The Supreme Sacrifice made by the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in World War II

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established on May 15, 1942, by a bill first introduced by Representative Edith Nourse Rogers, a Republican representing Massachusetts.   The WAAC was an auxiliary that served with but not in the United States Army.  As such WAACs did not have full Army status and rank. 

Members of the WAAC at Fort Des Moines, Iowa

As WAAC units were sent to army posts in the summer and fall of 1942, and in 1943 to North Africa and England the question of whether the WAAC were “persons in military service” became apparent and presented numerous administrative challenges and legal issues.  The Army Judge Advocate General, Army Comptroller General, Army Quartermaster, Army Chief of Transportation and other staff heads were soon inundated and often had conflicting opinions on matters related to military discipline, awards, war risk insurance, travel pay, and other military rights and privileges.

The Army Quartermaster General ruled that WAACs were not eligible for burial with a flag, military honors, or an escort to accompany the remains home.  This decision was either carried out, not received, or ignored by local American Legion posts who provided full military honors. 

The WAACs soon demonstrated their worth to the Army and the war effort, and military status was required to resolve the numerous administrative challenges and legal issues.  The Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall supported the bill to establish the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) signed on July 1, 1943, by President Roosevelt.  Director Oveta Culp Hobby took the oath of office on July 5, 1943, and became a colonel in the Army of the United States.

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) ceased to exist on September 30, 1943.

Fifty thousand WAACs joined the WAC and were authorized to wear a green and gold service ribbon on their uniform recognizing their pioneer service in the WAAC.

The Supreme Sacrifice made by the WAAC

Twenty-five members of the WAAC died in service during World War II.

The WAAC ranks listed below were equivalent to Army ranks as follows: Third officer (second lieutenant), first leader (first sergeant), junior leader (corporal), technician fifth grade (technician fifth grade), technician fourth grade (technician fourth grade), and auxiliary (private).   

Auxiliary Angela Catherine Becker, A704915, was from Mahnomen, Mahnomen County, Minnesota.  She died on July 16, 1943, at Fort Riley, Kansas. 

Auxiliary Alice Levinia Brittingham, A310347, was from Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.  She died on May 10, 1943, at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Auxiliary Vilena “Velma” L. Cannon, A403422, was from Greeneville, Greene County, Tennessee.  She volunteered for overseas service and was assigned to a unit subsequently deployed to North Africa.  Auxiliary Cannon died on June 29, 1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

Auxiliary Theresa Frances O’Donnell Cort, A215066, was from Irvington, Essex County, New Jersey.  She died on January 12, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.  Auxiliary Cort was the first enlisted WAAC to die in service.

Junior Leader Marie Jackson Craig, A403056, was from Sequatchie County, Tennessee.  She died on August 5, 1943, at Camp Upton, New York.

Auxiliary Dorothy Marie Cunniff, A116388, was from Malden, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  She died on March 7, 1943, at the US Marine Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.

Auxiliary Barbara D. Hayes Davis, A701288, was from Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.  She died on February 26, 1943, at Fort Crook, Nebraska. Auxiliary Davis was one of two Americans of African descent in the WAAC to die in service.

Auxiliary Mary Louise Gibbs, A110092, was from Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont.  She died on June 27, 1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. 

Auxiliary Mary S. Hallowell, A304581, was from East Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  She died on April 10, 1943, at Syracuse, New York.

Auxiliary Alice Julia Schotts Jenkins, A600899, was from Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan.  She died on March 22, 1943, at Saginaw, Michigan.

Auxiliary Madelyn M. Barrette Lacanne, A604217, was from Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin.  She died on August 8, 1943, at Ellington Field, Harris County, Texas.  The Madelyn Lacanne American Legion Post 539 in Green Bay, Wisconsin was named in her honor.

Auxiliary Monnie Juanita LeComte, A800301, was from Refugio, Refugio County, Texas.  She died on July 16, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

Auxiliary Gladys Roberta Lee, A800422, was from Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas.  She died on April 3, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

Auxiliary May Pappas Veal Like, A808590, was from Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas.  She died on July 5, 1943, at Houston, Texas.

First Leader Eloise L. Marcus, A600189, was from Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Stage name Anne Whitney.   She died on June 13, 1943, at Fort Custer, Michigan.

Auxiliary Gladys Isabell Marson, A900057, was from Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.  She volunteered for overseas service.  Auxiliary Marson died on June 5, 1943, in North Africa of injuries suffered in a jeep accident.  She was buried with full military honors in the American military cemetery in Algeria alongside her fellow soldiers. Auxiliary Marson was the first enlisted member of the WAAC to die overseas. 

Auxiliary Rita Lucille McCarthy, Auxiliary, A502723, was from Gary, Lake County, Indiana.  She died on April 11, 1943, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Third Officer Eleanor Campbell Nate, L700011, was from Wilmette, Cook County, Illinois.  She and her husband, Army Major Joseph C. Nate Jr. were passengers along with a four-man crew on an Army aircraft on a flight from MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida to San Antonio, Texas.  The Army Air Forces medium bomber was reported missing and presumed lost on December 28, 1942, over the Gulf of America (then Gulf of Mexico).  She was the first member of the WAAC to die in service.

Third Officer Mary Agnes O’Dell, L125252, was from West Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut.  She died on May 15, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

Auxiliary Jacqueline Rae Oliver, A900817, was from Taft, Kern County, California.  She volunteered for overseas service, and her unit was subsequently sent to North Africa.  Auxiliary Oliver died on June 29, 1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

Auxiliary Elmira Sharpe, A210181, was from Albany County, New York.  She died on May 17, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.  Auxiliary Sharpe was one of two Americans of African descent in the WAAC to die in service.

Technician Fourth Grade Elizabeth Smith Sutton, A308115, was from Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.  She died on June 27, 1943, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

Third Officer Barbara Katherine Young, L403485, from Ruffs Dale, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  Killed on August 9, 1943, near Shreveport, Louisiana in the crash of an Army Air Forces airplane.

Auxiliary Mary Beatrice Zang, A302157, from Baltimore, Maryland.  Died on April 7, 1943, at Camp Polk, Louisiana.

Technician Fifth Grade Mary S. Zaprzalka, A607697, from Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Died on August 13, 1943, at Halloran Hospital, Long Island, New York City, New York.