KARBAN- SIMCHICK related Family Genealogy and WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS

IN MEMORY WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS & CHAPTER 62

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ZIELINSKI ANTHONY AND MARY BARCHEWSKI
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BERDOFF & BERDESCHEFSKY (HERMAN AND ROSE KAMINITZER)
BERDOFF kids photos
DEBBIE BERDOFF & BRAIN GOKEY
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KAMNITZER (ADOLPH AND JOHANNA JACOBIUS)
KOHN ( ALFRED AND PAULA KAMINITZER)
STERN (MORRIS AND CLARA KAMINITZER)
COLLEY (RAYMOND AND JESSIE SHATTUCK)
CONNOR (EDGAR AND ALICE HATCH)
GERTSCH WARREN AND VIOLA GIMLIN)
GIMLIN (ADRIAN AND PATRICIA SHATTUCK)
KAYES (VINCENT AND BEATRICE SHATTUCK)
SHATTUCK ( GEORGE AND MARY CONNOR)
MOATS (RAY AND LUELLA GIMLIM)
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: Meet the 14th WAC band (Dixieland Jamboree)
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND 2020 REUNION
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION 2018
WOMENS ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION 2018; THE SIXTIES
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND 2018 REUNION: Armed Forces Salue
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION 7 Oct 2016
WOMENS ARMY CORPS BAND 2016 REUNION :LASSUS TROMBONE
WOMEN'S ARMYCORPS BAND CONCERT REUNION 25 Oct 2014
WOMENS ARMY CORPS BAND: THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2014
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: In The Mood
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION OCT 2012: March Gloria
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION OCT 2010: Bandology
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION 2008: There's Nothing Like Dame
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: REUNION 2006: Instant Concert
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: Star Spangled Spectacular- 2006 reunion
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND REUNION 2004: Totem Pole March
WAC DOCUMENTRY: THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: WAC is a soldier too(PALLAS ATHENA)
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: Pallas Anthena March
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: Buglers Holiday
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: Promises Promises
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND :Caissons- Fort McClellan Wac center and school
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND : This is my country
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND THROUGH THE YEARS: The way we were
WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS BAND: "DUTY" WAC veterans chapter 62 Honor Guard
ARMED FORCES SALUTE
SFC Marie Karban WAC Page 1969-1984-
IN MEMORY OF THE WOMEN'S 14th ARMY CORPS WAC BAND
IN MEMORY WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS & CHAPTER 62
IN MEMORY OF SFC KAREN SYVERSON 1946-2020
IN MEMORY OF MSG JENNIFER HARRIS DAVIS 1957- 2017
IN MEMORY OF JOHN JOSEPH BERDOFF 1966-2019
IN MEMORY OF ALL THE VIETNAM VETERANS
IN MEMORY OF SHELBY 2004-2014
IN MEMORY OF LOTTIE 2011- 2018
SHELBYS SPECIAL PAGE- 2014-2016
MARIE'S MUSIC
MARIE'S BOOK COLLECTION
MARIE'S MOVIES AND TV SHOWS
THE KITTY CORNER and DOC'S GANG
OUR PLACE Sioux Falls SD
KITTY CENTRAL kittens we raised and our cat mom Shelby
OUR OUTSIDE KITTIES EVEN THOUGH ALL GONE NOW, WE MISS THEM
OUR CRITTER FRIENDS
RAINBOW BRIDGE forever friends in memory of our family and friends pets
GINNY'S PLACE- Downsville NY
RELAY FOR LIFE SIOUX FALLS SD: 2017-2016-2015-2014-2013-2012-2011-2009-2007

In remembrance of the women who served in the US Women's army corps who paved the way. and members of the Heritage Wac chapter #62. Thank you for your service and dedication You will be missed. It was an honor serving with all of you that I knew

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                                                    That Next place
                                        performed by Thomas Newman
                                       From the movie Meet Joe Black

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One that knows no time, no placannot measure
The precuous, poignant, tender gift of memory that will keep our dear ones ever in our hearts.
Although God gives them sleep
It brings back long remembered things
a song, a word, a smile
and our world's a better place
Because we had them for a while

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                         MA'AM  "----------------" REPORTING IN AS DIRECTED

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                                                                     2020

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                                                                           Toni McOmber
                                                                               US Army

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                                                                  7 FEB 1953- 19 Jan 2020

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Linda Sue Harris, age 66 of Carrollton, Georgia passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020.



Ms. Harris was born in Mason City, Iowa on February 7, 1953, the daughter of the late Lawrence Earl Harris and Betty Jane Cogill Harris. She graduated from high school and completed the School of Commerce in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Ms. Harris then joined the Women's Army Corps on October 9, 1973, which preceded the now integrated U.S. Army. She proudly served her country from 1973 until being Honorably discharged on January 31, 1994.

She did high security TDY during Desert Storm for which she was awarded The National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star. During her military career she also earned an associate degree from Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC.



Ms. Harris was active with The Women's Army Corps Veteran's Association Chapter 62 in Anniston, AL and the American Legion Post 143 in Carrollton. She especially loved volunteering with the Trina Davis Veteran's Village and spent hours with the Neva Lomason Library staff. She would lovingly refer to the members of these organizations as her "other family." She enjoyed collecting turtles and birthday angels as well as corresponding with her many friends around the world.

Ms. Harris was of the Methodist faith, a life member of DAV, USO, Vietnam Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, active with The Women's Memorial and Army Women's Museum and an eligible member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.



Survivors include her sister, Barbara H. Poindexter; brother, Bill (Debra) Harris; nieces and nephew, Davin Leslie Auble, Bill Harris, and Christina (Craig) Steinke,; great nieces and nephews, Jack Edward and Nathaniel Owen Steinke, Dylan, Will and Naomi Harris, and Morgan and Margaux Leppla.



A memorial service with full military honors will be held at the Women's Army Corps (WAC) Chapel at Ft. McClellan, Anniston, AL Thursday, January 30 at 1:00 EST. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Fort McClellan does not accept flowers as it is a closed base. Those wishing to make a memorial in Linda's honor may do so to the following:

Women's Army Corps Veteran's Assoc. Chapter 62, Box 663, Weaver, AL 36277; American Legion Chapter 143, P.O. Box 647, Carrollton, GA 30112; The Army Women's Museum (Ft. Lee), c/o FAWMA, P.O.1027 Prince George, VA 23875; and



The Women's Memorial (DC) c/o WIMSA, 200 N Glebe Rd Suite 400, Arlington, VA 2220.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.

Published in The Anniston Star on Jan. 26, 2020

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                                         2018

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                                     SGM  Susanna Julian Sharkey
                                           28 Oct 1940- 25 Jan 2018

Sergeant Major Susanna Sharkey was born in White Plains, New York on Oct 28th 1940. When she was 10 years old her family moved to Hollywood, Florida. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in Fort Lauderdale in 1958.



In January 1959 she began what would be a thirty year career in the United States Army. Her career would take her to nine military posts in country to

include Fort Meyer, William Beaumont Hospital, El Paso TX, ,Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Fort McClellan AL, West Point NY, Fort Knox KY, United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy, Fort Bliss TX, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN, and the US Intelligence and 9th Signal Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ



Overseas assignments included Orleans, France, Camp Red Cloud, Korea and two tours at the 379th Personnel Center in Heidelberg, Germany.



With exception of one tour at Fort McClellan AL, home of the Women's Army Corps basic training and school, as a platoon sergeant, her primary specialties were either personnel or administration. In April 1977 she was assigned as the Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Enlisted Records Center.

Promoted to Sergeant Major on 1 August 1978 she remained at Fort Benjamin Harrison for five years and was in charge of all E-7 through E-9 promotion boards. She was known as an expert in all positions she held.



Her decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, The Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, The Army Commendation medal with three oakleaf clusters, The Army Good Conduct Medal (10 awards) the NCO Development Medal with number 5 for attendance at the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy class 6, the National Defence Service Medal, the Army Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, the Korean National Defense Medal and the Marksmanship bade for the M-16 rifle.



In 1989 Sergeant Major Sharkey retired at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and remained there to attend the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business and was also employed at the University.



She became a resident at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Gulfport, Mississippi in 2011 and always said she liked it there. In January 2018 she learned she had a serious illness. Sergeant Major Sharkey passed away on January 25th 2018, Her sister, Patricia was with her. A mass of Christian Burial Celebrating the life of Susanna Julian Sharkey was held at the Retirement Home Chapel on February 2, 2018 with burial at the Biloxi National Cemetery. Heritage Chapter 62, of which she had been a member for years, held a memorial service honoring their fallen sister.

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                  obit written by CSM Helen Johnston, us army ret

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M16 RIFLE MARKSMAN BADGE

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                                                                2017

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Ret COL, Eunice Mae Wright, 89 of Savannah GA, passed away at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing home. She was born in Wadley GA, the daughter of the late Charles and Eunice Wright on 28 Apr 1928. She was the 7th of 8 children. Five sisters and two brothers. Rosa, James, John, Winola, Charlot, Christine, and Edward. Two of her brothers and one sister are deceased.

As a child the family moved around alot, they settled in Savannah GA when she was about 2 years old. Growing up COL Wright was educated in Savannah, including her College She majored in Business Adminstration to which she earned her BS degree.


After graduation she went right to work and was hired by the Savannah State College as a secretary to the president and Director of student Personnel from June 1950 to Sept 1958 and held that position for 8 years. She liked her job, but felt there was more things she wanted to do, but not in Savannah, a town she really loved. She had gone as far as she could in the secretarial field and wanted to something else like travel and improve herself. She didnt want to be a teacher.



She made a very important decision, took a two year absense from her job and joined the WOMEN;S ARMY CORPS. Here she felt she could do all the things she wanted to do. Not intending to stay in the army, before she knew it 12 years passed by. Seeking so much in life COL Wright found it in the army.



LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN


In 1950, COL Wright graduated from Savannah state with a BS in business Adminstration. She joined the Womens Army Corps in 1958, as a commisioned Officer first LT, attending the OCS Officer Basic Course from Sept 1958 to Feb 1959 at Ft McClellan AL, home of the WAC.

In June 1961 she attended the Military Personnel Officers course, The Adjutant Generals school at Ft Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. And then from Jan- Jun 1963, she attened the WAC Officer Advanced course at Ft McClellan Al. In Feb 1959 to Aug 1959, she was assigned to WAC CENTER AND SCHOOL, Ft McClellan Al, as an instructor, general military subjects.


Aug 1959- Aug 1960, COL Wright became, Executive Officer and Platoon officer, Company D, WAC Training Battalion, Ft McClellan Al. She then changed assignments in Aug 1960- Dec 1962, became Personnel Officer US Army Armor Center and US Army Training center, Ft Knox Kentucky.


Her first overseas assignment in Jul 1963- July 1965, was in Germany, she loved it there, especially the people. Her job was Family Housting Officer, US Army Garrison (USAG), Glessen Germany. Had she not stayed in the Army, she would had stayed in Germany.


In Jul 1965- July 1967, COL Wright was reassigned back to WAC Center, Ft McClellan AL as a Personnel Officer, Chief Reception and Processing Division US WAC CENTER AND SCHOOL.

Reassigned again in Jul 1967- Feb 1970- she was the Personnel Staff Officer, US Continental Army Command at Ft Monroe Virginia. In Feb 1970- Apr 1971, she was assigned to Personnel Staff Officer Headquarters, 5th Army, Ft

Sheridan, Illinois. In Apr 1971- Sep 1973- assigned to the Adjutant Generals (AG) Admiinistration Officer, Office of the school secretary, US Army Engineer school, Ft Belvoir VA.


Sept 1973- Aug 1979, became the Executive Officer to WAC CENTER Commander/Chier, Officer Education department, US WAC Center and school/Battalion Commander and Deputy Brigade Commander, Military Police Training Brigade/ Director, Personnel and Community activitiEs, Headquarters, US Army Military Police school/ Training center Ft McClellan.

COL Wright through out her career, moved up the promotion ladder pretty quick. Sept 7 1958- Direct commission First Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain 13 Nov 1961- Major 18 Aug 1966- LT Col 20 Apr 1971 and finally a COL 6 Aug 1978.

She earn the following awards: Meritorious Service medal w/1st oak leaf cluster. The Army Commendation medal w/2nd oak leaf cluster, National defence service medal, Armed forces reserve medal 2nd award and her sharp shooter badge for the M16 rifle.


She was a member of the NAACP, SCLC, Retired officers association, Heritage chap 62, Wac vets association and also a volunteer as a Tutor at Kitty Stone elementary school in Jacksonville AL, Deputy registrar, Calhoun county board of registrars, she was vice chairman retired senior volunteer program advisory council

COL Wright retired from the US ARMY 31 Aug 1979. Noted, that COL Wrights brother WO JAMES E. WRIGHT a decorated officer was a Tuskeege airman, flight training officer.

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                                                                   COL EUNICE MAE WRIGHT
                                                                      28 Apr 1928- 17 Oct 2017

                                                                     Beufort National Cemetery
                                                                         Beufort South Carolina   

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                                                                     SGM    MARY C. COSTELLO
                                                                     16 Jul 1931-  24  Mar 2017

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                                                                                SFC   Jean Aldrich
                                                                              25 Jul 1937- 1 Mar 2017

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                                           MSG JENNIFER HARRIS DAVIS

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                                                                1957- 2017

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Jennifer was born in Lake Charles. Louisanna, She is of the Ishak and Coushatta heritage. She attended Cooper High School, Abilene Texas and Kubasaki High school, Okinawa Japan. She also attended George Town University, class of 1991 and the Catholic University of America, City Colleges of Chicago and The university Of Maryland, College Park, and college of southern Laplata MD. She was an Air force brat, moving around a lot.

She enlisted in the US Army 1978, serving 13 years active duty before taking an early discharge in 1992. In the mid 1980's she was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington DC, as a legal clerk and later assigned overseas to SHAPE Belgium. She graduated from Advanced Individual Training "AIT" from Ft Benjamin Harrison Ind and would had gone to Berlin Germany, change of orders sent her to the DC area and then the SHAPE Belgium in Jun 1982.

She was hired by the US Coast Guard in 1992 as a administrative Assistant. because of her experiences with various computer systems,it helped her land the job.

After a few years, she left the Admin field and went to the computer division, performing various computer related functions. She was later assigned to the National Pollution Fund Center "NPFC" Finance Division and was responsible for tracking incoming collections, and run various reports from their date base.

She continued her military career in US Army Reserve. Complications from injuries sustained during her service had caught up with her and she retired having had served 30 years. She was 100 % disabled veteran and a military sexual trauma survivor. MST

In 2014, Jen created the Women's Army Corp group"WACKY WACS" on face book, where anybody could talk about any thing and not be judged or criticized. She has helped many of our women veteran members get help with the VA and get compensation and care they deserved.

Jennifer is survived by her husband Michael Davis and her two wonderful daughters whom she loved : Courtney Capobell Williams and Cammy Harris ZembiK and her grand kids, and her cat Lucy Bean.








CarolHicks

it's with a heavy heart I say something about my friend, Jennifer A. Davis.

Early in her career she knew she wanted to make the Army a career, she did just that. Jennifer enlisted in the military in February, 1978 and retired in 2010, that;s 32 years of services. Jennifer was a loving mother of two daughters, Courtney and Camille; a wife (Mike); a grandmother (Jojisan & Bodhi); a daughter; a sister (Gregory); an aunt and a friend to many.

Jennifer and I met in 1979 in the barracks at Fort Meyer, Arlington, VA. We quickly became good friends and did pretty much everything together. From working at the Pentagon, going out almost every weekend, cooking and eating, we were inseparable. Many days, Jennifer and I would meet on the Mezzanine level of the Pentagon for lunch or run down to see our favorite person, Dr. Joshi. Jennifer introduced me to the delights of Creole foods and I introduced her to some of Chicagos favorites.

Jennifer was smart and quick witted. Jennifer was the go to person for questions; If she didnt know the answer, she would know where to look or who to ask. When I think of Jennifer, I remember she was a person who was not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and take risks in order to reach a goal. She was always looking to gain knowledge and insights into the world and knew there was no better way to achieve this than through risk taking and adventures. Jennifer was critical when it came to preconceived ideas and thoughts and was always looking at different ways a problem could be approached.

With love for adventure, she met people from all over the world and highly valued those relationships. Jennifer was a person who was critical of pre-conceived ideas, societal structures, and the traditional thought process. She highly valued having a diverse set of friends coming from many different cultures and demographics.

Jennifer was a bit eccentric at times, however; I never believed it was a bad thing. Jennifer was my friend. Until we meet in Heaven

Your Sisters in Arms,
Carol Hicks
WACKY WACS

                                              

                                               2016

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                                                           CSM  Mary  Ann  Lee
                                                        23 Jun 1933- 26 Sept 2016

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Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Mary Ann Lee, 83, died on September 26, 2016 in Piedmont, Alabama. She is survived by six nieces, four nephews, and her best friend of 62 years. She was born on June 23, 1933 in Woodstock, Illinois. After graduating from Woodstock Illinois High School, she entered the U.S. Army in Chicago, Illinois on October 18, 1951. She completed basic training in December 1951 at Fort Lee, Virginia and was then assigned as a student in the eight weeks Leadership Course, Class #82, at Fort Lee.



Upon graduation, she was assigned as an assistant platoon sergeant in a Women's Army Corps Basic Training Company at Fort Lee. In October 1953, she was reassigned to the WAC Detachment in Munich, Germany as the Company Clerk and later worked as a personnel specialist. In 1959, CSM Lee was assigned to the Providence, Rhode Island Recruiting Main Station as a WAC Recruiter for the state of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.



In 1966 she was transferred to Rochester, New York as the WAC Recruiter and later reassigned to Albany, New York. In January 1970 she was assigned to Company B, WAC Training Battalion where she served as First Sergeant until December 1974. In January 1975, she was selected for and reassigned to the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy as a student in Class #5. Upon graduation from the academy she was then sent to I Corps (ROK/US) Group at Camp Red Cloud, Korea. While at I Corps, she served as the Special Troops Sergeant Major and later as the Sergeant Major in the Office of the Secretary of the General Staff.



Upon departing Korea in July 1976, she was appointed to the rank of Command Sergeant Major and returned to Fort McClellan as the Command Sergeant Major, Headquarters Battalion, U.S. WAC Center and School. After deactivation of Headquarters Batallion, in October 1976, she was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the Military Police Student Officer Battalion, Training Brigade, Fort McClellan. Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal with cluster, Occupation Medal (Germany), Korean Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter (Rifle M-16) with Rifle Bar.



After retirement she attended Ayers State Technical College and graduated with a diploma for the satisfactory completion of courses in Bookkeeping and Accounting. She worked as a volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council of Calhoun County, Alabama and at the Fort McClellan Noble Army Hospital Emergency Room. She was an active member and officer on the Jacksonville Meals on Wheels council, and a member of the retiree council at Fort McClellan. She served as a second vice-president, chaplain and president of the Women's Army Corps Heritage Chapter 62 and as lst Vice President of the Women's Army Corps Foundation for 18 years and as President for one year. She was a sustaining partner of the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association and a registered member of WIMSA, DAV, American Association of Retired Persons and the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association.



On February 5, 1989, The Anniston Star named her "One of Ten" who made a difference in Calhoun County. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Amy Lee; three brothers, Robert Lee, Delbert (Helen) Lee and David Lee, and one nephew, Jeffrey Lee. Funeral: 1:00 p.m. October 2, 2016 at the Women's Army Corps Chapel, Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama. Arrangements: K.L. Brown Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Alabama.



Full obituary published in The Anniston Star on September 28, 2016

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                                          Anniston Memorial Gardens
                                                    Anniston AL

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                                                                MSG EVELYN FORD
                                                                     17 Jan  2016

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Master Sergeant (MSG) Evelyn J. Ford, U.S. Army Retired, passed away June 17, 2016 and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A memorial service will be held at the WAC Memorial Chapel, McClellan, Ala., followed by a reception at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. in Jacksonville. Date and time of burial and memorial service will be announced at a later date.



MSG Ford was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Eleanor and Charles Cramp, and sister, Eleanor Munyan. She is survived by her nephew, Francis Munyan and his wife, Roberta, and many other loving family members. MSG Ford is also survived by a legion of great friends from her time in the military and her many retirement activities. The family gives special thanks to her friends, Steve Cobb and Jean Pellgetto, who took her to appointments, visited her daily during her hospitalization and was with her at the end. MSG Ford was from Paulsboro, N.J. and began her military career at Ft. Lee, Virginia.



Her stateside assignments throughout her 23 years in the Army included Ft. Sam, Houston, Texas, Ft. Jay, N.Y., the U.S. Army Recruiting Cmd., Camden, N.J., USARPAC Headquarters in Hawaii, Ft. Belvior, Va., and several assignments at Ft. McClellan. MSG Ford's overseas assignments took her to Landstuhl, Germany and Vietnam. Her duty assignment in Vietnam was as an NCO Advisor to the Vietnam Women's Armed Forces Corps.



MSG Ford received many awards and decorations during her time in the Army including the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Metal. During her retirement, Evelyn was an active member of the local chapter of the Women's Army Corps Veterans Assn; the DAV; American Legion Post 57, and the Women Veterans Golf Association. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial (WIMSA) Dept. 560, Washington, DC; Jacksonville Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge NE, Jacksonville, AL 36265; or Friends of the Army Women's Museum Assn, P.O. Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875.



published in the Anniston Star 7 July 2016

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

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                                                                         MAJ  GLORIA VINSKEY
                                                                                 US ARMY RET

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Funeral services for Chapter 62 member Gloria Vinskey will be held on June 6, 2016 at 10:15 a.m., Pavilion C, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236.

Gloria died at age 63 on May 12. She had Huntington's Disease. She is survived by her daughter Heather L. da Silva and her son JP Kerm.

Gloria is the founder of WACVA National Facebook page, a former 1st Vice President of WACVA Chapter 62 and a member of Heritage Chapter 62, Anniston, AL.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

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                                                           19 MAY 1927-  18 MAY  2016

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Betty Benson, U.S. Army (retired) passed away at her home on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala. Burial with full military honors will follow immediately at Anniston Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour before service time at the WAC Chapel and a reception will follow the burial at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Road, Jacksonville. CSM Benson was preceded in death by her parents, Byron J. and Ethel M. Smither Benson and her brother, Byron J. Benson. She is survived by her nieces, Barbara J. Palmer and Betty J. Benson; nephews, Barry J. Benson, Brad J. Benson and Bruce J. Benson and their immediate families. She is also survived by many other loving relatives and a legion of friends from her time in the military and her many retirement activities.



CSM Benson was from Newton Falls, Ohio and began her military career in February, 1949 at Ft. Lee, Virginia. Her many career assignments include Ft. Devens, Mass., the U. S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, N.H., Ft. Ord, CA, Ft. Myer, Va. and the U. S. Army Recruiting CMD in Albany, N.Y. and Des Moines, Iowa. Her overseas assignments included Camp Zama, Japan, The Republic of Vietnam where she was a member of the advanced party to activate the first Women's Army Corps (WAC) Detachment in that country. She also served in Hanau, Germany and Camp Darby, Italy where she was the Post Sergeant Major.



CSM Benson attended the U. S. Army first Command Sergeants Major Academy, Ft. Bliss, Texas. Her last duty assignment was at Ft. McClellan, Ala. as the senior enlisted soldier for the Second Basic Training Battalion, U. S. Army MP School and Training Center and she remained until her 30 year mandatory retirement on 30 June 1980.



CSM Benson received many award and decorations during her time in the Army including the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Battle Stars, theBronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit. While on active duty and after her retirement Betty served as a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) Foundation Board where she was very active in helping get the WAC Museum built at Ft. McClelland and was a member of the local chapter of the WAC Veterans Association. During her retirement, Betty co-owed and operated the Pet Motel for seven years and was one of the original founders and served as President of the League of Animal Welfare (LAW). She was also active as a volunteer with many local community agencies. Betty's family and her many friends give thanks to all of her caregivers for the past seven years.



Special thanks to the New Beacon Hospice Staff and her nurses for their caring guidance and advice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association (FAWMA) P. O. Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge NE, Jacksonville, AL 36265 or the Women in Military Service for American Memorial (WIMSA) Dept. 560, Washington, DC 20042-0560.

Obituary created by Marsha Holder US Army Ret



Published in the Annnistar 20 May 2016



                                       ANNISTON MEMORIAL GARDENS
                                                            CALHOUN COUNTY
                                                          ANNISTON  ALABAMA
                                  

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                                                                              CSM MARY K. MYRKLE
                                                                              29 Aug 1949- 7 Feb 2016
 
                                                                          
 

Mary K. Myrkle, 67, of Alexandria, Ala., passed away at her home on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Command Sgt. Major Mary Myrkle was born Aug. 29, 1948, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Whitey and Kathryn (Wenglarski) Myrkle and retired from the U.S. Army after 27 years. Was a member of the WAC-VET Association, the American Legion and a member of the Honor Guard. Mary never missed an opportunity to thank a veteran for their service.



Surviving are her life partner of 20 years, Donna Roberts; son, Andrew (Sabrina) Graves; grandchildren, Emily and Erica Graves; father, Whitey (Sharon) Myrkle; brothers, Greg (Elaine) Myrkle, and Gene (Rebecca) Myrkle; sister, Tina (Craig) Myrkle-Mitchell; stepbrother, Bill (Jill) Delor; stepsister, Anne (Dave) Webster; many nieces; and nephews; and lots of cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Myrkle.



The family will meet friends from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow in Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton Township at 3:30 p.m. with military honors. The family suggests memorials be made to the WAC-VETS Association, Chapter 62, P.O. Box 677, Weaver, AL 36277.



Herald-Palladium, The (St. Joseph, MI) - Wednesday, February 10, 2016



Obituary created by Marsha Holder US Army ret

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                                           HAMILTON CEMETERY
                                     DECATOR, VAN BURAN COUNTY
                                                  MICHIGAN
                               

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                                  2015

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                                                        LTC  Genevieve " Irene" Evankovich
                                                                     9 Oct 1941-  30 Jun 2015  

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Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Irene Evankovich, 73, died at the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Florence, Ala. on Jun. 30, 2015 following a brief illness. Her loving sister Phyllis Bayes and longtime close friend and fellow Army veteran Betty Hinkson were with her.

Irene was born in Criswell, Penn. on Oct. 9, 1941. The sixth of seven children of the late John and Jennie Trinajstic Evankovich. After graduating from high school in 1959, Irene enlisted in the Women's Army Corps on Mar. 30, 1960. She served at Ft. McClellan, Ala., on Okinawa and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, reaching the rank of sergeant, before being accepted for OCS at Ft. McClellan in 1965. In June 1965,

Irene was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her first assignment was as executive officer and then commanding officer of the WAC Company at Ft. Ritchie, Md. In subsequent assignments Irene returned several times to Ft. McClellan, served overseas in Fuerth and Nuremberg, Germany, at the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and at Ft. Riley, Kan. Her military schools included several Quartermaster Corps courses at Ft. Lee, Va., the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and the Inspector General course, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Irene's most challenging assignment (1979-81) was as special advisor on women's issues to USMA Superintendent, Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster as the Academy was adjusting to the presence of women cadets.

Irene's final assignment was to the 3rd ROTC Regiment at Ft. Riley where she supervised the staff providing personnel and administrative support for military and civilian employees in eight states at over 100 colleges and universities. Irene retired with 24 years of active service in 1984. Her military awards include: Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

After living in Pennsylvania for seven years, Irene returned to the Anniston area, making her home in Weaver. She was active in many veterans and civic organizations and a generous philanthropist. Her memberships included Heritage Chapter 62 of the WAC Veterans Association, the American Legion, the WAC Museum and Army Women's Foundations, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and women's shelters. Irene is survived by her brother, Michael (Marie) and her sister, Phyllis Bayes (Rick); several generations of nieces, nephews and many cousins, Army comrades and friends. In addition to Irene's parents, she was predeceased by her brother, John and three sisters, Mary Anderson, Margaret Pollock and Edna Zidek. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the WAC Chapel, Ft. McClellan, Ala., with internment at the Anniston Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the American Legion, 1501 Pelham Rd. S., Jacksonville, AL 36265. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Center of Concern, 1513 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201, the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association, PO Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875, Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265,.

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photo findagrave member Gary Guinn

                                    Anniston Memorial Gardens Cemetery
                                                      Anniston AL

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                                  2014

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Mary was born near Newcomerstown, Ohio, on Dec. 15, 1934. She was the daughter of the late Mary Emler Hughes.

A 1951 graduate of Newcomerstown High School, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a master's degree from Western Kentucky University. She also was a graduate of numerous military schools.

She was a highly decorated Army officer with 30 years of service who had served during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal and numerous other awards and decorations.

Mary was a member of numerous veterans and professional organizations and past officer of American Legion Post 65, past officer of AMVETS Post 36 and past commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74. She also served as a member of Coshocton County Veterans Service Commission and participated in 109 military funerals with the Honor Guard.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Miller Funeral Home, 639 Main St., Coshocton, Ohio. Interment with military honors performed by the Coshocton County Veterans Honor Guard follows in South Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. published in the news-enterprise, ohio










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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

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photo by findagrave member Debe Clark

                                                               SOUTHLAWN CEMETERY
                                                                        COSHOCTON
                                                             COSHOCTON COUNTY, OHIO 
 
                                                        

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(photo: Wilma Green Webb us army ret)

                                                   SSG  Barbara J. Watson
                                                              1956- 2014
 
                                                 

Funeral service for Barbara Watson, 58, will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home with Chaplain Trish Defrieze officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial with military honors will follow in Anniston Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include her best friend, Linda Joyner; sisters, Debbie Martin, Donna Burch (Jack) and Tina Watson; nieces, Stacey Flynn (Dan) and Amanda Ayers; nephew, Robert Martin and her fur babies, Sky, Bizzy and Pecan Watson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Mary Watson.



Ms. Watson served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was retired from Anniston Army Depot. She was a member of the WAC Heritage Chapter 62. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the League of Animal Welfare or any animal rescue organization. Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 3865 US Hwy 431 North Anniston, AL 36206.





Published in The Anniston Star on Feb. 14, 2014

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photo findagrave member Gary Guinn

                                    Anniston Memorial Gardens Cemetery
                                                        Anniston AL

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                                 2013

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(photo Joan Brunken)

                                                      SGM Penny Moore
                                                   16 May 1944- Nov 2013
 
                                                  

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Ann Louise Gannon
2 Jun 1931- 20 Oct 2013

Ann Louise Gannon, age 82 of Millsboro, DE passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Atlantic Shores Nursing Home in Millsboro, DE.

Ann was born in Trappe, MD on June 2, 1931 daughter of the late Mitchell R. and Emma Gannon, Sr.

She was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a cook with 24 years of service.

Ann was a lifetime member and active volunteer with the American Legion Post #28 in Millsboro, DE. In her free time she enjoyed cooking and gardening.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Munson. She is survived by her lifelong friend Phyllis Graby of Millsboro; a brother, Mitchell "Bob" Gannon, Jr. of Millsboro; a special niece Terry Roberts-Biener and her husband Greg of Millsboro and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services 32013 Long Neck Rd., Millsboro, DE, where friends and family will call after 12 noon. Interment with military honors will follow at Henlopen Memorial Park in Milton, DE.

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                                                          SGT  Petra Quinn
                                                          10 Apr-  Oct 2013
                                                        

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Petra Quinn served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1979. She worked as a personnel specialist at Fort Ord, California, and in Germany. Petra was also a Drill Sergeant at Fort McClellan, Alabama, a Tactical Non-commissioned Officer at the NCO Academy in Korea, and a testing specialist at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station, Atlanta, Georgia. She was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant.



Petra earned an Associate Degree in Business Management from Gadsden State Junior College in Gadsden, Alabama. She also attended Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, for two years, earning additional credits in Business Management.

The Army Commissary Management Intern Program selected Petra to participate in their two year intern training program. After completing the program, Petra accepted a two-year assignment as the Grocery Manager in Darmstadt, Germany. She was successively promoted to Commissary Officer, first at the Mainz Commissary, and then the larger Wiesbaden Commissary, both in Germany.



After returning to Virginia, Petra became a small business owner in 1991. She owned and operated The Packaging Store, a packaging and shipping business in Colonial Heights, Virginia, from 1991 to 2010.



In April 2011, Petra, along with her partners, started a logistics and consulting business in Hopewell, Virginia. She is the President of All About Logistics, an Economically Disadvantaged, Woman-Owned, Small Business.



Petra has been a member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association since 1979, is a Charter Member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, and was Treasurer of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation from 2003-2007. She is currently a Founding Director and member of the board of directors of the Army Women’s Museum Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization which was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in March 2008. Petra was the treasurer of the organization from 2008-2012. She lived in Chesterfield, Virginia, and was an avid bowler.

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Photo: petra's service WAC Museum Ft Lee VA

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                                                                SFC  Earnestine Heaton
                                                           1923-2013
                                                

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Photo- findagrave contributor phyllis (porter) zegers.


                                           

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                                                     SFC   Doris Vernell Lawrence 
                                                July 10, 1934 - July 20, 2013
                                                 

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Doris V. Lawrence, age 79 of Double Springs, entered into rest on July 20, 2013 at Shadescrest Healthcare, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born July 10, 1934 in Haleyville.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from 12-2 at Nichols Funeral Home in Double Springs, where the service will be at 2pm. Burial will be at Winston Memorial Cemetery. Brother Wayne Williams will officiate.

She is survived by her sisters, Willodean White, Christeen (O.A.) Turner, Maxine Godsey, and Vesta (John R. Bob Beatty; nieces, Theresa Turner Poe, Patricia Lawrence Headley, Donna Brooks, Connie Stidham, and Pam Godsey Mixon; nephews, Mitchell Turner, Craig Turner, and Dan E. Lawrence; and 20 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Neatie Lawrence; brother, E.I. Buddy Lawrence; and nephews, Howell Ray Fell, Michael Turner, and Chris Barton.
obit Written by CSM Helen Johnson US Army Ret

Sergeant First Class Doris Lawrence, 79, U. S. Army Retired of Double Springs, Alabama, entered into rest on July 20, 2013 at Shadescrest Healthcare, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 10, 1934 in Haleyville. Her funeral service, with Brother Wayne Williams officiating, was held on July 23, 2013 at the Nichols Funeral Home in Double Springs with interment at Winston Memorial Cemetery, Haleyville.

She enlisted in the Women Army Corps on 20 August 1963 and received her basic and clerical training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and was then sent to Fort Huachuca, AZ on her first permanent assignment. Her next assignment returned her to Fort McClellan as a platoon sergeant until January 1969 when she was sent to the General Motors Technical Center (Main Battle Tank 70), Warren, Michigan with her next tourto Camp Zama, Japan.Upon her return to the United States she was at Fort Lee, VA until January 1972 when she was assigned to Heidelberg, Germany. In 1974 she was sent to the Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, S. C. with subsequent assignment to Fort McClellan as a basic training drill sergeant. Additional assignments were to Stuttgart, Germany, Washington, D.C. and Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Her military education included Clerical Training Company, Fort McClellan, NCO Academy, Germany, Drill Sergeant School, Fort Jackson, S. C. and advanced NCOES, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Drill Sergeant Badge. Sharpshooter Badge (M16) Rifle and the Hand Grenade qualification Badge.

                                       Winston Memorial Cemetery
                                                  Haleyville
                                              Winston County
                                               Alabama, USA

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                                                 SSG  Catherine Louise Oatman
                                                     19 Jan 1936-  29 Jun 2013
                                                              "SCOOTER"
                                                   

SSgt. Catherine Louise Oatman, 77 of Pinellas Park, FL, originally from Windber, PA died on Saturday 29 June 2013 after a long illness at the home she shared for many years with her wife Linda Watson in Pinellas Park, FL. Cathy, daughter of Frank and Mabel Oatman, was the youngest of their twelve children all of whom are deceased.



Cathy enlisted in the Womens Army Corps in March 1966 and trained at Ft McClellan, AL. She was stationed at Ft Shafter in Hawaii from 1967 to 1969. From there Cathy went to Vietnam where she was stationed in Long Binh and Saigon from February 1969 to May 1972. In '72 she was assigned to Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1974 Cathy moved to Gainesville, FL to work with the Recruiting Command there. From there she went to Recruiting Group in Pensacola, then she worked at the Reserve Center in Ft Jackson, SC. Her final assignment was in Brewton, AL in 1975 where she was medically retired after nine years serving her country.



She began her career as a clerk but held several other positions including Data Processing Analyst, Senior Administration Sergeant and Chief Statistical Analyst. While in Hawaii and Vietnam, Cathy handled all the payroll and leaves for the personnel assigned in SouthEast Asia. She had reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. During her nine years of service she received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, MAC-V and RADCOM medals as well as a Certificate of Service for 1 March 68 to 1 October 70 and the MAC-V Joint Service Command Medal. She is also the recipient of the Order of the Silver Rose Award.



While Cathy was stationed in Vietnam she also volunteered at a local orphanage on her days off. She fell in love with one of the babies;a boy. She went through the process to adopt him and named him Kevin. And then she became attached to a little girl. Cathy requested for her tour to be extended until she could adopt her second child who she named Kim. She brought them home to the United States with her. Cathy was a trailblazer during her time when adopting her children in Vietnam being a single woman, as there were no rules in place that she could not adopt as a single woman and no one told her no! She was in Vietnam a total of 3 years.



She had been a member of the Vietnam Women Veterans Inc., Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Womens Army Corps Veteran Association and the Order of the Silver Rose.



Cathy and Linda were legally married in Calgary, Canada on July 25, 2005 and before that had a Holy Union on Feb 15, 2003 at King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg, FL. Cathy had been ill for many years due to complications from her exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.



She is survived by her wife Linda Watson; her children Kevin Oatman, of Sarasota and Kim (Oatman) Walker of Zephyr Hills; as well as Linda's two daughters Crystal Watson and her fiancé Joseph Lee of Seminole, FL and Tonya Watson, of Madisonville, KY; two grandchildren Josiah age 7 of, Madisonville, KY and Tatiana age 4 of Seminole and many, nieces and nephews.



Interment will be held at the Bay Pines National Cemetery on July 10, 2013 at 10:00am with full military Honors.



On July 13, 2013, A Celebration of Life will be held at King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church 3150 5th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL starting at 10:00 am with light refreshments to follow in the fellowship hall at the church.



The family request that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church Human Outreach Team (HOT) or to the Suncoast Hospice of Pinellas County as she was under their care and died at home as she wished.

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

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photo: Linda Watson FB album

                                        Bay Pines National Cemetery
                                                       Florida

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(photo: Sandy Brown)

                                                          MAJ  Elizabeth Torrey
                                                                    "Betty"
                                                                 1928- 2013
                                                        
 

Jacksonville - Retired Army Major Elizabeth L. Torrey, 84, of Jacksonville, passed away June 3, 2013 at Piedmont Health and Rehabilitation Center after an extended battle with illnesses.



She was born to the late Charles and Caroline Torrey on December 7, 1928 in Rockland, Massachusetts. Miss Torrey spent her early years in Wiscasset, Maine. She had a close and loving family. Having two older brothers, Elizabeth was always following in their footsteps. She became a good athlete and enjoyed participating and watching all sports. After graduating from Brockton High School in June of 1948,



Miss Torrey followed others in her family into military service. Although her family had a Merchant Marine and Naval background she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in 1956 in Dover, New Hampshire. During her enlisted and officer career Elizabeth served in numerous locations including Germany and Japan. She enjoyed meeting new people, the travel and experiences that military service provided to her.



After twenty-one years of service she retired in 1970 as a Major. While visiting friends in the Anniston area she discovered it's natural beauty and a large and supportive retired community. She decided to make Alabama her home and purchased a house. Elizabeth enjoyed reading about world history, world affairs and nature. She was a marvelous cook and enjoyed entertaining her friends with creative dishes.



Elizabeth took great pleasure in her home, the outdoors and her friends. She enjoyed her beautifully landscaped yard every morning from her front porch or her deck. It made that first cup of coffee all the more enjoyable. Elizabeth loved her family and often talked of their childhood and their current activities with her friends. She was a member of several military and civilian organizations and supportive of numerous charities.



Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Arthur R. Torrey. She is survived by brothers, George Torrey, of Florida, W. Peter Torrey, of New Hampshire and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the staff of Piedmont Health and Rehabilitation Center. Their loving care and support on several occasions contributed to a longer, more independent and better quality of life.



Major Torrey will be returning home to her beloved New England for interment in her family plot in Abington, Massachusetts. Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 3865 US Hwy 431 North Anniston, AL 36206 256-820-0024


                                              Mount Vernon Cemetery
                                                       Abington
                                                  Plymouth County
                                                Massachusetts, USA

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photo- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

                                                        SFC  Phyllis Scott
                                                        10 Apr 1940- 4 Jan 2013
                                                    
                                                     


SCOTT, SFC Phyllis SCOTT Phyllis Scott, 72, of Decatur, passed away on Friday, January 04, 2013. She was born in Decatur, Georgia to Macon and Connie Scott. She proudly served eight years in the U.S. Army Women's Corps. Phyllis is survived by her partner, Donna Bostick; brother Macon Scott; sister Carolyn Dunagan; several nieces and nephews and two great great nephews. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday January 12th in the chapel of A.S. Turner and Sons with Chaplain Sheryl Dillard officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The American Cancer Society . The family will receive friends one hour before and after the service on Saturday at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. .

Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 6, 2013

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                       2012

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                                                             SFC Velma "Degee" De Geronimo
                                                                        22 May 1933- 7 Nov 2012
 
                                            
                                         

Sergeant First Class Velma J. "DeGee" De Geronimo, 79, passed away Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama. Funeral services with full military honors will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday one hour prior to the service. SFC De Geronimo was born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania on May 22, 1933 and lived there until after she was graduated from high school. She became a telephone operator in civilian life and then enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in Newark, New Jersey.

She received her basic training at Fort McClellan and although she was a trained telephone operator, the Women's Army Corps Training Center personnel office recognized her talent for teaching in physical training and assigned her as an instructor for basic trainees. At the end of her first enlistment she reenlisted for Japan and was assigned to the WAC Detachment and 6th Logistics Command in Japan as a switchboard operator.

Her next assignment was back to Fort McClellan to teach physical training and swimming. She volunteered to go to Germany and was stationed at Stuttgart as the First Sergeant of the Stuttgart Military Hospital. Velma had been promoted rather steadily and in her new grade as Sergeant First Class she was assigned to Co B, WAC Training Battalion at Fort McClellan as a platoon sergeant.

She was a graduate of a non-commissioned officers' academy. As a platoon sergeant, she worked many long hard hours training new recruits to be soldiers and she did this in an outstanding manner. Her last overseas tour was in Korea and her last Women's Army Corps Center assignment was as the First Sergeant of Co B, 2nd WAC Basic Training Battalion at Fort McClellan.

As First Sergeant, her responsibilities increased and she accomplished her duties in a very professional way.

She retired March 1, 1980. Sergeant First Class De Geronimo's awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal (6th Award). She was a charter member of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, Heritage Chapter 62 which started in 1976.

Her enthusiasm did not stop at work; she was a number one female athlete and participated and excelled in all sports programs available to women in the military. She was preceded in death by her parents, mother, Minnie Benamati, and father, Harry Carnahan who was a recipient of the Silver Star in World War II. Velma is survived by her special friend and caregiver for fifty years, Joan Pekulik; a sister, Judith Getto; two nephews, Michael Getto and family, Mark Getto and family; a niece, Michelle Gilbert and her husband Donnie; one aunt, Mae Busnardo and family and several cousins in Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, (WACVA) Heritage Chapter 62, P.O. Box 5038, Fort McClellan, AL 36205. Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 3865 US Hwy 431 North Anniston, AL 36206



Anniston Star newspaper

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(photo-Find a grave volunteer Maryann Ferguson)

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(photo- find agrave volunteer Maryann Ferguson)

                                          Anniston Memorial Gardens
                                                      Anniston AL

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(1976 CO B yearbook)

                                                ISG Sally  Ann Schieb
                                              12 Apr 1935-  15 Oct 2012
 
                                               

EULOGY

FIRST SERGEANT SALLY ANN SCHIEB
CSM Helen Johnston US Army Ret

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO HONOR FIRST SERGEANT SALLY ANN SCHIEB WHO WAS ONE OF THE FINEST NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS.

WITH US ARE HER DEAR FRIEND, CHARLOTTE DREWETT, SALLY'S SISTER, CAROLYN NORMINGTON, TWO NEPHEWS JOHN AND CHRISTOPHER NORMINGTON AND CHARLOTTE'S SISTER, NANCY ANSPACH. ALSO PRESENT ARE CINDY AND LAWRENCE JOHNSON, WHO SALLY AND DRU CLAIM AS THEIR ADOPTED FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS. TO ALL OF YOU WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES AS WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVED SALLY AND WHAT A GREAT PART SHE PLAYED IN YOUR LIVES.

SALLY WAS BORN APRIL 12TH, 1935 IN OHIO AND PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 15TH, 2012 IN ANNISTON, ALABAMA. HER FIRST MILITARY EXPERIENCE WAS WHEN SHE ENLISTED IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE. WHEN SHE COMPLETED HER ENLISTMENT SHE JOINED THE ARMY RESERVE WITH A SUBSEQUENT CALL TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS.

HER ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDED FORT McCLELLAN, ALABAMA, CHEYENNE, WYOMING, FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI AND AN OVERSEAS TOUR IN HAWAII.

SALLY IS BEST REMEMBERED BY MANY AS A LOW KEY EXPERT SENIOR ADMINSTRATIVE SUPERVISOR FOR THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS CENTER ADJUTANT. SHE WAS A PERFECTIONIST, COMPETENT AND A LEADER WHO DISPLAYED DIGNITY AND DEVOTION TO HER POSITION. SHE WAS A FIRM LEADER AND A VERY EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR WITH ALL ENLISTED AND OFFICER PERSONNEL.

AS A RESULT OF A PROMOTION TO MASTER SERGEANT, WITH APPOINTMENT TO FIRST SERGEANT, HER NEXT AND LAST ASSIGNMENT WAS AS THE FIRST SERGEANT OF COMPANY B, FIRST BASIC TRAINING BATTALION AT THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS TRAINING CENTER. THIS POSITION INVOLVED HER LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN THE TRAINING OF 200 TRAINEES EVERY NINE WEEKS AND THE SUPERVISON OF A CADRE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 PERMANENT PARTY PESONNEL. SHE MET THAT CHALLENGE WITH TOTAL PROFESSIONALISM AND DETERMINATION.

FIRST SERGEANT SALLY SCHIEB RETIRED ON OCTOBER 31ST, 1977. HER DECORATIONS AND AWARDS INCLUDED THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL WITH FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (6TH) AWARD AND THE NATIONAL DEFNSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER.

SALLY WAS NOT ALL WORK. SHE ENJOYED SWIMMING, GOLF, AND BEING ON THE PONTOON BOAT FISHING. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL COOK AND ENJOYED HER KITCHEN. SALLY' S HEART DID NOT JUST GO OUT TO PEOPLE BUT ALSO TO PETS. DRU TOLD ME THAT THEY GOT "MUFFY" WHEN SHE WAS TINY AND SALLY SPOKE OF MUFFY AS HAVING HER FROM "NURSERY TO THE OLD SOLDIER'S HOME" MEANING THAT SHE AND DRU WERE IN THEIR GOLDEN AGES.

IN SUMMARY, SALLY WAS A VERY PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER, A WONDERFUL PERSON AND WE WILL ALL MISS HER SO VERY MUCH.





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(Photo: find a grave volunteer L.Kat)

                                FORT SAM NATIONAL CEMETERY
                                          San Antonio Texas

Colonel Patricia Mae (Sissie) Lawson, 80, left this earth on October 8, 2012. She was born on April 8, 1932 to Richard Franklin Lawson, Sr. and Eva Belle Cruthirds Lawson in Houston. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Richard Franklin Lawson, Jr., and sister-in-law, Jamie Bunting Lawson.
Sissie served her country for 22 years in the U.S. Army. Among many awards received while in the service, Sissie received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
Sissie leaves her nieces Melody Lopez and husband, Ray, and Terri Bills. She also is survived by her great nephews Joe Don McCallister, Travis Bills, Cody McCallister, and Anthony Lopez and great niece Tara Bills.
Services for Sissie will be Monday, October 15th at Church Alive, 18850 Redland, San Antonio, TX 78259 with burial following at 1:00 PM at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Visitation will be Sunday, the 14th, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Crofts Funeral Home, Blanco, Texas.

Published in Houston Chronicle on October 11, 2012



Member WAC Heritage chapter 62 Ft McClellan AL

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(photo: courtesy of CSM Helen Johnston US Army Ret)

                                                CPL  Jeanette M. Kelsey
                                                1 July 1932-  30 July 2012
                                               

DELHI NY- Jeanette M.Kelsey, 80, a Delhi native, passed away Monday July 30, 2012, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, the result of a July3 auto accident.
She was born 1 July 1932 in Delhi, the daughter of Roland and Catherine Kelsey. Jeanette served in the Women's Army Corps 1951-1954 with the rank of Corporal.

A graduate of Delaware Academy, she received her formal eduacation at Rider College, Trenton NJ and also received airline training at Hartford , Conn. She worked for many years for American Airlines, as a reservations supervisor in New York City and Dallas, Texas, retiring in 1997, when she returned to Delhi.

She was a member of the WAC Heritage Chapter 62 FT McClellan AL

                                              WOODLAND Cemetery
                                                  Delhi   New York

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                                                TSGT  Mary A. Bryant
                                                    1919-  4 July 2012
                                               Served june 1943- Juy 1947
                                               

Anniston AL- Graveside services for Mary A. Bryant will be Monday at 11am, at the End of the trail cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia. Mrs Bryant passed away Wednesday at her residence.

Mrs Bryant was a native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Calhoun county. She was a veteran of WWII and recognized as the oldest living WAC in the Anniston area. She was a proud Army wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is preceded I death by her husband Fred L. Bryant, two daughters¨Diana F. Pennell and Judith A. Addison.

She was a member of the WAC heritage chapter 62 Ft McClellan AL

                                                            Wallace Memorial Cemetery
                                                               Clintonville West VA

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- Gwen Bridgewater)

SFC Dillon was a platoon sgt for CO E 1st WAC Basic training BN at Ft McClellan AL 1969 and later became the 1SG of the WAC detachment in Frankfurt Germany 1970-1972.

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PVTARIE KARBAN- SFC MAUSE DILLON-PVT DAWN ? 1969

                                           Old Mission Cemetery
                                                Wichita Kansas

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LTC PATRICIA FAYE BREWER
1941-2012

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photo-findagrave contibutor Paul Hays

BREWER, Patricia Patricia Faye Brewer, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (ret), 70, born October 8, 1941, Durham, NC, passed away June 20, 2012, at Halcyon House, Atlanta, GA. Colonel Brewer was the daughter of the late Ellen Walters Brewer and Melvin T. Brewer. She is survived by her uncles, Oscar "Buddy", Homer, Ralph Walters and their families of Fayetteville, NC. After graduation from Fayetteville High School, she received a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from East Tennessee State University. She also received a Master of Education degree from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Patricia joined the US Army in 1974 serving her country for twenty years. After retirement Colonel Brewer was employed by the Atlanta Regional Census Center; the US Government Accountability Office, Atlanta, GA; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office, Auburn, AL; and the Atlanta Regional Office of the Veterans Benefits Administration. Colonel Brewer was affectionately known as "Patty", "Pat", or "Ms P" to her family, many friends, and co-workers who are greatly saddened by her passing. Visitation will be at H M Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, from 2-4 pm, June 30, 2012. The burial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a later date. Member WAC Heritage chapter 62 Ft McClellan AL.

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(photo: WAC Museum archive Ft Lee VA)

COL Mary Rasmuson
1911-2012
5th WAC Director
3 Jan 1957- 31 Jul 1962

Military Pioneer. A founding member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, she rose to become its director then began a second long life as a respected Alaska philanthropist. Raised in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Margaret Morrison Carnegie College and from the University of Pittsburgh and was working as an assistant school principal at the onset of World War II.

Desiring to aid the war effort she joined what was then the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and was initially placed in charge of training new recruits in Iowa. Staying with the WAC after the name was was changed and it was made a permanent part of the Army in 1947, she served in positions of increasing responsibility in both the United States and Europe while working to allow her ladies to serve in combat support fields and to receive veteran's benefits. Promoted to Colonel and named Director of the WAC by President Eisenhower in 1957, she was reappointed by President Kennedy but in 1961 was to meet and marry wealthy Alaska oil and banking magnate Elmer Rasmuson.

Retiring from the Army she moved to Alaska and quickly adjusted to a new life. A major contributor to Alaskan causes, she worked to improve conditions for the native population, was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Republican Women's Club, and endowed the Anchorage Museum.

Mrs. Rasmuson lived out her days in Anchorage and died of the effects of advanced age. At her death the Rheumatic Disease Center at Seattle's Virginia Mason Hospital and a theater at the Smithsonian's American Indian Museum carry the names of her and Mr. Rasmuson. Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit. (bio by: Bob Hufford)

                                       Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery
                                               Anchorage Alaska

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                                             SGM  GRACE MUELLER
                                                       1917- 2012
 
                                              

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photo: findagrave contributor- Paul Hayes

Grace Lillian Mueller



May 17, 1917 – July 4, 2012



Family, Friend, Veteran, Patriot,











Grace was born May 17, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Alfred and Ida Mueller and the sister of Clarence. Her father was a Methodist minister, and the family moved on numerous occasions. She considered Indiana home, but kept her heart close to Ohio and her many friends there. Grace was working as a clerk at the Batesville Casket Company, in Batesville, Indiana, when she heard a radio announcement that the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was being formed. She enlisted on Aug. 1, 1942 enlistments had only started some six weeks before. Following basic and administrative training at Ft. Des Moines she was assigned to Ft. Sheridan, IL, as a personnel clerk. Several months later she applied for and was accepted to officer candidate school at Ft. Des Moines. Following graduation and commissioning as a third officer (second lieutenant) Grace was assigned to the MP school, first at Ft Custer, MI, and later at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, TX. She was discharged in 1946 as a first lieutenant and returned home to Indiana.







WAC training ended in 1945, but former WACs were eligible to reenlist. Grace reenlisted in 1947, and was assigned to Ft. Meade, MD. When the Armed Forces Integration Act was signed (1948) she was able to enlist in the Regular Army, and was assigned as training center cadre at the newly opened WAC Training Center, Ft. Lee, VA. She was on levy for Germany, but instead was assigned to 8th Army HQ, Yokohama, Japan. Her stateside assignments included the AG School at Ft Harrison, IN, two assignments to the WAC Training Center, Ft. McClellan, AL (one as a drill sergeant, the other as an instructor), Ft. Ord, CA (training center assignment), Ft. Myer, VA, and two assignments to WAC Branch in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, one at Ft. McNair, the other in the Pentagon. Grace's final assignment was as the action officer for senior women NCO assignments. She retired in March 1973. Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (7), American Campaign Medal, WAC Service Medal, Occupation Medal (Japan), and National Defense Service Medal (w/Bronze Star).







Grace was incredibly active and generous with her time in retirement as she was throughout her life. Grace stayed active in the Methodist Church in Batesville and supported many charitable organizations. Grace served on successive retiree councils in the Washington area, delivered Meals on Wheels, served for many years on the WAC Foundation and Army Women's Museum boards of directors, and was elected to director emeritus status with the Army Women's Foundation. She was a long-time member of the WAC Veterans Association and a fixture at conventions until she was unable to go. She was a member first of the WAC Vets Chapter 58 (in Maryland) and later of Northern Virginia Chapter 33. She held many offices in NV 33, including that of president (1988-89). She was a charter member of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, very active as a volunteer and in recruiting women veterans to register with the Memorial. In March 2011 Grace was inducted into the Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame where she joined previous Hall of Fame members BG Pat Foote, CSM Cindy Pritchett, LTC Tammy Duckworth, Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, and the USMA class of 1980. A Washington Post article discussing the 2011 Hall of Fame honors is at

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/17/AR2011031704538.html.
She was an active member of the Ft. Myer Protestant Chapel.







One of her many achievements was the placement of memorial bronze plaques at each of the WAAC/WAC basic training sites. She raised funds for this effort, acquired the plaques, and coordinated their placement. The plaques are located at Ft. Des Moines; Ft. Oglethorpe, GA; Ft. Devons, MA; Ft. Polk, LA; the US Replacement Depot, Lichfield, England; and regular Army training centers at Ft. Lee, VA; Ft. McClellan, AL; and Ft. Jackson, SC.







Grace was also a Luddite;computers, cell phones, and many of the new electronic gadgets were not of interest to her. She favored simpler times but knew the value of the computer age and its uses to assist with her many activities. She did not hesitate to seek assistance from her many friends and family to "use that computer to find me this information." We were all willing participants.







She was known for her trademark red sweater (no matter how hot it was), for her candor, her unfailing support of veterans, particularly women veterans, and for her love of family, Army, and country.







Grace was particularly proud of her family. She was survived by her nephew Lance Mueller and his wife Jamie, her niece Judy Rhoades and her husband John, four great nieces, seven great-great nieces and nephews, and five great-great-great nieces and nephews.







We have all lost a "one-of-a-kind person." Grace will be missed by her family and countless friends around the world.

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(photo Pat Jernigan)

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CLOSE FRIENDS OF GRACIE (photo Pat Jernigan)

PAT JERIGAN The service for Grace was one of the best I’ve been to (and that’s a lot)! It was a beautiful day (cool and sunny); the chapel service was lovely. The chaplain knew Grace (she’d been a regular there while she was able to go), and did a magnificent job of discussing her lifetime of service. The 1st Bn 3rd Regiment CSM was the senior officer, and did a magnificent job. There was a nice reception at Spates Community Club (Grace went there every Sunday for brunch after the chapel service). Lance had a great series of photos of Grace at various points. He spoke briefly and said the family considered Grace a woman of mystery. She would visit periodically, did something few women at the time did, traveled widely, etc. There was a good turnout – probably over 100. A large number of her relatives came from all over. The son of one of her school friends was there to represent his mother (Rosemary) who couldn’t travel. Several of our members who either aren’t in the area, or don’t come to meetings also attended. Lory Budreau was there with a bunch of her family. You may know her? They had several photos of 1SG Budreau and SGM Grace together in uniform . I think the third woman is SFC Efferson?? Well, it was certainly sad, but it was also a great send off for our dear friend. As you’ll see, a bunch of us wore red. Jeanne Beasley said she was reluctant (but did) as her mother would haunt her for going to a funeral in red!

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Photo Bill Waters find a grave volunteer

                                                        SFC   April E. Starks
                                                     31 Mar 1946- 11 June 2012
 
                                                     

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- tamara campbell)

GROVETOWN, Ga. - Peace came to April Elaine Starks (SFC, Ret.), age 66, on June 11, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Formerly of Norfolk, VA,

April joined the military in 1967 and served proudly for 20 years. Retiring from Ft. Gordon, GA, in 1987, she made Grovetown her home, not hesitating to get involved with the community; volunteering each year to assist with the Master's, donating time and supplies to the Senior Citizens Centers, and manning the food lines for American Legion functions.

She was the Commander of Brinkley's Troops, the Women's Veteran's Club of the CSRA. She was a lifetime member of Heritage Chapter 62 comprised of former WAC and current female soldiers out of Ft. McClellan, AL. She was an avid supporter of the U.S. Army Women's Museum at Ft. Lee, VA. From its inception, April donned her fundraising hat to see the building of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial located in Washington, D.C., come to life.

April was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion Post 192. Working primarily in the field of communication with the Army Security Agency, SFC Starks assignments took her overseas to Turkey, Germany, and England and stateside to Vint Hills Farm Station, VA, Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA and Fort Gordon, GA. Additionally, she served as a military instructor of physical training and as an instructor on the field training committee for the Enlisted Education Branch at Ft. McClelland, AL.

Her career was distinguished by the award of the U.S. Meritorious Service Medal and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal. April was a great lover of animals and never met a stray beagle she didn't take home. Her three beagles LT, Juice and Ginny will miss her, as will all of her friends and family.

April is preceded in death by her mother Olga M. Starks (nee Taraczkozy), father Clyde L. Starks, and brother Buddy Starks, all of Norfolk, VA. She is survived by her sisters Libby Morgan, of Cape Coral, FL , Theresa Rogers, of Great Falls, MT, and Korolon Biggs of Virginia Beach, VA; cousins Tara McCormick of Norfolk, VA and Lisa Keffer of Pax, WV, as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to: U.S. Army Women's Museum, 2100 A Avenue, Ft. Lee, VA 23801. Graveside services with full Military Honors will take place at Bellevue Memorial Gardens, 4501 Wrightsboro Rd, Grovetown, GA 30813, on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive friends at American Legion Post 192 immediately following the service.
Published in The Augusta Chronicle on June 13, 2012 Print

                                         Bellevue Memorial Gardens
                                                                   Grovetown, GA

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JOAN SHARON CHAMBERS
CPT US ARMY, MILITARY POLICE

Joan Sharon Chambers, age 66, of Murphy, NC passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at her residence.

She was a native of Jacksonville, Florida and the daughter of the late Robert Weir and Helen Horn Chambers. Joan was a 1963 graduate of Ocala High School and 1968 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with a BS Degree in education; she taught school in Pennsylvania and Florida for eight years.



In 1975 she enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corp where she received the Good Conduct Medal and Army Commendation Medal. She reenlisted in 1977 as an officer in the US Army Military Police Corp where she received the Army Commendation Medal- Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Medal - One Oak Leaf Cluster and many other Awards and Certificates. During her military career she was stationed in Alabama, Georgia, Colorado and the Washington D.C. area. She retired as a Captain in 1985 and moved to North Carolina in 1987 where she was co-owner of an engraving business and gift shop until 1997 when she retired (again) to garden and take care of 4+ acres.



Joan was very civic minded and a member of many organizations including Womens Army Corp, Veterans Association, Reserve Officers Association, Women In Military Service for America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, United Services Automobile Association, United States Olympic Committee Sixth Ring Membership and ROA of North Carolina.



She is survived by one sister, Denise Chambers Morris and husband William of Waynesville, NC; one sister-in-law, Terry Chambers and two neices: Julie D. Morris and Chele C Green; two nephews: Ryan H. Morris and Daniel R. Morris; one great niece, Emma K. Morris; one great nephew, Parker R. Green and one great great nephew, Greylan Comacho.



A Memorial Service is being planned for a later date.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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                                                         SGM Betty Lee Adams
                                                                   1932-2012
                                                                      "Bla"
                                                        

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(photo: find a grave volunteer Paul Hays)

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

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SGM Betty L. Adams, 79, a soldier highly decorated by the United States Army and South Vietnam Army, died at her home on January 20, 2012 in Jacksonville. SGM Adams was born in New York on December 3, 1932. She graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Astoria, New York in 1951. Burial for SGM Adams will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. K.L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center will be in charge of arrangements.

After working one year, she enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 28, 1952 and during her 23 year career she was promoted to every enlisted grade from Private to Sergeant Major. Upon completion of basic training and leadership school at Fort Lee, Virginia, she was selected to remain at Fort Lee as permanent party in a WAC basic training company.

In June 1954 she transferred to The Adjutant General School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for stenographic training with a subsequent assignment to Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a stenographer. The Women's Army Corps Training Center had moved to Fort McClellan, Alabama in 1954. SGM Adams, then Sergeant E-5, volunteered for platoon sergeant duties and transferred to Fort McClellan on February 12, 1955. After two years of training troops she transferred to Fort Myer, Virginia and was assigned in the personnel field at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. from February 15, 1957 to September 6, 1960. During this period she was promoted twice and received many awards and commendations.

Sergeant First Class Adams volunteered for recruiting duty and returned to The Adjutant General School for training and subsequent assignment to the U.S. Army Recruiting Main Station in Albany, New York on October 16, 1960. In 1964 the situation in Vietnam had intensified and the Republic of Vietnam was organizing a Women's Armed Forces Corps (WAFC) and wanted U.S. WAC's to assist them in planning and developing it. General Westmoreland, Commander of The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, authorized one officer space and one enlisted space and the requisitions were submitted to the Pentagon to Colonel Emily Gorman, Director of the Women's Army Corps.

The requisition for the enlisted woman was a first and she was to be chosen for excellence in leadership, training, administration and recruiting. On January 15, 1965 Sergeant First Class Betty Adams stepped off an airplane in Saigon and into the advisory position for the WAFC. Upon her return to the United States, she related a couple of "close calls" that had occurred while she was away. She stated, "The closest I ever came to actual combat was during a visit to a field hospital when word was received that the area was soon to be overrun by the "V.C." It was under the protection of mortar rounds that my party and I boarded a plane waiting for us with the engines running."

She was promoted to Master Sergeant (E-8) on July 30, 1965. On December 3, 1965 she left Vietnam at 5 p.m. and arrived in San Francisco at 9 p.m. the same day, her birthday. "It was the longest birthday I ever had-38 hours long." The next day she took TWA Flight 42 to Kennedy International Airport. It was just before landing that the 707 she was flying in was involved in a midair collision with an Eastern Consolation flight. Her plane lost 30 feet of wing but landed safely. She stated, "Believe me, I never had as anxious a moment in Vietnam as I did in the final five minutes of the flight into New York." Her next assignment was back to Fort Myer with duty at the Military Personnel Center.

This job in personnel led to her promotion to Sergeant Major (E-9) and to another first. Lieutenant General Walter Kerwin Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, administered the oath of reenlistment to SGM Adams at a ceremony at the Pentagon. SGM Adams reenlisted for assignment to the Army General Staff as an action officer, a unique event in that she was the first enlisted woman to serve as an action officer on the General Staff. She was assigned to the Directorate of Military Personnel Policies, Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, and was responsible for staff actions involving the Army's Qualitative Management Program for enlisted personnel.

Sergeant Major Betty L. Adams, United States Army, retired on May 31, 1975. Her decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal 7th award, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

She was a member of the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, Heritage Chapter 62 Inc., former Director of the Women's Army Corps Foundation, sustaining partner of the Friends of the Army Women's Museum Association Inc., American Legion Post 57 and Jacksonville Meals on Wheels, Inc. She was a mentor to lower grade personnel. She helped them organize sports programs and activities and was a noncommissioned officer they felt free to approach and ask advice.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Peter Adams and Anna Adams. Sergeant Major Adams is survived by two brothers, Paul R. Adams (wife, Carolyn) and Richard T. Adams; two nieces, Tracy Hagaman and Laurie Adams and two grandnephews, Chad and Tanner Hagaman. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of Army Women's Museum (FAWMA) P.O. Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875 or Jacksonville Meals on Wheels, 201 Wind Ridge, Jacksonville, AL 36265.

Published in The Anniston Star from January 29 to January 30, 2012

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BG Patrica Foote- CSM Mary Lee-  MAJ Betty Hinkson-  LTC Lois Beck-SGM Ross -CSM Helen Johnston- LTC Dorene Steklasa- COL Patricia Jernigan. All US Army Retired.
 
Photo's for Bla's service couresty of COL Jernigan and CSM Helen Johnston.

                                        Arlington National Cemetery
                                                Arlington VA

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                        2011

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                                                 LTC Eunice Roberta Dobbs
                                                  12 Sept 1934-  28 Jun 2011
                                                  

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Ms. Dobbs graduated from Summerville High School in 1952, received a bachelors degree in physical education from Montevallo University and a master's degree from Jacksonville State University as an Educational Specialist.

She was commissioned on August 11, 1956 as a 2nd Lieutenant, regular Army, and attended the Army Medical Department Orientation and Physical Therapy courses at Brooks Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She received the following awards: Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the National Defense Service Medal. Ms. Dobbs retired in November 1976 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

She returned to the Fort Payne area and served as a physical therapist at the DeKalb General Hospital, later becoming Baptist Medical Center – DeKalb, home health agencies in several counties, and for Collinsville Rehab Center until her illness in early 2011.

She was a member of the Fort Payne Landmarks were she served as president and secretary. She also had widespread interest and memberships in the Sierra Club, the Appalachian Trail Board of Directors, and secretary to the Women's Military Museum located at Fort Lee, Virginia. Ms. Dobbs was very active in outdoor activities, girls camps in Maine, hiking, monitoring the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, mountain climbing in areas from Georgia to Maine, and participating in 10 K marathons for seniors. In 2009, she received the Outstanding Alumni of the Year award from the Kinesology Department of Montevallo University.

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photo by findagrave member Douglas Walker

                                              Walkers Chapel Cemetery
                                                  Dog Town Alabama

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                                            COL Nancy K. Johnson
                                             1924- 20 Sept 2011
                                           

Nancy K. Johnson, age 87 of Naples, passed away on September 20, 2011.

She had been a resident of Southwest Florida for the past 11 years, having moved from Clarksville, TN. Nancy had served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army. While serving in the U.S. Army, she obtained the rank of and retired as a Colonel. She was a faithful member of the Salem Methodist Church. Nancy was a member of the Audubon Society, and a member of the Orchid Society.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Theodore L. Johnson; her brother, Glen (Margaret) Johnson; step-sons, Dr. Theodore (Linda) Johnson and Bruce Johnson; special family friend, Anna Galeano, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Nancy Johnson, and her brother, William Johnson.

A funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m., at Salem United Methodist Church, Clarksville, TN, under the direction of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Salem United Methodist Church, 2269 Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN 37040.



Published in The Leaf Chronicle on September 24, 20II

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                                                SSG  Jean Morehouse
                                               31 Jan 1931- 12 Jun 2011
                                              

Jean Morehouse January 31, 1932 - June 12, 2011 Marianna FL - Jean Morehouse was born in Norwich Connecticut on January 31, 1932, the first child of Robert A. Morehouse and Edith F. Morehouse. She died on Sunday June 12, 2011 at Signature Health Care in Marianna Florida where she had resided for the past 5 years, and where she had been inducted into the "Hall of Fame" in April 2008.

Her cremated remains will be interned alongside her parents in Norwich Connecticut. She was 79 when she died. After graduating from Norwich Free Academy, Jean joined the Women's Army Corp and served our country for 20 years moving up in rank to Staff Sergeant and received a Good Conduct Medal, as well as a National Defense Service Medal.

Following her military service she worked for the Florida Corrections Department. Jean worked in food service managing kitchens for both the Military and the Corrections Department. After her retirement, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and also worked at the Habitat Thrift Shop in Marianna. She served as a Pink Lady at Jackson Hospital, and received an award for her many hours of service.

Her love of animals meant that she was well known for her volunteer work with local animal shelters. Her favorite past times were square dancing and sewing. She was even invited to a dance demonstration at President Jimmy Carter's Inaugural. Jean was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marianna Florida and was active in many groups, committees and other programs of the congregation.

Jean enjoyed traveling the world while still keeping in touch with all her friends from her childhood and her adult life in Norwich Connecticut as well as her family who were located thru the United States. Jean is survived by her three brothers, Harold and wife Jacki of Hillsborough, New Hampshire; Douglas and wife Roberta of Simsbury Connecticut; and Robert and his wife Barbara of Georgetown, Massachusetts; and by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed in Marianna Florida by her friend and caregiver, JoAnn Yates, by her long time military friend, Nancy McMullin, and by the family of long time military friend, Peggy Holmes, who pre-deceased her on November 7, 2010. Her service of internment will be held on August 20, 2011 at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich Connecticut at 11am with a gathering after the service at the Holiday Inn. Church and Allen Funeral Home, Norwich, CT is assisting the family with arrangements.

Published in Norwich Bulletin on August 17, 2011

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photo by findagrave member Rev maze stephan

                                           MAPLE WOOD CEMETERY
                                                  New London
                                                   Connecticut

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                                           COL Suzanne Slater Boening
                                              27 Oct 1934-  29 Jan 2011
                                             

TUSCALOOSA Col. (USA, Ret.) Suzanne Slater Boening of Tuscaloosa died Jan. 29, 2011, at Hospice of West Alabama after a lengthy and courageous fight against Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare inherited lung and liver disease. She was 76.

Suzanne was preceded in death by an infant sister; her father, Ross Samuel Slater of Warren, Ind.; her mother, Elizabeth Huber Slater of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; and her husband, Carl Philip Boening of St. Louis, Mo.

She is survived by her son, Carl Henry Boening (Marsha); sisters, Jennifer Adair (James) and Jackie Witte (Lloyd); brother, John Slater (Bobbi); seven nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Suzanne, a 27-year U.S. Army veteran, will be buried next to her husband, Carl, at Arlington National Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Foundation, http://www.alpha-1foundation.org, Hospice of West Alabama, or one's local humane society.
Published in Tuscaloosa News on January 31, 2011

COL Boening was a membr of WAC Heritage chapter 62 Ft McClellan AL

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photo by findagrave member David McInturff

                                       Arlington National Cemetery
                                                  Arlington VA

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                                                COL Maida Lambeth
                                                        1925- 2011
                                                 

COL Maida Lambeth, 86 Ret USA,of 8406 Quebec Dr, San Antonio Texas former deputy director, Womens Army Corps(Gen Inez Bailey was the director)COL Lambeth served as Deputy director from 1 Jun 1972-31 Aug 1975. She was the daughter of Courtney Scott Lambeth and Ruth Cox Lambeth passed away on Oct 27th in San Antionio TX Following an illness of several months.

The WAC deputy directors were often the ones who kept things going while the director traveled the world to check on the status of and visit Wacs assigned overseas.

COL Lambeth was born in Hugo OK and a Hugo HS grad, she also graduated from the University of Okahahoma. In Feb 1952 she was commissioned a 2nd LT and assigned as a assistant platoon leader, Company E at Ft Lee VA.

COL Lambeth was a long time friend of MG Mary E. Clarke, who passed away 10 Jun 2011 San Antonio Tx. COL Lambeth had two sister's Ruth and Francis.(Mrs Richard L. Frates of San Francisco, Mrs Alan D. Knox of Midland TX). Her father Courtney Lambeth passed away in 1954 and her mother Ruth Cox Lambeth in 1944. COL Lambeth's ashes will be returned to her home, Hugo, OK. No services are planned.

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findagrave photo volunteer: Norm Pence

                                          Mount Olivet Cemetery            
                                                   Hugo OK

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MG Mary E. Clark (photo Deb Scharf)

                                             MG Mary Elizabeth Clarke
                                                     1924- 2011
                                             9th and last WAC Director
                                               1 Aug 1975- 28 Apr 1978
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: (kenny&julie)

                                     Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery
                                              San Antonio Texas

Major General Mary E. (Betty) Clarke died peacefully this morning (June 10th) around 1:30 am at the Army Residence Community, San Antonio, TX. She had colon cancer.

MG Clarke was the 9th and last director of the Women's Army Corps. When the WAC was disestablished she moved from Washington DC to Ft McClellan, Ala. where she was promoted to major general as the MP School and Ft McClellan Post Commander.

She served on continuous active duty form her enlistment in August 1945 until she retired in October 1981. She was 87.

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323 Ft Sam Houston army band MG Clarke funeral 22 June 2011 (photo-Deborah Scharf)

The 323rd U.S. Army Band of Fort Sam Houston was MG Clarke's honors band. They arrived at funeral march pace to the sound of a single field (or snare) drum, with the snares off. Very beautifully reverent and solemn.

Later on in the ceremony, after the cannon salute, they played Colonel Bogey, with the snares still off. They played beautifully, and I teared up. I could feel the quiet excitement, especially of the older WACs in attendance, as the band played "our" marching song. I'm sorry we didn't get to hear "The WAC is a Soldier,Too." or "Pallas Athena" but the pieces they did play-- some selections from the Army Chapel Hymn Book, Eternal Father, and Colonel Bogey-- were all very nicely done

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                                                              COL Virginia Lee Heseman
                                                                      1927-2011
                                                

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findagrave photo volunteer: (suzie)

Memorial services for COL Virginia Lee Heseman, 83, will be announced at a later date. COL Heseman died June 6, 2011 at R.M.C. in Gadsden. Published in The Anniston Star on June 8, 2011.she will be buried in Alameda, CA.

COL Heseman is the sister of Audrey Heseman Spaulding, wife of Harvey Spauling buried at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery

Colonel Virginia Lee Heseman U.S. Army Retired June 18, 1927 - June 6, 2011 Virginia Heseman was born June 18, 1927 in Turlock, California to Louis and Gladys Heseman. Originally from Nebraska, the family moved to California. Ginny, as she was known to her friends, was the youngest of three sisters, and grew up in Alameda, California. She graduated from Alameda High School and San Jose State College where she majored in physical education. Later she was the Dean of Women at Yuba City High School prior to joining the Army in 1959.

Commissioned in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) as a Reserve First Lieutenant in May, 1959, she graduated from the WAC Officer Basic Course at Ft. McClellan, Ala. in March 1960.

Her first assignment was to Ft. Belvoir, VA. as the WAC detachment executive officer. From Virginia she moved to
Atlanta, Ga. where she was a WAC recruiter. Her next assignment was to U.S. Army Japan where she served as the Chief of Administration Services in the office of the G-1. After a Washington D.C. assignment (1965-67), she returned to the WAC Center as the WAC Training Battalion executive officer. Following a school assignment at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Ind., she was assigned to Sixth U.S. Army at the Presidio of San Francisco as the Chief of Personnel Actions Branch.

While in California she also received her Master's degree in Political Science from California State University. She returned to the WAC Center, Ft. McClellan, serving at the Center headquarters and at the WAC School. In 1974, she was assigned to the Pentagon as Executive Officer to the Director, Women's Army Corps. When the WAC Career Branch was disestablished, Lt. Col. Heseman moved to the newly created WAC Advisory Office at the Military Personnel Center. She served as an advisor to the Max WAC study that was evaluating the impact on and ability of women to serve in various units. Her last assignment was to the Army Review Council, where she was promoted to full Colonel. She retired in May, 1981.

Her military awards include the Legion of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Reserve Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. She was also awarded the Army General Staff Badge.

In retirement, she enjoyed sports, particularly golf and tennis. She was a member of the WAC Foundation Board of Directors for over 25 years, serving as the Board Vice President in charge of investments. She was elected Director Emeritus of the Army Women's Foundation board in 2006. She was an indefatigable and generous supporter of the WAC and Army Women's Museums as well as many local Anniston area charities such as Meals on Wheels and the Animal Welfare League. Both of her sisters, Audrey Spaulding and Jean Bassett, predeceased her. She is survived by her nephews, Conrad Bassett and Steven Spaulding, and nieces, Deanna Johe, Lynette Mladinich, Susan Terrill and Keri Spaulding. "Virginia", "Aunt Ginger", "Ginny" & "The Colonel" will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 (707) 693-2460. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels or the U.S. Army Women's Foundation, P.O. Box 5030, Fort Lee, Virginia, 23801.
Published in Contra Costa Times on July 1, 2011

                                   Sacramento National Cemetery
                                                  Dixon CA

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                                            SFC Susan Commons
                                           9 Aug 1949- 12 Nov 2011
                                     US Army and US Army Reserve Ret
                                              

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- Mark Johnson)

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SFC Susan M. Commons died at the Lenexa Medical Center in Lenexa, KS of an burst aneurism. born in Corvallis, Oregon to Shirley and Howard Commons

Susan was likely the only female enlisted woman to have served in Viet Nam and as a member of the Old Guard at Fort Meyer, VA. Her career began in the Women's Army Corps and ended as an Active Duty Reservist. She performed her military duties in a variety of positions while a member of the United States Army. She was a leader and an example to all who served with her during her career.

Following are the highlights of her military career:

SFC Susan M. Commons first entered the military on 28 Feb 66 in Portland, OR. She went through her first Basic Training at Ft McCellan, AL, as a member of the Women's Army Corps. Her first permanent party assignment was with the WAC Detachment (Special Troops), Ft Huachuca, AZ (May 66 - Mar 67). At the end of her first year with the WAC, she took a "Short" and reenlisted for four years with a guaranteed assignment to 97th General Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany (Mar 67 - May 68). Then SP4 Commons requested and was granted reassignment to the U. S. Army Republic of Vietnam HQ at Long Binh, VN (Jul 68 - Mar 70). Having served eighteen months in Viet Nam, SP5 Commons returned to the States and served the last ten months of her enlistment at White Sands Missile Range, NM (Apr 70 - Feb 71).

SP5 Commons entered the USAR in Sep 75 with the 3d Bn, 2d Bde, 413th Regt, 104th Inf Div, at the Walker Reserve Center in Spokane, WA. In May 79, SFC Commons reentered Active Duty as a PFC taking her second Basic Training at Ft Lenonard Wood, MO,. She completed AIT as a Power Generator/Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic in Oct 79 and was once again assigned to Ft Huachuca, AZ where she was assigned to the 526th Sig Co, 89th Sig Bn, 11th Sig Bde as a mechanic. In Mar 81, SGT Commons requested reassignment to Co E (Honor Guard), 3rd U. S. Inf (The Old Guard), Ft Myer, VA where she served as NCOIC of the Female Detachment and a member of the First Presidential Marching Platoon until her ETS on 24 May 1983.

In Nov 83, SSG Commons reentered the USAR and was stationed with the 1/320th Tng Bn, 80th Tng Div, Ft Belvoir, VA, serving as a Drill SGT until her entry into the AGR Program in Aug 88. Upon her entry into the AGR Program, SFC Commons took a downgrade and was once again a SSG. While stationed with the 5/159 Avn Bn, 31st Avn Grp, 97th ARCOM, Ft George G. Meade, MD, SSG Commons was once more promoted to SFC. She considers herself an E-21 (having been promoted to E-7 three different times and never been "busted"). In Jul 92, SFC Commons was transfered to the 936th DS Maint Co, Wood River, IL. In Sep 94, she was once again transferred. This proved to be her final duty assignment - AR-PERSCOM then called ARPERCEN.

On June 11, 1999 Sergeant First Class Susan M. Commons Retired From the Army Reserve Personnel Command, St. Louis, MO.

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                                     Hawthorn Memorial Gardens
                                          Grants Pass Oregon

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                                                SGT Carol J. Buchta
                                                       1933-2011
                                             Post Commander VFW # 1341
                                                    Bull Shoals AR
                        
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: ( Ron Morgan)

                                    Northshore garden of memories Cemetery
                                                  North Chicargo ILL

Graveside Services for Carol J. Buchta of Mountain Home, Arkansas, formerly of Waukegan, IL will be in Northshore Garden of Memories Cemetery in North Chicago on Friday March 11, 2011 at 10AM. Visitation was held Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Kirby & Family Funeral Home in Bull Shoals, AR with Military Honors performed by the Bull Shoals Veterans of Foreign War Post #1341.

Carol passed away peacefully at home March 6, 2011. She was 77 years old. Carol was born April 26, 1933 at Evanston, IL to Stanley and Martha Anna Knox Daley.

Carol was a United States Army Veteran serving as a Sergeant in the Korean War and a Military MP. She devoted her life to public service after leaving the military becoming the first female police officer for the Waukegan, IL police force. Carol went to work for the US Postal Service after serving 12 years as a police officer. She retired in 1993 to Mountain Home, AR. Carol was an active member of the Veteran's of Foreign War serving as a 40-year lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary, past Commander of the VFW Post #1341 and current District 2 Commander in Arkansas. She enjoyed fishing with her constant companions, Kelly and Jean.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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                                         SFC Lynn Frances Livingston
                                                       1942-2011
                                               

Lynn Frances Livingston died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, after a yearlong battle with cancer.
She was born July 2, 1942, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Hugh Boyd and Ethelyn Margaret (Hansen) Livingston. She grew up in Dubois, Wyo., and graduated from Dubois High School in 1960.
Lynn entered the U.S. Army in 1962 and retired as a sergeant 1st class in 1982. During her tour she served at duty stations in Alabama, California, Colorado, Germany, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Following her retirement, she pursued her love of animals by opening a boarding kennel in Anniston, Ala. She also continued to work for the Defense Department as a civil servant at the Anniston Army Depot and Holloman Air Force Base, from where she subsequently retired in 2006.
Lynn's warm personality and huge heart, combined with a career that took her throughout the country and overseas, garnered her an abundance of friends whom she spoke of fondly and dearly cherished. She loved road trips to visit friends and family. She also loved cheering on her two favorite football teams, the Auburn Tigers and the Denver Broncos.
Lynn's final days were spent under hospice care at the home of her niece in Portland, Ore., where she spent quality time with her family.
She is survived by two brothers, Hugh Boyd Livingston Jr., of Dubois, and James Livingston, of Lake Forest, Calif.
At Lynn's request, no funeral services were held. A celebration of her life will take place later this year in Dubois, where her ashes will be spread over her parents' graves overlooking the ranch where she grew up.
If desired, donations in Lynn's honor may be made to the League for Animal Welfare in Anniston (www.leaguepets.org) or to a local animal charity.

(Obit- Wac chapter 62, the channel)



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                                            SGM Martha J. McBroom
                                                      1936-2011
 
                                               

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(photo- find a grave voluteer rickey summar)

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                                      MEMORIAL GARDENS CEMETERY
                                                 Amarillo Texas

ANNISTON, Ala. - Sergeant Major Martha J. McBroom, 74, of Anniston, died on Aug. 16, 2011, at the Veteran's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Local arrangements are by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Coulter Chapel, 8310 Coulter St. Memorial services for Sergeant Major McBroom will be at noon Saturday in Women's Army Corps Memorial Chapter in Fort McClellan by Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

Sergeant Major McBroom was born Aug. 18, 1936, in Canyon, Texas. She enlisted in the U.S. Army and during her 23 year military career she was promoted to every enlisted grade from Private to Sergeant Major. Upon completion of basic training and graduation from Clerical Training School at Fort McClellan, she was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Va., with a subsequent assignment to Heidelberg, Germany, where she performed administrative duties.

In 1960, she was assigned to the U.S. army Recruiting Service. She served in Dallas, Texas, Elizabeth, N.J., Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the U.S. Army Recruiting Liaison Office, Fort McClellan and upon promotion to Sergeant Major, she was in charge of all recruiting and reenlistment for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. She retired from Fort Hood in November 1978.

Sergeant Major McBroom's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, 7th Award and the National Defense Service Medal.

She served as the President of the local Heritage Chapter 62, Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association and from 1990 to 1992, and was the President of the National Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association. She was also a Heritage Chapter 62 representative to the Veterans' Administration Volunteer services in Birmingham.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Funeral Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Mable McBroom; four brothers, Jack McBroom Jr., Alvin Ray McBroom, Orin Lewis McBroom and Jimmy B. McBroom; and a sister, Dorothy Howel.

Sergeant Major McBroom is survived by three brothers, Everett McBroom, Billy Joe McBroom and Delbert McBroom; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the friends of the Army Women's Museum, P.O. Box 1027, Prince George, VA 23875; or the League of Animal Welfare, P.O. Box, 2510, Anniston, Al 36206 or a favorite charity.

Amarillo Globe-News, Aug. 21, 2011. 

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                                                 CSM Yzetta Nelson
                                                        1923-2011
                                               

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(Rob Morton-find a grave photo volunteer)

                                 FIRST WOMAN COMMAND SGT MAJOR  OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY


Nelson, Yzetta L., CSM of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Born September 19, 1923 in Shevlin, Minnesota, she faithfully served her country, church and community in countless ways. During a 26 year Army career, she became the first WAC to achieve the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Upon retirement from the military, she continued her involvement and leadership in the Women's Army Corps, served as Zion Lutheran Church secretary and was both an employee and volunteer for Meals at Home. Preceding Yzetta in death were her parents Laura and Andrew Nelson, sister Zelda, brothers Nolan, Marlin, Ardath, Loren, Andreas and Luverne, three nephews and two nieces. She leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Thelma Nelson and Enza Nelson, fourteen nieces and nephews and many caring friends and colleagues. Memorials may be directed to River of Life Lutheran Church, United States Army Women's Museum at Ft. Lee, Virginia, Meals at Home/North Minneapolis or to the donor's charity of choice. Funeral service 11 AM Friday, May 20 with visitation one hour prior to service and luncheon to follow all at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel  5125 W. Broadway, Crystal 

                           Glen Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery
                                               Crystal  MN

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                       2010

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                                                   PFC  Ruth Douglas
                                                          1910- 2010
 
                                               

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PFC RUTH DOUGLAS : Photo shared by Char Canty

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Photo: findagrave contributor: Lynn Willis

                                                      MSG  Dorothy Frances Middleton
                                               1 July 1920- 16 Jun 2010
 
                                               

She was a WAAC -WAC veteran, born in camden NJ. She was one of the first women in our nation to respond to our country's wartime needs and was a pioneer member of the Women's army corp. She began her career in Fort Leonard Wood MO in 1943 and served in the army for the next 20 years.

She served on various assignments including the Canal zone, Japan, Australia and Europe. She served during the Asiatic- Pacific campaign, american theater, phillipine liberation and the United States Army security agency processing center.

SFC Middleton retired from the military in 1963. She graduated from the University of Alabama where she received her Masters of Education degree in 1967. She taught 3rd grade at Bluff Park Elementary school from 1967-1983.

SFC Middleton was a member of the WAC Heritage chapter 62, Ft McClellan AL, home of the Womens army corp.

                                       Alabama National Cemetery
                                                Montevallo  AL

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                                                 MSG  Diane Kappesser
                                                          1944-2010
                                                Drill Sgt Ft McClellan
                                            Team Member Wac Chapter 62
                                              Honor guard Ft McClellan AL
 
                                                  

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Jacksonville - Memorial services for MSG Diane "Kappy" L. Kappesser, 66, US Army, Retired, will be Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 2:00 pm. at the WAC Chapel on Fort McClellan with Rev. Larry Gardner and the WAC Vets of Chapter 62 officiating. Ms. Kappesser died at RMC in Anniston on Monday, November 22, 2010.

She is survived by her sister, Maryann Pearce of Auburn, NY; several nieces and nephews; and her "adopted son", Ramon Nelson of Jacksonville.

Ms. Kappesser was a 23 year veteran of the US Army and was actively involved with the American Legion Post 57, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Women's Army Corp Veterans' Association. She loved to collect clowns and enjoyed socializing and cooking. Ms. Kappesser had a passion for German memorabilia, especially German food. She was an avid sports fan and was a devoted and faithful friend. To all who knew her, Ms. Kappesser was a true veteran's veteran and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center (JCOC), 206 Francis Street, W, Jacksonville, AL 36265, the League of Animal Welfare, 2726 Bynum Leatherwood Road, Anniston, AL 36201, Post 57 American Legion/Auxiliary, 1501 Pelham Road, S, Jacksonville, AL 36265 or to the WAC Vets Chapter 62, P.O. Box 5577, Fort McClellan, 36205-5577.
 
(Obit- Anniston Star)

                                             ST JOSEPHS CEMETERY
                                                        AUBURN
                                                 CAYUGA COUNTY
                                                       NEW YORK
 

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                                                COL Lorraine A.  Rossi
                                                          1929-2010
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: (Christine S.)

                                    Massachusetts National Cemetery
                                                Bourne MA

Lorraine A. Rossi, Col. Ret. Of Hingham, formerly of Alexandria, VA, and Roslindale, MA, died August 7, 2010 at age 81.

Col. Rossi was a long term member of the Army Women's Foundation and predecessor Boards of Directors and since retiring had been a Director Emeritus. Born in 1929 in Boston, she attended local schools and graduated from Bridgewater State College. In 1952 she received a direct commission in the Women's Army Corps. Following training and a brief assignment at Fort Lee, Va., she was assigned to the group activating the Women's Army Corps Center at Fort McClellan, Ala. Assignments in Phoenix, Ariz., Fort Ord, Calif., and Fort Richardson, Alaska followed.

Overseas assignments included a tour in Japan and later
in Vietnam where she was the senior WAC advisor to The Republic of Vietnam's Women's Armed Forces Corps. from 1971 to 1973. She served on the staff Of WAC director Brig. Gen. Mildred I. Bailey. Next, following graduation from the Army War College and promotion to Colonel, she served as the Deputy Commander of the WAC Center before replacing Col. Shirley Heinze as the last Center Commander. Having worked to activate the WAC Center, she was charged with closing it, which she did on Dec. 31, 1976.

Her last active duty assignment was as the Director of the Army Equal Opportunity Program at the Pentagon. She retired
June 30, 1980. Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service and Army Commendation Medals. Col. Rossi remained active in retirement with Veterans, community, and church affairs. She Served on the Veterans Administration Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, was an active Member of the WAC Veterans Association, and volunteered at the Veterans Administration Hospital near her home.

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                                                 SGM Sylvia Dobson
                                                       1940-2010
                                                      Sr Drill Sgt
                                           3rd US Army Drill Sgt School
                                                   FT Jackson SC
                                               
 
                                

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findagrave photo volunteer: (fox hunt)

                                        Florida National Cemetery
                                                  Bushnell  FL

Funeral Services with full military honors, will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 20, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, For  SGM Sylvia M. Dobson , 70 of the Villiages FL. She passed away  Apr 20 2010. She was born in Vermillion SD, resided in Alabama, where she  raised Llama's. She later moved to Florida and live at the Villiages.
She served with the 1st Logistical command in Viet nam from Nov 1969- Dec 1970. Her medals were: The legion of merit, Bronze Star, Army accommodation (3 awards) Good conduct medal, National defense, Viet nam campaign medal and the presidential unit citation.
 
She retired from the army in 1983. She was a SGM, served in the Women's Army Corps. she was one of 6 women selected to attend Drill sgt school at Ft Jackson SC and stayed on to be the Senior Drill Sgt instructor.
 
 

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                        2009

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photo: findagrave cxontributor- Jane Ellen

                                                SSG   Ann Reisner Quesnel
                                                  2 Mar 1916-  18 Mar 2009
                                                          WWII Veteran
 
                                             

Annabel Moore Quesnel died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at 6.30pm, at VistaCare Hospice Inpatient Ward in Lovelace Hospital, Albuquerque, NM. Annabel was born in Wayland, MO, the daughter of Leonard Henry and Margaret Ahern Moore. The fifth of eight children she grew up on the family farm near St Patrick. She wrote her first poem at the age of 14, and would continue writing all her life.
 
When she was 16 she graduated from the Catholic High School in St Patrick, at which time she received the offer of a full scholarship from a private college, where she hoped to study journalism and art. Because she knew her family could not help her raise the money required to pay for her books, supplies and basic living expenses, however, she turned down the scholarship and went to work in the private sector. 

During World War II she served at the ordnance plant in Des Moines, IA, measuring azide powder for bomb detonator caps. After the war she worked for a time at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, IA, and then enlisted in the US Army in 1950 at the outbreak of the Korean war. She served first in the Cadet Hospital at the US Military Academy, West Point, NY, and then as a surgical nurse on the island of Okinawa, a base in full support of US troops in Korea. She remained in the Army several years after the war (including a stint at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco) and travelled extensively. Later she spent several years in France during which she wrote numerous newspaper articles, and after living in Colorado and Virginia, eventually settled in Albuquerque, NM.

She grew more serious about her writing in the 1990s, and adopted the pen name Ann Cragg. In 1999 a book of 200 of her poems was published under the title 'Ghost and Echoes', which garnered world-wide attention. She received numerous requests to have her poetry included in church worship services, in various anthologies, a cookbook, and one poem was used on the web-site of an English Minister of Parliament. A photograph and a short piece about her was featured alongside her poem 'Taps', in Richard H Schneider's 2002 book 'Taps: Notes From A Nation's Heart'. She collaborated on several musical works with her daughter, composer Jane Ellen, and had plans for two further books at the time of her death: a second volume of poetry and a book of short stories about her early life.

Ann was an extremely private person, yet was known for always being ready to give a helping hand in any way. She gave selflessly and tirelessly of herself and her resources throughout the years. Among her favourite causes were animal welfare, national wildlife, and the Dominican Sisters of Hope in Newburgh, NY, an order which cares for elderly religious who spent their lives teaching school. She made friends more easily with young people than her peers, and was a great source of encouragement to them. She was devoted to her only child and an unflagging supporter of her musical career. Although no longer able to attend Mass, she remained a life-long Catholic and was blessed to receive numerous visits from priests and Eucharistic ministers in her final days. 

Her ashes were interred between the graves of her parents and two of her brothers in the parish cemetery, St Patrick, Missouri, May 28, 2010. The private memorial service was conducted by the Shrine's pastor Fr Paul M Hartley, assisted by her nephew Kenneth Krueger, Jr. Members of her family including her daughter Jane Ellen, her sister Ellen Krueger, and her niece Barbara (Bobbi) Krueger, were in attendance. 

 

Note:  Daughter Jane Ellen said Ann served under the name Ann Reisner

THANK YOU JANE FOR SHARING MEMORIES OF YOUR MOM


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photo: findagrave contributor Jane Ellen

                                    Saint Partrick Cemetery
                                           Clark County
                                              Missouri

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                                       CPT Agnes "IRISH" Bresnahan
                                           5 Oct 1950-  11 Mar 2009
 
                                              

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(photo- find a grave volunteer: Rebecca Thomas- Dutiel)

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Agnes M. Bresnahan, Captain, Retired U.S. Army, of Windham, New Hampshire, known to her friends and family as "Irish," died after a long illness on March 11, 2009. She was the beloved daughter of the late John C. Bresnahan and Agnes Scanlan Bresnahan. Irish attended Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, Massachusetts and graduated from Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont on the ROTC program in 1972. She studied at the University of Texas in the post-graduate program.

Irish trained with the U.S. Army at Fort McClellan in Alabama and proudly served her country stateside and in Germany from 1971 until 1977. She earned The Army Commendation Metal four times, twice with the First Oak Leaf Cluster; she also received The National Defense Metal twice. After retiring from the military, she worked at the IRS as a computer systems analyst until 2005. She was a staunch advocate for veterans' rights. She was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Disabled Veterans of America, the United Female Veterans of America, and the American Legion, among other veterans' groups.

                                           Arlington National Cemetery
                                                     Arlington VA

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                                                BG Mildred Caroon  Bailey
                                                           1919- 2009
                                                       8th WAC Director
                                                   1 Aug 1971- 31 Jul 1975
                                                                                     

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Findagrave photo volunteer :( A. Horan)

                                     ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
                                                    Arlington VA

BG Mildred C. Bailey, a former director of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and the third woman in the U.S. military to attain the rank of general, died July 18 at the Knollwood military retirement residence in Washington, D.C. She was 90. While director of the WAC, from 1971-75, BG Bailey accomplished the task assigned to her by Army Chief of Staff GEN William C. Westmoreland: "to change the image of women in the Army."

During BG Bailey's tenure as WAC director, a period marked by the Vietnam War and social change in which women demanded equality and greater opportunity, the number of women in the Army increased from 13,000 to 39,000, the most since World War II. The allvolunteer Army allowed women to branch out from nursing and clerical roles. Women were allowed, for the first time, to command men; allfemale units were abolished, and women became eligible for campus ROTC programs.

Mildred Inez Caroon was born in Fort Barnwell, N.C., in 1919. She graduated from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina, now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, in 1940. A high school French teacher when World War ? began, she joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in the summer of 1942 at Fort Bragg, N.C., and was sent to Officer Training School at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She was assigned to the Army Air Corps and stationed in Daytona Beach, Ha., where she met and married Marine Sgt Maj Roy C. Bailey. Because military rules forbade fraternization between officers and enlisted soldiers, the couple had to obtain special permission to marry.

BG Bailey taught English to French pilots until the end of the war and then worked as a vocational-guidance counselor officer for veterans. In 1949, she was transferred to Stuttgart, Germany, where she served as an intelligence officer, and in 1953 she returned to the United States to work in the intelligence branch of the Military District of Washington headquarters.

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                                         SGT Sandra A. Church Castelo
                                              1946- 22 Sept 2009
 
                                               

 A resident of St. Amant, she died on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at Gonzales Health Care. She was 63. She proudly served her country during the Vietnam Era in the U.S. Army with 12 years of service. Visitation at Ascension Funeral Home, 426 W. New River St., Gonzales, on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation at St. Mark Catholic Church, Gonzales, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. until a memorial Mass at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Rubin Reynolds, celebrant. Interment in St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery, Reserve. Survived by her daughter, Juana Castelo; sister, Debbie Becnel and her husband, Michael; and brother, Donald R. Church Jr. and his wife, Norma. Preceded in death by her parents, Donald R. Church Sr. and Doris E. Hildago Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806-3822. www.ascensionfuneral.com .

Sandy is remembered by her former WAC Commander at Ft Meade MD, Maj Florence Dunn US Army ret, as a top notch solider, she was the units company admin NCO and Reenlistment NCO. she received a certifcate of Acheivement for achieving 300 % rate in the unit. Sandry also served as the acting First Sgt until a ISG was assigned to the unit . Sandy served at Ft Sheridan ILL and Ft McClellan Al and Germany. She served in the Women's army corps from 1966-1980 and she loved the corps. Sandy was a member of the Womens Vetrerans Association.

Sandy's passing was reported by her husband Joseph Castelo Master Sgt US Army ret.
 

                               ST Peters Catholic Chruch Cemerty
                                     ST John the Baptist Parrish
                                                 Lousianna

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                      2008

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                                                                    MSG Rosemarie Lane
                                                                             1944-2008
 
                                               

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South Paris-Master Sergeant Rosemarie Lane, U.S Army Retired passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans Home in S. Paris on August 2nd, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

She was born October 11, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York.

She entered the Women's Army Corps on October 31, 1963 at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and retired at Fort Bragg, NC in 1986, after 23 years of service she moved to Maine.

In the course of her career she held positions as section chief, squad leader, section sergeant, operations sergeant, drill sergeant, first sergeant, and administrative supervisor.

Her assignments included Fort Ritchie, MD, SHAPE HQ in Paris, France and Beligum, William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, TX, Fort Leonardwood, MO, VIETNAM, Fort McClellan, Alabama, Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station, Cleveland, OH, West Germany and Fort Bragg, NC.

Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/20LC, Army Achievement Medal w/1OLC, Good Conduct Medal 7th Award, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. Armed Forces Honor Medal Second Class, Civic Action Medal Second Class and Drill Sergeant Badge.

Master Sergeant Lane is a graduate of the Noncommissioned Officers Leadership School, Drill Sergeant School, Nuclear Biological and Chemical School and the First Sergeants Course. She also took courses with Maryland State University and Cadsden State Junior College.

After her military career she worked for Day One Substance Abuse in Portland, and the Internal Revenue Service in Lewiston, where she retired in April 2008.

She was an active Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Maine having served as the Post #9459, District #9 and State Commander, she currently held a position on the VFW National Legislative Committee, and was always an advocate for all veterans. Her tireless efforts in protecting the rights of veterans and their dependents will always be remembered.

She was also a member of American Legion Post #153, and several other organizations.

She was predeceased by her mother Catherine Lane, brothers John and Philip Lane, Grandparents Mr & Mrs Anthony Oddo, cousin Anthony P. Oddo, KIA 1970 S. Vietnam.

She is survived by her God child Catherine Novak, nephews John, Michael and Richard Lane, of New York, nieces Annemarie Lane, and Elizabeth Nelson of Arizona, an Aunt Mr. & Mrs. Edward (Fannie) Spikoski and cousins Michael, Ed, Peter and Denise of New York and their families.

Friends and caregivers, Jane Poulin, Anne P. Budris, Joan Hebert and Margaret Whirley of Maine and her extended VFW and LAVFW family nationwide. A special thanks to the staff of the Maine Veterans Home in S. Paris for all the care and support.

Lane-Died in South Paris August 2, 2008. Master Sergeant Rosemarie Lane. At her request there will be no visitation, graveside services will be held at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, followed by a Celebration of Life at VFW Post#9459 in Lisbon in October. Time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Arrangements are under the direction of Weston-Chandler Funeral Home 45 Main St., South Paris.

 

(Obit- Bangor Maine Daily News)



                                  Maine Veterans Memorial Cemerty
                                                 Augusta Maine

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                                                 MSG   Sybil ChanderTucker
                                                 20 Apr 1921- 19 Feb 2008

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: david mcinturff.)

                                          Arlington National Cemetery
                                                    Arlington VA
 
                                               

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                                                MSG  MARY  BASS
                                            30 Sept 1941- 2 Dec 2008
 
                                               

Mary was a retired U. S. Army Vietnam Era veteran. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father; four brothers; and a sister.
Services with full military honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, in Adcock Funeral Home Chapel in Spring Lake. Burial will follow at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.
 
Mary is survived by a longtime friend of more than 30 years, Pat Bordelon of Bunnlevel; children, Tim Bass and wife Gena of Monroe, N.Y., Mary Webb and husband Paul of Charlotte, Dallas Picard and husband Richard of Charlotte and Burk Picard and wife April of Monroe, La.; three sisters, Margaret Cate and Grace Clevenger, both of Knoxville, Tenn., and Julia Price and husband Cecil of Warrensburg, Mo.; two granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
 
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight, Dec. 4, 2008, at Adcock Funeral Home chapel in Spring Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
Services entrusted to Adcock Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
Fayetteville Observer, The (NC) - December 4, 2008
Copyright 2008, The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer
 

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(photo: findagrave member Yetta)

                                 Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery
                                    Spring Lake  North Carolina

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                       2007

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                                           BG Elizabeth P. Hoisington
                                                     1918- 2007
                                               7th  WAC Director
                                             1 Aug 1966-31 Jul 1971
 
                                            

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findagrave photo volunteer: (ann cady)

                                        Arlington National Cemetery
                                                Arlington VA

Army General. One of the first two female soldiers to become general officers. In 1940 Hoisington graduated from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. In 1942 she enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs), later called the Women's Army Corps (WACs) and was assigned to the Aircraft Warning Service in Bangor, Maine. After completing Officer Candidate School and receiving a commission, she deployed to Europe, serving in France after D-Day. She remained on active duty after World War II, commanding WAC units in Japan, Germany and France, and serving in staff assignments in San Francisco and at the Pentagon. In 1966 she became Director of the Women's Army Corps, serving until her 1971 retirement. On June 11, 1970, Hoisington and Anna Mae Hays, Director of the Army Nurse Corps, both received promotion to Brigadier General, making them the Army's first two women generals. General Hoisington's awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. She was the sister of Air Force Major General Perry M. Hoisington II (1916-2006). (bio by: Bill McKern)

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                                              1SG Mavis Jane Highsmith
                                                           "Smitty"
                                                  6 Jan 1933- 6 Apr 2007
 
                                              

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(photo: findagrave volunteer Jerry Van Herrin)

Ms. Mavis J. Highsmith, 74, died Friday night (April 6, 2007) at Satilla
Regional Medical Center (Waycross) following a short illness.
 
She was a native of Brantley County but had resided most of her life in
Waycross. She was the daughter of the late Isaac Edmund Highsmith and Sarah Elizabeth Aldridge Highsmith.
 
She was retired from the U.S. Army. She served in the US Womens Army Corps  and in  the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War during her military career. She served as 1SG at Bragg and  later transfered to San Antonio Texas.
 
The survivors include three sisters, Elizabeth Highsmith Aldridge of Waycross, Mable Highsmith Gillette of Jacksonville, FL, Vinoma Highsmith Condon (husband William F. "Bill") of Lakeland, FL; a brother, William T. "Bill" Highsmith of Jesup; one aunt, Martha Morrison (husband Stanley) of Waycross; and numerous nieces and nephews.
 
A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday (April 10, 2007) at Music
Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Thomas Cemetery. The family will bereceiving friends at the funeral home Monday night from 6 until 8.
 
1SG Highsmith is remembered by friends Apirl and SGT Patricia A. Waid  US Army ret.

                                                    Thomas Cemetery
                                                      Brantley County
                                                           Georgia

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                                                       LTC Dorothy Love
                                                  24 Dec 1923- 23 Dec 2007
 
                                                   

                                            EDGEMONT CEMETERY
                                                    Anniston AL

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COL ANN B. SMITH 2007

                                                         COL  ANN B.  SMITH
                                                                  1930-2007
                                                       

COL US Army
Member Womens Army Corps Heritage chapter 62


FT. PAYNE - Jacksonville resident Colonel Ann B. Smith, USA (Ret) died
shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 23rd, in the DeKalb Regional Medical
Center, Ft. Payne. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. Col. Smith had been in declining health for several years, and was a full-time occupant of Collinsville Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.


Born December 19, 1930 in Quitman, Ga., to Haygood and Irma Smith (nee Mathis), she was a graduate of Quitman High School, and in 1951 graduated with a bachelors degree from Valdosta State University, where she wassubsequently named a Distinguished Alumna. While there, she took part in dance
and dramatic societies. After two years, during which she lived and worked in Atlanta, she entered the Army at Ft. Lee, Va., in the WAC Officer Basic
Course, from which she graduated as a Second Lieutenant.

First assigned to the WAC Training Battalion at Ft. Lee, Va., and Fort McClellan, she saw postings from Roanoke through Forts Sheridan, Riley, Eustis, and McClellan, with
stops in Bremerhaven Germany, the Pentagon, and Vietnam (as Adviser to the Vietnamese Women's Army Forces Corps) to Redstone Arsenal, and the U.S. Army
Command and General Staff College (where she was the first woman platform
instructor since 1942).

She was awarded her Colonel's Eagles in 1976. Her
final assignment was as Director, U.S. Army Casualty and Memorial Affairs, Office of the Adjutant General.

Among many awards and decorations, she received the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; and Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

During the latter years of her military career, she earned
a masters degree in management from Jacksonville State University. She retired in 1981, and took up permanent residence in Jacksonville.

Ann was an active hiker and climber. She also loved driving (and owning) high performance cars, especially Mercedes-Benz Diesels. Not to mention her powerful riding lawn mower. An avid collector, she was particularly fond of
Snoopy, owls, and kaleidoscopes. She enjoyed spending time at her residence on St. George Island, shopping for wood sculpture and pottery, working New York Times crossword puzzles, reading anything in reach, boating,
conversation, fine (and not so fine) dining, word play, feeding her dog pasta, entertaining friends, etymology, Google Earth, and foreign travel. Just to name
a few.

Following her retirement, Colonel Smith continued her pioneering work with the WAC Museum (now the U.S. Army Women's Museum). At the time of her death, she was planning to attend the next meeting of the Museum Board. The
daughter of a church choir director, Ann found a rewarding vocation in the
Presbyterian Church (USA).

A member of the First Presbyterian Church of
Jacksonville, she was Clerk of Session many times. Active in the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, she served as Secretary, Moderator, and Treasurer.

In the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, she was
Clerk of the Council, Recording Clerk of the Presbytery, and Moderator. For the Synod of Living Waters, she was Commissioner from the Presbytery to the Synod, as well as Moderator and Secretary/Historian for the Women of the
Synod of Living Waters.

She is survived by her brother, Don Smith of Atlanta, and a loving circle of exceptional friends.

A memorial service will be at the First Presbyterian Church of
Jacksonville Saturday, September 29 at 2 p.m., CDT with the Rev. Margaret Northen officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor for one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First
Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, P.O. Box 355, Jacksonville, AL 36265.
Online condolences to: .
K.L. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 322 Nisbet Street, N.W.
Jacksonville, AL 36265

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                        2006

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(photo: norwich university newletter)

                                         COL  Elizabeth Helen Branch
                                            17 July 1917- 20 Feb 2006
 
                                             

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The University has learned that Norwich Trustee Emerita COL Elizabeth H. "Betty" Branch, USA (Ret.), 88, died February 26, 2006, at Mt. Vernon Hospital, Mt. Vernon, VA, following a stroke.

Betty served her country on active duty for over 30 years, a service that took her around the world. She enlisted in the WAC in July 1942, and was in one of the early OCS classes at Ft Des Moines, IA. In 1959, as a major, she became the first WAC officer to head a division of the Army Ordnance Guided Missile School at Redstone Arsenal, Al, and from 1966 to 1968, she served as the Women's Army Corps (WAC) Center Commander. When the restrictions on women's promotions were lifted in late 1967, Betty was on the first list of women promoted to full colonel. In 1971 she was assigned to the MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) as the command historian. She remained in that assignment for 18 months, retiring soon after her return.

A University Trustee for 19 years beginning in 1978, COL Branch was elected Trustee Emeritus in 1997. She received the Board of Fellows Outstanding Service Medallion in 1999.

Betty is survived by two neices and two nephews and her friend,
Catherine Bander. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 3, at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Myer Chapel. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Norwich University Endowment Fund, Northfield, VT 05663 or The US Army Women's Foundation, Box 5030, Fort Lee, VA 23801. For more information, please contact
kgothard@norwich.edu.

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- Juanita Sloan Lowrance)

                                                  MSG  Patricia Kristof
                                                17 Mar 1947- 5 Dec 2006 
                                                       US Army Ret
 
                                                

 
 
Patricia Frances Kristof, daughter of the late Allen Lawrence and Jeanette Jane (Ready) Kristof, was born March 17, 1947 in Shawano, Wisconsin where she grew up and attended school. As an infant, she was baptized in the Catholic Church.
 
Patricia enlisted in the United States Army and served her country for 13 years in active duty and then retired from the United States Army Reserves. She had earned the rank of Master Sergeant. She was the first female Drill Sergeant on Fort Leonard Wood. She aso served as a Drill Sgt, Ft McClellan AL, Women's Army Corps basic Training. For her faithful service, she was awarded several awards and commendations, some of which include: National Defense Service Medal 2nd Award, Army Achievement Medal 2nd Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Drill Sergeant Badge and M16 Marksman Badge.
 
Patricia was a very active person. After retiring from the military, she was employed with Civil Service as an equipment handler. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, fishing and going to the casinos. She was a volunteer for several organizations. She helped with Frogfest that is held every year in Waynesville. She was a member of the American Legion #331, the American Legion #331 Ladies Auxiliary and the Salon 847. Patricia was the first female commander for the American Legion. She was also a Licensed Practical Nurse.
She departed this life the morning of December 5 at her home in Laquey, Missouri, at the age of 59 years.
 
Patricia is survived by 5 siblings: Allen Lawrence "Mike" Kristof, Jr. and wife, Judy of Tilleda, WI, Frank Kristof and wife, Bonnie, and Ruth Michonski and husband, Ben all of Marion, WI, John Kristof and wife, Karen of Portage, WI and Jim Kristof and wife, Faith of Wittenberg, WI; her cousin: Carol Ann Welch of Laquey and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.
 
A memorial service with military honors was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9, in the Memorial Chapel of Waynesville-St. Robert with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. The songs ?Just A Closer Walk With Thee? and ?Amazing Grace? performed by the 399th Army Band was played. Soloist Becky Lercher sang Kris? favorite Christmas song, ?O Holy Night?. Members of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post 331 and the Salon 8/47 rendered their honors and gave beautiful eulogies. Carol Welch thanked everyone for attending the service and encouraged everyone to volunteer in Kris? memory. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville-St. Robert.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Kris Kristof to the American Cancer Society or the American Legion Post 331 and may be left at Memorial Chapel of Waynesville-St. Robert.
 
 
Newspaper Title: Richland Mirror
Newspaper Location: Richland, MO, US
Obituary Publication Date: 14 Dec 2006
 

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                                                SFC PatsyJean Deckard
                                                           1946-2006
 
                                                                                       

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findagrave photo volunteer: Mike Knisley)

                                          Missouri Veterans Cemetery
                                                Springfield Missouri

SFC (Retired) Patsy Jean Deckard retired from the United States Army with 16 years of service. She was a member of the Heritage Chapter 62, Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association, and a sponsor for Women in Military Service for America.

Her awards and decorations include: The Army Commendations Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal 5th Award, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon (2), Drill Sergeant Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Expert Rifle Badge and Sharpshooter Badge for Grenades.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 11, 2006, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, Missouri with full military rites by the United States Army. 

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                                          COL Patricia L. Accountis
                                                     1930-2006
 
                                         
 
                            

COL Patrica L. Accountis, from Ohio passed away 7 Nov 2006 in San Antonio Texas, after a 8 month battle with lung cancer at age 75. COL accountis served on the board of Directions for the WAC Foundation. She graduated from the University of Ohio and was commissioned an officer as a 2LT in 1952 in the Women's Medical Specialist Corps, which later designated in 1957 as the Army Medical Specialist Corp's.

She was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and served in hospital and staff positions in the US and overseas. She completed the Dietetic Intern Program at Walter Reed. In 1966 she was the first Army dietician assigned to Viet Nam where she did ground breaking work establishing the hospital food service program.

She served as Chief dietitian section for the Office of the Surgeon General and also Health services command in San Antonio Texas. When she retired she continued to work as a dietitian and was a member of many professional and military organizations to include, The state and American Dietetic associations. American Legion, Women's Overseas League, Kiwanis club and WAC veteran association Heritage chapter 62.

COL Accountis was buried with full military honors at the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antionio Texas. She is survived by her sister Barbara Wies and brother Gaylord Accountis. 

 

(Wac Foundation The Flag pole)


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findagrave photo volunteer: Kenny&Julie)

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

                                   Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery
                                              San Antonio Texas

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                                                   CPL  Frances Victor
                                               26 Jul 1918-  28 Oct 2006
 
                                                

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- Ed Saye)

                                                   Oconee Hill Cemetery
                                                           Athens GA

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                               2005

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(photo- find a grave volunteer Anthony S.)

                                                    COL Mary Agnes Halleren
                                                                1907- 2005
                                                        3rd  WAC Director
                                                     5 Mar 1947- 2 Jan 1953
 
                                                      

United States Army Officer. She was the former director of the Women's Army Corps (WACs), and the first woman to officially become an officer in the United States Army. She joined the WACs shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 and was rapidly promoted through the ranks. Throughout her career, she was a staunch supporter of the role of women in the military, believing that they could fill more than just traditional positions reserved for women, such as cooks and secretaries. With her support, women in the Army were soon filling more than two hundred positions. She retired from military service in 1960, after which she served in the United States Department of Labor until her retirement in 1978. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1996. Colonel Hallaren died at the Arleigh Burke Pavilion in McLean, Virginia from complications resulting from a stroke. (bio by: Steve Niederloh)

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(photo: findagrave contributor: William Sweeney)

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(photo: fndagrave conributor William Sweeney)

                                        Saint Patrick Cemetery
                                                  Lowell MA

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                                                COL  Emily C. Gorman
                                                      1909-2005
                                                  6th WAC director
                                               1 Aug 1962- 31 Jul 1966
 
                                               

Few of the "younger" generation have ever heard of her, but COL Gorman
had
great impact on women in the army in the mid 1960s. At the time there
were
serious retention problems, particularly with WAC NCOs. Jobs that could
be
done by women under the rules at the time weren't open because TDAs
(Tables
of Distribution and Allowances, the manning documents) did not provide
for
the assignment of women. The result was that many good NCOs left the
service. In addition, in part because of the limited jobs, there were
more
limited opportunities for NCO promotions. While these changes would
have
come in time, she was an active leader in pushing for more opportunity
and
greater equity.

Colonel Emily C. Gorman (USA-Retired), the sixth Director of the Women's
Army Corps, died on July 4, 2005 following a stroke She was 96. She was
a native of New York State and a graduate of Cornell University. She had
been a teacher and was a personnel officer in Syracuse, NY when she
enlisted in the WAAC in 1942.

She graduated from the WAAC Officer Candidate School, Ft Des Moines, IA
with Class # 5. She was assigned to Washington DC where she served as
the WAC staff advisor to the Surgeon General. At the end of the war she
was sent to Berlin as the executive secretary for the Allied Control
Authority. She recalled one meeting (when the Allies were cooperating)
where she sat three rows behind General Dwight Eisenhower and Marshal
Georgi Zhukov.

Colonel Gorman served several tours in Washington, DC, including one as
Deputy Director/WAC, before being selected to replace WAC Director,
Colonel Mary L. Milligan in February 1962. A Washington Post article
appearing at the time noted: "Colonel Gorman is a trim, rather tiny
lady with graying hair and a pert smile..She lives in a well appointed
house, attends the theatre regularly, likes to cook and plays bridge.
Military life does not preclude a varied and interesting private life,
she points out."

In August 1966 she was succeeded by COL Elizabeth P. Hoisington. An
article in the Post reported on a retirement reception and quoted
Colonel Gorman as saying that her army service was "the most wonderful
24 years a woman could ever have." Two quotes from generals attending
the reception included: "Taking a peak into the future, one of the
guests, LTG Ben Harold admitted the possibility that one day women might
be called in to fight...on the battlefield." BG Frank Izenour added:
"That's true. In fact, they're pretty good soldiers right now."
[Aside: Consider the women who have serving today combat in Iraq and
Afghanistan, the women who have been killed
in action or died as a result of their wounds, and the recent award of
the
Silver Star to SGT Hester. In fact, women are good soldiers. Right
now.
pj]

Colonel Gorman is well covered in _The Women's Army Corps 1945 to 1978_
by Colonel Bettie J. Morden who cites many highlights from her tenure as
Director. She led the fight to remove restrictions (imposed by law) on
officer promotions that had limited women to the permanent grade of LTC.
The only colonels authorized at the time were the corps' directors, one
for the WAC and one for the AMEDD (ANC). While the law (PL 90-130, Nov
1967) wasn't changed until after her retirement, she was instrumental in
moving it along through years of hurdles and reversals. The next summer
saw the first group of non-director WAC colonels promoted (Woodworth,
Branch, Michl, Kehrer, Carlson, and Guyette). The first generals were
selected in early 1970 (Elizabeth P. Hoisington and Anna May Hayes ANC)
and promoted that summer. COL Morden's book is available in its
entirety on line at the Center for Military History web site at
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wac/.

She also worked to eliminate retirement inequities and pushed for
implementation of interchangeable coding on TDAs opening positions and
promotions for enlisted women and officers. The planning for the
deployment
of the WAC Detachment to Vietnam began under her tenure.

She is survived by a niece, Nancy Gorman of St Petersburg, FL and
several great nephews. Burial will be in Pulaski, NY on Friday, July
15th. Additional details are pending.

Pat Jernigan

                                              Pulaski Cemetery
                                               Oswego County
                                               New York  USA

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                                                   MSG  Ethel E. Rowe
                                              6 Dec 1911-- 21 Feb 2005
 
                                                  

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(photo:- find a grave volunteer-ann koch)

                                Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
                                          Snohomish Washington

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                       2004

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                                               MAJ Charlotte Danielski
                                                         1929-2004
 
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: ( Michelle Ward)

                                                Mount Olivet Cemetery
                                                    Detriot Michigan

Maj. Charlotte M. Danielski, 74, of Shelby Township, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb Hospital, Clinton Township. She was born Feb. 14, 1930, in Detroit.
Major Danielski served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years in many posts both domestic and abroad. Relatives said that she remarked that her favorite duty was serving as part of the Army of Occupation in post-war Germany.

After retirement from the Army, she graduated with a master's degree in business from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla. She then became a property manager in civil service positions for the U.S. government in Florida, Utah, Germany and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. She was instrumental in the development of the newly erected veteran's memorial in Shelby Township.

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MSG LORRETTA PHOENIX RET 1LT

                                           1LT  LORRETTA HARRIET PHOENIX
                                                               1924- 2004
                                                            MASTER SGT
 
                                                    

ILT US ARMY
Member Womens army corp chapter Heritage chapter #62
Prior enlisted, MSG


Loretta Harriet Phoenix: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice
Anniston Star, The (AL) - Monday, May 31, 2004
Deceased Name: Loretta Harriet Phoenix
Graveside services for Loretta Harriet Phoenix, 79, of Anniston will be 2
p.m. Wednesday at Forestlawn Gardens with Brown & Kughn Memory Chapel in
charge. The family will receive friends at the funeral home an hour before
the service.
Ms. Phoenix died Saturday at Riverside Hospital in Gadsden.

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photo by findagrave member esther eustaquio


                                        Forestlawn Gardens and Mausoleum
                                                         Anniston
                                                    Calhoun County
                                                     Alabama, USA

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                                              CSM Elizabeth Bodell
                                                      1922-2004
                                               

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Findagrave photo volunteer: Bill Keough)

                                     Anniston Memorial Gradens
                                           Veterans Garden 
                                              Anniston AL

 Command Sergant Major Elizabeth Bodell ,    retired  from the Army after 23 years of active Fedral Service . CSM Bodell entered The Army in December 1950, and underwent her basic training at FT.Lee , VA. Upon graduation from basic, she was selected fpr 8 weeks of leadership training. Among CSM Bodell's first assignments was that of Clerk-Typist at Brooklyn Army Base , Ft. Hamilton, NY.

Her first assighnment at Ft. McClellan was in 1955 as a Platoon Sergeant. Her next assignment was to Headquarters 5th U.S. Army in Chicago, where she served as Admin  NCO, Special service Division, and remained there until 1963.

When asked where she went from Chicago, CSM Bodell replied: " You'll never guess ----back to Ft. McClellan." This time she served as an instructor and Chief  Admin NCO, S3 Training Division, later to become 1SG of Co A, WAC Training Battalion. " I think I've held every enlisted training postion that can be held " she smiled.

In 1967 , Bodell travelled to the hills of Colorado, where she served at First Sergeant of Fitzsimmons General Hospital. After " topping" Fitzsimmons, you guessed it.... back to her old stomping grounds at Ft. McClellan (1968) . This time, she was First Sergeant of Headquarters and Receiving Company, WTB, and In May1969 she  took over the duties as SGM of WAC Training Battalion where
she received her promotion to Command Sergeant Major, she went to Headquarters  WAC Center (later redesignated US WAC Center and School), where she remained until her retirement in July 1974.

As to which assignment she enjoyed most CSM Bodell eplied: " All my tours as A 1st SGT. I feel they were the most rewarding. I've enjoyed my last tour here at  Ft. McClellan very much, and I've seen many changes brought about by WAC Expansion.

When asked of her plans now that she has retired, she said : " I' d like to travel and also further my education, but most of all I just want to enjoy life." Where?
" Why the Ft. McClellan area of course. "

(Obit- Anniston Star)



 

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                           2003

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                                               TEC 4  Evelyn Abbott
                                              26 Apr 1924- 26 Oct 2003
                                                WAAC WWII Veteran
                                               

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Photo: Findagrave contributor: PFORD13


                                               First Parish Cemetery
                                                    York Village
                                                    York County
                                                    Maine, USA

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                                             MSG  Virginia Kudalis
                                           10 Sept 1928- 4 Sept 2003
 
                                               

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(photo- find a grave volunteer J.Holbrook)

Virginia Kudalis- Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Virginia Kudalis, 74, of 26 Wellman Ave, Nashua, died Thursay, Sept 4 2003 in Putnam Conn, following injuries sustained in a car accident

Miss Kudalis was born in Nashua, daughter of the late Anthony and Eva ( Irmalovich) Kudalis. She retired after serving 20 years in the Women’s Army Corps with duty at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Germany and Hawaii. She worked with the Army Security Agency  and Recruiting.

Miss Kudalis was a member of the American Legion Post 48 of Hudson, the WAC veterans Association and the Nashua Senior Citizens club. She reglary supported the Nashua soup kitchen, the Salvation Army, the Nashua Police Association and the animals shelters.

She enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, piking mushroom and nature walks. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles. She was eduacated in Nashua. Survivors include her companion of 24 years, Mina Yeager of Nashua: a brother: Anthony Kudalis Jr of Nashua, a sister Josephine Clemons of Nashua and numberous nephews and nieces.

The Zis-Sweeney funeral home in Nashua is in charge of arrangements.

 

Obit: The Telegraph newspaper

                                                 Holy Cross Cemetery
                                                       Hudson NH
 

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                                                MSG  Dolores Coughlin
                                                17 May 1923- 11 Jul 2003
 
 
                                               

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: Paul Hays)

                                     Arlington National Cemetery
                                                Arlington VA

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                                                   SSG  Rose M. Graham
                                                  25 Apr 1933- 3 Jun 2003
 
                                               

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(Photo- find a grave volunteer- Tom Todd)

                                                   UMW of a cemetery
                                                       New Miners
                                                   Roundup Montana

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                                                    1SG  Roberta Riley
                                                13 Jun 1921-  13 Aug 2003
 
                                               

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- david mcinturrff)

                                      Arlington National Cemetery
                                                Arlington VA

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                        2002

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Photo by Kit and Morgan Benson

                                                           CW2  Mary V. Bender
                                                       30 Jan 1940-  10 Jan 2002

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photo by Loren Bender

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

Single mother and decorated Vietnam veteran, Chief Warrent Officer, who was forced to leave the Army when she became pregnant out of wedlock. Her fight to stay in the Army, while unsuccessful, did result in the Army later changing its regulations to permit single mothers to stay in.

Her son, Joshua, was the result of her pregnancy; she would not name the father. Mary served in the US Army Counter-Intelligence Corps for 9 years, when she became pregnant in 1971. The rules at the time required discharge, but could be waivered; she was not given any choice except to leave service. In Vietnam, she was awarded the Bronze Star and nominated for the Silver Star, but she was involuntarily discharged on 14 Feb 1972. After leaving Army service, she started a Private Investigation firm in Alexandria, Virginia. Many feminists took up her cause to be reinstated, because the Army took no disciplinary action against the fathers of the children, yet the women were often punished for becoming pregnant. Her business failed in 1984, and she became depressed and dependent upon alcohol. In 1985, she lost her home, and Mary spent the remainder of her life homeless, living on the streets, refusing help from her son and other family members. She died homeless.

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                                           MSG Jessie Gregory
                                        3 Dec 1944- 2 Sept 2002
                                              

Member US Army Womans Corps Hertiage Chapter # 62
Retired Master Sergeant and Vietnam Veteran who served at Long Binh, Vietnam October 1969-October 1970 and October 1971-October 1972.
Jessie shares a headstone with Phyllis Bertram, her best friend from Vietnam.
Bio by Marsha Holder

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(photo: findagrave member Pasthunter)

                                     Brevard Memorial park
                                          Cocoa Florida

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Photo courtesy of Carli Drake

                                                    SFC  Phyliss C. Foley
                                                  13 Oct 1938- 28 Apr 2002
 
                                               

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photo courtesy of Carli Drake

                                                    Pittsfield Cemetery
                                                               MA

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                        2001

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(PHOTO: pasthunter)

                                                       1LT Ruth Lola Barbee
                                                                 1911-2001
                                                            US Army WWl
 
                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                    

                                   http://familysearching.tribalpages.com/
                                      Beloved aunt of Linda Thompson

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(photo; Findagrave member Pasthunter)

                                              MAPLE WOOD CEMETERY
                                                      Durham NC

CHAPEL HILL - Miss Ruth Iola Barbee, 83, a
former longtime resident of Windsor Circle in
Chapel Hill, died Friday morning in Britthaven
Nursing Home, in Chapel Hill.
Miss Barbee was a native of Durham and was
educated in the Durham Schools. She was a
graduate of the Guilford General Hospital
School of Nursing. Miss Barbee was a veteran
of World War II where she served as a 2nd
Lieutenant in the US Army Nurse Corps.
Following World War II, Miss Barbee returned
to Durham and began a long career at the
V.A. Hospital, retiring in 1983. She was a
member of Hope Valley Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday
afternoon at 2:00, in the Howerton & Bryan
Funeral Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev.
Lloyd Braswell. Burial will be in Maplewood
Cemetery.

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                                     MSG Norma Jean Mederios
                                                1946- 2001
 
                                               

Master Sgt. Norma Jean Medeiros: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice
Jacksonville News, The (AL) - Friday, March 2, 2001
Deceased Name: Master Sgt. Norma Jean Medeiros

memorial services for Master Sgt. Norma Jean Medeiros, 55, of
Jacksonville, formerly of Fredonia, Ariz., were Saturday at 11 a.m. at the WAC
Chapel at Fort McClellan, with the Rev. Don Gold officiating.

Master Sgt. Medeiros died Feb. 20 in St. George, Utah.
Survivors include her mother, Jessie Rose Brown of Fredonia; three
sisters, five brothers; and longtime friends Linda Pearo and Maj. Kathleen
Zirolli.

During Master Sgt. Medeiros's military career, she was a senior drill sergeant at Fort McClellan, senior personnel sergeant in Korea, first sergeant(training brigade) at Fort McClellan and personnel management supervisor at
Fort McClellan.

Her military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Five Award Overseas Ribbons, Drill Sergeant's Badge and Expert Marksmanship
Badge.

Master Sgt. Medeiros was a former employee of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Center. She was chairwoman of the ways and means committee and president and recording secretary of the Women's Army Corps Veterans
Association, Chapter 62. She was commander and 2nd vice commander of AMVETS Post 77 and was a member and officer of the executive board of American Legion Post
57. She was a 1989 and 1990 graduate of Jacksonville State University, with honors in sociology.

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                                         COL Bettie Jane Morden
                                                  1921-2001
 
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: ( Paul Hayes)

                                          Arlington National Cemetery
                                                     Arlington VA

Enlisted in the Women's Army auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942. She served throughout World War II. Discharged in 1945, she immediately entered Columbia University and graduate in 1949. She then entered the WAC, United States Army Reserve and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.

Recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

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                                                 1SG  Anne Louise Koke
                                                19 Jul 1927- 24 Apr 2001
 
                                               

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photo- findagrave contributor: Steve Byon

                                       Beth El   Memorial Park Cemetery
                                                 Livonia Michicgan

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                                                    SFC  Verna Ruffa
                                                 26 Mar 1925- 12 Sept 2001
 
                                                 

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(Photo: find a grave volunteer- linda farmer ames)

                                     Fort Mitchell National Cemetery
                                                         Alabama

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                                         SFC  Mary K. Sheehan
                                        24  Apr 1931-  23 Dec 2001
 
                                               

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: Maryann Ferguson)

                                       Anniston Memorial Gardens
                                                Veterans Garden 
                                                   Anniston AL

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                        2000

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photo courtesy of the Wac Museum archive Ft Lee VA

                                              COL Mary Jane Grimes
                                                      1924-2000
 
                                               

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findagrave photo volunteer: (jane)

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photo: findagrave contributors: R&S Fines

                                           OAK HILL CEMETERY

                                                Crawford  IN

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                        1999

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photo: Viet Nam womens memorial

                                              1SG  Melba Sue Lindsey
                                                                "LIN"    
                                                27 Jul 1941- 5 Nov 1999
 
                                               

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

 

Melba S (Lin) Lindsey was born 27 July 1941 in East Prairie, Missouri and died on 5 November 1999 in Weaver, Alabama.

 

She was graduated from the New Madrid High School, New Madrid, Missouri in May 1958 at the age of 16.  She worked at Bold Gold Food, Inc., St. Louis and Walgreen City Drugs, Madrid.

 

1SG Lindsey enlisted in the United States Army on 21 March 1964 in St.Louis, Missouri and was assigned to Fort McClellan, Alabama for her basic training.  After graduation from basic, she was assigned to the Leader Orientation Course with further assignment to the Clerical Training Course at Fort McClellan.  Lin stayed at Fort McClellan with administrative assignments to the Dental Clinic, and S-3, Training Division. Women’s Army Corps Training Battalion.  Her duty positions at S-3 included Operations Specialist, Testing NCO and Scheduling NCO.

 

On 8 March 1967 she began her first overseas assignment in Heidelberg, Germany at Headquarters, USASTRATCOM as the Classified Documents Control Supervisor.  While there, 1SG Lindsey volunteered for and was sent to Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4 in Long Binh.  Upon completion of her one year tour, she extended her tour and remained in Vietnam until October 1970 when she was assigned to Fort McArthur, California.  In September 1971, she reenlisted for Germany and was assigned to the U. S. Army Theater Army Support in Zweibrucken as the Personnel Security Specialist for that command.  On 29 September 1972 she was graduated from the Seventh United States Army Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Bad Toelz, Germany.

 

1SG Lindsey returned to Fort McClellan in May 1973 for what turned out to be a six year tour.  She was the first Female Soldier to be assigned to the Field Training Committee and 1974, the first female to be assigned to the Range Committee.  She as an instructor in Defensive Weapons and General Military Subjects and then became the non-commissioned officer-in- charge of the Military Subjects Division.  In 1977 she w as assigned to the WAC Training Battalion and performed duties as a drill sergeant and training NCO.

 

On 18 October 1979, 1SG Lindsey reported to the 2d Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea where she was assigned as the Administrative NCO, Headquarters and Headquarters Company.  She returned to Fort McClellan in 1980, was promoted to FirstSergeant  and assigned to Co E. 1st WAC Training Battalion.  In 1982 she was transferred to Co B, US Army Reception Station, FortMcClellan.

 

First Sergeant Lindsey retired on 1 April 1984 at Fort McClellan, Alabama. 

 

She was a member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association, Heritage Chapter 62 and the American Legion, Post #57.

 

First Sergeant Lindsey’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star for Meritorious  Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam,Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal  1st OLC, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Overseas Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w “2” Device and Expert Marksmanship Badges, Rifle and Pistol.

 

First Sergeant Lindsey is survived by her mother,  Artie May Morlan, New Madrid, a sister, Gail Stephens,  St. Louis, three brothers,  Jerry Lindsey, Jewett, TX, Wayne Morlan, New Madrid, Tommy Morlan and Ingrid Gurczak, lifetime friend and primary care giver.  She was preceded in death by her father, Police Officer Doyce Lindsey, who as killed in the line of duty when Lin was only eleven years old.

 

Memorials by be made to the WAC Veterans Association, P.O. Box 5038, Fort McClellan, AL 36205.

 

obit provided by  CSM Helen Johnston US army Ret

 

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(photo: findagrave volunteer Jan Farrenburg )

                                                  Evergreen Cemetery            
                                                       New Madrid
                                                   New Madrid County
                                                       Missouri, USA

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                                                CSM Helen Allen
                                                     1934-1999
 
                                              

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findagrave photo volunteer: (maryann ferguson)

                                         Anniston Memorial Gardens Cemetery
                                                     Veterans Garden    
                                                        Anniston AL

member US Womens Corps hertiage chapter #62, wife of Robert Grant Allen MSG US Army.

Graveside services for Helen Hoback Allen of 6313 Perry street will be Friday at 10am in the Anniston Memorial Gardens cemetery, With Ft McClellan post chaplain White. Memembers of Heritage chapter 62 of the WAC veterans association and friends officiating.

The family will receive friends tonight 6 to 8 pm at the Chaple Hill funeral home chaple. Mrs Allen died wednesday at university hospital in Birmigham. Survivors include her husband MSG Robert Allen of Tampa Fl, a sister Elise Ruth Adtkins of Huntington WV, a brother Charles Michael Hoback of Fort Washington and primary caregivers Betty J Benson and Judith Ann Jones.

Pallbearers will be military. Helen was a native of Huntington WV and lived in Anniston. She was army veteran and a retired command sgt major with 26 years of service.
She served on the board for the Calhoun county boys and girls clubs and board of womens army corps foundation and was the National president of the WAC vets association. She was a member of American Legion post 57 Jacksonville and the league of aninmal welfare.

Helen was awarded the Meritorius service medal, Army accommendation medal,Good conduct medal and the National defence medal.

(Obit- Anniston Star)



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                                                  SFC Alice Shoales
                                               28 Dec 1918- 21 Oct 1999
 
                                               

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(photo: Find a grave volunteer- Dapper)

                                 Maine Memorial Verteran Cemetery
                                            Augusta  Maine

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                        1998

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- Diggin up Bonz)

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

                                         MAJ  Anne Merle Whitman
                                          22 Sept 1930- 12 Jul 1998
 
                                               

                                          Pine Level Cemetery 
                                                    Alabama
                                         

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                        1997

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photo by findagrave member Mike Rath

                                                   1SGT  Teresa Paul
                                                 25 Apr 1957- 16 May 1997
 
                                               

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(Photo: Find a grave volunteer: robert fitch)

                                       Cunningham Memorial Park Cemetery
                                                        Saint Albans
                                                       West Virginia

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                                                     LTC Maxine Roberts
                                                 26 Jan 1931-  3 Dec 1997
 
                                               

                                        Springfield National Cemetery
                                              Springfield Missouri

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                                                 LTC  Ellen Hooge Mott
                                                          1947- 1997
 
                                              

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(photo- find a grave volunteer: Paul Hays)

                                       Arlington Nation Cemetery
                                               Arlington VA

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                                        SFC  Elsie Moses Sadowsky
                                            27 Feb 1922-  9 Oct 1997
 
                                               

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- laelliott)

                                     Maryland State Veterans Cemetery
                                                Owing Mills  MD

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                                          MSG  Mozelle Ophella Demoss
                                             4 Sept 1930-  1 Jul 1997
 
                                               

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: BO)

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photo: findagrave contributor: BO

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                                1995

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                                   http://familysearching.tribalpages.com/
                                      Beloved aunt of Linda Thompson

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(photo:L findagrave member VINCE)

                                                    Betty Couch Barbee
                                                 16 Nov 1923- 11 Aug 1995
                                                         US Navy WW2
 
                                                 

Betty Pearl Couch, graduated from High School completing  4 years commerical cource of study. She enlisted in the US navy 18 Dec 1943, Akron Ohio. Betty entered active duty on 6 Jan 1946, under a two year enlistment contract USNR. She attended  the navy school for Aviation Mechanic's Mate in the Bornx NY, she had 5 weeks of Navy training and another 24 weeks of NATTC in Norman OK for Aviation Mach Mate school. Betty served during WW2.
 
Prior to joing the Nanvy Betty wass employed by  Palmer Match Company in Akron Ohio, she was a Folding and Stapling match operator from Sept 1942 to Dec 1943. Betty progressed through the ranks of AS,S2c,S1c, AMM3c and finally AMM2nd class.
 
Betty was awarded and authorized to wear the American Campaign ribbon and the WW2 Victory ribbons.According to her discharge  information on Services Vessels and stations, USNAS Bunkerhill, Ind, USNAVPERSEPCENT, Great Lakes Ill and Waves Sepcent Great lakes Ill.

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(photo: findagrave member: SWF)

                                             Forrest Lawn Cemetery
                                                     Norfork VA

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                                                 LTC Williemae Mae Oliver
                                                                "Billie"
                                                              1928-1995
 
                                                   

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Photo findagravecontribuor: david mcinturff

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VIETNAM WOMEN VETERANS: DONNA LOWERY

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Photo: Findagrave contrubutor Laura

                                                 MSG Dorothy C. Bode
                                               25 Nov 1915- 11 Nov 1995
                                                     "Auntie Dorothy"
 
                                                 

Master Sgt, served in the Womens Army Corps 24 Aug 1944- 24 May 1963 during WWII, Korea and Vietnam conflicts. 

                                FT Sam Houston National Cemetery
                                           San Antonio Texas

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                                          COL Oveta Culp Hobby
                                                    1905-1995
                                            1ST  WAC Director
                                          16 May 1942- 11 Jul 1945
 
                                               

US Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; organized the Women's Army Corps. Oveta Culp was born in Killeen Texas on January 9, 1905. She was brought up with a strong sense of duty by her parents, who promoted in her a conviction in both the law and charity, and studied hard as a child. She received her degree in law from the University of Texas in 1925, and in 1931 married former Texas governor and newspaper publisher William Hobby. Working as an editor on her husband's paper The Houston Post from 1931 until 1938, when she was promoted to Executive Vice-President, she also took the reigns as president of the League of Women Voters of Texas. When in Washington DC on business concerning the radio station she and her husband had just purchased, she was approached by a representative of the War Department to help organize a women's section of the Army. Although she initially refused, citing family and business obligations, she helped draw up an organizational plan. It was so impressive she was asked again to help put the plan in action, and this time she accepted. She was officially head of the Women's Interest Section, War Department Bureau of Public Relations, from 1941-1942. When America was attacked at Pearl Harbor, she made a speech in Chicago that was called "the nation's first declaration of war" by General George Marshall. Her role grew swiftly, speaking before Congress on the plans for women in the Army, and so impressed the military brass that she was made the new director of the Women's Army Corps, with the rank of colonel. By 1944, her WAACs were requested by military commanders around the world; in January 1945 she became the first woman to receive the Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding service; in July of 1945 she had to resign from her post due to exhaustion. After a brief rest, she returned to public service: from 1946-1947 she was a board member of the Red Cross and the American Cancer Society; in 1948 she was a delegate to the United Nations. When Eisenhower became a candidate for president, she was active in his behalf; when he was elected he appointed her as the first Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, the precursor to both the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services today. She was the person who legalized Jonas Salk's polio vaccine. Resigning in 1955, she spent the years afterwards as she did her earlier life, in service to her fellow men, receiving numerous honorary doctorates and awards, heading boards both charity, scholarly and business, until her passing on August 16, 1995. (bio by: Screwtape) 

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: Joel Berry)

                                                   Glenwood Cemetery
                                                      Houston Texas

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                                                  SGT Janice Carraway
                                                 5 Dec 1931- 10 Aug 1995
 
                                                  

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- Tombstoner and family)

                                                
                                              Huntington Garden of Memory
                                                     Huntington Indiana
                                   

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                                 1994

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                                                 MAJ  Barbara Irene Sollee
                                                          1947-1994
 
                                                                                                 

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photo findagrave contrubutor: richard pittman.

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                                                MAJ    Amy Madison
                                             31 Oct- 1942-  10 Feb 1994
 
                                               
 
                              

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- kathi

                                  Fort Jackson National Cemetery
                                           Columbia S.C.

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                                1993

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                                           LTC  FLORA G. THOMPSON
                                                      1931- 1993
 
                                              

Flora G. Thompson was born in Fisk Missouri on 28 June 1931 and passed away in Anniston AL on 28 Dec 1993.
 
She attended schools in Pontiac, Michigan and Winamas, India and was graduated from High School in 1949. Jerry attended Ball State Teachers College, Muncie  Indiana from September 1950 to December 1951 and Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri from December 1951 to June 1952.
 
She enlisted in the United States Army in September 1953, undergoing basic training and attending Leadership school at Ft Lee, Virginia. Jerry was assigned as cadre at Fort Lee until she moved with the WAC center to Fort McClellan AL in June 1954.
 
She moved from October 1955 to September 1957 in Company C, 7774 signal service Battalion in Heidelberg Germany. Jerry retured to the US Army Recruiting Service in Detroit, Michigan and Chiscargo, Illinois until February 1960 when she was appointed as a Second Lieutenant, USAR.
 
She graduated from Womens Officer's Basic course in July 1960. Her military education also included graduation from the University of Omaha in 1966: Women Officers Career course in 1967 and Command and General staff College in 1969.
Jerry served as Commander of the WAC Detachments at Presidio of the San Franciso and Oakland, California: Fort Shafter , Hawaii, Fort Huachuca , Arizona and Heradquaters and Headquarters Company, WAC Center, Fort McClellan Alabama.
 
Her field grade assignments included Command and Genmeral Staff College: Officer Personnel Division, WAC Branch, Pentagon, Advisor to the Korean Women's Army Corps: Executive officer, 1st WAC Training Battalion, Fort McClellan Alabama. Jerry's final assignment was as Adjutant General, 21st Support Command Kaiserslautern, Germany.
 
She retired on 31 May 1977. She was an avid golfer, and also participated in softball, basketball and bowling. Her awards and decorations include the Meterious Service medal: Joint service commendation medal: Army Commendation medal w/1st oak leaf cluster: Good Conduct Medal  2nd award: Armed forces Expeditionary medal and the National Defence  service medal w/ oak leaf cluster.
 
Jerry was a volunteer with the AIDS clinic in Hobson City for three years. Interement will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials contributions can be made to the first united methodistr church, Jacksonville: WAC foundation> American lung association: AIDS clinic of Hobson City or charity of your choice.

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- Ann Caddy)

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                                               1992

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                                          COL Vashti Volina Jefferies
                                          10 Jun 1925-   3 Feb 1992
 
 
                                             

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photo by findagrave member Jerry

                                          Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery
                                                     Fort Bragg NC

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                                   1991

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                                                SGT Helen Johnston
                                                9 Mar 1909- 5 Oct 1991
                                                 WAAC WWII Veteran
 
                                                

SGT Helen Johnston, 82 of Cornning Iowa, daughter of George and Mary Johnston passed away in Flint Michigan. Helen joined the WAAC 5 Nov 1942, entering the military from CA, according to her army enlistment record from NARA, She was notated as being divorce with no dependents.

Helen had been stationed at Ft Meade SD for 10 months, working in a branch of the Quartermaster, working as a stock clerk for clothing and equipment and she had qualified for overseas duty.

She spent several months with a WAC unit in Brisbane Austrailia before being assigned to the Signal corp, US Army forces in the Pacific. She continued her present duties somewhere on Luzon.

Helen spent 14 1/2 months serving in Dutch New Guinea and the Phillpines, stationed at General Headquarters of the Signal Intelligence service working with the Australians.

On 8 Dec, she was discharged from the WAAC, at Camp Beale CA, after suffering from a attack of Marlaria. Her service awards include the Asiatic ribbon w/ 2 battle stars, WAAC service ribon, Good Conduct Medal, Phillpines liberation medal w/one star and the Victory medal. Helen hoped she could stay in the same line of work she did as a civilain that she did in the army.

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LETTER HOME TO HER PARENTS:Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, July 5, 1945, Page 1 [Adams County]



Our Men and Women In The Armed Forces

The following letter is from Sgt. Helen I. Johnston, member of the WAC stationed near Manilla (sic), written to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Johnston of Cornin

Outside Manila, Sunday, June 10, 1945

Dear Mother and Estelle:

Goodby to New Guinea and off we went to the wild blue yonder to live plenty bumpy weather and clouds looked like bunches of cotton on a mirror below -Planes loaded to the gills with GIs, WACs and really sweated the trip stopped at a place just recently taken by the Japs. Zeros all over every place, rising sun on the wings and side. Oh, what a place– the 1st place we stopped unexpectedly and all Marines -they put us in Office quarters and mess hall-negro waiters and cooks -table cloths and silverware and saw. he remains trembly [?]. We left and stopped at another well known Island from there flying conditions were rugged over a Bay -still bombing -hitting the clouds storm -you can't imagine -we went up to 11,000 feet -the heat was off, the radio out, the 2 of us side by side sometimes in formation, until we hit clouds -we landed 2 1/2 hours later th, expected while others were turning back, we finally made a 3 point landing safe and. sound and weak Yanks loaded us WACs, bags, and drove through Philippine Streets waving and cheering. First WACs this far north -what a strange drive on our 1st pavement and. 0 an estate owned by a wealthy family and Japs took over not a day past there isn't one killed here in our area -it's a beautiful estate have our cots in all the rooms, 2 heated bathrooms until our houses are finished all green grass -shady trees, all kinds of flowers, orchids, Gardenias,. Women all came after our washing and traded bananas and seeing them pineapples and eggs, potatoes for money and cigarettes and magazines -a, cleaned up in white dresses we girls are all by ourselves -no other detachments -we're restricted for a while till the Japs are cleaned out then we can go to Manilla (sic), which• is in ruins. The detachment is still living in places that smell of bodies we are out in a country here from everything except lizards, spiders and plenty of ants, have a large front and back yard, all shaded and green -a fish pond, pretty birds, nice fresh air well this is heaven. We have our offices close by where we live and mess hall, start to work tomorrow, plenty of foxholes and planes around, never saw so many water buffaloes working in rice fields, people riding and driving them I see plenty of chickens, geese, goats an pigs, people living in straw huts up on stilts and the animals underneath. The little girls, 4 and 15, talk: good English, plenty smart, they said the GIs are so good to them before w came, we're the 1st WACs they've seen and can't do enough for us. We're living now like some one in a new world.

This is the rainy season but is cool today. I received 2 of my Xmas boxes, everything had to be thrown away except the sardines and olives. I received them on arriving here, but couldn't say where we were before -half mile from MacArthur's home, been in it -now its all officers. Am I ever glad to be away from New Guinea, just a dream and a horrible one here its like a place you were out in Calif. –large windows, sun porches, all screened in,
wood and marble floors, all open rooms. We just love it, soon as our houses are built, this
will be our Recreation Hall. Soon as our restriction is lifted, I'll trace down, my furniture given me by my Seabees friends. Our Co. has a radio and now is out. I'm sending those to mother, will save writing, just wish you could be here, the air is wonderful, all level, am healthier already, aged 10 years in New Guinea. Just to let you know I'm in Luzon, note my address.

Love to you both.

Sgt. Helen L Johnston

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                          1990

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                                           1SG   Lorraine Duncan
                                           20 Apr 1929- 27 Dec 1990
 
                                               

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(photo- find a grave volunteer- Dapper)

                                  Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery
                                                Augusta  Maine

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                         1989

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                                             COL  Linda Grace Burch
                                              6 Nov 1944-  28 Apr 1989
 
                                               

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(photo: find a grave volunteer- Paul Hays)

                                ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
                                                 Arlington VA

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                        1987

                                             Lenore Vivian Martin WAAC
                                               10 Jun 1921- 10 May 1987
 
                                               www.findagrave.com
                                                Memorial  16235845
                                

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(photo: find a grave volunteer ken record)

                               Post Oak Spring Baptist Church Cemetery
                                              Jacksonville AL

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                       1984

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                                              SGT Rosemary Monroe
                                                      1951- 1984
 
                                              

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findagrave photo volunteer: (six dog team)

                                                               Markle Cemetery

                                                                      Indiana

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                                1980

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                                        MAJ Margaret Kirchmaier
                                         25 Feb 1937- 9 Sept 1980
 
                                              

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photo- findagrave contributor Paul Hays

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                                1977

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                                                   Betty Jurgensen
                                                US Army WAAC  WWII
                                                         1922- 1977
                                                

                                          WOOD LAWN CEMETERY
                                                 Sioux Falls  SD

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                                 1972

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                                          COL Westray Battle Boyce Long
                                                       1901- 1972
                                                2nd  WAC Director
                                              12 Jul 1945- 4 Mar 1947

 Few North Carolina men, and no Tar Heel women, had a more distinguished service record in World War II than Colonel Westray Battle Boyce. Born in Rocky Mount, Westray (the surname of an ancestor) Battle attended the Woman’s College but did not graduate. She worked in insurance until 1934 when she took the first of several positions in Washington with New Deal agencies. In August 1942 she entered training for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, which became a part of the Army in September 1943 when the name was changed to the Women’s Army Corps (WACs).

     In 1943-44 Major Boyce served on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff with command over WACs in North Africa. On promotion to lieutenant colonel on February 8, 1944, she became the first woman to receive the Legion of Merit. On July 12, 1945, she succeeded Col. Oveta Culp Hobby as the second director of the WAC. Gen. Stephen Henry, who made the appointment with the counsel of Gen. George C. Marshall, noted that she was “more the feminine type than any other candidate.” The WAC, where 150,000 women served during the war, drew scrutiny from the public and the press, as did Boyce. Once the war ended factions within the military split over the WAC’s future but General Eisenhower and Colonel Boyce, who oversaw demobilization, advocated a continued female Army presence. On June 12, 1948 the remaining women became a part of the regular Army or Reserves. Colonel Boyce retired in March 1947 due to health reasons.

     Colonel Boyce, as she was known during the war years, was married three times: in 1924 to James Stacy Boyce of Gastonia (they were divorced in 1941); in 1948 to William Leslie of New York (he died in 1962); and in 1964 to Willie Jones Long of Garysburg. A petite woman with gray hair, Colonel Boyce had the nickname “Webbie” (derived from her initials). She took pride in her Tar Heel ancestry, keeping portraits and photographs of Battle relatives in her office. She is buried in a family plot at Cool Spring Plantation just outside Rocky Mount.


References:
Mattie E. Treadwell, The Women’s Army Corps (U.S. Army in WWII Special Studies, 1954)
William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, IV, 94-94--sketch by Westray B. Nicholas
William S. Powell, comp., North Carolina Lives (1962), 754
Tom Belton, “Westray Battle Boyce: The Story of a WAC,” Tar Heel Junior Historian (Spring 1986): 17-21
Herbert B. Battle, comp., The Battle Book: A Genealogy of the Battle Family in America (1930)
Military Collection and Iconographic Collection, North Carolina State Archives

Location:

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(photo: find a grave volunteer: Janet Capps)

                                                       Battle Cemetery
                                                          Whitakers
                                                     Edgecombe County
                                                     North Carolina, USA                        

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                                   1963

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(photo: wac museum archive Ft Lee VA)

                                                  COL  Irene O. Galloway
                                                             1908-1963
                                                      4th  WAC Director
                                                        3 Jan- 2 Jan 1957
 
                                               

Irene O. Galloway of Carroll County, Iowa attended Boyles Business College in Omaha, Nebraska. Galloway joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in June 1942. In September 1942 Galloway was graduated from WAAC Officer Candidate School at the WAAC Training Center at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. When asked why she was compelled to join the Army, Galloway replied that she was inspired to join because of her brother who was serving in the Pacific during WWII and because of an article in the New York Times regarding opportunities for women in the Army

Galloway served in the WAAC through WWII and witnessed many changes in the roles women played in the military throughout the Cold War, one of which was the loss of women's status as "auxiliary" units that changed the name of the WAAC to WAC. Upon completing her training, Galloway served at the WAC headquarters at the Pentagon, the headquarters for the Army Services Forces, and with the G-1 Career Management Group until she was assigned as WAAC Staff Advisor for the U.S. Army in Europe in 1948. In November 1952 Galloway was selected as a replacement for commander of the WAC Training Center in Fort Lee.

Just two weeks after reporting for duty as Commander of the WAC Training Center, Galloway was notified of her selection as Director of the WAC and was sworn in on January 3, 1953 At the time of her appointment as director, Colonel Galloway had served 10 years in the WAC, and won the Commendation Ribbon from the Army of Occupation WAAC, and the American Theater and European Theater Ribbons during World War II. During her tenure as WAC Director, Colonel Galloway played an instrumental role in increasing military pay and reenlistment bonuses. Colonel Galloway also implemented the Military Occupational Services (MOS) for enlisted personnel, and oversaw the establishment of a new WAC training facility in Fort McClellan in Alabama.

In 1963 Colonel Irene O. Galloway died of cancer. As a result of her role in moving the WAC training facility to Alabma, the North Gate entrance and North Gate Road, both of which led through the WAC Training Facility at Fort McClellan, were renamed Galloway Gate and Galloway Gate Road.

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photo by findagrave memeber cmppress

                                                            SACRED HEART CEMTERY
                                                                    TEMPLETON
                                                              CARROLL COUNTY
                                                                        IOWA

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                                  1946

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                                            SGT Helen Johnson
                                                     1925- 1946
                                            WAAC  WWII Veteran

Sgt. Helen Johnston was born 12 May 1924 in Guernsey Co., Ohio to Amos Daniel Johnston and Lela Gertrude Church, both born in Ohio.  Sgt. Johnston died 25 Mar 1946 in a jeep accident.  Miles Constable, husband of Helen's grand niece, stated their family history indicated that "Helen Arlene was a WAC stationed in London during WWII. After the war she was transferred to Paris.

Shortly before coming home she had gone to arrange passage for her dog. On the return trip her jeep ran into a stone wall and she was killed."
Helen's Enlistment Record indicates she entered the service 17 May 1944 and that her civilian occupation had been a machinist.  She indicated she had 4 years of high school. She joined up in Detroit, Michigan. Hellen was assigned to the 1400 Army Air forces Base Unit.

By 1930, her parent's were divorced and she was living in Detroit, Michigan with her step-father, Frank D. Amick and her mother and siblings, Thelma, Amos and Della.  Helen was the youngest in the family.

Helen was survived by her mother, Lela Grace, and sisters; Della Leone Johnston (Clifford V.) Doupé and her children; Roy, George and David Doupé; and Thelma Beatrice Johnston (PFC Chester A. Johns d. 18 Sep 1945 in Germany) & Emily G. Johns, and Thelma's 2nd husband was Claude E. Coy

NOTE: This obit was put together by Findagrave  contributor:  Scarlett

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Photo finsagrave contributor CWGC/ABMC


                                Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial
                                                   Epinal
                                     Departement des Vosges
                                            Lorraine, France

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