The station, which renamed itself as WVTR, was the first Armed Forces Radio station on air in Japan, signing-on with the phrase, "This is Armed Forces Radio Service, Station WVTR in Tokyo" on September 12, 1945. On the station Bartell devoted the programming to original shows about the occupation, overseas Army shows such as Command Performance, as well as rebroadcasts of popular American shows. In addition to directing the programming, Melvin also appeared on-air. Meanwhile, Rosa and Ralph Evans moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a civilian for the United States Navy in classified research into radar. She worked in personnel for the United States Naval Research Laboratory. She also worked at radio station WTOP in Washington for Arthur Godfrey, selecting records for him, in the period before he became nationally known. Gerald Bartell enlisted into the United States Navy and at first was assigned to teach courses at a naval training school for radio operators that had been established on the university campus. Following that he became a naval aviation ensign and served for three years with the VPB-92 patrol bombing squadron including off the coast of Morocco during the North African Campaign. Entering the radio business in Milwaukee By January 1946, Melvin Bartell had returned to the United States. Following his discharge, he pursued a career as a singer. Rosa and Ralph Evans returned to Wisconsin, where he finished his engineering degree. David and Lee had become a lawyers, and Gerald was again on the faculty at University of Wisconsin, where he was assistant professor of radio education. Lee Bartell heard that broadcasting would probably be a good business to be in the post-war environment and, as Rosa later said, he "had this idea for us to go into the broadcasting business, because our respective professions included law, engineering, music, writing and acting. He felt that among the six of us, we had all the talent and expertise needed for a successful venture." The family raised $50,000 towards this new endeavor. The Bartells had their origin in radio in the Milwaukee area, in the form of WEXT, a 1,000-watt daytimer radio station at 1430 kilocycles in Milwaukee. It was founded by Lee, David, Gerald, and Rosa Bartell Evans and began operations on August 31, 1947. Its studio was located on Milwaukee's South Side. The Milwaukee market's fifth radio station, WEXT did fairly well with a broadcast