WAVES Captain Mildred McAfee addresses the new WAVE officers during graduation ceremonies at Smith College, Northampton, MA, November 16, 1943.
The Photograph comes from the National Archives.
Graduation Salute
WAVES pass in formation during graduation ceremonies for officers at Smith College in Northampton, MA, November 16, 1943. WAVE captain Mildred McAfee salutes as the officers pass.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Graduating Class
WAVE Director (and new Captain) Mildred McAfee addresses a WAVE graduating class at Northampton, Massachusetts, 70 years ago today: November 16, 1943.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Chow Time!
From this November 1943 photograph at NAS Los Alamitos: Chow time affords the girls an opportunity to catch up on conversation and review the work of the day.
It comes from the National Archives.
The Promotion
WAVES Director Mildred McAfee is promoted to Captain, November 13, 1943. She’s being congratulated by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of the Navy Bureau of Personnel.
McAfee was the first Director of the Women’s Reserve. She took command on August 3, 1942.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Folding the ‘Chute
WAVES Enolia Wodfin (left) and Evelyn Wiley (right) fold a parachute at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station in California. They’re handling the silk ‘chute carefully, because silk was a precious commodity during World War II.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Parachute Rigger
Evelyn Wiley, a WAVE stationed at NAS Los Alamitos in California, hangs a parachute in the dry locker room. This allows the parachute to unfold and keep its elasticity. The life of a parachute is seven years.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Veterans Day 2013
A salute from WAVE Genevieve Sullivan on this Veterans Day, taken 70 years ago this month. Veterans Day honors the armistice signalling the end of hostilities during World War II, which began on the 11th hour of the 11th of the 11th month in 1918. Hence the celebrating of Veterans Day on November 11th – to help us remember when “The War to End All Wars” ended.
Of course, there have been (too) many other wars since then. But on this day, we give honor to the men and women who have served.
Happy Veterans Day!
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Review, In Formation
At boot camp in the Bronx, New York (AKA The USS Hunter), WAVES march in formation – there are actually two platoons moving side by side in this November 1943 photograph.
It comes from the National Archives.
Petty Officers
WAVE Petty officers receive their ratings in November 1943 after going through specialized training. If you look closely at each woman’s arm, you’ll see she has a different insignia, indicating her rating.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 