US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Share #1 Posted June 15, 2008 W.O.W. ( Women Ordnance Workers ) We've all seen the Norman Rockwell painting of the idealized Rosie the riveter; however, the shipyards weren't the only areas where women laboured to fill positions that men left behind. Many women toiled in the arsenals producing war materials. These were the Women Ordnance Workers. Enclosed is a short series of pictures of my WOW uniform, as well as some period photos of W.O.W.s. The uniform consists of summer weight wool tunic, skirt and hat. The tie is polished cotton. The tunic does not have loops for a belt; however, a period photo of an identical uniform shows it being worn with a belt. My tunic is missing the large WOW patch on the left shoulder. The stitching outline shows where one once was. ( I'm actively looking for a large WOW patch to replace it with if anyone has one or any leads on finding one. ) Included with this uniform is a do-rag (doesn't glow under black light! ) that would have been worn while performing physical labour to keep that hair away from mechanical equipment while in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #2 Posted June 15, 2008 The uniform in the far right is the same as the one I have. Mine is missing the WOW patch that is visible on the left shoulder in this photo, nor does my uniform have a belt or belt loops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted June 15, 2008 Hat with mini patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted June 15, 2008 Tie with mini patch. Also visible in the photo is a WOW tinnie pin on the left breast pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted June 15, 2008 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted June 15, 2008 W.O.W.s in work uniforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted June 15, 2008 She's wearing a do-rag like the one that came with the uniform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted June 15, 2008 Share #8 Posted June 15, 2008 Very cool stuff! Thanks for the post and pics. I note that the head scarf of the WOW in the poster has, rather than white "dots" as on your scarf, the Ordnance Department shell and flame insignia. Probably a bit of artistic license. Regards, Charlie Flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted June 15, 2008 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2008 Probably for a WOW that worked in one of the tank arsenals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted June 15, 2008 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2008 Very cool stuff! Thanks for the post and pics. I note that the head scarf of the WOW in the poster has, rather than white "dots" as on your scarf, the Ordnance Department shell and flame insignia. Probably a bit of artistic license. Regards, Charlie Flick Charlie, Actually no artistic license at all, the two "official" versions of the scarf included a red one with white ornance bombs and a white with red ordnance bombs. Jill Smith covers WOWs extensively in volume two of her book "Dressed for Duty". Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADMIN Posted June 15, 2008 Share #11 Posted June 15, 2008 Interesting thread! Thanks for showing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted June 15, 2008 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2008 This is going to sound lame at best and hokey at worst but... WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted June 21, 2008 A patch I recently acquired (but haven't taken delivery yet.) Watertown Arsenal Women Ordnance Worker's patch. P.S. Jim Baker: I love the Armor Patch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted June 21, 2008 Share #14 Posted June 21, 2008 Thank you for taking the time to share your collection with us! I also want to commend you for the research and effort you put into gathering such a fine display of very rare items. I too collect artifacts that are sort of off the beaten path and that in itself can be very rewarding. I would be curious if you've ever done a public display and encountered any women who had served in the WOW organization? I would love to see the shock and smiles on their faces when they saw your display and realized their contribution to the war effort has not been forgotten. Twenty years from now you won't be able to touch this stuff! Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocsfollowme Posted August 9, 2013 Share #15 Posted August 9, 2013 Awesome read! I just picked up this wow aresenal patch!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted August 9, 2013 Share #16 Posted August 9, 2013 Probably for a WOW that worked in one of the tank arsenals. Womens_O...e_Worker.JPG Very cool and interesting thread.The pic of the WOW girls look like real 'Rosie the riveter's ' with polk a dot scarfs and all.That patch is amazing.I've never seen one before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justine62 Posted August 14, 2013 Share #17 Posted August 14, 2013 Fantastic ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 15, 2013 Share #18 Posted August 15, 2013 Never knew about this...very interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted August 16, 2013 Share #19 Posted August 16, 2013 Echoing Brig's comment, I never know about this. Great and informative thread, thank you for some very welcome education on this branch of Women's Service. Best wishes! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted August 23, 2013 Share #20 Posted August 23, 2013 US Victory Museum, You never cease to amaze me! I love all the womans stuff myself as there were so few and their labor was unknown by most and under appreciated. The newer generations have no idea. Thanks much, Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnntheGreat Posted October 14, 2017 Share #21 Posted October 14, 2017 What a fantastic find. I'd love to be able to copy this and make it available to a new generation. Thanks, JoAnn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onereader Posted November 21, 2017 Share #22 Posted November 21, 2017 Fabulous thread! So informative and great to see all of the photos. I'll watch for a WOW patch for you when hitting the estate sales now that I know what it is! Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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