PORTLAND INQUIRER
Pag» t
Why Is A WAAC?
By Flora Faulk
These are some of the questions
that I have been pondering over.
After a visit with the Wacs at
Fort Lewis, Washington, a few
days ago who are stationed there
on military duty, having an inter
view with them, seeing them at
their daily tasks, and inspecting
their quarters, these and other
questions are very clear to me
now. The life of a wac and the
parts they are playing to help win
the war is well worth while to
know.
Capt. Irma J. Wertz, command
ing officer of Company F. Wac
Engr. Training Sec., is a very
charming and interesting person
to talk with. She can relate some
exciting experiences she has had
Adequate home nursing care, service wives, like the one shown
during her three years of service. combined with a program of edu- here, have been visited by the
While there she gave us this short cation in caring for the sick is Association's registered nurses to
but interesting part of her life: one of the services provided for date this yeavr. Visiting Nurse
“These Wacs have the deepest wives of servicemen by staff Week is being observed Septem-
interest in their work, so much nurses of the Portland Visiting ber 2-8 by proclamation of Mayor
so that they do not go in for Nurse Association, a Community Earl Riley.
social activities at all. Since they Chest agency. More than 2000
(See story on page 2)
have been stationed at Fort
Lewis, Wash., they have had sev authority, she declares: “Ingenui F, WAC Engr. Tng. Sec. last
eral invitations to parties and ty in preparing a meal is the army week.
Among the first to volunteer
dances, including Seattle, Wash, mess sergeant’s greatest asset. In
and the U. S. O. in Portland and the two years and eight months for the Women’s Armyl Auxiliary
these along with others they have I have been in the army, I find Corps Capt. Irma J. Wertz was
constantly declined. When asked women are just as particular selected as one of the first 36
why, they say they are too busy about the things they eat as their Negro women to be commissioned
in the Corps. Arriving at the
with their army work to take time civilian sisters.”
Acting as First Sergeant of the first WAC Training Center, Fort
out for social functions. Their
work is much more important company is S/Sgt. Frances R. De- DesMoines, Iowa, 20 July 1942,
than parties and dances. Then, Courcey, a graduate nurse. She along with approximately 500
too, they would be tired and un was formerly on duty at Harlem other patriotically inspired wo
men. On this date three years
fit to perform their duties the Hospital in New York.
One
of
the
most
popular
girls
ago these women in thfe words
next day. Therefore they give up
their social life for the much in the company is the mail or of the Wac director “gave up
needed work to be done in army derly Cpl. Georgia Cheatam of silks and satins and put on khaki
Indianapolis, Ind. She majored >n in answer to their country’s need.”
life to help win the war.
They do go in for sports and physical education in Indiana \ The Captain comes from Chi-1
their most favorite game seems University before enlisting and cago, mid-west bivouac of many
to be basketball. Some time ago established a reputation as a free progressive Negro citizens. You
they played in a basketball game lance commercial artist, having can add her name to that long
in Seattle, Wash, and believe it or studied at the John Herron A r list of midwestern progressives,
not, but they came back winners. tists’ Studios at Indianapolis. who have contributed in no small
Most of these girls are married Samples of her work adorn the way by their achievements to
race progress.
and husbands are in the service company orderly rooms.
Many have learned new skills
Born in Brunswick, Georgia,
and overseas, so they are very
anxious for the war to end so since entering the service and the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. R.
their husbands along with the some are utilizing knowledge ac N. Jackson, Capt. Weertz has
rest of the boys can return home. quired in civilian life thereby had the advantages of culture
That makes them very ambitious adding invaluable experience to and education. Her father was a
their future recommendations.
Captain during the last war and
about their work.
The group also includes truck army life is, therefore, not com
It is also interesting to know
that most of these girls have had drivers, typists, warehouse clerks, pletely new to her. She has at
tended Fisk University graduate
from one to three years of college and hematologists.
The
Wacs
daily
routine
is
sim-
and undergraduate schools at
training and the rest have com
ilar
to
that
of
a
soldier
in
train-
Nashville,
Tenn., The Atlanta
pleted high school. This includes
Pfc. Emily Harris of 4305 St. ing. They start the day at 6 A. M. School of Social Work, The Chi-
Louis Ave., St. Louis, Mo., who and work straight through until cago Academy of Fine Arts, Chi-
has completed three and a half 5 P. M. Then they dress in their cago’s Bryant and Stratton Busi-
years pre-medical training at Lin uniforms and are ready for re- ness College and has to her credit
research in the fied of Authropo-
coln University, Jefferson City, treat at 6 P. M.
Three
Years
In
the
Army
logy at the University of Chicago.
Mo. She is now a medical Wac
in the hematology laboratory at that was the proud boast of the During the summer of 1939 Capt.
Madigan General Hospital, Fort Commanding Officer of Company Wertz studied low-cost housing
in Scotland and England. She
Lewis, Wash. “As a civilian,”
was
vacationing in Paris when
states Pfc. Harris, “I had the
Poland
was invaded and can
training but not the experience.
Ceads GreafCombination
never forget the experience of
Now I am getting the experience
o f JTalenled “ Jump/?
being one of two American ci
and intend to complete my neces
Musician»^
vilians
aboard the last train from
sary half year in college after
Paris
prior
to official declaration
the war.”
of
war.
T/Sgt. Marguerite Wallace of
Prior to joining the Army Capt.
Monmouth, 111., a professional
Wertz has been employed as a
dietician before joining the Wacs,
social worker in her hometown,
is appropriately enough Mess
Brunswick, Georgia and later in
Sergeant with Company F. She
Chicago
in the specialized field
holds the B. S. degree in do
of
child
placemenet.
Upon her re
mestic science from Bradley
turn to the States in 1939 she
Polytechnic Institute at Peoria,
resumed her duties at Children’s
111. With professional dietician’s
and Minors’ Service, Chicago, but
soon gave this up in favor of
volunteer
defense work. It was
EAT WITH US
not surprising then than she
You are always
should be among the first volun
welcome—
teers for the Corps.
Enthusiastic on the subject of
the value and the necessity of
Negro women aiding in all de
fense efforts the Captain feels
=
Exclusive to Ted Y a te» P u blica tion «
that
opportunities offered enlist
Tab Smith (above) is a sensation
with^his ork, a combination of ees in the Corps provide them
eight* musicians at Newi York’s with many necessary essentials
Savoy Ballroom where also another
required to fight the battles of
"we never close'/
great maestro (Tiny Bradshaw) is
swingin’ out nightly. Tab who hails life. Discipline, education, sacri
Short Orders our
from Kingston, N. C. started music fice and cooperation fit these
at the early age of 14 and comes women in more ways than one
specialty
from a musical family. You will
soon be dancing to the tunes of this for their future in the Ameri
talented
artist and his “jump” can scheme of affairs.
1621 N Williams Ave.
musicians who are on the upbeat
“Furthermore", she added, “if
with the downbeat. Petite Betty
Mrs. H a
Johnson,
Mays is an added attraction in the we of the Negro race hope for a
M anager
place in the world picture of the
vocal deoartment.
The
KEYSTONE
LUNCH
August 24, 1945
democracies when
the total
peace is established, we must by
our untiring efforts sacrifice and
toil, do all that we can to help
win the peace, so that we shall
have the right to demand and
enjoy those privileges granted to
all liberty loving peoples. I
joined because I felt it my duty
as a citizen and have never re
gretted it. Full credit goes to my
fine staff and members of my
company who have always whole
heartedly supported me and this
idea. My experience in the Corps
has been as Special Service Of
ficer, First Wac Training Center,
one of the first staff members
with the Director in Washington,
D. C. and the first Wac officer
assigned with a company to re
port for duty on an army post.
Two weeks later in 1942 Fort
Huachuca, Aricona turned out
10,000 strong to welcome the
first WAC companies in the field
under the command WAC offi
cers. It has been my privilege to
serve with the same unit until we
were separated in November 1944.
During our stay at Huachuca
these valiant women prepared and
shipped to their destinies the two
Negro divisions now serving their
country on foreign soil.
This
within itself is worth any sacri
fice which we have made. These
same women have brought to
Fort Lewis a new life and in
terest, their value to the post
speaks best for itself in the many
stripes they flourish so proudly.
True, we have sacrificed for this
effort but shouldn’t we all?”
BARGAINS
IN HOMES
FRANK L. McGUIRE—3 houses First and Pacific—just
across the Steel bridge. All 3 bedroom, 6 room houses
with full cement basement warm air pipe furnace. Must
all be sold at once. If you have two
friends that will buy the adjoining hous
es, we are open to do business.
One
house is $3650, one $2990, and the other
$2900. Reasonable terms down, balance
less than rent. Ask for A -194, A-198, F-178.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—Fine income—one
5-room apt. down, complete bath; one
2-room apt. up with bath. Good condi
tion. Tax $23.60. 50x100 lot. Priced at
only $3500. A real bargain price on nice income property.
Ask for Key No. A-56.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—Two bedroom, nice condition, close
to bus and school, only $2350, easy down payment $750.
Lot 150 dep, has garage, 2 extra bedrooms in attic. Part
cement basement. Ask for C-146.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—Income $110 per month, plus 4 large
rooms and bath for owner. Double plumbing, cement
basement, fuel furnace, 2 fireplaces, double garage. It’s on
bus line and 4 blocks to school. Gas water heater, ven.
blinds. Located on paved street, has cement sidewalks.
One of our best for only $4500—terms. Call Mr. Morris,
ask for E-95.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—FURNISHED—2 bedrooms down,
complete bath, 2 bedrooms up, utility room, good condition.
Owner occupied, Vz blk. to bus. A lot of property for
only $3300, terms. C-191.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—FURNISHED— 1 bedroom with in
closed porch—may be used as extra bedroom—only $1990,
terms. 1 Vz blks. to bus. Owner occupied, corner lot, op
portunity to own your own furnished home for very little
money. Ask for C-134.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—Three bedroom home, 2 baths, fire
place, 2 kitchens, all on one floor. Piped fuel furnace, gas
water heater. All furnished including El. range. Full size
lot, nicely landscaped, 2 lbks. to bus, 6 to school, owner
occupied. Only $4500. Ask for H-222.
FRANK L. McGUIRE—One bedroom down, partial plumb
ing, 3 bedrooms up, with full plumbing. Full cement base
ment, paint good, sawdust water heater. Basement garage,
good looking, American Colonial type and priced furnished
$5500, terms. Ask for G-79.
FRANK L. McGUIRE— Only $2500 for this 3-bedroom shake
exterior, owner occupied. 3 blocks to bus and school, full
bath. A fine bargain. Ask for E-139.
FRANK L. McGUIRE--$3250. Albina Heights, 3 bedroom, 6
room home. Corner lot—sitely property. Close to Eman
uel hospital. Garage. 421 North Knott. Reasonable pay
ment down, balance like rent. Ask for B-193.
•
FRANK L. McGUIRE—Nice income plus apartment for
owner. Property has five room apartment with bath
down. Large, 2 room apartment with bath up. In 50x150
lot. Good condition and only $3500—terms. Call AT. 7171,
Mr. Morris ask for A56.
Frank L. McGuire
“AMERICA’S LARGEST HOME SELLER”
328 S. W. WASHINGTON ST.
ATwaler 7171
HI