What did American soldiers gain during world war 2?

Answer 1

The thanks of a greatful nations, welcome home parades and a generous GI Bill which provided educations and home loan guarantees. A working Veterans Administration provided excellent hospitalisation for those that desired it, Taps and a burial site for those that required that option. They had to wait for more then 50 years to receive a Memorial on the Washington Mall, but after all they were experienced at standing in line.

Answer 2

The US gained hugely financially, only joining in when their "investment" was threatened after Russia collapsed freeing the German armies in the East to move to the Western Front where they would have undoubtedly overwhelmed the British and French forces - the French were struggling after three years of huge losses and in Britain public opinion was limiting fresh numbers to the front. America provide munitions and food etc which all had to be paid for - had Britain been defeated the debt would not have been repaid.

The US entering the war forced Germany's hand with the March 1918 offensive which tried to end the war before the US really got involved. The failure of this meant that the British forces in particular could go on the offensive forcing the German's back all the way until the Armistice.

The UK continued to pay back the War Debt to the US for 60 or so years after the guns fell silent whilst German First World War reparations only finished in September / Octobr 2010, over 90 years later.

A similar pattern occured in the Second World War, the UK again paying the price for standing up against agression.