NASM-9A18825: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit WAC, May 16, 1945: 1945-05-16-
US Women's Army Corps Photographs: 1945-05-16-
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.
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.
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Laura Lavine, Gift, 2022, NASM.2022.0004
Women's Army Corps Photography, NASM.2022.0004, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Arranged, described, and encoded by Amara Pugens, 2022.