---
title: "This commander prepped for war by organizing a beard growing contest"
description: "During WWII, at least one commanding officer decided to lighten the mood, allowing his men to participate in a beard growing contest."
date: "2022-07-15"
modified: "2023-07-12"
authors:
  - name: "Blake Stilwell"
    job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-commander-prepped-for-war-by-organizing-a-beard-growing-contest/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "History"
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
  - "War History"
  - "World War II"
---

# This commander prepped for war by organizing a beard growing contest

![military beard](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/beard.webp>)

In May 1941, the United States was on the brink of war. [President Franklin Delano Roosevelt](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/why-fdr-imprisoned-japanese-americans/>) [proclaimed an "unlimited national emergency"](<https://www.usmm.org/fdr/emergency.html>) and ordered American forces to prepare "to repel any and all acts or threats of aggression directed toward any part of the Western Hemisphere." While the situation seemed grim, at least one commanding officer decided to lighten the mood. He allowed his men to participate in a beard growing contest in what would be the most hirsute event in the U.S. military until Robin Olds headed to Vietnam.

Japan attacked the Philippines on December 8th, 1941. Six months later, the Philippines fell and the American troops who survived were submitted to the harshest treatment of any POWs in the [Pacific War](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/feature/why-the-national-museum-of-the-pacific-war-is-in-texas/>). The Allies did not retake the Philippines until October 1944.

![beard growing contest soldiers](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17295886/origin.jpg>)
*Participants in the beard growing contest. (National Archives)*

![beard growing contest](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17295887/origin.jpg>)
*National Archives*

![beard growing contest in wwii](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17295888/origin.jpg>)
*National Archives*

![beard growing contest winner](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17295889/origin.jpg>)
*Your winner, ladies and gentlemen. (National Archives)*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9qgFqDkxMo

## Author
Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house.

### Author social links  
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