The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 93, July 1989 - April, 1990 Page: 62
598 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Hzstorzcal Quarterly
My introduction to martial life took place at Fort Oglethorpe, Geor-
gia, in March and April 1943, where our group of civilian enlistees
from the northeast were taught to respond as soldiers in the WAAC.
When basic training was over, we were divided into units and assigned
to one of the three forms of schooling then available to us: "Army Ad-
ministration," "Motor Transport," and "Cooks and Bakers."
Not considered for front-line duty, we were to be in a position to free
the men in the above jobs for fighting or for labors not physically suited
to ladies.
With forty-eight states to choose from, the corps sent some of us to
be educated in administrative work on the premises of Stephen F. Aus-
tin State Teachers College in Nacogdoches, Texas. They carefully enun-
ciated the name of the town for us: Naah-cuh-dough-chess!
On arrival at the modest train station, we were received by a cadre of
WAAC women and army men, all of whom were very snappy looking.
Escorted by the military and a friendly civilian audience of townspeople
who seemed happy to have us, we marched in formation through the
city to a large white bungalow on the campus of the college, which
served the purpose of a medical facility. Our baggage followed by truck
and was distributed on the ground around us while we lounged about
the lawn. I observed that the trees and grass were the intense green of
the artificial ones at the "Five-and-Ten-Cent Store" at home. The red
earth, bright flowers, and brick college buildings in the distance made a
picturesque contrast to the blandness of our late surroundings in basic
training.
We were invited a few at a time into the clinic, ordered to strip, and
were examined around our genitals by the nursing staff. The army was
right "up front" about everything except whatever they were looking
for. That we couldn't discover at first-but with urging were informed
it was "crabs"! Until that moment, I had never heard of them.
We were told that members who arrived directly after basic training
in wooded areas had them, which in no way described bare Fort Ogle-
thorpe. Precautions, they said, were taken to see that those "affected"
did not spread them, but since they detained over half the troops, we
decided they operated on a quota for each group of arrivals by the
"You-You-You-and-You" method, and chose any number indis-
criminately, because not one of us complained of itching. We were
treated with whatever was calculated to kill the pests, a remedy that
smelled of creosote. After this enforced malodorous rest, we prepared
to be socially acceptable, were given room assignments, and readied
ourselves for classes.
The housing at Administration School presented an abrupt change
from the two-story barracks we had known, to a huge domed building
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 93, July 1989 - April, 1990, periodical, 1990; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101213/m1/88/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.