Photo Archive of American Servicewomen in World War II

Collection of black-and-white silver gelatin photographs documenting the service of American women in the military during World War II and the 1950s. Includes 20 photographs, ranging in size from3.5" x 5" to 2" x 3" Photos depict members of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), the National Guard, and other auxiliary military units, such as a group of Asian-American nurses aides. Several images include handwritten captions identifying individuals, locations, and dates, with notable references to Camp Bullis, Texas (1956), and Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

The archive provides a visual testament to the (truncated) pioneering role of women in the U.S. military during a transformative period. In one striking image, a smiling African American WAVE stands proudly in uniform, reflecting the integration of Black women into the armed services during World War II despite ongoing racial discrimination. Other photos showcase groups of women in regimented formations, training exercises, and moments of camaraderie, emphasizing their rigorous discipline and collective identity. A group portrait of uniformed WAC officers is particularly notable, as the reverse of the photo provides a handwritten identification of the women pictured, including names such as Lee Horney, Mary Gordon, Dorothy Risser, and Angie McCarthy, preserving the memory of their service.

Additional images highlight the military training experience, such as a framed border print of servicewomen in fatigues at Camp Bullis, Texas, in July 1956, with a caption on the reverse indicating they were about to embark on field exercises with "C rations in bay." Another 1943-dated photo identifies "Miss Fern Hassler" standing in uniform against a rural landscape, suggesting the early recruitment of women into military service at the height of World War II. A separate set of images captures women in drill formations outside a National Guard Armory, reinforcing their growing visibility in traditionally male-dominated institutions.

Overall, the archive documents the breaking of gender barriers in the armed forces, as women took on crucial wartime roles and paved the way for future military integration. The presence of African American and white servicewomen together in this collection further illustrates the gradual desegregation of the military. Photographs remain in very good condition, with minor creasing and occasional handwritten inscriptions. An exceptional visual record of American servicewomen’s contributions to military history, offering rare insight into the personal and collective experiences of those who defied expectations to serve their country. (Inventory #: 21334)