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A BRIEF HISTORY OF Although the U.S. Naval Training School (WR) at Hunter College (Bronx, NY) was not the first boot camp for WAVES during WW II (NTS Cedar Falls, Iowa was), it eventually became the largest naval boot camp in the country. Cedar Falls was not large enough to accommodate up to 6,000 women at a time, so the Navy had to look elsewhere. Hunter College was originally a commuter college for women. It had no dormitories, but it did have four well-built stone buildings: Gillet Hall, David Hall, a gymnasium, and a student hall. The number of students had been declining during the war years. It was close to two subway lines for good transportation, and, overall, the Navy was well pleased with the site. The nearby 8th Regiment Armory (NY State National Guard) could be used for drilling and reviews and the Walton H.S. Auditorium could provide seating for 1,400. WAVE recruits had to be U.S. citizens between the ages of 20 and 36 with a high school diploma. Many were college graduates. We came from all over the country and from all walks of life, inspired by a sense of patriotism and a love of adventure. Training varied from six to eight weeks in length. Approximately 1,600 new recruits arrived every two weeks as a similar number shipped out for further training or duty assignments. Over 5,000 women were discharged from Hunter over the three-year period of operation, mainly for homesickness or psychological reasons. The Navy allocated two hundred dollars for our uniforms, which were designed by the French-born Mainbocher and we were convinced that ours were the best looking uniforms of any of the women’s services. Life at Hunter included classroom instruction, drill, physical education, and regimental reviews. We all remember the hours spent marching in either the heat of summer, or the wind and rain of spring and fall, or the cold and snow of winter.
Hunter trained 80,000
enlisted WAVES in the course of its existence, and approximately 1,900
SPARS and 3,300 Marines during 1943. The last class of WAVES’ trainees
graduated in October 1945. After serving the Navy and the nation for
three years, the “USS Hunter” was officially decommissioned on All of the nearby apartment buildings commandeered by the Navy in the 1940’s are now back in civilian hands and in use. The four original Hunter buildings are still being used at today’s Lehman College. For many WW II WAVES, Boot Camp at Hunter was a time of mental and physical testing, of long days and inadequate sleep at night. But it was also an exciting time when we learned new skills, made new friends and looked to the future with pride and confidence. None of us will ever forget Hunter. |
Come
Join Us In AUGUST 2 -
8, 2004 THE NEW
INDEPENDENCE MALL THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER
Located in the heart of historic Philadelphia on Independence Mall is the newly built and opened National Constitution Center. The museum is dedicated to the Constitution, its history and relevance to the lives of all Americans. The building has an education and outreach wing, two theaters, restaurant, special facilities for school children and much more. Come join us and experience the wonderful story that has gone into the making of this historic document that is so important to each of us personally. Look for more in future White Caps. |
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The daughter of Effie Helen (Scott) Godfrey is looking for anyone who may have served with her mother. If you served with her, or know someone who did, please contact: Penelope Idland, 1122 South Cedarview, Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 586-1160 |
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