WAVES – Page 55 – Hinges of History

Writing on the Wall

While the war wasn’t over by the time the WAVES newsletter was released in August of 1945, the signs were there that peach would soon be at hand. The Allied troops had had a number of stunning victories in Europe throughout the summer, and by July 11th the Postdam Agreement had been signed, outlining terms for peace. Japan would agree to peace until a month later, after the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

What’s interesting is this cover of the WAVES’ newsletter makes no reference to the peace agreements in Europe – but inside the newsletter demonstrates that the Navy was thinking about the post-war world – and the WAVES’ role in it.

In comes from Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe.

The Gun Turret

WAVE Gladys McCullough shows 2 visiting WAVES to NAS NOLA how a PRY gun turret works during the station’s open house for the WAVES second anniversary in 1943. It comes from the National Archives.

Prepping a Prop

Visitors to the WAVES’ open houses were sometimes other WAVES. In this photo from the National Archives, visiting WAVES are shown how to prepare a “prop” for service, during the second anniversary celebrations at NAS New Orleans in 1943.

Open Wide!

The open houses held in connection with the WAVES’ anniversary were designed to show people the extent of the work the women were doing. In this image, a WAVE shows her visitors the dental equipment. WAVES worked in Naval dental offices during the war. The photo of the second anniversary celebration at NAS New Orleans comes from the National Archives.

Packing a ‘Chute

In this photo from the National Archives, two enlisted WAVES at NAS NOLA pack a parachute during an open house held as part of the WAVES 2nd anniversary celebration in 1942. Everyone in the audience is paying close attention to the audience, except for the little girl in the lower right, who noticed the presence of a camera.

Hospital Ward

Imagine being WAVE Harriet Stewart! She’s the woman on the hospital bed (lower right) under covers , playing “sick” for a demonstration during the open house at the first anniversary of the WAVES in 1943. The open house for invited guests by the WAVES hospital corps school. Ensign Dorothy Smith is addressing the class on the technique of giving proper care to a bed patient is delivered. The photo comes from the National Archives.

On Display

The WAVES anniversary celebrations offered more than just cake, marching and excursions for the women. WAVES also did informational displays for visitors during the anniversary, such as this in this National Archives photograph, where WAVE Anna Martinez shows visitors a photo mural made at NAS NOLA during open house on the WAVES second birthday in 1943.

Sailing!

This is the closest many WAVES got to being on board a ship during the war. WAVES weren’t allowed to serve overseas until early 1945, a year and a half after this image was taken. It’s of WAVES on an excursion out of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. The photo comes from the National Archives.

Shipshape

Another 1st WAVES anniversary nautical celebration in 1943, launched from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. A little different from the boast used in the Olympics, no? The photo comes from the National Archives.

Yachting Parties

Given how the Olympics are about to wrap up, we thought we’d return to the sporting theme. This image shows WAVES out on a cruise in a sailboat, which launched from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. It comes from the National Archives.