National Air and Space Museum Archives

Women's Army Corps (WAC) Photography

Summary

Collection ID:
NASM.2022.0004
Dates:
1942-05-16
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.05 Cubic feet
1 folder
Repository:
King George VI of Great Britain and Queen Elizabeth with American General James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle of the Eighth Air Force visited the billet and post exchange at the headquarters in London, England on May 16, 1945 for the third anniversary of the US Women's Army Corps (WAC).

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection consists of seven photographs relating to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's inspection of the US Women's Army Corps (WAC) assigned to the Eighth Air Force at the US Strategic and Tactical Air Forces in Europe. Visiting their Headquarters in London on May 16, 1945, they were joined by American General Jimmy Doolittle to celebrate the WAC's third anniversary.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was a US Army unit created during World War II to enable women to serve in noncombat positions. It was first established as the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) on May 15, 1942 but dropped "Auxiliary" when it gained active-duty status on July 1, 1943. Women who served often held clerical jobs such as file clerk, stenographer, and switchboard operator, but also nontraditional roles such as radio operator, mechanic, and cryptologist. During World War II, about half of the WAC personnel were sent overseas to serve in Europe. Some of the first assignments were with the Eighth Air Force at the US Strategic and Tactical Air Forces. The WAC continued operations through the Vietnam War until 1978 when all female and male units were integrated.

Administration

Author
Amara Pugens
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Laura Lavine, Gift, 2022, NASM.2022.0004
Processing Information
Arranged, described, and encoded by Amara Pugens, 2022.

Digital Content


Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Preferred Citation
Women's Army Corps Photography, NASM.2022.0004, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Aeronautics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Doolittle, James Harold, 1896-1993 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Army. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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