World War II Woman

Memories of December 7, 1941 (5)

Norman, his brothers, and several friends decided to make a surprise trip to visit an uncle living in Baltimore, Maryland. They were living in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, their uncle was also making a surprise visit to Pennsylvania. With time on their hands, and very little money in their pockets, they decided to go to Washington, D.C. to see the sights, all free. While on the way home, listening to the radio, they learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Norman says that from that day forward for many years he could think of almost nothing except the war and its impact on our lives. He enlisted and served in Europe.

Mary was in the Army Nurse Corps Reserve stationed at Ft. Belvoir outside of Washington, D. C. on December 7, 1941. She had enlisted in January of that year. On Pearl Harbor Day, she and another nurse were visiting her friend’s home in Washington when they heard the news. Given the fact that they had been encouraged to enlist to treat wounded soldiers,  they were not surprised by the news. They had suspected war was bound to happen sooner or later. The following days at camp were filled with shots, new instructions, and rumors of where they would be sent. Some of the nurses went overseas; Mary went to the Panama Canal Zone.

Bob and Ruth shared their memories of December 7, 1941. Bob was listening to the New York Giants game on the radio when the news was announced. Ruth had a neighbor friend visiting for an afternoon of play. They were still children and quite frightened by the news. Having no idea where Pearl Harbor was, they thought perhaps the Japanese could be in their neighborhood. When Ruth’s friend returned home, she left by the back door, climbed a fence, and went through backyards. She then called Ruth to announce that she had arrived home safely without seeing any Japanese.

For more World War II stories, go to www.peggeorge.com

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