During WWII, what does the acronym PAW stand for?

• A. Petroleum Allocation for War
• B. Petroleum Administration for War
• C. Petroleum Agency for War
• D. Petroleum Administration for Welfare

Answer: (B)

PAW stands for Petroleum Administration for War, the U.S. government body set up to coordinate and regulate the petroleum industry to support the war effort. Its role was to prioritize and allocate crude oil and finished products, set production targets with oil companies, and ensure fuel was available for military operations and essential civilian needs during World War II. The other options don’t fit because the historical name uses “Administration,” not “Allocation” or “Agency,” and the term “Welfare” isn’t related to wartime oil management.