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The appreciation on the part of the men and women in the military and naval forces of the benefits of this voluntary insurance is abundantly shown by the fact that over twenty-three billion dollars of insurance have been applied for and over 95 per cent of the entire army and navy is covered by it in amounts averaging nearly 85 per cent per person of the maximum allowed.

The voluntary insurance feature of the War Risk Insurance Act, superadded to the compensation and allotments and allowances, constitutes one logical and far-reaching scheme to promote and protect the welfare and morale of our fighting forces whether abroad or at home. It is a governmental undertaking of the greatest magnitude and importance, and one in which every American may take just pride. Almost automatic in its operation, it is a self-respecting, well-balanced and democratic expression of a new sense of social solidarity and unity of national purpose.