Introduction
The Women's Army Corps was originally known as the Women's Army
Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). It was established as an auxiliary
unit of the US Army on May 15, 1942. A year later the WAAC was
converted to active duty status as the United States Women's Army
Corps (WAC) on July 1, 1943. A recruitment campaign for new recruits
and recall of inactive WACs geared up following the outbreak of the
Korean War. The WAC director at that time was Col. Mary A.
Hallaren. Upon her retirement Irene O. Galloway became the new
director. The Corps was disbanded in 1978 and its troops were
integrated with all male units.
During the Korean War there were 120,000 women on active duty in
the US military. As of June 30, 1950, there were 2,746 WAVES;
3,782 WAFs; 535 Women's Marines; and 11.932 WACs. One-third of
the total of these servicewomen were health care providers. Twenty
percent of the WAC force served overseas during the Korean War, but
not in Korea and not in combat. Some were sent to Japan and some
were sent to Okinawa. No WAC unit was sent to Korea, but in
1952-53 approximately one dozen individual WACs were sent to Pusan
and Seoul, Korea, to serve as translators, secretaries, and
administrators.
The Korean War Educator is seeking information and stories about
any WAC who served in the Far East Command during the Korean War.
Contact lynnita@thekwe.org
to add information to this page.
Page Contents
- Introduction
- Camp Zama, Japan Honor Guard
- Known WACs in Far East Command
Camp Zama, Japan Female Honor Guard
Camp Zama is located in Kanagawa prefecture, about 25 miles west
of Tokyo. It is located on the former site of the Imperial
Japanese Army Academy known as Sobudai. During the
Korean War, the Camp Zama Women's Army Corps had the only female
honor guard in the Far East.
Grace Ann Summers
Tifani Summers is currently (2021) a Major in the United States
Army. She honored her grandmother, a former WAC, by
recognizing her service during the Korean War at Camp Zama, Japan.
WAC Sgt. Grace Ann Summers was a member of that honor guard.
She was an administrative supervisor in the 8030th Army Unit at the
time.
Born April 5. 1934, she was the daughter of Mattie Summers.
She graduated from Froebel High School and then joined the WACs in
July 1952. One year later she was serving at Camp Zama.
In addition to her work as a supervisor, Grace Ann was a member of
the detachment's basketball team. Sergeant Summers died on
January 20, 1969 at the age of 34. She is buried in Oak Hill
Cemetery, Gary, Indiana.
Juanita Blanche Meyer
Juanita Blanche Meyer was born March 29, 1932 in Freeport,
Illinois, daughter of Clarence J. and Dorothy L. Galbraith Meyer.
She enlisted in the WACs after high school and served November 1952
to May 1955. While serving with the 5th and 8th Army
Headquarters at Camp Zama, Japan, she was a member of the Women's
Honor Platoon.
On August 7, 1953, Corporal Meyer married Karl Menno Veer, who
served in the US Air Force from January 2, 1951 to May 31, 1969.
The couple had a son Gregory, who was born and died on Christmas Day
1956. Their daughter Karla Veer married Kevin Green.
Juanita Meyer Veer died December 12, 2002 in Freeport, Illinois.
She is buried in Chimes Tower Garden, Freeport.
Janett Lee Worley
Janett Lee Worley, daughter of J.L. "Bee" and Rose Worley of
Lowell, was just 18 years old when she graduated from high school in
the spring of 1952 and then reported for indoctrination in the WACs
on September 25, 1952. Included in her military assignments
was duty in Camp Zama, Japan, where she served as a member of Camp
Zama's honor platoon. She received many honors including the
American Spirit Award for Outstanding Performance.
Corporal Worley married Marine Pfc. Charles J. Nugent, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Lovel Nugent, on March 12, 1954 in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
After her military service she moved to Los Angeles, California,
where she was employed by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.
She received an Associate in Arts degree in speech at Cal State
University. She later opened a tee shirt shop in Petaluma,
California. Born September 27, 1933, Janett died August 3,
2004.
Known WACs in Far East Command
- Yonker, Joyce - stationed in Yokohama, Japan 1949-50.
Married Duane O'Neil.
|
