A Blog About Women Who Were Homefront Heroines: the WAVES of World War II
On this day in Navy History, 70 years ago, the WAVES Quarters D post office in Washington DC became. the first post office of its size (more than one or two employees) to be staffed entirely by women. On duty is Evelyn Bailey.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
This is pretty serious stuff. Published 71 years ago today, these are the punishments WAVES could receive for various offenses during boot camp at the Naval Training Center in the Bronx. Disobedience of Shore Patrol? That S.C.M stands for “special court martial.” D.C? Detention Center.
Shape up, ladies!
The schedule comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
WAVES do exercises on the lawn of Hunter College, which was used at the Navy’s boot camp for women during World War II.
The photo comes from the National Archives.
Recruitment poster c. 1943 for the Navy WAVES shows a proud father and a photograph of his daughter in her uniform.
And this is the original John Falter painting that inspired the image. Seemed appropriate to share these this Father’s Day.
Both come from the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Navy WAVES raise the flag outside of their Quonset hut barracks c. 1944. It seemed an appropriate image for this Flag Day.
The photo comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Admiral Ernest J. King greets WAVES Lt. Commander Mildred McAfee at a breakfast given by WAVES by high-ranking Naval officers, members of Congress, and other dignitaries at the Hotel Statler, Washington, DC.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
WAVES get a taste of summer! Swimming was part of the recreational activities for WAVES at their training school in the Bronx. Here, the women learn the basics.
The 1943 photograph comes from the National Archives.
This paperwork from the U.S. Naval Training School in the Bronx for WAVES (at the former Hunter College) outlines the schedule for religious services. Note there are only three options: Catholic, Protestant and Jewish. It dates from June 11, 1943.
It comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Two WAVES on duty in the Link trainer of the Navy Department, Washington DC, c. June 1943.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
It’s graduation season! And even WAVES marched in formation to celebrate their matriculation.
In this photo from 71 years ago, WAVES at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma graduated from their advanced training.
This group marched to commencement in 1943. The photo comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 