2. The beginning of Magic Carpet affected only the Army and the Army Air Forces
When Operation Magic Carpet began the war in the Pacific was still raging. The US Navy and Marines were unable to reduce the size of their forces and in fact, large contingents from the Army and the Air Forces which it controlled were slated to be transferred to the Pacific in order to allow the final phases of the war to be prosecuted with increased strength. There was also the need to provide garrison troops to occupy Germany and portions of Italy. In spite of these obstacles, a groundswell of public opinion demanded the return of a sizable portion of the troops which had served in Europe, fed in part by enthusiastic media reports of the recurring victories of American forces against the Japanese. For many Americans at home, the war was won.
There was just over three million American service personnel in the European and North African theaters on VE day. While planners prepared to bring them home 300 Liberty and Victory ships were quickly converted to carry troops instead of cargo. Existing troopships which had been intended for use in the Pacific were used to support the sealift as well, and the great ocean liners such as the British Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were likewise used in support of the operation. The ships did not depart American ports empty, replacement troops and repatriating German prisoners of war were sent to Europe. By the end of June American troops eligible for discharge under the ASRS were on their way home.