Interview of Rachel Babcock on her service with the U.S. Navy WAVES during World War II
Rachel Babcock recalls her service as a radio operator with the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War Two. Babcock talks about the transition to basic training from teaching in a country school in Ingham County, Michigan, serving on a blimp base in Georgia, the culture shock of color-segregated facilities in the south, hitchhiking to the beach on weekends, and how civilians would frequently pay for meals for service members. She also talks about her post-military life, enrolling at Michigan State University, teaching in Lansing, MI, and the role of women in the American military.
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- In Collections
-
G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Copyright Status
- In Copyright
- Date
- 2003-10-23
- Interviewees
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Babcock, Rachel, 1921-2018
- Interviewers
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Cavanaugh, Katie
- Subjects
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Babcock, Rachel, 1921-2018
United States. Naval Reserve. Women's Reserve
World War (1939-1945)
Basic training (Military education)
Military participation--Female
Segregation
Soldiers
Women soldiers
Women veterans
Southern States
United States
- Material Type
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Sound recordings
- Series
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Few good women
- Language
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English
- Extent
- 01:02:24
- Venue Note
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Recorded 2003 October 23
- Holding Institution
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Vincent Voice Library
- Call Number
- Voice 41775
- Catalog Record
- http://catalog.lib.msu.edu/record=b13078522
- Permalink
- https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5571bw9d