World War II Honoree

Marya Welch

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Guthrie, Oklahoma

Honored By

VFW Post 6949

NUMBER 57 OF THE FIRST 100 WOMEN ACCEPTED INTO THE WAVES (WOMEN ACCEPTED FOR VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE). BECAME PART OF THE FIRST OFFICER TRAINING CLASS IN SEPTEMBER 1942 HELD AT THE NAVAL RESERVE MIDSHIPMEN SCHOOL AT SMITH COLLEGE, NORTH HAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS. SENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C. IN JUNE 1943 TO MANAGE RECREATION AND WELFARE PROGRAMS FOR NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL. SENT TO PEARL HARBOR IN JANUARY 1945 WHERE SHE ASSUMED SIMILAR DUTIES FOR THE 11TH NAVAL DISTRICT. SHE WAS IN HAWAII ON V-J DAY. DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.