Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Newspaper |
Source |
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
World War II to an Urban State (1940-1963) |
Chronological Tag |
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945) |
Catalog Number |
2018.043.009 |
Credit line |
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum - Johnston, Iowa |
Description |
This object is a newspaper clipping which depicts two women being sworn into the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) at Fort Des Moines. The two women were Miss Marion Lichty (left) and Mrs. Robert D. Han (right). These women were originally from Iowa, and they were the first two Iowans to take the WAAC oath. Captain Robert Jaques administered the oath. The last person in the photograph is Sergeant Frank L. Huffman who is observing the ceremony. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
In 1942 the Army opened an officer training school for women at Fort Des Moines. During World War II, Fort Des Moines served as a military training center for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), later renamed the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). The fort, as well as other neighboring facilities, started with 11,000 new female recruits and successfully trained 72,141 women including a small contingent of African American female officers. After the war, Fort Des Moines became a separation center for the WAC. (Schwieder, 280-281) Resource: Schwieder, Dorothy. Iowa: The Middle Land. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 1996. Pgs. 280-281. This object connects to the following standard: Standard SS-US.9-12.2 Iowans Influence US History: A lesson could be created about the WAAC, later called the WAC, and its connection to Fort Des Moines. |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - State/National |
County Tag |
Polk |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
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Search Terms |
Des Moines Iowa Military life Military camps Military facilities Military organizations Soldiers The Military in Iowa U.S. Army War War & Conflict Women Women's Experience World War II WW2 Military training |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
