World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
Barbara Jean 'Bobbie' Worthey
Hometown
Greeley, Colorado
Honored By
Joe Worthey
Relationship
Loving Husband
WORKED IN A DEFENSE PLANT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, OPERATING LATHES AND MILLING MACHINES. UPON HER HUSBAND'S ENLISTMENT, SHE RELOCATED TO GREELEY, COLORADO AND OBTAINED WORK FOR UNITED AIRLINES IN CHEYENNE, WYOMING. EVERYDAY AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING, SHE TRAVELED BY BUS 100 MILES ROUND TRIP TO CHEYENNE, TO CLEAN SPARK PLUGS ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT. EVERY NIGHT SHE WOULD PEN HER HUSBAND LOVING LETTERS. TO BE WITH HER HUSBAND AFTER BOOT CAMP, SHE MOVED TO LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA AND RECEIVED EMPLOYMENT SEWING LARGE STACKS OF GREEN SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS. AFTERWARD, SHE WENT TO ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AND WORKED AS A 'ROSIE THE RIVETER' AT BOEING AIRCRAFT, WHERE SHE RIVETED AND BUCKED ON WINGS OF B-17'S AND OTHER MILITARY AIRCRAFT.