Interview of Theodora C. Smolinski on her service in the U.S. Army during WWII

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Description:

Theodora C. Smolinski talks about her service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and later the Women's Army Corp during World War II. She says that she was working as a stenographer and switchboard operator for a company in Pittsburgh when, motivated by patriotism, she enlisted in October 1942 and later found herself being shipped overseas aboard the Queen Mary. She discusses the bases she served at in both England and France, describes her Army duties as a switchboard operator, her pay, her rank, her uniforms, and being segregated from the men. Smolinski says she returned to her employer in Pittsburgh after her discharge in 1945, used the GI Bill to earn a certificate in occupational therapy and later an undergraduate degree and that her time in the military gave her a sense of confidence which was important to her throughout her life. Smolinski is interviewed by Amelia Bunder.

Date Issued:

1984-02-22T00:00:00Z

Data Provider:

Michigan State University. Libraries

Collection:

Women's Overseas Service League Oral History Project

Place:

England and France

Subject Topic:

Knowledge and learning, Military life, World War, 1939-1945, Veterans, Women veterans, World War, 1939-1945, World War, 1939-1945, Participation, Female, Military bases, Military bases, Women soldiers, and Employment

Subject Name:

Smolinski, Theodora C., Smolinski, Theodora C., United States, Army, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, United States, Army, Women's Army Corps, United States, and Army

Subject Genre:

Interviews, Interviews, Interviews, Interviews, Interviews, and Personal narratives, American

Language:

English

Rights:

In Copyright

URL:

https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5k11x