Women's Army Auxiliary Corps

Date: 15 May 1942 to 1 Jul 1943
Location: United States
Surnames/tags: United States Army World War II Women's Army Corps Service Medal

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created as an auxiliary unit, on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC on 1 July 1943. About 150,000 American women eventually served in the WAAC and WAC during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. They were the first women other than nurses to serve with the Army.

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The WAAC were first trained in three major specialties. The brightest and nimblest were trained as switchboard operators. Next came the mechanics, who had to have a high degree of mechanical aptitude and problem solving ability. The bakers were usually the lowest scoring recruits and were stereotyped as being the least intelligent and able by their fellow WAACs. This was later expanded to dozens of specialties like Postal Clerk, Driver, Stenographer, and Clerk-Typist. WAC armorers maintained and repaired small arms and heavy weapons that they were not allowed to use. The WAC provided enlisted seamstresses to tailor WAC uniforms to their wearer - a service they also provided to male officers. ^[1]

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) organizational insignia was a Rising Eagle (nicknamed the "Waddling Duck" or "Walking Buzzard" by the members of the WAACs).

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It was worn in gold metal as cap badges and uniform buttons. Enlisted and NCO personnel wore it as an embossed circular cap badge on their Hobby Hats, while officers wore a "free" version (open work without a backing) on their hats to distinguish them .Their auxiliary insignia was the dark blue letters "WAAC" on an Olive Drab rectangle worn on the upper sleeve (below the stripes for enlisted ranks). WAAC personnel were not allowed to wear the same rank insignia as Army personnel. They were usually authorized to do so by post or unit commanders to help in indicating their seniority within the WAAC, although they had no authority over Army personnel ^[2]

The Women’s Army Corps Service Medal ^[3] was awarded to any service member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps between July 10, 1942 and August 31, 1943 or the Women's Army Corps between September 1, 1943 and September 2, 1945.

The Women’s Army Corps Service Medal was a military award of the United States Army which was created on July 29, 1943 by Executive Order 9365 issued by President Franklin Roosevelt. The medal was intended to recognize the service of women to the Army during the Second World War. The profile featured on the medal is that of the goddess Pallas Athena; the same profile was used for the Women's Army Corps branch insignia.

Note: Individual Profiles on WikiTree that have served during World War II and also have the Women's Army Corps Medal can be found here: Category:Women%27s_Army_Corps_Service_Medal

Sources

1. ↑ Treadwell, Mattie E. (1954). The Women's Army Corps. United States Army in World War II (1991 ed.). United States Army Center of Military History
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Army_Corps#WAAC_ranks
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Army_Corps_Service_Medal

• https://www.army.mil/women/history/wac.html
• http://www.military.com/video/operations-and-strategy/second-world-war/classic-1943-waac-recruiting-film/2630203821001
• https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/legislation-creating-the-womens-army-corps-becomes-law

See Also:

• WikiTree profiles of those who served in the WAAC and/or the WAC. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:United_States_Women%27s_Army_Corps

• U.S. Army’s all-black, all-female WWII battalion may receive a Congressional Gold Medal Ref: Connecting Vets URL: https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/kansas-senator-jerry-moran-introduces-legislation-award-congressional-gold-medal-members?fbclid=IwAR38OwHPpRJRl4vkt9x52cBrVfFqKmNCb2bwemT9oDsMKQ3Qqigo4853iPQ