The post to Hawaii was very desirable for some. And not everyone was selected for overseas duty.
After I was in the service for six months, I could sign up for overseas. My officer was Lt. Jerry Clays and he said, “Dottie, I know you have the time in, but I want a letter from your folks saying it’s OK to go overseas.” He said, “I want a letter from your folks giving permission for you to go overseas.” Well, by the time I got the letter back, and so forth, the war was over and so I never got to go overseas.
– Dorothy “Dottie” Anderson McDowll, WWII WAVE
This photograph shows WAVES leaving on their last stateside liberty before heading to Hawaii in January of 1945. It comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 