. -- Chuck

[USMC]

Originally Posted by wideglidejoe

My father was also a WWII vet, and I remember he always had a fondness for $2 bills, but he never said why. He didn't talk much about WWII, and he's no longer with us, or I'd ask him.

AGM, getting paid in cash brings back memories!! As a E-6 SSgt, back in the 70's, I was asked to drive our company commander (a young Captain) to pick up the cash for our payday. I don't remember what the payroll amount was that we picked up, but we were driving back across the fort in the Jeep. Just he and I, and he's holding a locked briefcase of cash. He was uncomfortable, he asked if my .45 was loaded. I replied "of course!" He said "if anyone EVEN acts suspicuous, you shoot first and ask questions later!" "Yes Sir!" Of course, nothing happened, we all got paid in new, crisp bills while I stood guard behind him.

Similar memories when I was an MP on Vieques. We got paid by check, but the PX had to have enough cash to cash all those checks. The guy who ran the PX had a beat up old Corolla which we rode into town to get cash from the bank. I used to ride shotgun. And yes, I actually carried a loaded 12 gauge. And my .45 was loaded as well. Never had a problem though.

I guess the Marines should have paid everyone in $2 bills. The base is now a wildlife sanctuary due to civilian opposition. And G Bush was so p.o.'d about having to close it, that he closed the Navy bases in Rosy Roads and Vieques as well. (or at least that's the rumor)

[ETriggs]

I carry a $2 bill in my wallet and have for the past 30 years. My grandfather always carried one and as far as I know my father still carries one. My grandfather just said that it "brought good luck" when I asked him why 30 years ago.

[AGM]

Folks,

There are great stories in this $2 Bill thread - and it got me to thinking about the scale of impact for very little money - literally. Suppose everyone who is unemployed, underemployed, working part-time while looking for full time work, and every other variation, or know someone who fit the categories - try to use a $2 bill in every purchase, everywhere. I know, not very practical, as there are not many in circulation. But, as the $2 bill circulates, those right behind you in the check-out will see the $2 bills as you pay, the cashiers will try to flog them onto the next customer for change so they are not in the till, etc. Basically, everyone who wants to show lots concern over the economy and the job market does so with each and every $2 Bill. Just thinking aloud.

[crash]

For some reason, a movie scene where a kid paperboy on a bike is riding after some guy yelling "Where's my $2?!" comes to mind.

[wideglidejoe]

USMC,

Back in 88-89, I was working on the SE corner of PR, in Yabucoa, at a Sunoco refinery. On weekends, I would take the public ferry at Fajardo over to Vieques just to hang out. The ferry docked on the north side of Vieques by the lighthouse. On the middle/south side of the island, there was a nice beach area. Beautiful place!

I've been wanting to go back there again.

[J Persons]

Originally Posted by wideglidejoe

USMC,

Back in 88-89, I was working on the SE corner of PR, in Yabucoa, at a Sunoco refinery. On weekends, I would take the public ferry at Fajardo over to Vieques just to hang out. The ferry docked on the north side of Vieques by the lighthouse. On the middle/south side of the island, there was a nice beach area. Beautiful place!

I've been wanting to go back there again.

We almost need a PR reunion thread, I was stationed at Ramey many years ago. When it was open, it was one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force!

[ClemsonS197]

Originally Posted by J Persons

We almost need a PR reunion thread, I was stationed at Ramey many years ago. When it was open, it was one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force!

I've been down there quite a few times doing work at CBP - Ramey. Nothing like riding in a caravan of black Tahoes through the streets of Aguadilla.

[bwana50]

movie scene where a kid paperboy on a bike is riding after some guy yelling "Where's my $2?!"

Ha ha! Radical thread detour. Better Off Dead Camaro