As with all other areas of the country, Cortez was greatly impacted by WWII. Most men in Cortez went to war whether they enlisted or were drafted and those that enlisted largely did so in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard as sailing was their way of life. Many women also went off to war as well to serve the country as nurses and medical personnel. Those left behind during the war effort worked to ensure the survival of Cortez and its fishing industry. Although fishing prior to WWII was seen as a family business, with most of the young men and many of the women of Cortez gone workers were hired from outside of the family. Women and young girls began working and fishing for seventy five cents an hour to support their families and fill in for the men.