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Member
Profile—Henrietta C. Korte
I enlisted March 11, 1943, in Springfield, Ohio. I was sent
to Indianapolis, IN, after I’d been in several cities in
Ohio for all sorts of exams. From Indiana, I went to the
Bronx, NY, to Hunter College, then to West Palm Beach, FL for
more institute courses. I went to Storekeeper (SK) School and
qualified for the duties for which I was trained; then to
Philadelphia, PA, and started my job. The SPARS had the entire
8th floor of the Benjamin Franklin Hotel, a truly wonderful
place to live! We worked in the building next to the home of
Betsy Ross where the first American flag was made. I
personally worked for the dental group. I’d receive a list
of what was needed and would go get it. Then, I would take it
to where it was to go. I never saw so many teeth in my entire
life. Later, I would get a note of how much was owed and I’d
write the check and give it to the same people to whom I’d
given the teeth.
I became an SK1c (Storekeeper 1st class) and had the
opportunity to go to Hawaii or Alaska. I chose the warm
climate. All of the girls going to Hawaii went through San
Francisco, and we all stayed at Sharp Park until our
transportation (ship) to Hawaii arrived. I was in the second
group of SPARS on their way to Hawaii. The ship was the
largest one that Hawaii had. Our meals were served the same as
a first class restaurant.
When we got to Hawaii, it was lovely. The flowers were
everywhere. The place we lived was a good way from work and we
were driven to work every day. Our bathroom and toilets were
not in our house, but across a sidewalk. A sailor was on guard
duty as these places were built for men, not women.
My job was to make out checks. When a sailor brought in his
cards, I made out the check which my boss delivered the next
morning. I also did a few other things, but I always had too
much free time.
When the war was over, a ship from the U.S. came for us. It
was a very small one. Some of us were seasick, so we stayed
topside all day. The boys brought us apples and crackers every
day. Every night they chased us to our beds.
When we got to San Francisco, the bosses began to make up
papers so we could get our discharge when we arrived at the
Personnel Separation Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
When we arrived at the center, I saw my destination listed
as Springfield, MO. I told them that was wrong. They
immediately began to fix it. In the U.S., many states have
cities names Springfield, and I was from the one in Ohio,
which is where they returned me.
I was given my Honorable Discharge on the 12th day of
November, 1945. I am also a charter member of WAVES National
Michigan Unit 32. I moved from Farmington to Novi in 1970 with
my son. - Henrietta C. Korte
| Ed. Note: We
encourage other members to submit their stories. We have
many requests through our Web page for true-life stories
of women who served during WWII. Read other profiles by
clicking on “Profiles”
on: www.womenofthewaves.com. |
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Shirley’s
Scribbles….
By Shirley Croucher
- Keep those Campbell labels coming to Shirley. Labels
will be mailed to National in February 2001.
- Personal items for our women veterans’ project are
still needed. Unused grocery coupons are needed for
military families overseas. Living overseas on military
pay is not easy, and the coupons help stretch budgets. The
commissaries will redeem coupons up to six months after
expiration. Send coupons, as current as possible, to
Shirley Croucher, 1267A Masonic Ct. Alma, MI
48801-1167.
- The Ann Arbor VA hospital has requested 2001 wall
calendars (preferably large enough to be seen across the
room) for patients’ rooms. They help keep the patients
oriented. You may bring them to the December 9 meeting or
mail directly to: VA Ann Arbor Health Care System
Volunteer Services (24V), 2215 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
48105. (Phone: 734-761-7995).
| The
USNS Mary Sears will be christened October 19
in Moss Point, MS. WAVES National will be well
represented with several members from Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Kentucky and Ohio. Barbara Turner, WN PR
chair, will present a plaque on behalf of WAVES National
and will read an official letter from Jan Roy. Barb has
also been asked to the Maid of Honor and will escort
Mary Sear’s sister to the platform where she will
break the bottle on the bow of the ship. |
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