Looks like here’s the answer to our question from yesterday. The WAVES are heading off to new adventures, bidding a fond farewell. That must be why those sailors looked so upset.
The August 1944 photo comes from the National Archives.
Leaving So Soon?
These sailors don’t seem to be too happy about what’s happening. Are the WAVES leaving? They have suitcases in tow in this August 1944 photograph.
It comes from the National Archives.
Pack Up!
If you’re heading for a trip this summer, you’re likely taking a suitcase or two. Could you find yours in these stacks and stacks of bags? Hope the WAVES didn’t have any lost luggage as they were heading from training to their permanent stations!
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Calisthenics
WAVES at the Naval Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma bundle up to do outdoor calisthenics in this photo from February 1943.
The photograph comes from the National Archives and was shot by Wayne Miller.
The Portrait
WAVES and their commander pose for a portrait. We don’t know much about this photo – the location even isn’t clear.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Ready for Bed
WAVE recruits Joy Shrader, Winifred Smith and Estelle Slominski (left to right) heading to the showers before bedtime during boot camp at Cedar Falls , Iowa, early 1943. Boot camp would move to Hunter College in the Bronx by February of that year.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
August 13, 1942
Memos like these went out to prospective WAVE officers shortly after the WAVES were founded on July 30, 1942. Think of it as a “save the date” card – for the military.
The memo is held by the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
The Uniform
We showed you the hats. Now here is the rest of the uniform, as WAVES wait to get fitted. The WAVES uniform was designed by the couture designer Mainbocher.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Hats Hats Hats
After yesterday’s comic, we thought you’d like a look at the real thing. WAVES officers and enlisted hats from the World War II-era – plus some gloves.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Hats Hats Hats!
There were lots of different ways to look fetching in the WAVES uniform hat, obvious from this cartoon published in a WAVES Newsletter.
Hinges of History 