Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
D15666-3
Date(s)
- 1943-06-30 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
On June 30, 1943, "Gray Lady" Amelia (Mrs. Clarence W.) Smith, left, paused in her rounds at the McChord Field Hospital to let Cpl. Harvey B. Frank help himself to items from her "cheer basket." Genevieve (Mrs. David H.) Freeman stood by to offer him a choice of current magazines. The women were part of the Red Cross Hospital and Recreation Service that offered personal, non medical, care to the sick and injured. They wore gray uniforms and veils that earned them the affectionate title of "Gray Lady" from the servicemen that they helped. In 1947, the name of the service was changed to "Gray Ladies" to honor that nickname. Cpl. Frank, who was convalescing far from his home in Norfolk, Va., was appreciative of the tubes of shaving cream, toothpaste and the Lucky Strike cigarettes in the basket. The Red Cross Motor Corps took the Gray Ladies to McChord Field on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and to Fort Lewis every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. (T.Times 7/3/1943, pg. 4)
Smith, Amelia; Freeman, Genevieve; Frank, Harvey B.; McChord Field Hospital (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Uniforms; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;