Veteran's History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

By the time Joan Fowler-Hughes was twenty one years old, she had graduated from high school as well as college. She was seriously involved with a man who was a college graduate as well as a pilot... and deployed to the theater of war in Europe. The man was killed in action.

Joan was grief-stricken. The best thing she felt she could to do keep his memory alive was to try to take his place in service to the Country.

Joan and a college friend decided to join the ranks of the Navy's WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). The WAVES were established by law to relieve the Officers and Enlisted sailors from shore duty so they could join their comrades on ships. As the WAVES were established, Officers had to be selected first and sent to training at Smith College at North Hampton, Massachusetts. Next, the training for the enlisted female sailors took place mainly at Hunter College, in the Bronx, NYC.

These women were trailblazers! Joan was among the first classes engaging in this program. At Hunter College, the women were introduced to the military and Navy history, customs and courtesies, issued stylish uniforms (and how to wear them properly), marched, performed calisthenics, and learned whom to salute and whom not to. Joan, not being a "morning person" got the opportunity to change her schedule around quite a bit!

Their formal uniforms were dark blue. Another uniform was seer-sucker material, and whites. Just pretty spiffy! Payday came around every month and Joan earned her $21.00 each time. She did not have any allocations for her dollars... she kept it.

Joan graduated from the Hunter College (boot camp) assignment. The Navy personnel unit recognized that she had college classes in the sciences. Because this was in her background, Joan was sent on to the US Naval Hospital at Bethesda, MD for her next training piece. She was there for several months.

Joan was performing ward duty in the hospital and she received orders to the Naval hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She continued to do her duties in a highly efficient manner. She was requested to return to the hospital in Bethesda, MD and on arrival, things had changed.

The Chief Petty Officer in charge of her section did not want women in his Navy. Many of the young female soldiers were afraid of this senior sailor. Going about their tasks, seemed like walking on egg shells, hoping they wouldn't upset this guy. He was just disgusted that the Navy made a ground-breaking policy before consulting him... well then!

Joan and her colleagues did their best. Their focus was the patients they cared for. Some of the patients were WWI veterans. Others were from different times along the way. Joan moved into the hospital laboratory. Here she applied the knowledge she obtained from college and was a pharmacy mate, for rating purposes.

On one occasion, she was on duty when her senior supervisor left to go to the movies... Before leaving the one in charge asked Joan to monitor the white blood count of one of the patients. In accordance with Murphy's Law, the patient's count began to climb and climb. Joan contacted the Chelsea Naval Hospital. An ambulance was dispatched and the patient was quickly taken for immediate care. Several weeks later, the patient returned to find Joan and he thanked her for saving his life!

Chelsea Naval Hospital was quite small but huge in Navy history. This site treated casualties from the Civil War and the First World War. It is in a suburb of Boston, MA.

In May 1945, the information that the war in Europe was over was announced. That was great news, but our forces, especially the Navy and Marine Corps were still fighting in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. In August 1945, the Japanese unconditionally surrendered. When that news arrived to where Joan was, all the personnel and patients were relieved and very happy it was all over!

Joan wisely bought Government Savings Bonds and a life insurance policy for $1,000.00. She still pays on that policy.

Quickly after the war was declared over, Joan left military service.

Pharmacy Mate 2nd Class Joan Fowler Hughes, you're just a great American, giving of yourself to help. Thank you for your service!