How were points toward Discharge from the Service computed after World War II
ended?

Dear worrywart-ga

The points system came into effect after VE Day as a way of avoiding
the demobilization mistakes made during World War 1 (when it took a
long time to return troops home even once the war was over).

Research was done to decide how to discharge troops and it was agreed
to award points based on four factors

- service credit (number of months in Army since Sept 16 1940)
- overseas credit (number of months overseas)
- combat credit (number of decorations)
- parenthood credit (number of children under 18 years)

Here is a reproduction of the Army's "Discharge Scoreboard" printed in
“The Franklin Evening Star” on 12 May 1945, the day the points system
went into operation.
 
http://indianamilitary.org/CampAtterbury/images/PointSystemCard.jpg

The paper suggested readers should "study the point values as reported
in this newspaper, and you should be able, roughly, to compute your
own boy's score and estimate his chances of early discharge."

Although lots of the armed forces were sent home under the points
system, in the event the end of the war came sooner than expected when
the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and the points system was
abandoned.

In President Truman's "Message to Congress on driving for victory
against Japan" (June 1, 1945) he said that:

"The Army's system for selecting the soldiers for release to civilian
life represents a democratic and fair approach to this most difficult
problem. A poll was taken among enlisted men in all parts of the
world. They were asked what factors they believed should be taken into
consideration in deciding who should be released from the Army first.
More than 90 per cent said that preference should go to those who had
been overseas and in combat longest, and to those with children. The
Army spent two years developing a program of point credits designed to
carry out these views expressed by the soldiers. It checked and
rechecked its program and made comprehensive surveys in order to make
sure that the plan would achieve the objectives.  The system applies
equally to the members of our Army in all parts of the world. It
embodies the principle of impartial selection that we applied in
drafting our citizen Army and that we shall continue to apply in
meeting the manpower requirements of our armed forces until Japan is
defeated."

For the full text of this speech see:

http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1945/450601a.html

See also:
The Franklin Evening Star - 12 May 1945 ATTERBURY RELEASES FIRST VETS
UNDER "CREDIT" PLAN
Approximately Three Hundred Overseas Veterans Receive Discharges
Saturday

http://indianamilitary.org/CampAtterbury/separation_center.htm

For more information on World War Two see the WW2 page at Truman
Presidential Museum & Library:

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/ww2/index.html

Google search terms:

“points system” 1945

Best wishes

Catherine-ga

Very good, prompt.  Only other comment: How many points for each item (year,
medal, wounds was not commented on. But thanks anyway!