US Victory Museum Posted April 6, 2010 #1 Posted April 6, 2010 Massachusetts Women's Corps. Unlike organizations like California's WADCA or WATCC, which were purely patriotic women's organizations having a similar command structure like that of the US Armed Forces and Reserves, the MWC (sometimes called Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps) did have a nexus with the Massachusetts State Guard. There is currently a paucity of information on the I-net about this women's organization. The few links found with google are either newspaper articles, or obituary notices listing deceased members. In the period photo shown (plus enhancement) one can see that with the exception of the two women holding the guidon each woman wears a single ARP (Air Raid Person) MWC insignia on her left collar near the opening of her blouse. The two in the center have twin insignia or patches to denote rank; however, the resolution of the photo is too poor to distinguish what they are. I suspect that they're color tabs, like those used by AWVS. While searching on the I-net, I was able to locate a single photo of a MWC uniform in a museum's display (photo enclosed). My uniform displays poorly because it is on a man's form that squares the shoulders, and fills out the hourglass waist. Ignoring the camera flash, the blouse looks much darker in normal lighting; this chocolate colored uniform is tailored from summer weight gabardine wool and feels like expensive quality. All the buttons are Massachusetts state guard, including those on the cap. The insignia on the cap is composed of a stylized interlocking M & W surrounded by D & C (Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps.)
jgawne Posted April 6, 2010 #4 Posted April 6, 2010 The insignia does turn up around Mass from time to time. Lots fo people have no clue what it is though.
Steverino Posted August 10, 2012 #5 Posted August 10, 2012 The insignia does turn up around Mass from time to time. Lots fo people have no clue what it is though. The Mass Women's Corps was the peace-time follow-on to the Mass. Women's Defense Corps which was active during WWII. I have a brassard for the MWDC and another similar brassard where the owner had cut it apart to remove the "D", thus making it "MWC." The photo in this thread shows the shoulder patch for MWDC Driver. There were also MWDC shoulder patches for Canteen (coffee pot on patch), Communications (lightning bolt on patch), Medical (cadeusus on patch), and two different patches for Fire Warden (the first patch had a flame, but was replaced by a patch with a "W"). In addition, there were also matching collar tabs with "MWDC" in vertical lettering. Patch Johnson
carrabassett Posted August 19, 2012 #6 Posted August 19, 2012 I bought a beautiful cap badge on Martha's Vineyard in the 90's and just recently bought a DI in Medway, MA. Didn't have a clue what they were until I researched them. They do turn up occasionally!
Steverino Posted August 20, 2012 #8 Posted August 20, 2012 Massachusetts Women's Corps. Unlike organizations like California's WADCA or WATCC, which were purely patriotic women's organizations having a similar command structure like that of the US Armed Forces and Reserves, the MWC (sometimes called Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps) did have a nexus with the Massachusetts State Guard. There is currently a paucity of information on the I-net about this women's organization. The few links found with google are either newspaper articles, or obituary notices listing deceased members. In the period photo shown (plus enhancement) one can see that with the exception of the two women holding the guidon each woman wears a single ARP (Air Raid Person) MWC insignia on her left collar near the opening of her blouse. The two in the center have twin insignia or patches to denote rank; however, the resolution of the photo is too poor to distinguish what they are. I suspect that they're color tabs, like those used by AWVS. While searching on the I-net, I was able to locate a single photo of a MWC uniform in a museum's display (photo enclosed). My uniform displays poorly because it is on a man's form that squares the shoulders, and fills out the hourglass waist. Ignoring the camera flash, the blouse looks much darker in normal lighting; this chocolate colored uniform is tailored from summer weight gabardine wool and feels like expensive quality. All the buttons are Massachusetts state guard, including those on the cap. The insignia on the cap is composed of a stylized interlocking M & W surrounded by D & C (Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps.) The two ladies holding the guidon are most likely officers (I can't see rank on their shoulders), but the pair of insignia on their collars are like the one in the attached photo. They were worn in pairs by officers. I have both officer and enlisted MWDC uniforms and the officers have the double collar patch, while the enlisted have the single ARP DUI on the left lapel. Small numbers to be sure, but it would substantiate the unifroms in the photo. Patch Johnson
graham Posted August 24, 2012 #9 Posted August 24, 2012 jgawne said: The insignia does turn up around Mass from time to time. Lots fo people have no clue what it is though. They turn up in the UK too. Interesting back mark with date 1941. Does anyone know the maker ? [marked c in a circle] A good book for this kind of thing is ....DRESSED FOR DUTY. by JILL HALCOMBE SMITH. Vols 1 and 2. Vol 2 covers the MWDC. Graham.
Steverino Posted August 26, 2012 #10 Posted August 26, 2012 The circle c is the standard symbol for copyright. Perhaps the MWDC monogram was copyrighted by the organization. Patch Johnson
Bill Posted January 14, 2019 #11 Posted January 14, 2019 Not sure, maybe ROTC maybe State Guard ??? Thanks, Bill
Wake1941 Posted January 14, 2019 #13 Posted January 14, 2019 Fairly uncommon as well, worn on the womens hat
Bill Posted January 14, 2019 #15 Posted January 14, 2019 mhalstead1950 and Wake1941 thank you both. Bill
Salvage Sailor Posted January 14, 2019 #16 Posted January 14, 2019 Specifically, it's the Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps (MWDC) On Friday, May 25, 2018, The International Museum of World War II will open a new exhibition exploring the role of women in World War II. “Women in WWII: On the Home Fronts and the Battlefronts” highlights women in every major combatant nation and the vital contributions they made on home fronts and battlefronts. This unprecedented exhibition will feature more than 100 artifacts illuminating the diversity of roles women served and illustrating their profound impact on the war effort. The Museum will also be displaying, for the first time ever, a series of original Ansel Adams photographs that document the role of women as part of the war effort in Massachusetts. In 1942, the government commissioned Adams to document members of the Massachusetts Women’s Defense Corps (MWDC) training for assistance in five main areas: Medical, Transportation, Communications, Canteen, and Air Raid Protection Services. These photographs reflect a departure from Adams’ well-known landscape photographs, revealing high-contrast compositions of corps members reviewing maps, preparing meals, practicing rescue missions, and standing in formation.
Bill Posted January 15, 2019 #17 Posted January 15, 2019 Salvage Sailor, Thanks for the great info. Bill
mrgsmvm Posted February 19, 2021 #18 Posted February 19, 2021 Today for your viewing pleasure is a group from my Massachusetts Military collection---Enjoy. Shown is a small Massachusetts Woman’s Defense Corps grouping. Top row far left and far right are MWDC Tabs worn on both lapels, center is the MWDC hat badge. Second are the typical ribbon bars worn: left to right; Meritorious Service, Service and pre-pearl harbor service. Below the ribbon bars: officers wore the small State pin/MASS below on right lower lapel with the DUI of the Woman’s Civil Defense School on the right. The vertical Red stripes are Service stripes each representing One Year service and were worn centered on the lower left sleeve. These were removed after a full three years of service was attained and the Service ribbon Bar was then worn. At the bottom are two small civilian lapel buttons and represent service within the MWDC. If anyone has questions please ask and I will try to answer them. I am in the process, and have been for some time, of researching the MWDC and next year start writing a reference journal on the subject.
cutiger83 Posted February 19, 2021 #19 Posted February 19, 2021 This is a very nice and very rare grouping. I have never seen some of these items. I am looking forward to reading your reference material. This is not a well known group of women who served during the war. ...Kat
mrgsmvm Posted February 20, 2021 #20 Posted February 20, 2021 I am currently writing a reference journal titled: "Massachusetts State Guard WW II Unit Lineage", State recognition to Disbandment. I am hoping to have this completed by the Fall of 2021. I will take a short rest then start on the Massachusetts Woman’s Defense Corps (MWDC). I will post an additional MWDC group within the next hour or tonight. What is your main collecting focus? I live in Middleborough, Massachusetts fairly close to Cape Cod area. I now need to get back outside to do more snow removal as we had a snow storm that started Thursday night and ended this morning. Only ended up with about 8 inches of snow but still have lots to shovel but I do have a snow thrower so that helps. Sincerely John AKA: Captain Midnight
mrgsmvm Posted February 20, 2021 #21 Posted February 20, 2021 Okay Cutiger83, I will post another group now and will add content later as the snow awaits me. Enjoy and if you have questions ask here on the site or e-mail me and can find that in my profile. I do need to find a larger mount to place this group in as its to crammed in.
US Victory Museum Posted February 21, 2021 Author #22 Posted February 21, 2021 https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/202964-massachusetts-womans-defense-corp-grouping/ https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/72484-massachusetts-womens-corps/ https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/321957-unknown-badge-to-me-id-massachusetts-womens-defense-corps/ . Some prior posts on this topic.
mrgsmvm Posted February 28, 2021 #23 Posted February 28, 2021 This is a Hat Badge of the WW II Massachusetts Woman's Defense Corps, renamed in 1943 as the Massachusetts Woman's Corps. This was worn on both the dress hat and fatigue hat and came as seen in your photo and Sterling. These are becoming more difficult to find even here in Massachusetts. sincerely John AKA: Captain Midnight
mrgsmvm Posted July 12, 2021 #24 Posted July 12, 2021 On 4/6/2010 at 5:43 PM, US Victory Museum said: Massachusetts Women's Corps. Unlike organizations like California's WADCA or WATCC, which were purely patriotic women's organizations having a similar command structure like that of the US Armed Forces and Reserves, the MWC (sometimes called Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps) did have a nexus with the Massachusetts State Guard. There is currently a paucity of information on the I-net about this women's organization. The few links found with google are either newspaper articles, or obituary notices listing deceased members. In the period photo shown (plus enhancement) one can see that with the exception of the two women holding the guidon each woman wears a single ARP (Air Raid Person) MWC insignia on her left collar near the opening of her blouse. The two in the center have twin insignia or patches to denote rank; however, the resolution of the photo is too poor to distinguish what they are. I suspect that they're color tabs, like those used by AWVS. While searching on the I-net, I was able to locate a single photo of a MWC uniform in a museum's display (photo enclosed). My uniform displays poorly because it is on a man's form that squares the shoulders, and fills out the hourglass waist. Ignoring the camera flash, the blouse looks much darker in normal lighting; this chocolate colored uniform is tailored from summer weight gabardine wool and feels like expensive quality. All the buttons are Massachusetts state guard, including those on the cap. The insignia on the cap is composed of a stylized interlocking M & W surrounded by D & C (Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps.)
mrgsmvm Posted July 12, 2021 #25 Posted July 12, 2021 Photos of the MWDC are very difficult to come by so treasure those that you can find. I was intrigued by this photo so just had to find information about it. Information about the MWDC is almost impossible to locate as it was scattered to the winds after WW II. There are individuals whose MWDC personal records, photos and personal items have been donated to various achieves within Massachusetts but these are, at times, difficult to research. So below is what I have found for the 15th Bn, 18th Company MWDC. · 18th Co was located in West Roxbury, Massachusetts · Activated on October 30, 1942 · Deactivated/disbanded on September 16, 1946 · Last commanding officer was: Captain Helen Breivogel o Captain Breivogel is sitting front row center and wearing two ribbon bars over the left blouse jacket pocket and holding one corner of the Company Gideon. Note: Gideon shows lettering at bottom, MWC (Massachusetts Woman’s Corps), this is a change from, MWDC (Massachusetts Woman’s Defense Corps). The name change happened when the unit was integrated within the Massachusetts State Guard. The official date of the name change was by GO#1 December 28, 1944. The unit was integrated earlier in 1944. Information on the Massachusetts Woman’s Defense Corps is precious and little of it around so; read, save then pass it on to our brothers and sisters within our collecting community. Sincerely John Gisetto AKA: Captain Midnight
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