WAVES marching in formation at the 2nd anniversary celebrations at NAS Seattle, 1944. Note the two flags: the U.S. flag and the flag for NAS Seattle at right. The photo comes from the National Archives.
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Drum Parade
The drum corps were part of the WAVES marching formation. Note the drum corps members are wearing the blue uniforms, while the women marching behind wear the white dress uniform. This comes from the WAVES’ second anniversary celebration at NAS Seattle in 1944. The photo comes from the National Archives.
Birthday Inspection
Part of the annual birthday celebration for WAVES included marching in formation at the various Naval Air Stations and other bases, such as this display for the WAVES’ third anniversary in 1944, at Seattle NAS. The photo is held by the National Archives.
Cake and Candles!
Today we’re celebrating the birthday of the sister of the Homefront Heroines director (and daughter of a WAVE). Happy birthday, Sharon! And happy birthday cousins Karen and Melanie, also born on the same day.
In this photo from the National Archives, WAVES pose behind their 2nd anniversary birthday cake in New Orleans.
The Celebration
Secretary of Navy, Frank Knox, and Lt. Comdr. Mildred H. McAfee, with a group of enlisted WAVES following the WAVES’ first anniversary ceremony at Washington, D.C. July 30, 1943. From the National Archives.
The Leader
Even though the WAVES were established on July 30, 1942, it would take a few days after that formal declaration for Mildred McAfee to be sworn in as leader. The official enlist date of the former Wellesley President was August 3, 1943.
In this image, Adm. Ernest King expresses his approval of the job being done by members of the Women’s Reserve to Capt. Mildred McAfee on the secondd anniversary of the WAVES. More than 70,000 were on duty at the time – nearly three times the number from just a year before. It comes from the National Archives.
Birthdays and Lollipops
At the NAS in Seattle, 1943, WAVES celebrated the first anniversary of the WAVES with songs and lollipops. The photo comes from the National Archives.
What WAVES Do
On the first anniversary of the establishment of the WAVES, this comic was published staking out their history. Take a look at the last milestone: by July 30, 1943, there were 27,000 women in the service. By the end of the war, nearly 100,000 would have served as WAVES.
This comes from the Schelsinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
Cutting the Cake
This 1944 image is from a celebrating marking the second anniversary of the founding of the WAVES. In it, Captain Johnson (left) and Lt. Dyer cut the WAVES birthday cake at NAS Miami.
It comes from the National Archives.
Happy Birthday, WAVES
It was 70 years ago today, July 30, 1942, that the WAVES became a division of the U.S. Navy. This photo shows WAVES at the Naval Hospital, Camp Le Jeune in North Carolina, cutting the WAVES birthday cake on the third anniversary in 1945.
From left to right: Monica Moran, Angela Donahue, Dorothy Neuner, Rebecca Daniel, Muriel Foss, Florence Cutler, Dorothy Davison, Catherine Schuelke, Christine Berron and Catherine Rodgers.
The photo come from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 