Posted on Jan 28, 2015
Does anyone recognize these relatively rare branch insignia?
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I always thought the WAC was a WWII organization . . . but I recently met a Vietnam ERA WAC on RP!!! :)
The WAC had its own branch insignia (the Bust of Pallas Athena) . . . worn by "Branch Immaterial" personnel (those unassigned to a Branch of Service). US Army policy decreed that technical and professional WAC personnel should wear their assigned Branch of Service insignia to reduce confusion.
The first WAC officer assigned to Vietnam in March 1962 was Major Anne Marie Doering. Two WAC advisors to the Vietnam Women's Army Forces Corps were next to arrive in January 1965 - Lt. Col. Kathleen I. Wilkes and master Sergeant Betty L. Adams. They were replaced annually. A WAC detachment with an average strength of 90 enlisted women was located at HQ, US Army, Vietnam, Long Binh, approximately 20 miles from Saigon. The detachment remained there from January 1967 until October 1972 when all US troops began to withdraw form Vietnam. Many enlisted women and WAC officers also served at General Westmoreland's headquarters in Saigon throughout this same period.
Warmest Regards, Sandy
o http://www.armywomen.org/award.shtml
o http://www.armywomen.org/wacHistory.shtml
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_Army_Corps
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-NI8JQW8bQ
The WAC had its own branch insignia (the Bust of Pallas Athena) . . . worn by "Branch Immaterial" personnel (those unassigned to a Branch of Service). US Army policy decreed that technical and professional WAC personnel should wear their assigned Branch of Service insignia to reduce confusion.
The first WAC officer assigned to Vietnam in March 1962 was Major Anne Marie Doering. Two WAC advisors to the Vietnam Women's Army Forces Corps were next to arrive in January 1965 - Lt. Col. Kathleen I. Wilkes and master Sergeant Betty L. Adams. They were replaced annually. A WAC detachment with an average strength of 90 enlisted women was located at HQ, US Army, Vietnam, Long Binh, approximately 20 miles from Saigon. The detachment remained there from January 1967 until October 1972 when all US troops began to withdraw form Vietnam. Many enlisted women and WAC officers also served at General Westmoreland's headquarters in Saigon throughout this same period.
Warmest Regards, Sandy
o http://www.armywomen.org/award.shtml
o http://www.armywomen.org/wacHistory.shtml
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_Army_Corps
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-NI8JQW8bQ
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Women in the Military
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 24
Oh my gosh, 1LT Sandy Annala! I had no idea that the WAC had its own insignia. I love the wikipedia pic showing the Air Traffic Controller. I guess even back then, authorities realized that females make good controllers due to their multi-tasking skills. I'm thankful for the WAC and the doors they opened for us.
Wow! Way cool. I've never seen anything like that. Since you are in DC, have you thought of contacting someone at the Women In Military Service Memorial at Arlington Cemetary? Maybe someone there will know. That is amazing! How did they come into your possession?
Ah, the Women's Army Corps.
I actually served with a former WAC on my first tour in Afghanistan. I thought they were long extinct, but there she was. Last I heard, she became a librarian in Fort Sam Houston.
I actually served with a former WAC on my first tour in Afghanistan. I thought they were long extinct, but there she was. Last I heard, she became a librarian in Fort Sam Houston.
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