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My grandmother's WAVES grouping


StevenL
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I've posted my grandmother's stuff before on another forum, but I'm new to this one and wanted to share what I have. My both of my grandparents on my mothers side served in the Navy, and it's something I've always been very proud of.

Here's her blues and dog tag.
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And here's her summer uniform, the seersucker, even including the shoulder pads and neckercheif's.

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She had a bunch of these caps, all with the US Navy tally on them, a pair of gloves and even a shirt from Ceder Falls, Iowa, the Reserve she was sent to for training.
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As she went up in rank she saved all her old insignias, so there's the whole set of yeoman patches from first to third class. She even saved her name plate that would sit on her desk.

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Finally, I have numerous paper items from her time in the WAVES.

I thought these were really interesting: three WAVES recruitment booklets with cards to be mailed in to get more information. On the back of the cards my grandmother's name is written down as the "WAVE who did the recruiting"! She must have done some recruiting for a brief period.

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Five different identification/ration cards, two training manuals and some issued religious booklets.

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Next is a poster and letter that were sent to her parents. It's to show that a member of their family was in the WAVES. The next photo is a folder of documents, presumably what she was working on before being discharged. All of them detail the story of a man in the Navy who was away over leave and facing a dishonorable discharge because of it. Reading more of the documents shows that the accusations were a mistake and the charges put on him were rescinded.

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The last two items are from the end of the war, a welcome back sign that her family made for her and a letter she got in 1946 commending her for her service. Reading that letter, I just couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of her.

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These are very nice (particularly the seersucker and t-shirt) to have - plus you also have the tag and history! :) What makes it most special, I'm sure, is the fact they are a family member. That is definitely priceless.

Do you have any pictures of her in either uniform?

Thank you for sharing!


Thank you for the comments. I have so much stuff from her... I was dumbfounded when she found her box with all of her stuff in it, I couldn't believe how much there was! Last but not least here's one of my favorite photos of her.

EDIT: This picture is no longer available.

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I went ahead and moved my original post down, so it didn't interfere with the display of the items:

 

These are very nice (particularly the seersucker and t-shirt) to have - plus you also have the tag and history! What makes it most special, I'm sure, is the fact they are a family member. That is definitely priceless.

 

Do you have any pictures of her in either uniform?

 

Thank you for sharing!

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US Victory Museum

Is the photograph of her in her uniform a true color photo, or is it a camera picture that has been

dyed and/or painted on? (Look closely) I have some that look similar that are artistically enhanced.

I guess that was a popular style back in the era.

 

Outstanding grouping! Wonderful artifacts!

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Is the photograph of her in her uniform a true color photo, or is it a camera picture that has been

dyed and/or painted on? (Look closely) I have some that look similar that are artistically enhanced.

I guess that was a popular style back in the era.

 

Outstanding grouping! Wonderful artifacts!

 

 

I'm not completely sure, but I believe the photo is one that was colored after it was taken. Is there any easy way to tell?

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  • 3 months later...
airborneboy

What a lady and what a collection. It is great that she has kept it all and that someone in her family appreciates it and what she did.

This really moved me.

Many thanks for sharing these items.

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brandon_rss18
Yeah, I didn't catch this thread earlier. What an amazing grouping! We should open a museum!

 

-Ski

 

man, could you imagine if everyone on here got together and formed a museum? Biggest military museum in the world!!!!!!!!

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ehrentitle

Based on the T-Shirt that says United States Naval Reserve (WR), Cedar Falls, Iowa it appears she received her initial entry training at the Iowa State Teacher's College (now the University of Norther Iowa), Cedar Falls, IA. During the war part of the college was turned over to the WAVES as an enlisted training center. It was also used for aviation cadet training. I taught ROTC there in the mid 1990s during the 50th Anniv of WWII and the university and the Cedar Falls Historical Society had a display on WWII including the WAVES training center.

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WOW, That is a fantastic family grouping and a women to be proud of.Glad it is staying in the family that is the most important part.

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

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  • 4 weeks later...

Great grouping and thanks for sharing. I have some of my mothers Waves things but more photos and paperwork than actual uniforms etc. I was lucky to get that much as my sisters were in the process of throwing it all away by the time I got to it after my mother passed away.

 

I'll post some of her things as I get them ready.

 

In my humble opinion I don't think women that serve, then and now, get the kind of notice that they deserve.

 

Thank you for the post.

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  • 4 months later...

That's an awesome grouping you have of your grandmother's service in the W.A.V.E.S. My grandmother, Miriam E. Pollack, served in the W.A.V.E.S. also and was stationed at Farragut, Idaho from 1944-45. When I get the chance I'll be sure to scan some of her photos and post them.

 

John

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Here's some pics of my grandmother's service in the W.A.V.E.S. during WWII. She went through basic training at Hunter College in the Bronx, NY and was stationed at Farragut, Idaho from I believe late 1943 to 1945.

John

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That is one nice group. I'm stunned!

 

My Gram was also in the WAVES, and like Rocket's, she served at Hunter and then in Washington D.C. She was in D.C. when the war ended. To hear her tell about how the city exploded with joyous energy really brings you there.

 

Thanks for sharing.

Blair

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