World War II Honoree

Bertha Delanie Wiesen

Hometown

HILLSBORO, Texas

Honored By

Jane Wiesen Sharp

Relationship

Great Niece

SHE WORKED AT CLIFTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, WACO TEXAS, IN 1942 SEWING ARMY UNIFORMS. SHE MOVED TO PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS IN 1943 AND WORKED EIGHT MONTHS IN THE SHIPYARDS AT NEARBY US NAVAL STATION-ORANGE. THE NAVY HELD CLASSES TO TEACH THE NECESSARY SKILLS FOR SHIP BUILDING. SHE ATTENDED THE 30-DAY ELECTRICIANS COURSE. IN EARLY 1944, MISS WIESEN MOVED TO DALLAS AND STARTED WORK AT NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION. SHE ATTENDED "WAR SCHOOL" TO LEARN THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR BUILDING PLANES AND WENT ON TO WORK AT THE FACILITY FROM JANUARY 1944 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1945. SHE 'SHOT RIVETS' MAKING THE TRAILING EDGE ON WINGS OF P-51 AIRPLANES. THESE WOMEN WERE CALLED CIVILIAN PRODUCTION SOLDIERS OR "ROSIE THE RIVETERS".