Skip to main content

United States. Naval Reserve. Women's Reserve

 Organization

Found in 78 Collections and/or Records:

Aileen Bedell Fetter oral history transcription, 1997

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 225
Scope and Contents

Fetter, Aileen Bedell, born 1922. Reminiscences of a WWII enlisted WAVE who served as a Pharmacist's Mate. Includes her youth in Westfield, NJ.; Graduated from Forsyth School as a Dental Hygienist; Worked in Bath, Maine; Enlisted in the Navy in 1943; Trained as USNTS (WR) Hunter College, N.Y.; Unit re­viewed by Mdm Chiang Kai-Shek; Assigned to WNY Dispensary as hygienist and administrator; Recreation; Promoted to Pharmacist's mate, First Class; Married on VJ Day in Washington, D.C.; Discharged in Oct. 1945; College on GI Bill; Impact of WAVES service on her life; Taught at Wickford Elementary School.

Dates: 1997

Alma Nygaard Killam oral history transcription, 1996

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 213
Scope and Contents

Killam, Alma Nygaard, 1924-. Reminiscences of Mrs. Killam regarding her service in the WAVES in WWII. Includes youth in Lansing, Mich.; Enlistment in the WAVES in 1944; Training at USNTS (WR); Assignment as Yeo­ man, Records Section and Photo Intel Center, Anacostia; Social life; Description of work in map painting room; Marriage.July 1945;V:J Day celebration; Discharged in 1945; Death of FDR; Patri­ otism of citizenry; Impact of WAVES service on her life.

Dates: 1996

Arlene Chilson oral history transcription, 1995

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 196
Scope and Contents

Oral History interview with Gunner's Mate, Arlene Chilson, who was assigned to NAS Corps Christ, Beeville and Kingsville Texas during WWII. Chilson joined the WAVES in 1944 and was trained as gunnery instructor in Pensacola, FL. Her reminiscences of her WAVES service in this unique specialty will be invaluable for a history of the WAVES in WWII. Chilson (nee Linne) was stationed in Corpus Christi NAS, Beeville, TX and Kingsville, TX. She remained in service until 1949 when her husband was transferred to another base.

Dates: 1995

Barbara Brandt Wood oral history transcription, 1997

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 232
Scope and Contents

Wood, Barbara Brandt, 1921-. Reminiscences of a WWII WAVE officer who was the daughter of a naval officer. Graduated from Smith College in 1943 and enlisted in USN.June 1943; Trained at USNMS (WR), daily rou­ tine and classes; Remained at USNMS as instructor in ships, aircraft and ordnance and gave talks to civic organizations; Weekends in Newport, R.I.; Flying lessons; Assigned to Hydrographic Of­fice, Chart Revision Division, Suitland, Md.; Importance of updating charts for fleet; Social life and tennis games with flag rank officers; V:J Day in Washington, D.C.; Marriage in November 1945 in Newport, R.I.; Impression of Captain Mildred McAfee; Attended Harvard University for M.A. on GI Bill; Impact of WAVES service on life; Travel to Solomon Islands, 1995; Postwar Navy connections.

Dates: 1997

Barbara Gale Wheeler oral history transcription, 2001

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 272
Scope and Contents

Wheeler, Barbara Gale, 1924. Youth in Danielson, Conn.; Education, work experience at General Foods; Joined the en­ listed ranks of the WAVES, 1944; Training at U.S. Naval Training School (WR) , Hunter College, Assignment with the Hospital Corps; Attended Corps School, Bethesda, Md.; Assigned to Naval Base Hospital and Dispensary, Charleston, S.C.; Living quarters, roommates, and social life; Dis­ charged in 1946; Impact of service on her life; Member of Ocean State WAVES.

Dates: 2001

Barbara Tannerm Aldrich oral history transcription, 1997

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 234
Scope and Contents

Aldrich, Barbara Tanner, 1918-. Reminiscences of a WWII enlisted WAVE. Includes youth in Providence, R.I., graduate of Bradford College, attended School of Occupational Therapy, Boston, Mass.; Enlisted in the WAVES in December 1942; Training at USNTS (WR), Hunter College; Attended Radio School, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., for four months; Daily schedule and courses taken; As­ signed to Eastern Sea Frontier, NYC where she monitored and recorded messages; Work was in­teresting; Social life and recreation for service men and women; Promoted to radioman, First Class; Discharged October 1945; Attended RISD on GI Bill; Marriage in 1952; Impact of WAVES on her life.

Dates: 1997

B.B. (Bertha Beth) Freeman Davis oral history transcription, 1996

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 219
Scope and Contents

Davis, BB Freeman, 1920-. Reminiscences of a WAVE who served inWWII. Includes her youth in Providence, R.I., Smith College, 1942, Enlisted in WAVES; Trained at Women's Radio Boot Camp, Madison Wis.; As­ signed as radio operator, NAS, Corpus Christi, Tex.; Visit of FDR to the base; Entered Officer Corps; Trained at Smith College, Communication School, Mt. Holyoke College, 1944; Assigned to NAS, Pensacola, Fla., January 1944; NAS Honolulu, Hawaii; Detached in December 1945; WAVES a positive experience; Marriage and settled in Providence, R.I.

Dates: 1996

Benny Lyons oral history transcription, 1996

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 207
Scope and Contents

Lyons, Benny, 1923-2005. Reminiscence of a WAVE who served as a Link Trainer instructor during WWII. Includes im­migration from Denmark to the United States and settlement in Rockford, Ill.; Two years at Rockford College; Enlisted in WAVES in 1943 for patriotic reasons; Training and indoctrination at USNTS (WR) Bronx, N.Y.; Concerts at USNTS; Advanced training at NAS, Atlanta, Ga., as a link trainer instructor; Barracks living; Social life; Assigned toJacksonville, Fla.; Trained pilots in PBY squadrons; Enjoyed training pilots; Met husband; Discharged from WAVES in 1945; Challenges of WAVES assignment; Marriage in 1946; Life as a Navy Wife; Chal­lenges, responsibilities and friendships; Retirement in Portsmouth, R.I.

Dates: 1996

Catherine E. Fitzgerald Brown oral history transcription, 1997

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 226
Scope and Contents

Betty Brown, born 1923, joined the WAVES in 1943 after registering on a dare at a recruiting booth in New York City. She attended boot camp at Hunter College and was displeased with the regimentation. She was then sent to storekeeper school in Milledgeville, Georgia. After completing her training, she was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia where she worked at the Boat House. After the war ended, she got married and settled in various locations before retiring in Rhode Island. She discussed her experiences in the WAVES and reactions to key events in the war.

Dates: 1997

Celeste Griffin oral history transcription, 2003

 Item
Identifier: MSC-382- Item OH 299
Scope and Contents

Griffin, Celeste, 1919. Education at Pembroke College; Officer training at U.S. Naval Midshipmen's School, Northampton, Mass., 1942; Communications billet, Third Naval District, New York City; Social life and housing; U.S. Naval Ordnance Unit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 1945; Seventh Naval Dis­trict, Miami, Fla., 1945; Gulf Sea Frontier, New Orleans, La., 1945-1946; Pro­moted to Lieutenant; Postwar active reseives, 1948-1950; Significance of naval service: Postwar career at Brown University Admissions Office.

Dates: 2003