WOMEN AT WAR
by Marie Brown

While the United States was gearing up to face their inevitable entrance into WW II, other countries already at war had realized the necessity and ability of having women serve their country. Countries such as England, Russia, China and even  Germany already had women’s military organizations  established and doing their part in the war effort. Primarily the United States military was a man’s military until WWII.   However, high-ranking officials who were not necessarily  keen on the idea of women serving did realize the necessity of having women serve. They realized that by having women serve in non-combatant duties, male military personnel could be released for combatant duties. The United States realized  that the number of people needed to fight on the fronts to win the war could not be obtained if only men were serving. Women serving in the military caused mixed emotions amongst the American public as well as military personnel. Some were  agreeable to having women serve and took great pride in it, while others felt a woman’s place was in the home. There  were essentially seven women’s military organizations in the United States during WWII, but not all of the organizations  earned military recognition until after the war was over. Each branch of the military had their own ideas and ways of dealing  with women who served in the military. Young women all  across the country enlisted and a new era for women was

beginning. Whether WAVES, WACS, ARMY NURSES, NAVY NURSES, MARINES, WASPS, or SPARS -- they all did their part to help win the war.
     The Nurses Corps, although not necessarily official, have had women serving under military authority since the Revolutionary War. Nursing had always been viewed separately from the military until WWI, although it has always played an extremely important role during wartime. It was not until 1901 that the Army of the United States under a re-organization act established an ARMY NURSES CORPS. However, nurses could not be commissioned, and although they were Army nurses, they were not considered military personnel. In 1918 the NURSES CORPS was redesigned again and became a militarized part of the ARMY. During WW II, with the need for nurses at it highest peak, over fifty-seven thousand women served in the Army Nurses Corps.
    In 1908 the Navy under the Naval Reserve Act established the NAVY NURSES CORP as part of the Navy. Even though they were considered part of the NAVY they did not have official Military Status. They would not receive it until 1947, when in recognition of their service, the NAVY NURSES CORP became a commissioned part of the UNITED STATES NAVY.
    Army and navy nurses both did heroic work during WWII. Both corps were allowed to serve overseas and abroad and served on all fronts. Nurses were killed in action and held as POWs. Probably one of the most tragic events that effected the Nursing Corps of both branches was Bataan. Several nurses were held as POWs and killed under the brutal Japanese regime. Nurses witnessed the horrors of war first hand, their daily duties saw the pain and anguish that war creates. Nurses from both Corps had their own uniforms and insignia, which included both dress and work uniforms.
     During WWI, 305 women served in the Marine Corps and paved they way for all those who have followed. In July, 1942, the WOMEN’S MARINE CORPS RESERVE was formed. Women in the Marine corps were considered Marine from the start. Women in the Marine Corps were not allowed to serve abroad and filled positions such as clerks and typists. The Women’s Marine Corps had uniforms and insignia very similar to that of their male comrades.
     In May, 1942, President Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the WAAC (WOMEN’S AUXILIARY ARMY CORPS) which would serve the ARMY but not be a part of it. In 1943 the WAAC became the WAC (WOMEN’S ARMY CORP) and a part of the regular ARMY. The WAC were allowed to serve overseas. The WAC did a number of different jobs in the ARMY from communications and baking to reconnaissance information work. The WAC had their own uniforms and insignia for dress and work.
   With the Naval reserve act of 1916 women began serving in the Navy. Although small in numbers, this was a start. In July, 1942, under the recommendation of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the WAVES (WOMEN APPROVED for VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE) were created. WAVES were not allowed to serve overseas but served many crucial jobs on the home front and played an important role in the planning of the invasion of Normandy. The UNITED STATES COAST GUARD established the women’s reserve in November of 1942, known as the SPARS. Spars were not allowed to serve aboard ship but did perform many duties on both coasts that were crucial to the protection of the home front.
     The WASP (WOMEN AIR SERVICE PILOTS) had a difficult time getting off the ground, no pun intended. To help the war effort in a military manner, in September, 1942, the WAFS (WOMEN’S AUXILIARY FERRYING SQUADRON) was formed under the direction of Nancy Love. Also formed from pressure from Jackie Cochran was the WFTD (WOMEN’S FLYING TRAINING DETACHMENT). In August, 1943, the WAFS and AFTDS were merged into the WASP. Jackie Cochran was appointed executive director and Nancy Love was appointed the Ferrying Squadron Executive officer. Women pilots were frowned upon for quite some time and although they proved themselves some of the best pilots, they were never militarized during the war. The ARMY AIR FORCE paid for these women to serve, but only through loopholes in other budget areas. After completing training, the government didn’t even pay for the wings these young women had earned. Jackie Cochran personally purchased the wings herself for the girls. More than twenty-five thousand women applied to the WASP but only 1,830 were accepted -- and of those, only 1074 earned their wings. The WASP eventually were issued their own uniforms and insignia. The WASP mascot Fifinella was designed by Walt Disney and the whimsical winged pilot is still popular today.
     Women’s military is still a field of collecting that has not yet peaked and leveled off. With all of the publicity in recent years, the women’s military field has become increasingly sought after. The price of women’s military items from WW II is hard to keep up with, as prices are constantly increasing and breaking current price records. To the best of my knowledge, there is no price guide on just women’s military collectibles.
     My first suggestion in trying to find women’s items is to go to the source. Try and purchase directly from the Vets themselves or their families. This makes documentation a lot easier. Try and find out where they served and what their duties were. You will learn a lot more by talking to people who made history than you ever will from reading a book, and it adds a personal touch to your collection.
     When buying women’s items try and research what you are buying, There are reproduction women’s items on the market. Many of the items that are being passed off as women’s items are probably not. Try and remember there was a lot of military surplus after the war. You can find women’s items at shops, shows, auctions, and on the internet.
     If you have questions or would like to learn more about women’s military collectibles feel free to contact me via email skeat@landmarknet.net or by snail mail at Marie Brown, PO Box 216, W. Ossipee, NH 03890.
    The following books are ones that I recommend if you have an interest in learning more about women’s military history. There are also a tremendous number of web sites that contain information on the internet.
     Vera S. Williams has published two wonderful books WASP’s and WAC’s. Both books are published by MOTORBOOKS INTERNATIONAL and contain several photographs and historical information on these women.
     THEY ALSO SERVED by OLGA GRUHZIT– HOYT, published by CAROL Publishing Group, is a great book that details each branch of the service and includes the USO and AMERICAN RED CROSS.
    ON SILVER WINGS by Marianne Verges, published by BALLANTINE BOOKS, is an amazing account of the women pilots struggle from personal accounts to behind the scenes of the political arena of the era concerning the women pilots.
   WE BAND OF ANGELS by Elizabeth M. Norman, published by RANDOM HOUSE, tells the tale of the American Nurses captured on Bataan by the Japanese, and is an excellent source of insight on what these women endured during the war..
     BATTLE OF THE WAC by Carol Hossner Bessey and published by Carol Hossner Bessey is available through the author by writing to: CAROL  BESSEY, 4258E. 1400N, ASHTON IDAHO 83420.
    Carol has written a fantastic personal account of being a WAC during WW II and also tells about the struggle after the war, from her own personal triumphs and tragedies to those of others who served with her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in women’s military history of WW II.
    If you have questions or comments or would like further information about this article feel free to contact me at the following address: Marie Brown, Chicken Coop Antiques, PO Box 216, W. Ossipee, NH 03890 or email skeat@landmarknet.net