Author Archives: jacksondeakins

Messenger pigeons were an invaluable form of communication during the first and second World Wars. It was crucial that these birds be highly trained, highly motivated, and highly fed!

Here, Primrose Robinson, Hospital Corpsman, fills several vials of antibiotics in preparation for a fleet departure. Sickness on a ship could devastate crews for weeks – best to be precautious!

Pictured here is WAVE Jacqueline Davis at the WAVES Quarters D bowling alley, posing for her ‘pin-girl’ photo. Not exactly what you had in mind, but it works.

In the Philadelphia Naval Yard, three WAVES examine some of the firepower on one of the PT boats. This 20mm machine gun can sure do some damage, and these WAVES are trained and ready to make it count.

In the photo above, these WAVES are examining and separating individual horological instruments for use in the fleet at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. Time is of the essence!

WAVES Vogue Catalog, vol. 3, issue no. 11. Ens. Eloise English and Virginia Daws model summer uniforms in Washington D.C. They are a gray and white pinstripe seersucker, including dark blue buttons and insignia. Styled with fresh colored stockings, black shoes, and black gloves — which are optional.

WAVE officers of the Bureau of Ships qualify for the Navy Expert Pistol Medal on the Marine Pistol Range at Quantico, VA. These ladies ought to be in the infantry — A job well done!

WAVES master the quirks of a .22 target pistol before advancing to larger guns at NATC in Pensacola, FL. Upon completion of the course, they will be assigned to teaching male gunners marksmanship with the aid of electrical synthetic guns.

Seaman apprentice Maria Ramona Espinosa is being fitted for her first WAVE uniform in the above picture. Uniforms are expected to be impeccable at all times, the feeling of her first uniform fitting is one that Espinosa won’t soon forget. She’s trained to act the part, now it’s time to look it!

Continuing our story about Maria Ramona Espinosa, the boot recites excerpts from the WAVE training manual before her peers. Every WAVE is expected to know their manual cover to cover – a standard that Espinosa will not be allowed to forego this time around.