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US Victory Museum

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.

post-1529-1213509276.jpg

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US Victory Museum

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.

post-1529-1213509325.jpg

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US Victory Museum

Tie with mini patch. Also visible in the photo is a

WOW tinnie pin on the left breast pocket.

post-1529-1213509425.jpg

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Charlie Flick

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

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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

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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!

post-1529-1214020713.jpg

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Croix de Guerre

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!

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  • 5 years later...
firefighter

Probably for a WOW that worked in one of the tank arsenals.

 

attachicon.gifWomens_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.

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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

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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

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  • 4 years later...
  • 1 month later...

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

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