On 15 May 1942, the United States Army created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Roughly a year later on July 1, 1943, it was converted to full status as the Women's Army Corps (WAC).
The original idea was that WAC soldiers would take on non-combat Army positions to "Free a Man to fight." The program had been modeled on similar programs in Britain and other countries.
While General Douglas MacArthur called the WACs "my best soldiers," saying they worked harder, complained less, and were better disciplined than men, general military opinion was against them. The WAC program encountered entrenched resistance from Army commanders and enlisted men as well as a concerted slander campaign that accused WACs of having loose morals and prostitution.
Despite these challenges, more than 150,000 WACs served in World War 2, releasing seven divisions of men for combat.
One of these WACs was Pvt. Dorothy L. Head who later married and became Pvt. Dorothy L. Lammerson. She enlisted as a WAC on Aug. 30, 1943 in Stockton, California. In 2014 I purchased Dorothy Lammerson's WAC purse. These plain leather purses, were the workhorse of the WAC uniform. While the strong leather has allowed them to survive, you'll find many missing their strap.
Dorothy's purse was complete and even better it had her original gloves and dog tags. But the piece de resistance about Dorothy's purse was what I found stuffed inside.
Tucked in the purse was not only Dorothy's dog tags and gloves, but poetry she and her husband Alfred had written each other in 1943 and 1944, letters, a telegram Alfred received announcing his son's birth and more. I'm still going through the items.
The paperwork tells of Dorothy and Alfred's life during the later part of the war. And while I don't have it all transcribed, I thought I would share some of it here with you.
Poetry from Dorothy to Alfred
Sweetheart
I thought that you would like to know
That someone's thoughts go where you go.
That someone never can forget the hours we spent
Since first we met.
That life is richer, sweeter far,
For such a sweetheart as you are.
And now my constant prayer will be
That God will keep you safe for me.
I love you, Dot
Lest you think Dot was all sentimental, she did have a sense of humor. Here's another of her poems to Alfred
Do not become a hermit, dear,
While I am far away.
Just have a lot of fun, dear,
Slip out each night and play.
Have the girls around, dear,
They too must have their fling.
Be sure you treat them kind, dear,
Laugh and dance and sing.
Do anything you will, dear,
Pet and flirt and park.
With Frances, Kay and Gladys, dear,
Have fun after dark.
The years are all too few, dear,
Your Chasing 'round to check.
But should I find you do, dear
I'll break your ---- neck!
And Alfred's response
I refuse to be a hermit Dot,
If I can have my way.
I've been a hermit long enough
It will not be to stay (He He)
Oh, sure I do step out a lot
You know it's not to play
I cut that meat, to get that dough
For us, just us some day (Ha Ha)
You Know I don't go dating girls
I'm such a funny guy
As long as Dorothy Head's so sweet
There is no reason why (See?)
To dance and sing and laugh, it's fine
Let's do more from no won
When you get back I'll show you "Dot"
I hope it's be-fore long (Better be)
Remember what I told you Dot
And what we hope to do
If we just stay this way we are
Why shouldn't it all come true? (Eh?)
So never wory about this "Al"
He's honest as can be (bragging)
I'm just a one-gal man it seems
Won't be long and you'll see
Al (Awful isn't it)
Another poem from Alfred titled "An Answer"
Your simple little life, you say
That title needs correcting
You told me you have loads of fun
And youve go a large selection
I'm writing this upon my bunk
Just Wondering about your letter
It makes me kind of jealous - like
And hope those guys ain't better
why I hate to stay in camp each night
But for three long weeks I've done it
I'm waiting, waiting for just one
It's sure an awful diet
I hatethis quiet, lonseome life
Hope I don't blow my top
So try to hurry back real fast
For Al's waiting for just "Dot"
Unfortunately the one thing I don't have is a picture of Dorothy or Arthur.