Mom was one of the first WACS.
Both beautiful and daring, she came over to England on the Queen Mary, which was fast enough to escape the German subs that were following it.
Mom was in the hospital with cellulitis from a tooth extraction when she heard the transport planes fly her unit to Normandy. She was one of the first recipients of penicillin, which saved her life. Generals stood at her bed to determine if she was sick enough to get the drug.
Many of her friends must have died, because she never talked much about the war - only the good times.
Her name is listed in the Women’s Military Memorial in Washington D.C.
Re Mom:
What a legacy! You must have had an interesting childhood with a mom like that.
Been thinking about today in light of yesteryear and reading the posts of folks whose loved ones gave all and then some for US...
My grandfather never much said anything, except for supper blessing. When he did talk, he mumbled. But I was just a kid who didn’t know how to listen. He made beautiful furniture and a dulcimer that he sometimes played. He smoked cigarettes and enjoyed a Shlitz beer on occasion.
I inherited a copy of his discharge papers and since that time have attempted to understand what they mean about his service and sacrifice. I would appreciate if someone with the knowledge would explain the information:
GRADE/ARM OF SERVICE/COMPONENT
SGT/INF/AUS
ORGANIZATION
CO D 194TH GLD INF
DATE OF INDUCTION/DATE OF ENTRY INTO ACTIVE SERVICE
7 JUN 41/ 7 JUN 41
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY
SQUAD LEADER
MILITARY QUALIFICATION AND DATE
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE 16 JUL 44
PARACHUTIST BADGE 8 NOV 41
BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS
GO33WD45/NORMANDY/RHINELAND/ARDENNES/CENTRAL EUROPE
DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS
BRONZE STAR MEDAL GO #47 HQ 1-1ST A/B DIV 5 MAY 45
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL 4 MAY 43
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE RIBBON
EUROPEAN AMFRICAN MIDDLE EASTER SERVICE RIBBON
DATE OF DEPARTURE/DESTINATION/DATE OF ARRIVAL
5 SEP 43/ENGLAND/19 OCT 43
6 SEP 45/UNITED STATES/14 SEP 45
SERVICE SCHOOLS ATTENDED
PRCHT SCHOOL 4 WKS JUMP 41 FT BENNING GA
REMARKS
LAPEL BUTTON ISSUED/2 DAYS LOST UNDER AW 107
(31) MKM RIFLE M1 17 NOV 42/MKM MORTAR 8 1 SEP 41
(33) WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD/DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE
GO #26 HQ 1ST U S ARMY 17 JUN 44/1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER
TO DUB GO #31 H1 3D U S ARMY 7 FEB 45
ThanQ
((hugs))
~ lyby
P.S. I have always thought of Audie Murphy as “my hero,” but I think now that I always had that hero right by my side.💓
Wonderful to read, thank you.