[Rarebooks] FS: WAC's Archive of service in World War II

[Bob Petrilla]

Lentz, Doris J. ONE WOMAN'S WAR [our title]: PHOTO ALBUM, SCRAPBOOK,
BADGES, INSIGNIA, ETC., DOCUMENTING HER SERVICE IN THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS
DURING WORLD WAR II, 1942-1945. Original archive. This extensive archive of
documents and artifacts traces Doris J. Lentz's military service from her
enlistment in 1942 through her discharge in 1945, plus some post-War
Hawaiian material. Included are: ~~An album with about 250 vernacular
photographs (2.5"x3.5" to 3.5"x5") of Iowa, Florida and Europe as well as
early post-War photographs from Idaho and Hawaii (native surfers, &c.).
~~Ten 8"x10" official photographs, including several of the WAC parade
along the Champs-Elysees on14 May 1945. ~~Many Christmas cards, including
one signed by Capt. Clark Gable [not authenticated, but judged authentic
with a simple "C" and closed "G" in the signaure]. ~~Thanksgiving and
Christmas menus from her WAC unit. ~~Official documents including Lentz's
WAAC [original acronym for the WAC] acceptance letter, her pay record,
promotion orders to Sergeant, enlistment record, discharge papers, and
Honorable Discharge certificate. ~~Several military pamphlets, including
early WAC recruiting materials, a guide to Paris for soldiers, and an Army
Song Book. ~~Nine documents relating to Lentz's week-long furlough spent at
the US Army recreation center at Nice, France. ~~Three original watercolors
of Paris scenes, signed by artist "Helene G." ~~A pocket-sized New
Testament, with a preface by FDR. On the faux-leather cover is a gilt Army
Aviation branch insignia, with Lentz's name stamped in blind. ~~About 60
additional vernacular snapshots. ~~Uniform parts, insignia and brass,
including shoulder patches (US Army Air Force, Service of Supply, and
ADSEC), two ribbon bars, insignia of ranks, WAC and Aviation collar
insignia, cap devices, and her dog-tags. ~~A canvas ditty bag and wallet,
provided by the Red Cross. ~~The first photographic feature article on the
WAAC from "Life" magazine, May 12, 1942. ~~~This archive is in very good,
overall condition. The front hinge of the photo album has been mended.
Several photo mounts have loosened. A few of the loose photographs show
some edge wear as does the Life magazine tear-sheet. The uniform
accessories show some light wear from use. Housed in two volumes: a
spiral-bound, leather photo album; and a three-ring binder with clear
sheet-protectors, bulking 3" thick (front joint mended with black
book-tape). Very Good. Leather & vinyl.
Doris J. Lentz (1925-2010) enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
(WAAC)--later the Women's Army Corps (WAC)--at Philadelphia in October,
1942. She was sent to the first WAAC training camp at Fort Des Moines,
Iowa, among the camp's first training cohorts. On graduation as a Stock
Records Clerk, Doris was assigned to the Army Air Force Tactical Center at
Orlando, Florida. From there, she was reassigned to Headquarters Command of
the European Theater of Operations in England. She went on to serve in
France after D-Day as reflected in some of her photographs. Sgt. Lentz took
part in both the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. The ADSEC shoulder
patch in her archive links her to that mobile logistics command which
followed American combat forces, advancing on Germany. ~~~ Doris had been
born at Indianapolis on October 18, 1925. Following her three years of
military service, here and overseas, she settled down to a civilian career
as a school janitor, Doris died on August 24, 2010, at Regency Place Health
Care Center in Greenfield, Indiana.   $750.00

Postpaid.  Reciprocal discount to booksellers.

Thanks for looking,

Bob


      R & A  Petrilla
Booksellers & Appraisers
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