Over 150,000 American women served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, and members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army. They served as armorers, laboratory
Over 150,000 American women served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, and members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army.
They served as armorers, laboratory technicians, teletype operators, file clerks, typists, stenographers, motor-pool drivers, postal workers, weather observers and forecasters, cryptographers, radio operators and repairwomen, sheet-metal workers, parachute riggers, boat dispatchers, bombsight maintenance specialists, aerial photograph analysts, tabulators, electronics technicians and control-tower operators, and many others.
Women’s Army Corps members served in the United States, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, the Southwest Pacific, China, India, Burma, and the Middle East.
During World War II, WACs were awarded one Distinguished Service Medal, 62 Legions of Merit, three Air Medals, 10 Soldier’s Medals, 16 Purple Hearts and 565 Bronze Stars. A total of 657 WACs received medals and citations at the end of the war.
In 1945 General Dwight D. Eisenhower stated, “During the time I have had WACs under my command they have met every test and task assigned to them. Their contributions in efficiency, skill, spirit and determination are immeasurable.”
One decorated World War II WAC now living on Kaua‘i is longtime Koloa resident Mary Case. As Sgt. Mary Mosher, she served her country in New Guinea and the Philippines during the war.
